Miracles | Prayer and Fasting (Family Devotional)Shembull

Introduction: The Purpose of Miracles

CONNECT

Let’s take a look at some of the signs used every day! Can you guess what these signs mean?

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Did we answer them all correctly? Let’s find out after we read today’s Bible story.

Why do you think we need to have signs? They are meant to point us to something or a place. It helps us understand where we need to go and avoid being lost.

READ THE WORD

Let’s read from Acts 1.

“John baptized with water. But in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Then the apostles gathered around Jesus and asked him a question. “Lord,” they said, “are you going to give the kingdom back to Israel now?” He said to them, “You should not be concerned about times or dates. The Father has set them by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you. Then you will tell people about me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria. And you will even tell other people about me from one end of the earth to the other.” Acts 1:5–8

In this story, Jesus gave his followers some instructions and encouragement before He went to heaven. We also see in Matthew 28 how Jesus commanded them to make disciples of all nations. Imagine telling people from all over the world about Jesus! How many people do you think you can talk to about Jesus? On their own ability, this seemed like an impossible task for a small group of disciples. Thankfully, all things are possible with God.

“I am the LORD. I am the God of all people. Is anything too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:37

Jesus replied, “Things that are impossible with people are possible with God.” Luke 18:27

Acts 1 tells us Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would be with them as they share with others about Him. The Holy Spirit would guide them and give them the power to tell others what Jesus did. This “power” refers to miraculous power that doesn’t come from man but only from God.

What are miracles, and why are they important? Miracles are extraordinary events that cannot be explained by the laws of nature and science and are considered to be the work of God. They are amazing ways God gets involved in our daily lives beyond normal. Whenever the gospel was proclaimed in the book of Acts, God would often back it with a miracle.

While miracles may seem grand and supernatural, they are not meant to be an end in themselves. We are not meant to be satisfied with the miracle alone. They are signs that point others to who Jesus is and what He has done.

This miraculous power is still alive, even today. God is still intervening and making Himself known through miracles. He loves to do these to testify the truthfulness of the gospel.

In the coming days, during our prayer and fasting, we will be reading from the book of Acts about many more miracles that will fill you with wonder and awe at His power, love, and presence.

HUDDLE

Parents to Kids

2–6 years old

• Have you ever seen a cloud or a rainbow in the sky?
• Can you make a cloud or a rainbow?

7–12 years old

• What is the most amazing thing you see in nature?
• How does the sun rise and set every day?
• What is something God can do that man can’t do?

Kids to Parents

• What is the most extraordinary thing you can do?
• Have you seen or experienced a miracle in your life? What was it?

God uses miracles to point us to something greater—a loving relationship of knowing God and letting Him be known. Today, He is offering this same power and love to us. Would you like to receive this and share this truth with others?

PRAY

Dear God, I praise You because You are powerful. Thank You for all the miracles around me every day. Thank You for giving me the Holy Spirit, who will help me tell others about You and Your love for them. In Jesus’ name, amen.

DISCOVER

Rabbit in a Hat

The hat trick is a classic magic trick where a performer produces an object (traditionally a rabbit or a bouquet of flowers) out of an empty top hat.

In its simplest form, the trick works by placing the hat on a specially-made table or chest. The hat and the surface it is placed on will have a hidden opening through which an object stored in a compartment in the table or chest can be pulled.

Alternatively, the performer can produce an item hidden in their sleeve using a sleight of hand and misdirection. This eliminates the need to place the hat on a surface and allows the performer to give the hat to an audience member for inspection. However, producing a rabbit from a hat using nothing but sleight of hand is a much more difficult trick.

This trick is traditionally performed for children since it is a basic trick with simple props.

Louis Comte was one of the earliest magicians to pull a rabbit out of a hat, performing this in 1814.

Magic is done by sleight of hand for entertainment. People are awed by their quick hands and amusing stories. But in reality, they are just illusions. On the other hand, miracles are by God and can not be duplicated by people. Miracles show us that God has power and point us to Him and His kingdom.

Source:

Severn, Bill. Bill Severn's Big Book of Magic, 212. David McKay Company, Inc., 1980.

Answers to the Connect activity: Restroom, Parking, Elevator, Escalator, Pedestrian Crossing