The Hook
- How did God meet you with his good wine this past week?
- How motivated do you think Jesus is to have you believe in him and follow him?
- Have you ever seen a sign from God that made you think he was getting involved?
Samuel L. Jackson’s character sees a sign from God as he is spared from being gunned down. He decides to follow God after seeing the sign. John Travolta disregards the sign from God.
- What is the difference in these men and how they understand signs?
Community Rules for The Seven Signs – Explain and remind at each study
- Ask your questions and choose curiosity
- Be cool with each other
- Answer our questions from the text
- Be open to spiritual growth
Understanding the Message
Read John 4:46-54
- Describe this royal official’s experience of having his son at the point of death.
- Why does John give us the detail of his elevated place in society?
- Why is it true that unless the man sees signs and wonders he will not believe?
- Do you think Jesus wants the man to see signs and wonders and believe?
- Why does he tell the royal official this before he heals the boy?
- What do we learn about Jesus and the authority of his word? Give a modern example.
- What is the significance of the man knowing exactly when the healing happened?
- What is the unseen spiritual reality the healing of the official’s son points to?
- God is the Father and Jesus is the Son who will be raised at the seventh hour.
- Jesus has life in him and life itself is at the command of his word.
- The official’s want his son to live; God the father kills his son that all might live
- Another unseen reality?
- What are lessons we can learn from the Sign?
- Jesus wants us all to believe and therefore gives signs so that we might believe.
- Jesus is compassionate and loves to heal today.
- Jesus has total authority in this world and can change any reality with his word.
- It is a natural next step to tell others about the great deeds of God – encourage it!
- Other lessons?
Does It Work?
Tell a story about a sign that God gave to you to help you believe in him. Make sure to explain the process of your coming to faith.
Your Story
- What are the crises in your life that you need Jesus to heal?
- Would you consider asking Jesus for a sign that you might believe?
- How can you be like the Royal Official and tell others of God’s love and his deeds?
Index Cards
- What is a question about God or the Bible you are thinking about?
- What is an area of your life you are struggling with I can be praying for?