The 911 Handbook
Study Guide Answers
Lesson 8 Chapter 8
When You Need to Make a Change: Breaking Out of Comfort Zones
Answers are written in italics
Read Matthew 14:25-31
What is a comfort zone?
It is an invisible area surrounding us that keep makes us feel comfortable.
What is the greatest danger of a comfort zone?
We can become imprisoned by our comfort zones by keeping us from making necessary changes. They can stunt our spiritual growth and keep us from receiving God's blessings.
Comfort Zone Principles
Principle #1: We break through comfort zones when we do something that makes us feel uncomfortable.
Why is it important for us to break through our comfort zones?
We will become bored, stagnated, and in bondage if we don't break out of them.
How does the boat represent a comfort zone?
It was a safe, familiar place for Peter. Jesus wanted him to walk on the water, so he had to leave the boat behind to obey Him.
Why do we feel uncomfortable whenever we break through a comfort zone?
Because it is something that we've never done before. We aren't sure what will happen to us as a result of making a change. Many people wrongly think because something feels uncomfortable, it can't be right. But it's natural to feel uncomfortable at first when we try something new.
Principle #2: We break through comfort zones by refusing to listen to our fears.
Why We Stay in the Boat:
How can fear of criticism keep us in the boat?
Some people fear what other people think more than what could benefit them if they made the change.
How does the fear of failure keep us in the boat?
It tells us it's better not to attempt anything new than to fail and become embarrassed. In order to keep safe from failure, we stay in the boat.
How can failure help make us successful?
We can learn from our mistakes, which is part of the process of becoming successful.
Give some examples of imaginary dragons that keep people in the boat.
We can imagine situations that are unrealistic and ridiculous. (Have the people in discussion group give some personal examples.)
Principle #3: We break through comfort zones by taking a step of faith.
Why did Peter ask Jesus to command him to come?
Because in order to break through his comfort zone he needed to hear a word from God. We also need to hear from God.
What commitment did Peter make when he stepped out of the boat?
He stepped completely out of the boat with both feet (total commitment).
Using the analogy of feet and the boat, explain the difference between unbelief, doubt, and faith.
Unbelief keeps both feet inside the boat, doubt takes one step out and keeps one foot in, and faith steps completely out of the boat.
Explain how taking a step of faith can shatter the stronghold of fear.
Faith is more powerful than fear. Fear works through intimidation and when faith rises against it, fear is shattered.
Principle #4: We break through comfort zones in order to fulfill God's will.
What is the primary motivation for breaking out of a comfort zone?
Our primary motivation is to fulfill God's will for our lives.
Why did Peter need to hear Jesus say "come" before he get out of the boat?
Because he needed faith to overcome his fear. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ (Rom. 10:17).
Before we can make a change, what do we need to understand?
We must understand that being in God's will is more fulfilling than staying in our comfort zones.
Principle #5: We break through comfort zones to experience freedom on the other side.
Why did Peter sink after taking a few steps on the water?
He took his eyes off Jesus and put them on his circumstances.
Why is freedom found outside of every comfort zone?
Because comfort zones imprison us. The only way to freedom is to break through to get God's blessing on the other side. It is not until after we break through that we realize how imprisoned we were in our comfort zones.
What are some comfort zones you need to break through? What steps do you need to take to do so?
(Have the discussion group share their comfort zones and ask one or two things they can do differently to break out of them.)