SEPTEMBER 29
JESUS’ POWER OVER DISTANCES
We can trust the Word of God.
Work through the following questions and scriptures on your own or get together with your group, spiritual running partners, or family to talk through what you are learning.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- As we dive into trust, tell an anecdotal story about a time you blindly trusted someone, and it went well? (I.e. – you went skydiving, you drove in a car with someone you don’t know, etc…). Where do you see your level of trust in people play out here in our group, or in our community of faith?
- Read John 4:43-52.
Make some observations about this passage (What does the text say?):
- What do you notice and what are you curious about?
Make some interpretations (What does the passage mean?)
- What do you learn about Jesus?
- What do you learn about humanity?
Now make some applications (what’s my response?)
- How are you encouraged, challenged, or convicted by this passage?
- What should be our response to this passage?
3. The faith of the royal official impacted those in his household. How do you see your faith impacting others (or not) in your house/sphere of influence?
4. What areas of your life do you regularly walk out trusting Jesus? What does that look like?
5. Where do you know you are still holding back in your life or faith, because of a lack of trust in Jesus?
KEY SCRIPTURE
John 4:43-52 After the two days he left for Galilee. (Now Jesus himself had pointed out that a prophet has no honor in his own country.) When he arrived in Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him. They had seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, for they also had been there. Once more he visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum. When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death. “Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.” The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” “Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.” The man took Jesus at his word and departed. While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, “Yesterday, at one in the afternoon, the fever left him.”
PRAYER
God, as your children we have a deep desire to know you, to hear your voice, and to trust that voice as it guides us. We also know that we are wayward people, and that we can easily trust our own voice and the voices of those who are close to us. Help us to work through our doubts/fears, to boldly approach you as the royal official did in this chapter, and to also trust you at your word. (Voice specific areas you are asking God to grow your trust in Him, or specific situations you are needing Him to show up and lead you.)
PRACTICE
1. This next Sunday, participate in the book of John that is printed in your campus lobby. Highlight a verse or write a question on the lobby display. For fun (and accountability) take a picture and send it in your group chat/text (or show it to everyone the next week).
2. Recommit to following the gospel of John reading plan we are doing as a church. And if you want to challenge yourself even more, set aside a day to read the entire gospel of John in one sitting.
3. We are being challenged to trust Jesus at his word, to trust what he said he would do. These are two examples of verses that speak to Jesus being integral in what he accomplishes. Take time to look up others and commit to reading through those during this week.
- Isaiah 26:3-4 – You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.
- James 1:5 – If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
4. Think of someone you do trust, even if it is in a small way, and let them know you are grateful for the level of trust and friendship you have with them.
FOR THE PARENTS
Hey, families! Here’s a look at what we’re covering with your kids so you can help them continue to grow at home during the week.
THIS WEEK FOR PRESCHOOL – Exodus 1:1–2:10
This week we learned no matter how big or small, short or tall you are, God will always help you.
THE BIBLE: “But I know that God helps me. The Lord is the one who keeps me going.”Psalm 54:4 (NIrV)
THE MESSAGE:
In today’s true Bible story, God protects baby Moses.
THE BIG IDEA: God will always help me!
THIS WEEK FOR ELEMENTARY –Exodus 1-2
THE BIBLE: “I am the Lord your God. I take hold of your right hand. I say to you, ‘Do not be afraid. I will help you.’” Isaiah 41:13 (NIrV)
THE MESSAGE:
Just like God was right there protecting Moses, He’s right there protecting you too. We all have some things we are afraid of. It’s a good thing God is our protector.
THE BIG IDEA: God is our protector, so I don’t need to be afraid
ASK THIS
Because sometimes you and your kid need a conversation-starter that isn’t,
“So . . . how was church?”
- Do you think God protected Moses or do you think Moses was just lucky? Why?
- What do you think this story teaches us about God?