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How is our desire for miracles often misplaced?
In "Biblical Perspective" Gayle Woods writes:
Miracles tend to produce excitement, but not necessarily faith. The disciples had seen many miracles, but they were still having issues with their faith. The people were excited about physical healings and paranormal dis- plays of power, but not many were coming to Jesus for spiritual healing. Today some have an unnatural hunger for the supernatural display of miracles in the physical realm, not realizing that the results are temporary and earthly at best. Our mission is spiritual in nature rather than physical.
Discussion: What should be our greatest desire?
Source: Miracles of Jesus: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 60.
How Are the Trials of Life Good for Us?
In "Doctrinal Discussion" Glenn McClure writes:
We often refer to trials and tribulations as “storms” because they come upon us suddenly and overshadow our lives with devastation. It is not always easy to understand why they come, but we know that they do come. We soon learn that we must face them squarely and deal with each one properly. We should keep in mind, however, that trials are for our benefit, not our destruction.
He then lists three benefits of trials:
- Trials refine our character.
- Trials refire our commitment.
- Trials refresh our confidence.
Discussion: How have you experienced these benefits of trials in your own life?
Source: Miracles of Jesus: Adult Teacher's Insights, pages 61-62.
What Kind of Fear Defeats Faith?
In "Opening the Word" David Fry notes that fear can be a good thing. Good fear keeps us from doing reckless things, etc. However, there is also fear that defeats faith. Fry writes:
This lesson addresses our need to overcome the kind of fear that is detrimental to our faith. The kind of fear that defeats faith is fear that hesitates when we should obey, retreats when we should advance, and focuses on our weakness rather than God’s strength. Even in the midst of uncertainty, faith produces a calm and settled peace — that is, faith that Christ is present. Faith in Christ consistently drives fear away and frees us to take the next step.
Discussion: What scriptural examples do you recall of 1) faith that hesitates when God should have been obeyed, 2) retreated when they should have advanced, 3) focused on their weakness instead of God's strength?
Source: Miracles of Jesus: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 58.
Christ, Master of Fear
Read Matthew 8:23-27
“But the men marveled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?” (v. 27).
What does faith have to do with fear? When someone says to you, “Trust me,” what is your reaction? It totally depends on the person and their track record, right?
One day I was sitting in the grass pulling weeds from around my mom’s beautiful roses. My little nephew, Westley, toddled over, plopped himself in my lap, and said, “Sit on lap, see what happen!” At that time, I merely smiled at the sweet cuteness of his remark. But many times since that “child moment” has come back to me. I can crawl up into God’s lap and just watch as He teaches me to have faith and not fear.
The goal is to learn to back off and observe Him work in what, to our eyes, are impossible situations. As we do we can begin to surrender to His control, sit on His lap, relax in His embrace, and “see what happen!” I can have perfect confidence that His love for me will keep me from sinking beneath any scary wave this life may bring. And learning this lesson can help us to truly enjoy our many blessings. (Wanda Skeen)
Have you learned to lean on Jesus?
This devotional is the Saturday, February 6, 2016 entry of Opening the Word.
The Storm Calmed
Lesson 10 - February 7, 2016
Focus Text: Mark 6:45-56
Central Truth: The presence of Christ drives out fear.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list ways we can rest in Christ’s presence during stormy times.
Lesson Outline:
- The Master's Prayer (Mark 6:45-46)
- The Disciples' Problem (Mark 6:47-49)
- The Master's Presnce (Mark 6:50-52)
- The Master's Power (Mark 6:53-56)
Prayer – Lesson 9 The Demoniac Delivered
Heavenly Father, as our teachers present this lesson, may their students be infused with hope, that just as the demoniac was delivered by Jesus' power, we too can be freed from any and all sinful habits. We pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.