Keeping our eyes on Jesus – Bible Study

KEEPING OUR EYES ON JESUS

When Peter stepped out of the boat in Matthew 14:22-33, he began walking on water not because of his own strength, but because his eyes were fixed on Jesus. The moment his focus shifted to the wind and waves, fear overwhelmed him and he began to sink. This familiar story reflects the spiritual journey many of us face. We want to follow Jesus boldly, but distractions, fears, doubts, and competing desires often pull our attention away.

This study uses Peter’s encounter on the water as a guide for examining the many things that can keep us from recognizing God’s presence, stepping out in faith, and staying focused on Christ in the midst of life’s storms. As you reflect on these passages, may you be challenged to release what hinders, resist what distracts, and renew your focus on the One who calms the wind and waves.

Matthew 14
22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.
23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,
24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them.
25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.
26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear.
27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.”
31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

WHAT KEEPS US FROM RECOGNIZING GOD

(Drawing from Matthew 14: 26-27)

1 Corinthians 2:14
“The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.”

Job 23:8–9
“Behold, I go forward, but he is not there, and backward, but I do not perceive him; on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him; he turns to the right hand, but I do not see him.”

2 Corinthians 4:4
“In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

Isaiah 55:8–9
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

What kinds of situations or circumstances make it difficult for you to recognize that God is at work?

What truths from Scripture can help you trust God’s presence even when you don’t immediately see or understand what He’s doing?

Are there specific distractions or mindsets that have caused you to miss God’s voice recently?

WHAT KEEPS US FROM GETTING OUT OF THE BOAT?

Fear

Isaiah 41:10
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

2 Timothy 1:7
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

Doubt

James 1:6
“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.”

Hebrews 11:6
“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

Fear of Failure or Inadequacy

Exodus 4:10
“But Moses said to the Lord, ‘Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.’”

Jeremiah 1:6–7
“Then I said, ‘Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.’ But the Lord said to me, ‘Do not say, “I am only a youth”; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak.’”

Unresolved Sin or Guilt

Psalm 32:3–5
“For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’ and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.”

Isaiah 59:1–2
“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.”

Unbelief

Hebrews 3:12
“Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.”

John 20:27
“Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.’”

Comfort and Complacency

Proverbs 1:32
“For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them.”

Luke 9:23
“And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’”

What fears or doubts have held you back from stepping out in faith when God was calling?

When you sense God calling you to something new or challenging, what is your first emotional response?

How can you intentionally replace fear and doubt with trust in God’s promises?

WHAT IS DISTRACTING US?

(Drawing from Matthew 14:30)

Worldly Desires

Matthew 6:24
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

1 John 2:15-16
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.”

Luke 12:15
“And he said to them, ‘Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.’”

Busyness and Worry

Luke 10:41-42
“But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.’”

Matthew 6:25
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?”

People Pleasing and Fear of Others

Galatians 1:10
“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

Proverbs 29:25
“The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.”

Temptation and Sin

James 1:14-15
“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”

Romans 12:2
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Are you allowing the opinions or approval of others to influence your obedience to God?

In what ways has temptation or sin clouded your ability to stay centred on Christ?

What practical steps could you take this week to eliminate one distraction and refocus on Jesus?

HOW WE KEEP OUR EYES ON JESUS

Romans 8:5–6

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”

Colossians 3:1-2
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

Psalm 25:15
“My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net.”

Psalm 119:105
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

Joshua 1:8
“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

Psalm 34:5
“Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.”

What competes most for your attention when it comes to staying focused on Jesus?

How can intentionally meditating on Scripture help strengthen your focus on Christ?

What is one simple, practical step you can take this week to stay more aware of God’s presence?

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.