One Call Away

Main Point: No matter where we are, no matter what is going on, no matter what we’ve done, Jesus is just one call away.

The Song:
One Call Away is one of the latest singles from the young and uber-talented crooner, Charlie Puth. For a while, Puth has been teaming up with other artists, for example with Wiz Khalifa in See You Again and Meghan Trainor in Marvin Gaye. But with One Call Away, Puth goes solo…and is showing the world he doesn’t need any help.

One Call Away contains a very simple premise. It shows Puth trying to win over the affections of one of his beautiful classmates. He wants the girl to know that he’s there for her should she ever decide to call on him. Pretty cool back story: the song was actually inspired by one of Puth’s real life friends who was commenting on his long distance relationship with a girl. The official music video has been viewed on YouTube more than 325 million times, and the single will be featured on his debut album entitled Nine Track Mind releasing in early November of 2016.

The music video is completely clean, shows a simple love story, and provides a wonderful opportunity for us to share the Gospel.

The Song’s Lyrics:

Transitional Statement:
When listening to this catchy little song, it probably makes most of us think of our best friend, or a really close family member, whoever it may be who’s always telling you, “I got your back. I’m there for you if you ever need me. All you gotta do is call.” Interestingly, the exact same can be said of Jesus. It doesn’t matter where we are, what is going on, what the situation may be, He is literally only one call away. I want to prove that to you by sharing a great Bible story with you in your small groups.

Divide into Small Groups:
Let’s go ahead and split up into our discussion groups, and then afterward we’ll come back together for a final word.

CLICK HERE for a quick training article on how to maximize your small groups using our small group format—a great resource to equip your small group leaders.

Discussion Questions:

1. AROUND THE CIRLCE: As we get started, let’s all take a second to share our names and your favorite song right now.


2. ASK SOMEONE: What was the message that Charlie was trying to convey to the girl in the music video?


3. ASK A FEW: Who is that person in your life that you KNOW has your back? Who is the person who is just one call away?


4. ASK A FEW: Can you share a time when you had to call on them for help? What happened?


5. ASK A FEW: But, have you ever been in a situation so deep so dark so bad that they couldn’t help you…even if they wanted to? What did you do then?


6. ASK A FEW: Do you think it’s fair to say that Jesus is just one call away? Why or why not?

Read the following passage:

Matthew 14:22-31 (NV)

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”



7. ASK A FEW: How would you have reacted to being in that storm in the middle of the sea in a tiny little fishing boat?


8. ASK A FEW: Why do you think Peter wanted to go to Jesus on the water?


9. ASK A FEW: Would you have done what Peter did? Would you have stepped out of the boat in that situation? Why or why not?


10. ASK A FEW: What two things happened when Peter started walking to Jesus? (Leaders – Peter began to sink and Peter cried out to Jesus.)


11. ASK A FEW: So, Peter was walking on water, took his eyes off Jesus, became afraid, and began to sink. In the middle of all that, he called out to Jesus. What do you think Jesus should do? Why?

Read the following passage:

Matthew 14:31-33 (NIV)

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”



12. ASK A FEW: So, we’re told that Jesus reached out and saved Peter “immediately.” How important is the “immediately” part?


13. ASK A FEW: Why didn’t Jesus just let Peter sink? I mean, it was Peter’s own failure and doubt that caused him to sink?


14. ASK A FEW: Have you ever been in a situation that compelled you to call out to Jesus? If so, what happened?


15. ASK A FEW: Why is Jesus so eager to be with us, save us, and love us?


16. AROUND THE CIRCLE: What is one thing in your life that you’re facing right now that you need to call out to Jesus about?

So if you are facing something bad right now, something scary right now, something sinful right now, call out to Jesus. He is literally just a call away.

Close in Prayer

Written by David R Smith