#BibleStudy Signs and Wonders – Miracles Water into Wine 11-22-2020

Until we finish, my Sunday school class is studying Miracles of Jesus on the list below. The comments below are from our discussion this week.

Signs and Wonders – Miracles

Sunday School Lesson Series

Based on Signs and Wonders: Thirteen Miracles from the Life of Christ 

Serendipity House ©1998 - ISBN: 1-57494-107-0

 

Introduction

True/False. Faith has nothing to do with miracles. True X  False X

Explain.

• Miracles help people believe.
• Christians have faith to believe.

Why aren’t there more miracles today?

• Some people see miracles all day long.
• People are not aware of spiritual events.
• Pay attention to out of the ordinary happenings.
• Amazing things are happening outside the USA.
• People are less inclined to call something a miracle. They want to explain it away.
• When someone says, “That was against all odds,” is what happened a miracle?
• The unofficial Christmas truce between the Germans and Allies in WW1 when both sides sang the same carols in their own languages was discussed. It was pointed out that both high ranking officers on both sides were not happy about the miracle!

 

Miracle #1 – Water into Wine – John 2:1-11

Overall impression

• Obey your mother.
• It’s a relevant miracle.
• There is a side story: Jesus/Mary relationship.
• It’s the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.
• Some translations read like this is the first wine provided at the wedding.
• Mark records a miracle in 1:48 where Nathaniel recognizes Jesus as the Son of God.

Why is this in the Bible?

• It’s the first sign of Jesus’ disciple’s belief.
• It’s pretty awesome.
• The jars were set aside to purify people.
• The amount of wine produced was 2400 servings.

Find another wedding described in the Bible. Compare it to this one.

1. 10 virgins: very little about the wedding per se, but insight into the need for spiritual preparation.
2. Isaac/Rebecca: A long “courtship”
3. Jacob/Leah: Trickery by the father of the bride.
4. Esther/King Ahasuerus: Jew and gentile!! The only way to save the Jews.
5. There is a parable of a wedding feast.
6. We are the bride of Christ.

The scripture references for the “other” weddings chosen:

1. Matthew 25
2. Genesis 24
3. Genesis 29
4. Esther 2
5. Matthew 22/Luke 14
6. Revelation 19

How did weddings in Jesus’ day differ from the typical wedding of today?

• Much longer.
• There was a dowry.
• It had religious significance.
• The guests had certain expectations.
• They were more for show than substance.
• Most were prearranged marriages.
• Engagements usually happened when the bride to be as in her early teens and the groom was an older male. 

We Got This Far This Week

 

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