@ Cambridge

Testimonies to the Power of Christ

Monday, January 28                                          Woman at the Well: John 4: 6-30, 39-42
At the end of the passage, after the woman has had her special appointment with Jesus, what does she do (vs. 28,29)? What do you think was propelling her? Have you ever experienced this kind of Spiritual effervescence? In verses 39-42 what is happening? What changed in the crowd from verse 29 to 42? Can you relate to this experience -have you stopped relying on the experiences of others and started owning your relationship with Jesus? How did it happen? What could you do for Jesus to become more real or more central in your life? Who can you go tell about Jesus?

Tuesday, January 29                 Miracles:Healing of a Deaf & Mute Beggar: Mark 7:31-37
How did Jesus come into contact with this man? Whose faith carried him to Jesus? Why do you think Jesus took him away from the crowd to heal him? What did Jesus actually do to heal him? What did the man do immediately? How would talk of a miracle in the life of someone around you impact people's faith? Why did Jesus tell them to NOT tell anyone? How does it strike you when someone tells you to ‘not tell'? How are you at ‘secret keeping'? What were the social and political considerations at this point in Jesus' ministry that caused Him to try to contain the talk of miracles?

Wednesday, January 30                        Healing the Man Blind from Birth: John 9:1-34

This man was born blind which in those days inferred to the Pharisees that there was sin in his life or in the life of his parents. What happens in this chapter to the man after Jesus heals him? To whom was he required to testify about his experience? Were they rejoicing with him over his changed life? What was their focus? His parents were called in (vs 18) as well; what was their take on the situation? What caused them to fear? The second time the man was summoned was he bold or fearful? What does he suggest they were wanting in verse 27b. Summarize what the healed man said was the truth about who Jesus is (verse 30 )? What was their response? What is your response?

Thursday, January 31                  Jesus Heals the Blind and Mute: Matthew:9:27-31
Here again we find Jesus performing healing miracles. What was the cry of the 2 blind men seeking Jesus? Why would they call Him this and what is the significance of it? How does Jesus discern whether He should heal them? Where does He go first? Why not perform a miracle such as this for a large crowd? What instruction did He give the 2 healed men (vs 30) & in what tone did He speak to them? What does verse 31 indicate that they did with His command to them? Why could they not heed His command?
In the second miracle from this passage, what is the demon possessed mans issue?
who watched and were amazed? Verse 34 tells us of some individuals who were also there; to whom did they attribute the power of Jesus' miracles? Looking back at your earlier answer, why would Jesus instruct some to "keep quiet" and heal them away from the crowd?

Friday, February 1                         Peter's Testimony Converts Thousands: Acts 2:22-41
This is the passage in Acts right after Pentecost when the Holy Spirit had come into the disciples. Peter stands, more boldly than ever, speaking of his experiences with & faith in Jesus Christ. Who is he addressing? What verses clearly tie the Old Testament prophecies to events that occurred through Jesus' life? Verse 36 is a harsh statement to the Jews; reading vs 37, what affect did Peter's testimony have on the people?
What did they do that very day in response? What do we do in our times that is the same? How does your life reflect the repentant/changed heart of your salvation?
What could you do to renew you commitment? Does the warning from verse 40 seem at all appropriate to our times? Could you ever see yourself so emboldened by the Holy Spirit enough to speak out in the way Peter did? When amd how have you given your testimony to others? What impact did it have?

Monday, January 14                                                        Romans 5:1-5
How is it possible to rejoice in suffering? What incidents in your life can you look back on and see the truth of verses 3-5? How have you experienced God's love in a real way through perseverance and hope?

When you think of your life, and the struggles you have encountered, what has helped you to persevere? When you think of the times you've been tempted to give up spiritually, what has kept you in the game...or helped you get back in the game after getting out? Spend some time thanking God for these gifts.

Tuesday, January 15                                                                                       James 1:2-4
Here is another passage that, on its face, seems ridiculous...how are we to "consider it pure joy" when we are in a time of trial? If this is true, what is the reason? How often is this your attitude in times of trial?

We all have heard that trials "build character." Spiritually, how is this true? What does verse 4 mean, in your own words? What does this have to say about God's plan and goals for our life, if trials are expected and even purposeful? How does that challenge your understanding of the Christian life?

Wednesday, January 16                                                                            Hebrews 12:1-3
What is the race that God has marked out for you? Are you running? Have you asked God lately to show you the course? Is there something He wants you to accomplish? Spend some time praying today that God would make the racecourse apparent in your life.

What are the things that hinder and the "sins that so easily entangles" you? What does it look like to "fix your eyes on Jesus?" How is that helpful in running the race? How good are you at doing so?

Thursday, January 17                                                                       Psalm 34:1-9, 18
Reading this psalm over and over again, its almost as if the word "will" should be italicized for emphasis-there is a guttural insistence to these words of David, almost as if he is convincing himself as he speaks them. When have you felt like you needed to convince yourself that what you believed was true? How did God answer that time in your life?

Read this whole section again. What phrases jump out at you? What is the most encouraging thought / statement? Why? Repeat that back to God and thank Him for the truth of these words.

Friday, January 18                                                                                   Proverbs 3:1-5
Which of these passages jumps out at you? Why? What are the instructions of this passage? What are the promises? Is there something in your life that God is trying to touch on, something you need to admit, grab hold of, or lean on His understanding? What is it? How can you release that to God today?