Bgroup Lesson Apr 06
In the first lesson we defined a miracle as a divine interruption or intervention to the natural flow of life. We believe God is not only aware of, but desires to respond to needs in our life in a supernatural way. With that being said, we should be making requests to God often. However, there are believers who never ask because they think God is too busy or doesn’t get involved in the personal details of their lives. Others may make one request but never ask again. Jesus instructed us in prayer to ask and keep asking, seek and keep seeking (Luke 11:9-10). Even others ask but in their hearts do not have the faith to believe that God will answer. In this lesson we will look at six biblical ways to ask for a miracle.
Ephesians 3:20 (NLT) - “Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”
Matthew 18:19-20 (NLT) - “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”
James 1:6-7 (NLT) - “But when you ask Him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waiver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.”
1 John 4:49-52 (NLT) - “The official pleaded, Lord please come now before my little boy dies. Then Jesus told him, “Go back home, Your son will live!” And the man believed Jesus and started back home. While the man was on his way, some of his servants met him with the news that his son was alive and well. He asked them when the boy had begun to get better, and they replied “Yesterday afternoon at one o’clock his fever suddenly disappeared!”
John 15:7-8 (NLT) - “But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.”
Ephesians 3:20 tells us that our God is able to do abundantly more than we could ask or even imagine! God wants us to ask for bigger things, greater things than we have ever imagined. We should not, however, think that prayer is a blank check for whatever we would love to have for our own pleasure. When God is involved in working a miracle it is bigger than we could imagine. It is kingdom advancing and kingdom focused. It is also not about ourselves but others.
Discussion Question: In the context of this first point, what is a big prayer in which we can ask God to intervene? Does kingdom focused mean that God does not answer prayers for personal needs? Explain.
(Matthew 18:19-20) Praying in agreement with others is more powerful than asking alone. When we agree with our spouse or others, Christ is in the midst of us. We can see examples in the New Testament of believers gathered together to agree in prayer (the church gathered to pray for the release of Peter from prison in Acts 12:5). Praying in agreement with others builds our faith. Praying in agreement with others also keeps our motives pure since others are involved in our requests.
Discussion Question: Who is your “agreement partner” in prayer? How can agreeing with others in prayer strengthen our faith? Read together Matthew 18:19-20. Is “anything you ask” conditional? Explain.
Belief is a posture of the heart. We all get bombarded with questioning thoughts. Even though we are tempted to doubt in our head, it does not mean that our heart is not steadfast. In prayer we no longer see what is happening on the surface but we can stand in faith with our hearts securely anchored on the promises of God. Hebrews 10:23 tells us that “He who promised is FAITHFUL!”
Discussion Question: Do you find that in your natural mind you waiver in your belief for a miracle? How do you fight against thoughts of doubt, worry, or fear?
Asking in faith is only half of the miracle. Jesus said that we must “ask” AND “believe we have received it.” In 1 John 5:14 the Bible says that we must “ask according to His will (His promises), and know that He hears us…and we know that we HAVE the requests we have asked of Him.” A vital part of believing that He has heard us is to begin immediately to thank Him and give Him praise for the answer that is on the way!
Discussion Question: Where does a confidence that God “hears us” come from? How would you encourage someone to trust that God hears when they pray? What scriptures would you reference? How do you receive something by faith?
In John’s gospel chapter 4 we read of a government official from the city of Capernum who walked 20 miles to ask Jesus to come and heal his son. Jesus told him “Go back home. Your son will live”. With only a “word” from Jesus he made the long 20 mile journey back home! On the way his servants greeted him with the amazing report that his son was well! This father had an “If you said it, I believe it!” attitude. When Jesus told him to go home, he acted in obedience and was greeted along the way with the report of the miracle!
Discussion Question: Why is walking out what you believe important? Is there a promise of God that you are walking out right now? How do you stay full of faith as you wait for the fulfillment of that promise?
Jesus said if we abide in Him and His words abide in us, we may ASK for anything (according to His word) and it will be granted. That word “ask” is the Greek word “aiteo” (ahee-teh’-o) and it means not just to ask but to ask from a place of privilege! Because we abide in Him and we have a strong relationship with Him, it puts us in a place of special favor. Peter was able to tell the man at the Gate Beautiful to “Rise up and walk” because he had a confidence in his relationship with the one who said, “These signs will follow those who believe…”
Discussion Question: How would you explain abiding in Christ and His words abiding in you? How is our relationship important when it comes to requesting miracles? (Read 1 John 3:21-22)
Jesus has given believers the authority to ask for miracles. However, we should ask in faith believing that not only God can work miracles but that He wants to work miracles in the lives of the people He loves. Employ these six principles of asking for miracles and let's see God do great things as we trust and believe!