Inward Prayer

Small Group Questions:

1. 1. Can you identify any specific miracles of Jesus in the book of John that resonate with you personally? Why do they stand out to you?
   2. How do you think the miracles performed by Jesus in the book of John relate to his identity as the redeemer?
   3. Read John 14:12-14. What are your thoughts on the idea that we can experience God’s miraculous power in Jesus’ name today?
   4. What do you think it means to “chase after Jesus” rather than chasing after signs and wonders?
   5. How can we apply the idea that even when our prayers for miracles aren’t answered, it’s still part of God’s redemptive plan, in our daily lives?

Outward Prayer

THE MAIN POINT

The miracles of Jesus reflect God’s redemptive plan to revive creation to its original intent before the destruction of sin and death.

THE BIBLE

John 2:1-12, 4:46-54, 5:1-11, 6:1-15, 6:16-21, 9:1-12, & 11:1-44, John 14:12-14 CSB

THE CONTEXT

The book of John contains seven of the miracles of Jesus. Turning water into wine (2:1-12), healing the nobleman’s son (4:46-54), healing the man at the pool (5:1-11), feeding of the five thousand (6:1-15), walking on water (6:16-21), healing a man born blind (9:1-12), and resurrecting Lazarus (11:1-44). John tells us in John 20:30 that Jesus did many more miracles than could ever be recorded. However, these are what are shared with us in this particular gospel.

“Miracle” is not a word the writers of the gospels wrote. It is a word the church today uses to categorize these works. In John, other terms such as “sēmeia kai terata” (signs and wonders) are used.

If you see someone wearing a ring on the fourth finger of their left hand, what do you think? You probably assume that person is married! However, the ring’s existence, along with its placement, is more than a simple piece of jewelry that indicates one’s marital status. It is a symbol of one’s commitment to their spouse and the love they share.

In the same way that a wedding ring is a sign that points to a deeper reality than the sign itself, so is Jesus’ performing of miracles. They point to an even greater meaning than the impact they made on the people who experienced them.

“Jesus’ intentions, however, went beyond meeting these immediate, individual, temporal needs. His actions were pointers to a deeper revelation about God and salvation, and how humankind can connect to the former and experience the latter.” (Mark Clark)

As we learned last week, Jesus’ coming in the flesh brought about a great shift in how God relates to His creation. He too experienced life on this earth. He understands and is there for us in our circumstances.

The miracles he performed reflect God’s redemptive plan to revive creation to its original intent before the destruction of sin and death. From the miracles Jesus did, we can better understand His nature as Redeemer. They are a sign of the great shift that had come and that was to come through Jesus.

THE CORE

As you prepare the core of the message using personal story and questions keep in mind these points:

• Jesus’ performing of miracles is a sign that points to a deeper reality than the sign itself.
• Jesus’ intentions in his miracles, went beyond meeting the immediate, individual, temporal needs of the people who experienced them.
• The miracles he performed reflect God’s redemptive plan to revive creation to its original intent before the destruction of sin and death.
• From the miracles Jesus did, we can better understand His nature as our Redeemer.
• Jesus’ performance of miracles reveals the authority He has

THE APPLICATION

As you prepare the application, challenge and/or encouragement, keep in mind these points:

• The miracles detailed in John are not only for Jesus’ time but can be experienced today. (Read John 14:12-14 CSB)
• In Jesus’ name, we too can experience God’s miraculous redemptive power.
• We are not to chase signs & wonders, we are to chase after Jesus.
• Sometimes we may pray for a miracle but our desires are not met. However, we know that this is still a part of God’s redemptive plan and that one day creation will be fully restored.