John 4:46-54 Study Guide: In Need of a Miracle

Community Group Study Guide — In Need of a Miracle
John 4:46-54

Study Information:

We learn in our text that some people do need to see God’s active work to believe and what we see in this text is that God is gracious to give people what they need (John 4:48). With that said, it is not a one size fits all approach we learn in John 12 for instance that some people will not believe even with an abundance of signs. Yet, for this man who makes the request for Jesus to heal his son, we see that Jesus does it in such a way that he is able to connect the dots and know that the moment he requested and the moment Jesus responded is the moment his son was healed (John 4:53). This miracle leads to this man’s believe and his whole household believing as well.  

This is the “second sign” of the seven signs we have in the gospel of John. John organizes his gospel in such a way that these signs point to Jesus’ divinity and his mission to undo the effects of sin and bring about new creation. Notice also that this sign took place in Cana (4:46 and 54). Cana was also the location of his first sign where he turned water into wine. John is helping us connect the dots to the purpose of Jesus’s signs and so that we’d be aware as we see the miracles that follow in the next chapters. 

At your community group:

Take 15-20 minutes to share about how God has been at work in your life, prayer concerns and pray for one another.

How did God speak to you through the scripture and the sermon this week? 

Discussion Questions:

What are some reasons people look for signs or proof of God’s activity as a necessity for faith?

How do you think the man took Jesus’ response in verse 50? How would this put him in a place of faith and trust?

How has the Lord worked to give you confirmation and assurance during difficult times in your life? How do those moments help us walk in faith?