Fail Forward - P(failure)

Water cooler conversation:  

  • What was your biggest win this week? What was your biggest challenge?

  • What do you see as one of your biggest missed opportunities?

Unpack the Message:

Peter is one of the more relatable characters in Scripture. The impact of his ministry is evident centuries after his death, and his life story is a master class in failing forward. 

In Matthew 14:22-33, Peter finds himself in a situation with a high probability of failure. He and the disciples have just witnessed Jesus’ miracle of feeding the 5000, and now, He sends them across the Sea of Galilee to rest while He remains to dismiss the crowd. Jesus then goes up a mountainside alone to pray. 

The topography of the land surrounding the Sea of Galilee makes it prone to sudden, violent weather, and one kicks up while the disciples are mid-crossing. As they struggle to bring their boat to shore, a figure appears, walking on water toward them. Naturally, the disciples are terrified, but Jesus calls out to reassure them, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Jesus uses the Greek words egō eimi to identify Himself, invoking the Old Testament name God uses in Exodus 3:7–8, 13–14), “I am.”   

Peter’s response is typical of his nature. He cries out, “‘Lord, if it’s You, tell me to come to You on the water.’” Jesus beckons him to come, so Peter steps out of the boat and begins to walk on water. All is well until Peter sees the wind. Suddenly he’s afraid and, as he begins to sink, shouts, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reaches out, grabs Peter, and they climb into the boat. Jesus lovingly chastises Peter, saying, “You of little faith. Why did you doubt?” 

If we want to fail forward as Peter does throughout his life, we must remember that faith and obedience to God do not make us vulnerable to failure. Faith is acting on what God has called you to do and trusting His promises, but a lack of trust leads to trouble. It’s doubt and hesitation because of our circumstances that make us vulnerable to failure. Peter didn’t begin to sink until he took his eyes off Jesus and allowed himself to be distracted by the wind and waves around him. Had he kept his eyes on Jesus, and been mindful of His power, he’d have walked straight to Jesus without even getting the hem of his robes wet.

The probability of failure is never greater than the possibility of God. Matthew 19:26 promises us that with God, all things are possible. So when God calls us to do the impossible, He will make a way. Peter was a fisherman, so he knew the danger of a storm at sea, and he knew it was impossible to walk on water. He also knew Jesus could do miracles; he’d seen them himself, so Peter boldly stepped out of the boat. 

Failure will never take you beyond the reach of Jesus. The moment Peter called out to Jesus, He reached out and lifted him to the safety of the boat. Throughout Scripture, particularly in Psalms, God uses the metaphor of rescuing us from the waters in times of trouble, so this story would have great significance to Matthew’s Jewish audience. Despite Peter’s doubt, Jesus doesn’t hesitate to rescue him. It’s important to note that by stepping out in faith, Peter was closer to Jesus than the other disciples still in the boat. 

As Jesus saves him, He chastises Peter, asking, “Why did you doubt?” They have this brief conversation amid the chaos, and Jesus uses it as a teachable moment for Peter. He’d seen Jesus do countless miracles, yet Peter still doubts because of his circumstances. So likewise, Jesus disciples us in failure. No matter how far we fall, no matter how grave our mistakes, Jesus will always reach out to draw us close if we cry out for help and use our failure to disciple us and enable us to fail forward. 

  1. Why do you think Jesus sent His disciples out on the water, knowing there would be a storm? 

  2. Read Matthew 14:25–31. If you were in the same situation, do you think you’d be out on the water with Peter or in the boat with the other eleven disciples? Explain. 

  3. What can we do when we’re scared and feel like we’re in the middle of hard times? 

  4. Why does God allow us to fail? 

  5. Why can difficult things sometimes be good things?

  6. ​​Looking back at your life, are you a risk-taker or do you tend to seek security? How do you think that has shaped the direction of your life? 

  7. Consider the statement, “God doesn’t push us out of the boat, but sometimes he invites us out of the boat.” In what ways do you find that statement challenging? In what ways do you find it comforting?

  8. What is the one area of life that you know taking a step of faith in would be terrifying and only Jesus could save you? What can you do to take a step of faith in that area? How can your eGroup support you?

Make a Move: 

Following Jesus sounds great in theory, but obedience is scary. So, determine to take that first step in faith and obedience this week. Step out of your boat. Focus on Jesus—the one calling us to obey—and trust that He will make the impossible possible. 

Prayer Prompt:

Father, thank you for reaching out with immediate help any time we cry out to You. Give me Peter’s boldness and his willingness to step out in faith so I too may draw close to You. I ask that You help me to keep my eyes on Your face and my heart focused on Your promises. I’ve seen You do miracles and I ask for one in my life today. Amen