The Miracle of the Method

Would you rather get step-by-step directions while driving to a new place or try to figure it out as you go? Why?

When have you been surprised by the way something happened in your life?

Generally speaking, do you like surprises or not? Explain.

The way Jesus came into the world was not the way the Jewish people expected it to happen. For who they thought would be a political leader to be born in a barn was not what they were looking for. So everything carried on as usual for most of the people the night Jesus was born.

As we have taken a look at many different studies on Wednesday nights, there are a lot of things we will never understand about how God works and the wya He chooses to do things.

What we do know is the method He chose to use transcends us, includes us, and sanctifies us.

Romans 11:33–36 ESV

33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” 35 “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Why do you think God did not choose to come and save us in a way that might make more sense to us?

If it was something which could be explained in human terms, then it wouldn’t be a God thing.

How did Paul seem to respond to the fact that God’s ways and methods transcend us?

He was saying that God doesn’t need to counsel with anyone or anything in the way He works things out. His ways are even above the angels. The only one who can understand the way God works, is God himself.

What about you? Is it more confusing, frustrating, fear-inducing, awe-inspiring, or comforting to you to know that God’s ways are not the same as yours? Explain.

I take comfort in the fact God is able to use us even in our weakness. He will overcome those weaknesses and still use us to do incredible things. I thinkj you can see this time and again in the Bible. In spite of the frailties each human had in the Bible, God was still able to use these men to accomplish great things.

Isaiah 55:8–9 ESV

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

1 Corinthians 1:26–29 ESV

26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

If God were to have sent Jesus to earth in our time, to whom would you expect Him to announce the news? Why?

I would think whatever we would consider some of the lowest job positions we know in society right now or the common man.

Based on 1 Corinthians 1:26-29, how would you explain why God includes ordinary people like us in His methods?

When God uses ordinary people who have no incredible gifts to spread His Word and work, all that can be claimed is it was a God thing. Not anything of the person being used, but totally God.

Romans 8:28 ESV

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

What do you think Mary and Joseph’s expectations were about Jesus’ life when they first learned of His coming arrival?

What difficulties did they endure that they likely wished God would erase?

What expectations of life in Christ did you have when you first came to faith?

What expectations of other Christians did you have?

Have your expectations of life in Christ and other believers matched the reality?

What has God taught you as a result of any disappointing realities?

What “good” are we assured of in Romans 8:28?

Questions to think about after the lesson:

What is something God is doing in the world or in your life currently that you do not understand? How do today’s passages encourage you?

When have you chosen to simply trust in God’s love for you as you tried to persevere through difficult times? What difference did that decision make?

How would your life change this week if you were to truly trust in God’s wisdom instead of your own?