MIRACLES IN THE BIBLE: A LESSON STUDY GUIDE

Below is the outline of a series of 1½- hour lectures I once gave at our church. Obviously, these would have to be broken into much smaller chunks for any other kind of individual or group setting.

1. Introduction

    Definition of “miracle”

    How does God act in the world?

    Miracles and Science: Can they be reconciled?

2. The Believability of Miracles

    Proto-Scientists in the Bible

    Criteria for Believability

3. “Natural” Miracles

    Miracles that may not be miracles

    Miracles of knowledge

    Miracles of timing

4. Two Astronomical Miracles

    The Long Day of Hezekiah (II Kings 20: Isaiah 38)

    The Long Day of Joshua (Joshua 10:12-13)

5. Distribution of Biblical Miracles

    Negative vs. Positive Miracles

    Symmetrical Pairing of Biblical Miracles

6. Problem Miracles

    The Boys and the Bears (II Kings 2:23-25)

    The Floating Axe-Head (II Kings 6:1-7)

    Daniel 3 and 6 Parallels

    The Death of Uzzah (II Samuel 6:1-11)

7. New Testament Miracles

    Matthew

    Mark

    Harmony of the Gospels (Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30)

    John

    Acts

8. New Testament Healing Miracles

    Characteristics

    Faith and Healing

    Diversity

    John 9

    A Two-Part Healing (Mark 8:22-25)

    Illness and Sin

    Illness and Demon-Possession

    Practical Application (Luke 8:22-25; Mark 6:47-51

Some posts on this site may provide additional background for this study. The titles are listed according to the corresponding lesson plans above. Most consist of teachings, but some refer to collages I have made with the theme of the pertinent Scripture passages.

Lesson Post

1.   A Scientist Looks at Miracles

2.   Gideon: Part 2

     Judges 6-7

     Acts 12

3.  Miracles of Knowledge

4.  Joshua 10

     Joshua's Long Day

     Hezekiah's Long Day

5.  Acts 4-5

6.  II Kings 6:1-7

    II Kings 2:23-25: The Boys and the Bears

    II Kings 2:23-24

    II Kings 6:1-7: The Floating Ax Head

    II Samuel 6: Death of Uzzah

7. Miracles in Matthew's Gospel

    Miracles in Mark's Gospel

    Miracles in Luke's Gospel

    Miracles in John's Gospel

    John 2

    John 5

    Acts 3-4

    Mark 5: Healing of the Demoniac

8. Faith Healing in the Bible

    Mark 8:22-25

    John 9

   Mark 9:11-29