John 2:1-11
Remember to do your follow-up from last week. Accountability, prayer, and rejoicing over what God has done over the past 7 days.
-What does Mary's request tell you about her relationship with Jesus? (intimacy, knows his power and authority). How does her request compare to how you approach Jesus? (Do you approach with timidity, not really sure if God can even answer your prayers, or if he even cares?). Start praying bold prayers, and be confident that God not only loves you and wants to answer your prayers, but has the power and authority to do it!
-What are some bold, dangerous prayers your group members need for you to pray about? What is something that you can be boldly approaching the throne of God together about, anticipating Him answering that request?
-Jesus makes it clear that his mission will be accomplished on his timing. Some of your group members may have been praying prayers for a long time, and God still hasn't answered them yet. Encourage them to continue to pray those prayers, start praying them again, knowing that God's timing is perfect. Our role in the relationship is not to set the timetable. We simply bring the requests to the Father, and he answers them His way. Let's focus on the roles: we pray and bring our worries, requests, fears, etc, to God, and he is responsible for the results. Don't be tempted to try and switch roles and take that responsibility from him due to impatience.
-Mary's advice: listen to Jesus, and do what he says. WOW, some solid advice!
1. Faith- Do you have the faith that Jesus can handle your problems? Do you have the faith that he is sufficient? Do you really believe that Jesus cares about your problems and can solve them? That's the first step to seeing your prayers answered.
2. Obedience- Many people have faith, but sometimes we get bogged down in obedience. We tell God that we want to be faithful with our finances, but when he calls us to give our money away, we change our mind. We tell God we want to be faithful with our job and relationships and time, but if God calls us to something sacrificial and uncomfortable, we change our minds and want to do it our way. Your faith is void without obedient action behind it!
-Ask you group that if Jesus were to show up in this room and tell you to do something (to point to an individual and give them specific instructions) would they do it? I bet all of them say yes. So why is it so difficult for us to obey the Word? It's what Jesus left us as his blueprint and plan for our lives. It's him looking at us and telling us what to do. Why do you think it's so hard to be obedient sometimes?
Look at the order of the passage: Faith, obedience, signs. Isn't it interesting how we get that mixed up alot? We want the signs first! Show me a sign God. IF you do this for me, then I will follow you. IF you heal this person, then I'll know you are God. IF you provide for me, then I'll know you're real. Guilty of any of those statements? Mary has faith first, is obedient to God, then God moves on her behalf and answers her request.
-When you gave your life to Christ, did you fill it to the brim? Or did you leave room for yourself and other things, just in case you needed to step in? What areas of your life are easy to fill to the brim with Jesus? What areas of your life is the water level of Jesus the lowest?
-Tell some stories of how Jesus has been sufficient in your life. Encourage one another through something that God has taught you and done in your life.
-So why does God do signs/miracles/wonders? To prove his power and authority, to get the Glory form his people, and for more people to believe in Him.
Check your motives of why you are asking God for a sign. Is it so that the end result will be that more people believe in Him? Or is it something selfish just for you?
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