Learn 8.1

Acts 10:34–36 (NLT)

The Gentiles Hear the Good News

34 Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. 35 In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right. 36 This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.

Forest Frank Video

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The way we define a miracle is often shaped by our everyday experiences. Maybe you’ve called it a miracle when you passed a test you didn’t really study for, stumbled on an extra handful of fries at the bottom of the bag, or snagged the best parking spot on a crazy day. And sure—those moments can feel like divine favor. But the kind of miracles God performs go far beyond good timing or lucky breaks.

Miracles, at their core, are meant to pull back the curtain on God’s presence and power. He spoke the cosmos into existence with just a word—and that was only the beginning. He split the sea in two so His people could walk through on dry land. He brought down walls with the sound of a shout. He kept oil flowing until every jar was filled. He shut the mouths of lions and protected men in the middle of a blazing furnace. These stories aren’t fairy tales—they’re historical moments where heaven broke into earth.

And the truth is, that hasn’t stopped.

Miracles aren’t relics of a distant past. They’re still unfolding all around us—in hospital rooms, in broken relationships that somehow heal, in lives restored when all seemed lost. God is still in the business of revealing Himself in powerful, undeniable ways.

So when you pray, don’t just hope for a miracle—make room for one. Live with the expectation that God still moves, still surprises, and still shows up in ways that leave us in awe.

Consider What the Bible Says

This session’s Scripture drops us into a pretty dark chapter of Israel’s story. The nation had been spiraling, led by one corrupt king after another—each one pulling the people further away from God. One of the most damaging shifts? They began worshiping false gods, especially the idol Baal, turning their backs on the One who had rescued and provided for them time and time again.

But God didn’t stay silent.

In the middle of all the chaos and compromise, He raised up a bold voice—His prophet Elijah. And when Elijah shows up, things are about to change.

1 Kings 17

In the second half of 1 Kings, Elijah takes center stage as God’s messenger—called to boldly challenge the nation’s drift into idolatry and remind them who truly held the power. Every miracle connected to Elijah wasn’t just a show of force—it was a personal invitation for the people to return to the one true God.

In the moment we’re focusing on, Elijah delivers a shocking message to King Ahab’s face: there would be no rain in the land until Elijah said so. No rain. No crops. No relief. Just drought—and a nation brought to its knees.

Can you imagine standing in front of a king, the most powerful man in the land, and telling him you were the one who held the forecast in your hands? That kind of courage doesn’t come from confidence in yourself—it comes from complete trust in God.

Elijah didn’t hesitate. He believed God could do the impossible, and he acted on that belief—no matter the cost.

Believe Courageously for the Impossible

1 Kings 17:1

"Now Elijah, who was from Tishbe in Gilead, told King Ahab, 'As surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives—the God I serve—there will be no dew or rain during the next few years until I give the word!'" (NLT)

Back then, many people believed Baal controlled the weather. He was even called the “Lord of Rain and Dew.” So when Elijah told King Ahab there would be no rain until he said so, it wasn’t just a warning about a dry season—it was a direct challenge to Baal’s supposed power. Elijah was making a bold, public statement: it’s not Baal who controls the skies—it’s the living God.

This was more than a drought forecast. It was a spiritual showdown.

See the connection: like Elijah, we may find ourselves in moments where we’re called to speak truth—especially when it’s unpopular or inconvenient. We might be prompted to pray big prayers, believe for the impossible, or take a stand that makes others uncomfortable. In those moments, we need the same kind of boldness Elijah had—the kind that trusts God completely and doesn’t flinch in the face of doubt.

When we believe in God’s power, we can live with confidence—even in the middle of a drought.

Believe in God’s Power and Obey His Direction

1 Kings 17:2–4

"Then the Lord said to Elijah, 'Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food.’" (NLT)

God always has a plan. And sometimes, it lines up with what we’d expect—like sending Elijah to a brook during a drought so he’d have water to drink. That makes sense. But then God adds an unexpected twist: ravens—wild, scavenging birds—would bring Elijah food every day.

That’s not exactly how most of us would imagine a divine meal plan.

But that’s the beauty of how God works. His ways often stretch beyond our understanding. What seems unusual—or even impossible—to us is completely within His power. When we trust Him, even the strangest instructions can lead to the most miraculous provision.

Isaiah 55:8–9

“‘My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,’ says the Lord. ‘And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.’” (NLT)

Following God’s lead doesn’t always come with a clear roadmap. In fact, it often stretches our faith in ways we didn’t expect. But here’s the key—when we choose to obey, even when it doesn’t all add up, we place ourselves right where God can move. It’s in that space—between trust and uncertainty—that His power often shows up most clearly, revealing just how faithful and miraculous He really is.

Believe and Trust God with the Results

1 Kings 17:5–6

"So Elijah did as the Lord told him and camped beside Kerith Brook, east of the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook." (NLT)

Elijah had two simple assignments: deliver God’s message and go to the brook. That’s it. He wasn’t in charge of making it rain or teaching ravens how to bring him breakfast. That was God’s responsibility.

And the same is true for us.

We often carry stress over things that were never meant to be ours. But when God calls us to act, our role is obedience—He takes care of the outcome. He’s the one who moves hearts, opens doors, and makes the impossible possible.

God is faithful. If He gives a promise, He keeps it. You don’t have to worry about how it will all come together—you can trust that He’s already taken care of the details. All He asks is that we follow His lead.

Did You Know?

The brook of Kerith, where Elijah was sent, is believed to be modern-day Wadi Al-Yabish in biblical Gilead—Elijah’s home region. This area also has deep historical significance. Around 200 years earlier, it was the site of a fierce battle where King Saul rescued the people of Jabesh-Gilead from the Ammonites. Later, after Saul’s death, the men of that same city honored him by retrieving and burying his body—right by this very brook. God often moves in places with legacy and meaning.

Reflect: I Believe God for Miracles

God can do anything. His power has no limits. His resources never run out. But here’s the real question: Do you trust Him enough to obey—even when it doesn’t make sense?

Let’s look at a few moments in Scripture where obedience unlocked the miraculous:

Noah obeyed—and an ark saved the world.

(Read: Genesis 6–9 – Summary) God told Noah to build a massive boat… long before there was any sign of rain. It must have seemed ridiculous to everyone around him. But Noah obeyed—and because he did, humanity was preserved through the flood.

Moses struck a rock—and water poured out.

(Read: Numbers 20:1–11 – Summary) The people were thirsty, desperate in the wilderness. God told Moses to strike a rock—something that defied logic. Yet out of that rock flowed life-giving water. Obedience turned the impossible into provision.

Peter dropped his net one more time—and it overflowed.

(Read: Luke 5:4–7)

“When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.’ ‘Master,’ Simon replied, ‘we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.’ And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear!” (NLT)

Peter obeyed—even after a long, disappointing night. And that step of faith turned into a miraculous catch.

Here’s the takeaway: Miracles often follow obedience. Even when it feels foolish. Even when it’s hard. Even when it doesn’t make sense.

If you’re willing to trust God and follow His lead, you won’t just read about miracles in the Bible—you’ll experience them in your own story.