Tag: miracles

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Five

Jesus Calmed the Sea

Jesus Calmed the Sea

Week 59 | Section 65

Jesus Calmed the SeaAs a long day of teaching and the deliverance of one demoniac drew to a close Jesus decided it was time to cross the Sea of Galilee1. Jesus entered the boat with his disciples, they hoisted the sails for the five mile trip. A flotilla of those who wanted to hear more followed along in other boats and Jesus slept while his trusted disciples navigated the waters.

Scripture
[one_third last=”no”]Matthew 8:18, 23-27
18 Now when Jesus saw great multitudes around him, he gave the order to depart to the other side.2 23 When he got into a boat, his disciples followed him. 24 Behold, a violent storm3 came up on the sea, so much that the boat was covered with the waves, but he was asleep.

25 They came to him, and woke him up, saying, “Save us, Lord! We are dying!”

26 He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the wind and the sea, and there was a great calm.

27 The men marveled, saying, “What kind of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”4[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]Mark 4:35-41
35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let’s go over to the other side.”5 36 Leaving the multitude, they took him with them, even as he was,6 in the boat. Other small boats were also with him. 37 A big wind storm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so much that the boat was already filled. 38 He himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion, and they woke him up, and told him, “Teacher, don’t you care that we are dying?”7 39 He awoke, and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? How is it that you have no faith?” 41 They were greatly afraid, and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”8[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]Luke 8:22-25
22 Now on one of those days, he entered into a boat, himself and his disciples,9 and he said to them, “Let’s go over to the other side10 of the lake.” So they launched out. 23 But as they sailed, he fell asleep. A wind storm came down on the lake, and they were taking on dangerous amounts of water.11

24 They came to him, and awoke him, saying, “Master, master, we are dying!” He awoke, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water, and they ceased, and it was calm.

25 He said to them, “Where is your faith?” Being afraid they marveled, saying to one another, “Who is this then, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?”[/one_third]

Group Dialog:

  1. Fear is a normal and acceptable emotion, but what is a faith-filled response to fear?
  2. what situation have you been in which struck fear in you – and what did you think of or do that transformed it into a moment faith.
  3. What is faith?   How has Jesus become the author and perfecter of your faith?
  4. What do you know about the nature of God which has given (could give) you faith to overcome and press on in fearful situations?
  5. What stories of faith have you learned from others in your life which later gave you faith in a moment of concern?
  6. What habits and spiritual disciplines have helped you carry on in faith?

Learning Objectives: the nature of fear, the power of faith, the authority of God, confidence and determination to carry out the mission, lesson in life, godly character

Photo: Waves at sunset, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA overlooking Arrowhead Point, Still Water Cove, and the 8th hole at Pebble Beach, CA.

Study Notes:

Categories
Three Two

Fishers of Men

Fishers of Men

Week 27 | Sections 40,41

Fishers of MenIn this week’s study we’re transitioning from phase two to phase three of Jesus’ ministry. Though this is week 26 for us, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist about a year before. In today’s study the five men who had been following Jesus choose to become his disciples. This is a major transition in their lives, and in the life of every disciple who since believed because of the ministry they embraced – to become fishers of men.

Scripture:

Section 40 | Matthew 4:13-16
13 Leaving Nazareth, he came and lived in Capernaum,1 which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,2 14 that it might be fulfilled3 which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, 15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, 16 the people who sat in darkness saw a great light, to those who sat in the region and shadow of death, to them light has dawned.”4

Section 415

[one_third last=”no”]Matthew 4:18-22
18 Walking by the sea of Galilee,6 he saw two brothers: Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers for men.” 20 They immediately left their nets and followed him. 21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them. 22 They immediately left the boat and their father, and followed him.[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]Mark 1:16-20
16 Passing along by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.7¯8 17 Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you into fishers for men.” 18 Immediately they left their nets, and followed him.9   19 Going on a little further from there, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John, his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets. 20 Immediately he called them, and they left their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired servants, and went after him.[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]Luke 5:1-11
1 Now while the multitude10 pressed on him and heard the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret. 2 He saw two boats standing by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them, and were washing their nets. 3 He entered into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.11 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep, and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered him, “Master, we worked all night, and took nothing; but at your word I will let down the net.”12  6 When they had done this, they caught a great multitude of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 They beckoned to their partners in the other boat, that they should come and help them. They came, and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, Lord.”13 9 For he was amazed, and all who were with him, at the catch of fish which they had caught; 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid. From now on you will be catching people alive.”14 11 When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything, and followed him.[/one_third]

Group Dialog:

  1. What is the difference between being a follower and being a disciple? 
  2. What were these men risking, leaving, and gaining in becoming Jesus’ disciples?
  3. What might you say are the primary lessons you’ve learned thus far in your journey of faith?
  4. Are there people you know who have chosen not to respond to God’s grace? How many chances does God give to become his disciple?
  5. If you’ve made the decision to be a disciple what would you say you are learning now? To what mission are you compelled?
  6. What choices have you recently made to become more proficient as a disciple, and fisher of men?
  7. What can we learn about humility, worth,membership, and stewardship from Peter’s response and that of the other disciples?
  8. What preparation and relationships ought to exist before enlisting people into leadership roles of the local church?

