If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat by John Ortberg
Week 3: Chapter 2 — Boat Potatoes
Read Chapter 2 of If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat. Primary Scripture: Matthew 14:22–33; Hebrews 11:1–6.
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Ortberg coins the memorable phrase 'boat potatoes' for believers who have settled into a life of spiritual spectating — and the question this chapter forces is whether that description fits us more than we'd like to admit.
Discussion Questions
7 questions1.Ortberg describes 'boat potatoes' as people who are technically in the boat with Jesus but have no intention of getting out. What are the signs of a 'boat potato' faith? How is it different from genuine rest or godly patience?
2.The chapter argues that staying in the boat is not a neutral decision — it is itself a choice with real spiritual consequences. Do you agree? Have you ever experienced spiritual stagnation that came specifically from playing it safe? What happened?
3.Ortberg notes that many of us have constructed very comfortable boats — good careers, stable routines, respectable church attendance — and we call this 'the Christian life.' What is the difference, in his view, between a comfortable Christian life and a water-walking one?
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