CHAPTER 1
We Can’t, but God Can
1.
What do you think about miracles?
•
Do you believe the Bible’s miracle stories?
•
Why or why not?
•
Do you believe that miracles occur in this present day?
•
Have you witnessed or experienced a miracle? If so, tell the story.
•
If not, do you know someone who claims to have witnessed or experienced a miracle? What were those circumstances?
2.
Of the miracles recorded in Scripture, which is your favorite?
•
What about this miracle intrigues you?
•
What does this miracle say about Jesus’ heart for others?
3.
What does Max say is unique about John’s gospel?
If you had been a disciple of Jesus and were recording your own gospel about his life, what would have been your focus, and why?
4.
John 20:30–31 says, “Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (
NIV
).
•
Spend a moment imagining miracles that weren’t recorded in Scripture. Imagine the people healed, forgiven, saved. Who are you in that scene?
•
According to Max what does “life in his name” look like? (See
p. 4
.)
5.
What else do the miracles of Christ promise us? (See
p. 5
.) How does this affect your faith?
6.
The woman Max describes at the beginning of this chapter said, “It’s just me, and I ain’t much.”
•
Have you ever felt like this? If so, what circumstances caused you to feel this way?
•
Is there any area of your life right now in which you feel alone? Describe the situation or events that led up to this. How has this loneliness affected you?
•
How has loneliness affected your faith?
•
What words would you use to describe this lonely season?
7.
Max cites a study from Parkland Hospital in Dallas. What did that study discover?
•
How did you react to this information? Did it surprise you? Why or why not?
•
Have you witnessed loneliness in your family or on a
large communal scale in your city or neighborhood? Give some examples.
•
The hospital study revealed that these patients ultimately wanted to know that someone cared (
p. 7
). In what way can you relate to that sentiment?
8.
Max asks, “Do you believe in a Jesus who has not only power but a passionate love for the weak and wounded of the world? Do you think he cares enough about you to find you in the lonely waiting rooms, rehab centers, and convalescent homes of life?” (
p. 8
).
•
How would you answer these questions?
•
What personal experiences have led you to this belief in the Jesus of power and love?
9.
Fill in the blanks: “And we will be careful, oh so careful, to see the signs as John designed them to be seen, not as entries in a
___[Your Notes]___
__[Your Notes]__
, but as samples from God’s
____[Your Notes]____
” (
p. 6
).
•
Explain the statement above.
•
What do you hope to learn about Jesus in this book?
•
What do you hope to learn about miracles?
•
What do you hope to learn about yourself?
10.
The gospel of Matthew ends with these words of Jesus: “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20
ESV
).
•
Imagine you are John listening to Jesus telling you these words. How would you feel?
•
What does this promise mean to you today?
11.
Revisit John 20:30–31.
•
Which phrase in these verses is most meaningful to you? Why?
•
When John promises that believing leads to “life in [Jesus’] name,” what do you think he is trying to convey? What does “life in his name” mean to you?