Healing of the Official's Son

READ TOGETHER:

John 4:46-54

DISCUSS:

• How would you describe faith? Is faith a journey, a moment, a destination? What is the relationship between belief and faith? What have been some important markers in your faith?
• Why do you think the official came to Jesus seeking healing for his son? Why do we sometimes pray already having in mind how the prayer needs to be answered?
• How does this passage present a tension between seeing (miracles and signs) and believing (what Jesus says)? What do you think we can learn about how the two are related, and which is most important?
• How did Jesus both deny and answer the official’s prayer? How do you respond if your prayer is answered differently than you expected?
• What does it say about the official that he took Jesus at His Word? How does this challenge the idea that seeing is believing? When have you had to take Jesus at His Word and how did this grow your faith?
• Is there a difference between believing in what Jesus can do versus believing in who Jesus is? The official came with His own belief but left with much more. What does this mean to you and why?
• What are some vital steps you can take to deepen your faith and where are you in your faith journey?

PRAY:

• Pray that you will cultivate the kind of faith that allows you to trust Jesus before you see Him work?
• Pray for The Ridge and our community for increased trust and belief in the transforming power of Christ.

PRACTICE (on your own):

Below are some practical ways to move toward a stronger faith.

1. Remember God’s Faithfulness - remember how the Lord moved on your behalf before, and believe He'll do it again.
2. Reflect on God’s Promises – reflecting on God's promises remind us that we can always count on Him.
3. Ask the Lord Jesus to Increase Your Faith - ask the Lord to increase your faith to the measure needed to fulfill His will.

DIVE DEEPER (on your own)

• Read Hebrews 12:2; Matthew 6:31-33, Proverbs 3;5-6, Matthew 7:9-11, 2 Corinthians 9:8; Psalm 34:10; Romans 8:32
• How can you cultivate the kind of faith that allows you to trust Jesus before you see Him work?

Thanks for listening in to The Ridge's Sunday Audio podcast! Although we hope you are greatly blessed by listening to this message, we also believe it's important to belong to a local body of believers. If you live in our area, we would love to worship with you on Sunday mornings at 8:00a, 9:30a, or 11:15a!