Learning Objectives:

evangelism, become disciples – not just followers, vocation, trust, choice, divine abandon,  spiritual growth, humility, purpose, lifestyle, worth, value, unworthy, stewardship

Study Notes:

Categories
Two

Second Miracle in Galilee

Second Miracle in Galilee

Week 25 | Sections 36,37,28
(Broadcast on Nov 16, 2014)

Second Miracle in GalileeWhile Jesus was often performing miracles that were unmistakable divine, his teaching and presence as the Messiah was to evoke a change in heart and practice. Though some still wish to see miracles, salvation and belief come by faith – not signs. So what of our faith, what shall it yield? The answer will be limited to the power of the one in whom we put our trust.

Scripture:

Section 36 | John 4:43-45
43 After the two days he went out from there1 and went into Galilee.2   44 For Jesus himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country.3 45 So when he came into Galilee, the Galileans received him, having seen all the things that he did in Jerusalem at the feast,4 for they also went to the feast.

Section 37
[one_third last=”no”]Mathew 4:17
17 From that time, Jesus began to preach,5 and to say, “Repent!6 For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]Mark 1:14b-15
preaching the Good News of God’s Kingdom, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and God’s Kingdom7 is at hand! Repent, and believe in the Good News.”[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]Luke 4:14b-15
and news about him spread through all the surrounding area. 15 He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.[/one_third]

Section 38 | John 4:46-54
46 Jesus came therefore again to Cana of Galilee, where he made the water into wine.8 There was a certain nobleman9 whose son was sick at Capernaum.10  47 When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to him, and begged him that he would come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.11 48 Jesus therefore said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders, you will in no way believe.”12  49 The nobleman said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.”13  50 Jesus said to him, “Go your way. Your son lives.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way.14 51 As he was now going down, his servants met him and reported, saying “Your child lives!”15  52 So he inquired of them the hour when he began to get better. They said therefore to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour, the fever left him.” 53 So the father knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives.” He believed, as did his whole house. 54 This is again the second sign that Jesus did, having come out of Judea into Galilee.16

Group Dialog:

  1. What is the buzz happening in you small group and church about what Jesus has said and done among you and throughout history?
  2. Discuss the importance of repentance and believing the Good News.
  3. Should we expect or pray for miracles to happen in this day and age?
  4. What must we learn of faith, trusting the word of God, the prayer of the righteous, and asking?

Learning Objectives:

Repentance, we are given grace through faith, trust in Christ, faith that heals, take Jesus at his word, promises of God, acting in faith.

Study Notes:

Categories
Two

The First Miracle

The First Miracle

Week 19 | Sections 29, 30

The First MiracleToday we read of Jesus’ first miracle at a wedding in the town of Cana. Its a beautiful example of how God is involved and cares about the the details of our daily lives. In our lesson today we learn about Jesus’ power, and the importance of community and our own transparency.

 

Scripture:

John 2:1-11 (Section 29)1
1 The third day,2 there was a marriage3 in Cana of Galilee.4 Jesus’ mother was there. 2 Jesus also was invited, with his disciples,5 to the marriage.6 3 When the wine ran out,7 Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no wine.”4 Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with you and me? My hour has not yet come.”8 5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever he says to you, do it.” 6 Now there were six water pots of stone9set there after the Jews’ way of purifying, containing two or three metretes apiece.10 7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the water pots with water.” So they filled them up to the brim. 8 He said to them,“Now draw some out, and take it to the ruler of the feast.” So they took it. 9 When the ruler11 of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and didn’t know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when the guests have drunk freely, then that which is worse. You have kept the good wine until now!” 11 This beginning of his signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

John 2:12 (Section 30)
12 After this, he went down to Capernaum,12 he, and his mother, his brothers, and his disciples; and they stayed there a few days.13

Group Dialog:

  1. What can we expect of God in the way of miracles?
  2. Why do you think there is a lack of miracles in America?
  3. What spiritual and social dangers are there in being self-sufficient?
  4. What blessings can we receive by receiving from God, an agency, friend, or family?
  5. How are the adverse affects of shame?
  6. How can transparency cultivate the miracle of community (communitas)?
  7. Share a few recent examples of the church helping others in need. What do you feel as you hear these stories?
  8. What is it that you need right now? Will you ask for it in prayer or from a friend?

Learning Objectives:

miracles, community that transforms, prosperity and poverty, helping others, humility, transparency.

Study Notes: