The Ark Church Magnolia
Discussion Guide

Walking On Water

Pastor Clayton Small
|
September 14, 2025

Main Idea

The main idea centered on the fact that our lives may not always align with our expectations, yet with Jesus, we can rise above our circumstances. Pastor Clayton taught us that true faith compels us to step out of our comfort zones, just as Peter did when he walked on water. He illustrated that our focus determines our direction; by keeping our eyes on Jesus, we can overcome our fears. We were reminded that following Jesus entails a cost, yet His love, grace, and salvation are freely given. The message concluded with a challenge to embrace our pieces and trust in God's ability to create a beautiful picture out of our lives.

Scripture References

Matthew 14:22-33, John 14:27, 2 Chronicles 7:14

What does it mean to you to focus on Jesus in your daily life?

Both faith and fear will enter our minds, but we must choose to let only faith remain.

How can we better recognize the presence of Jesus in our moments of fear?

Discussion Questions:

In what ways have you experienced the cost of following Jesus?

What are some 'pieces' in your life that you are struggling to understand?

How can we support one another in building with the pieces God has given us?

The gifts of Jesus are freely given, but they come with an invitation to surrender our lives.

Summary

In the sermon, Pastor Clayton reminded us that when the pieces of our lives don't match our expectations, we should continue to seek Jesus for clarity. He emphasized that faith must outweigh fear, as demonstrated by Peter walking on water. We learned that fear often arises from forgetting who we are with, and that focusing on Jesus transforms our perspective. The message highlighted the cost of following Jesus, which is more than just receiving His gifts; it requires surrendering our own lives. Ultimately, we were encouraged to build with the pieces God has given us, regardless of how uncomfortable or challenging that may be.

Call to Action

Some next steps to take this week:

Choose to anchor your faith in Jesus this week.

Reflect on how you can build with the pieces God has given you.

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