Bible Stories for Adults

Jesus Heals an Official's Son

John 4:43-54

Next Week - Jesus Gives Sight to a Man Born Blind (John 9:1-41)
Bible Words to Remember:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

How did Jesus' ministry begin?
Luke 3:21-23 = Baptized by John at 30 yrs old, Spirit came on Him
What was the first thing Jesus did after receiving the Spirit?
Luke 4:1-2 = Wandered & fasted in the wilderness 40 days (Israel in wild 40 yrs)
What happened when Jesus returned from the wilderness?
John 1:26-29, 35-36 = Recognized and introduced by John the Baptist
How did these two disciples respond to what John said?
John 1:37-40 = Left John and followed Him
How did this begin Jesus' work with some who would later become His closest disciples?
John 1:41-45 = Called John, James, Andrew, Peter, Philip & Nathanael to follow

What happened during Jesus' first ministry trip to Galilee? = His disciples put their faith in Him
John 2:1-3, 11 = He did His first miracle, changing water into wine at Cana
How long did Jesus spend in Galilee during this first trip?
John 2:12-13 = Just a few days, then went to Jerusalem for the Passover
Did Jesus do any miracles while in Jerusalem?
John 2:23 = Yes, many saw them and became believers

Why did Jesus decide to go back to Galilee?
John 3:22; 4:1-3 = The Pharisees were trying to show He was competing with John
What happened during Jesus' trip to Galilee?
John 4:4, 6-7, 28-29 = He talked with a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well (last week)
What resulted from this encounter? = Despised Samaritans believed before many Jews
John 4:39-42 = He stayed 2 days and many of the town became believers

Why didn't Jesus stay in Sychar longer than two days? = This is why He traveled alot
Luke 4:42-43 = He was sent to teach throughout many towns, not just one
Did Jesus ever settle down in one place long enough to call it home?
Luke 9:58 = No, the Son of Man has no place to lay His head

Why did Jesus pass by His hometown of Nazareth as He came into Galilee?
John 4:43-44 = A prophet has no honor in his own country
How was this shown when Jesus did later visit Nazareth during this tour?
Luke 4:16, 22, 28-30 = They tried to throw Him over a cliff for blaspheming
Had anything like this happened to others called by God?
Jeremiah 1:1; 11:21 = Jeremiah's hometown neighbors wanted to kill him
Genesis 37:19-20 = Joseph's brothers wanted to kill him for the dreams God gave him
1 Samuel 17:28 = David's brother, Eliab, hated him for thinking he could fight Goliath
Acts 17:5 = The Jews in Thessalonica wanted to kill Paul (Paul was a Jew)

What did Jesus warn about those who reject the message God sends to them?
Matthew 21:34-35, 40-41 = He'll give it to others who will take it & produce its fruit
Was it just Nazareth, or did people throughout Galilee reject Jesus?
John 4:45 = The Galileans gave Him a good welcome, they had seen Him in Jerusalem
Where did Jesus go first when he came into Galilee?
John 4:46a = Cana, where He had performed His first miracle, Nathaniel's home
How many other miracles had Jesus done in Galilee?
John 4:54 = None, today's story gives us the second one - also in Cana, first remote
Had Jesus performed any other miracles elsewhere? = Yes, during His work in Judea
John 3:1-2 = Even Pharisees recognized that God had to be with Him

How does John begin this story?
John 4:46b = A royal official in Capernaum had a very sick son
Who does tradition tell us this official was?
Luke 8:3 = Chuza, King Herod's household manager (Joanna was his wife)

What did this concerned father do when he heard that Jesus was in Cana, 20 miles away?
John 4:47 = He walked to Cana (>1 day) and begged Jesus to come heal his son
What example does David give us of the concern a parent has for a sick child?
2 Samuel 12:15-18 = David fasted and pleaded with God for Bathsheba's son to live

What warning does Jesus give us about the natural strong love a parent has for a child?
Matthew 10:37 = Family love is great, but love for Jesus should be stronger
What great Old Testament example do we have of a loving father with his priorities in order?
Genesis 22:2, 9-12 = Abraham would even sacrifice his only son Isaac for God

How did Jesus feel about His miracles being seen as results rather than as leading to faith?
John 4:48 = He reprimanded people for needing signs before faith, official had faith first
Did Jesus do miracles to create faith in people?
Mark 5:25, 27-29, 34 = His miracles revealed and strengthened peoples' faith
Did faith need to be present before Jesus would do a miracle?
Mark 6:5-6 = Yes
Were any miracles given to those who had no faith in Jesus?
Matthew 12:38-40 = Jesus' resurrection after 3 days (the sign of Jonah)

What about those who witnessed a miracle and still didn't believe?
John 15:24-25 = They would be condemned as hating both the Father & the Son
Does this mean we should believe that any miraculous sign we see is from Christ?
Matthew 24:23-25 = No, there will be false christs who will do miracles to deceive

Was the official offended by Jesus' rebuke about needing to see signs?
John 4:49 = No, his concern was for his child and he knew only Jesus could save him
Did Jesus recognize the faith that this official had?
John 4:50a = Yes, He told the man his son was healed and to go home
Would this man accept Jesus' word after a full day's journey and go back without Him?
John 4:50b = Yes, he went back without doubting Jesus' word

How does the definition of faith given in Hebrews fit this official?
Hebrews 11:1 = The only way he could go back without Jesus was by faith
Do we need to have this strong of a faith before God will use us in His service?
Judges 6:36-40 = Gideon doubted & made God perform two signs, God still used him
So if God can still use us despite weak faith, why should we desire to grow in faith?
Matthew 17:20 = Because God and His tremendous power will be with us
What happens to our faith as we persevere and serve Him?
2 Thessalonians 1:3 = Our faith will grow more and more

How was the official's faith strengthened as he walked back home?
John 4:51 = He learned that his son was healed
What more does the next verse tell us about the official's faith?
John 4:52 = He trusted Jesus so much, he even waited until the next day to return
How long had it taken for Jesus' word to work?
John 4:53a = The son was healed immediately, it was not gradual

What impact did this have on the official's faith?
John 4:53b = It was further strengthened, his family's faith was also built
Can the strong faith of a parent really impact the faith of a child or family?
Genesis 18:18-19 = Abraham's family was blessed by growing in the faith A directed
What responsibility do we have as parents?
Deuteronomy 4:9 = Teach our children what God has done for us, Build their faith
Is it our fault if our children reject the faith we try to pass on?
Ezekiel 18:20 = No, The son will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father...

Who did Paul say was responsible for making faith grow?
1 Corinthians 3:5-7 = Our job is to plant the seed & water it; God will make it grow
Since God makes it grow, does He really need our help?
Matthew 9:37-38 = Yes, He needs us to work His fields
So, are we to plant the seeds, water them, cultivate or harvest the crop?
1 Corinthians 3:8-9 = We each are called to different tasks in His field
Are some of these different kinds of service more Godly than others?
1 Corinthians 12:4-7 = Triune God works different works through each of us to His good

What verses can we remember to emulate the official's faith when we encounter crises?
Romans 8:28 = ... in all things God works for the good of those who love Him
Philippians 4:19 = God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches
Matthew 7:7 = Ask & it will be given to you; seek & you will find; knock & the door ...