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Miracle worker
sermon guide
God first reveals Himself as Jehovah-Rapha (the God who heals) in Exodus 15:26. We see this characteristic of God as a healer throughout the Old and New Testaments. Let’s explore some of these together:
Assign different people to read Exodus 15:22-27; Psalm 41:3; Jonah 2:5-7; Psalm 23:3; Psalm 147:3; and James 5:14-16.
What are some commonalities you find within these verses we have read together? What conclusions can you draw about the type of healing that Jehovah-Rapha is able to accomplish?
The Israelites had endured going without water for three days, and then when they finally came to a source of water, it was undrinkable. Moses cried out to God. God directed Moses to cast a tree into the bitter water.
Why do you think God chose to ask Moses to use a tree to purify the waters? What can we deduce from verse 26 that God was trying to teach Moses and the Israelites?
Share a time when you felt God asked you to do something that didn’t make sense? What was the outcome?
This took place in Marah, which means “bitter.” This same word is used in other passages, speaking of bitterness of the heart associated with grief, hardship, family turmoil, and the inability to conceive a child. Sometimes the healing miracles we need are in our hearts.
Gene gave us three steps we can take when we are in need of a miracle, when we are in need of Jehovah-Rapha.
Come to God with your need.
Do what God asks you to do.
Trust Him for the outcome.
Gene summarized the sermon in one sentence: “The Miracle Worker, Jehovah-Rapha, is ready to give you the miracle you need, even if it’s not the miracle you seek.” Jesus can turn what was once bitter into a source of blessing in our lives.
What does it look like not only to come before God with our needs but also to do what He asks and to trust in Him for the outcome? What is a next step you can take in doing something God has asked of you, whether it is specific to your life or something He’s asked of all of us?
What are some steps we can take to trust in Him more for the outcomes where we need a miracle?
wrap up
Ask people to read Mark 2:2-12 before next week. The friends of the paralyzed man came up with an outside-of-the-box solution to bring him to Jesus.
This week consider what new ways you can use to share the love of Jesus with your neighbors and family.
Pray each morning for the opportunity to share your faith with someone. Though we are practicing social distancing and staying safe at home during this pandemic, you are probably texting, calling, video chatting, and such to communicate.
This week spend time praying about the miracles you are longing for God to do in your life. Put worship music on and spend time praising Him.
prayer
Ask the group to share their prayer requests. Ask someone to type them up and share with the group. Consider pairing people up to do a video call and pray for each other during the coming week.
Close in prayer, asking God to show each of us where He wants us to grow. If there are places in our lives where we need a healing miracle of the heart—perhaps things that we might have ignored or put off for too long, pray that we be open to God’s help and direction, allowing Him to do a miracle in us.
If you do not currently use an app such as GroupMe, we suggest you give it a try. It is an easy way to keep in touch throughout the week.