I Believe in Miracles

Big Idea: Have you ever witnessed a miracle? Or heard someone describing a miracle they witnessed? What is a miracle? The word miracle comes from the Latin word Miraculum, which means wonder, or something to wonder and awe about. A miracle is defined as a supernatural interruption or intervention in the natural flow of life. Our God is a miracle-working God! He loves us and desires to get involved in our daily lives because He cares for us. Today let's build our faith to believe for miracles in our lives and the lives of those around us! 

Key Scripture: John 20:24-31 (NLT) - One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.” Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book.  But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.

Types of people who don’t believe in miracles:

1. Naturalist - Only the natural world which can be observed is responsible for all things. 
2. Deist - God created the world, but like a watchmaker that’s finished crafting, He sits back and lets it operate on its own and never intervenes. 
3. Cessasionist - The age of miracles has ended with the last apostles.
4. Disappointed Skeptic - Asked God for something, and desired it, but was disappointed.

Discussion Questions: How would you categorize yourself in the types of people listed above? Where do you think that stems from? Is there a mindset that needs to be renewed? Is there a place of disappointment in your story that has gone unhealed preventing you from believing again? Ask the Holy Spirit to heal that place in your heart so you can believe Him again! 

Types of miracles God does throughout the Bible:

1. Miracles of Healing.
2. Miracles of Provision.
3. Miracles of Protection.
4. Miracles of Deliverance.
5. Miracles of Rescue.

Discussion Questions: Share a testimony of a time in your life when you witnessed miracles of healing, provision, protection, deliverance, or rescue. How does recalling that miracle impact you to believe for more? 

Why God does Miracles:

1. He loves people - Matthew 14:14 (NLT) Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
2. He cares deeply - Luke 7:13–15 (NLT) When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. “Don’t cry!” he said. Then he walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. “Young man,” he said, “I tell you, get up.”  Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother.
3. He confirms his word - Mark 16:20 (NLT) And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs.
4. He receives glory - John 11:4 (NLT) But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.”

Discussion Questions: Do you believe God wants to do miracles in your life? If no, why not? What is something you’re facing right now that you need God to step in and supernaturally intervene? Let’s agree in faith to see the miraculous in everyone’s life today! 

Conclusion:

God is the God of miracles! He loves us deeply and cares about every detail of our lives. He’s sitting ready to step in and move mountains for us. All we need to do is ask Him to help! Allow the Lord to restore your faith in Him to believe for miracles in your life. He is a good God and loving Father able and willing to intervene on your behalf. He delights in doing miracles and He will do a miracle for you!