BIG IDEA
We use the word “miracle” often. The other day, I put my niece and nephew to bed by 7:30 pm, and I thought I had witnessed a miracle. The truth is, we use the word so casually that it loses its wonder if we let it. God is a miracle-working God, and He performs miracles every day and works and moves in our lives. Knowing this, it’s no wonder that when Jesus came to earth, He performed miracles and demonstrated His power to everyone watching. People worldwide have been and are still drawn to Jesus through His miracles.
BREAK THE ICE
What comes to mind when you think of the word “miracle?”
SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
Bible Study Questions
1. Have you ever experienced God doing a miracle in your life or the life of someone you love? What was it?
WATCH SERMON RECAP
2. Read John 2:1-12. What was the result of this miracle? (See verse 11).
John 2:1-12
"The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. 3 The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.” 4 “Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” 5 But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons. 7 Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled, 8 he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions. 9 When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. 10 “A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!” 11 This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him. 12 After the wedding he went to Capernaum for a few days with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples.
"The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. 3 The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.”
4 “Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.”
5 But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
6 Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons. 7 Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled, 8 he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions.
9 When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. 10 “A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!”
11 This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him.
12 After the wedding he went to Capernaum for a few days with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples.
3. Read John 6:3-13. What does this miracle teach about what God does with what we bring to Him, even if it seems like a little bit?
John 6:3-13
"Then Jesus climbed a hill and sat down with his disciples around him. 4 (It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration.) 5 Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” 6 He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do. 7 Philip replied, “Even if we worked for months, we wouldn’t have enough money to feed them!” 8 Then Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up. 9 “There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?” 10 “Tell everyone to sit down,” Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.) 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. 12 After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.” 13 So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves."
"Then Jesus climbed a hill and sat down with his disciples around him. 4 (It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration.) 5 Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” 6 He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do.
7 Philip replied, “Even if we worked for months, we wouldn’t have enough money to feed them!”
8 Then Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up. 9 “There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?”
10 “Tell everyone to sit down,” Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.) 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. 12 After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.” 13 So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves."
4. As you think about the miracles that Jesus performed, what did He demonstrate by performing those miracles? (Read John 21:25 as a reminder of all that Jesus did.)
John 21:25
"Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written."
Application
1. Do you ever think what you have to offer is not enough to be used by God? How does the Scripture we have studied today encourage you?
2. Is there an area of your life where you need God’s power or a miracle?
3. How does studying Jesus’ power give you hope as you think about your own life?
MOVING FORWARD
One of the most important things we can do is introduce others to the power of Jesus to the people around us. Think of someone who you can bring to church with you this weekend. Share it with your group. Spend some time praying together that God will make Himself known to these people in your lives. Make sure your list of people to invite is both welcoming and inclusive. God loves and has a heart for everyone.
Going Deeper
Jesus performed many miracles that were recorded in the New Testament (and other miracles that were not recorded). These miracles brought healing and helped many people around Him, but that is not all that these miracles did. These miracles also taught us about Jesus. They displayed His compassion, power, and that He was the Son of God. So let’s dive deeper into some of the miracles Jesus did and what they teach us about Him.
Read Luke 5:12-13.
Read Mark 5:1-13.
Read John 11:38-44, verses that take place when Jesus was at the tomb of his friend Lazarus who had recently died.
Reflect:
Jesus is still compassionate, all-powerful, and the Son of God today. He still works and moves in our lives, even when we do not realize it. Take a few minutes to think about spiritual or physical miracles in your own life. Then, after thinking about His power and the compassion He has shown you in your life, pick one of the miracles He has done in your life and share it with someone who does not yet know Jesus. Tell them that Jesus is powerful and still working in our lives today!
MONTHLY MEMORY VERSE (Available for download on Sagebrush App)
John 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
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