God Shock

Goal: Create awareness of how God works miracles through those who fast, pray, and believe in Him.

Tools:

On-screen presentation for students to fill in blanks on the first page of their handouts.

Life! Journal booklet for student study in editable Word format, printable PDF format, or the online edition.

Family devotional guide on the supernatural power of God.

How to Empower Life!

We take authority and speak to the enemy.[1]

Jesus taught us to speak to the mountain (Mark 11:23) not just pray. The enemy only has as much power as you allow him. Take Kingdom authority and dominion.

 

Gifts of the Spirit are for every believer.[2]

Tongues indicate infilling of the Holy Ghost. The GIFT of the Holy Ghost is dorea in Greek. The spiritual gifts (Greek charisma) prove the Spirit is still working in your life.

God works these miracles in us to confirm the Word we preach. Many times, two or more gifts work in one event. Believers should have a gift, no exceptions.

 

This following list shows the need for fruit of the Spirit to balance gifts of the Spirit. If God uses you in the word of wisdom, for example, you need a humble spirit when you give someone advice or testify of what He told you.

Word of Wisdom – Meekness[3]

Example: Dream to go to Macedonia

Divine Wisdom, not logic or learned wisdom.

Word of Knowledge – Gentleness[4]

Example: Paul knew there would be damage to ship but no lost lives

If God gives you “inside information” on a person or situation, you need to be gentle in how you approach those involved.

Faith – Long-suffering[5]

Example: Philippian Jailer, while at sea, Spirit filling.

You need to be patient with God when He gives you a promise (Abraham & Isaac).

Gifts of Healing – Love[6]

Example: Clothes from the body of Paul. Peter and John “look on us.”

Healing should be motivated by loving compassion, not by someone trying to prove how powerful or spiritual he is.

Working of miracles – Goodness[7]

Example: Taking up dead child who had fallen

A genuine spirit of benevolence motivated Jesus to multiply the bread and fish. Pure motives will bring more miracles.

Prophecy – Joy[8]

Example: Man told Paul he’d be bound in Jerusalem

Those who give prophetic messages can sometimes focus on the negative. They need joy in God’s Spirit to encourage others and not get discouraged themselves.

Discerning of Spirits – Peace[9]

Example: Sons of the most high God, and the sorcerer

This “police gift” can really put your nerves on edge when God shows you what is going on behind the scenes. God’s peace will keep you sane and stable when you encounter the enemy.

Diverse Tongues – Temperance[10]

Example: Paul said, “I speak with tongues more than you all.”

Gift of diverse tongues not same as Holy Ghost with tongues (review from Life! Discovery). Tongues gift is distinct from prayer.

There should be a “Holy Hush” in church services when tongues are given. A church needs temperance (self-control) to receive a message in tongues. The giver must be careful not to get over-zealous with tongues. Newbies often jump into this gift easily because there is not much risk. We need Spirit-led self-control to not get carried away with too many tongues messages (I Cor. 14).

Interpretation – Faith[11]

This convicts the heart. Not a translation.

You need confidence in God (faith) and faithfulness to give interpretations of a spoken message in tongues. You speak blindly and God gives you a phrase at a time. You trust Him to supply more words when you open your mouth.

 

Fasting strengthens a person for God’s work.[12]

Do not do this to hold your breath until you get Jesus to notice. Discipline your flesh and become more sensitive to the Lord.

Early morning prayer gets us ahead of the enemy.[13]

Why study for a test after you took it? Praying at the end of the day will be like make-up work–with a lot of repenting going on. Pray before the day begins and discover the strength of overcoming temptation rather than repenting of falling at night.

Desire the supernatural; pursue super character.[14]

You cannot take healings, miracles, tongues, or prophecies with you to heaven. We will not need them there (I Cor. 13:7-13). However, you will bring your Holy Ghost joy, love, patience, peace, gentleness, and all the character of God. Develop fruit and let God give you His gifts as He wills. Do not get this backwards and you will not be so frustrated about being spiritual. When you grow in His nature, He will share His supernature.

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I Corinthians 12:7-11

But the manifestation of the Spirit

is given to every man to profit withal.

For to one is given by the Spirit

the word of wisdom;

to another the word of knowledge

by the same Spirit;

To another faith by the same Spirit;

to another the gifts of healing

by the same Spirit;

To another the working of miracles;

to another prophecy;

to another discerning of spirits;

to another divers kinds of tongues;

to another the interpretation of tongues:

But all these worketh that one

and the selfsame Spirit,

dividing to every man severally as he will.