God's Tiny Details | Jentezen Franklin
Sunday, May 5
Introduction
Welcome to our group study guide on the message "God's Tiny Details", by Pastor Jentezen Franklin.
In our journey of faith, we often seek God's presence in the grand and monumental events of our lives. Yet, what if we were to pause and consider the intricate details of the seemingly insignificant moments? This message invites us to recognize that God is not only present in the grand events but also in the not so grand occurrences of our daily lives.
In this sermon, Pastor Franklin brings us to the realization that there are no coincidences with God. Every detail, no matter how small, is orchestrated by His loving hand. From the gentle whisper of the wind to the timely encounter with a stranger, each moment is a manifestation of God's intentionality and care for us. It’s no wonder the words chance and coincidence do not exist in the Hebrew language or the Torah, instead, it is God’s divine providence or in Hebrew Hashgochah Pratis.
- What stood out to you from Sunday’s Message?
Jesus’ Attention To Details In The Midst of Suffering
John 19:25-27
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
While “woman” was a term of respect in those days it may be, yet another detail Jesus did not overlook. It’s been suggested that Jesus did not call her ‘mother’ from the cross because the sound of that name in those circumstances would only add to her agony.
Jesus consciously cared for His mother to the end, showing that even on the cross His attention was directed to others and not Himself. If there was ever a moment when Jesus 'deserved' to be self-focused, this was it; yet He remained others-centered to the end. This is the God we serve. Fully man, fully God and fully in the details of everything while obediently laying down His life.
- When has God noticed the “little details” in your life? Were you surprised that He would care about something so “small”?
- Why do you think we often forget what concerns us, concerns Him?
Mary saw every detail too. It is difficult to comprehend the agony of Mary standing at the cross, a witness to her Son’s crucifixion. She literally saw every detail – Jesus’ facial expression, torn flesh, blood-soaked body, humiliation, shame, suffering, and finally her Son’s death.
Memories and details of the past 33 years may have flashed before Mary’s eyes, too. Her newborn son Jesus at the temple for dedication and a personal prophecy from Simeon, for her: “Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also” (Luke 2:35). Or, the miracle at the wedding in Cana that signaled a new relationship between her and Jesus. Not just her son, but the Son of Man, who at first declined her request, but must have consulted His heavenly Father and then did what she asked. (John 2:1-5).
- When the many ‘details’ of this life actually seem unclear, uncertain or even overwhelming, what are some practical ways you can grab hold of the truth that our Lord is great and His understanding is infinite? (Psalm 147:5)
- How does knowing that His understanding is infinite help ease your burden?
For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, Colossians 2:9-10 reminds us that all the fullness of God dwells in Jesus. He is the embodiment of the divine nature of God, and He is the complete and perfect expression of God’s character and attributes. We know God loves us (1 John 4:19). We know that the very hairs on our head are numbered. (Matthew 10:30)
- What other encouraging attributes of God’s character have you personally experienced?
- Did you feel seen, known and loved? Do you now hold those revelations as undeniable truths?
He is a personal God. He is mindful of us. He knows everything about us. He knows when we stand up and lie down, among many other things. (Psalm 139)
Finding God’s Care in the Little Things
We are not alone in our big or small struggles. God’s promise is that He is right there with us. We can give up our fears! Psalm 68:19 captures this truth, reminding us that our God is not just a distant observer but an intimately involved God. He daily bears our burdens, not just in the suffering, but in each moment regardless of its magnitude.
Psalm 68:19 NIV
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.
- What can you turn over to Jesus today since you now can confirm He is ready, willing and able to bear your burden, big or small?
Luke 12:7 provides another glimpse into the depth of God’s care. It speaks of His meticulous attention to detail, to the point of knowing the exact number of hairs on our heads.
Luke 12:7 NIV
Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
This verse reassures us that nothing escapes God’s notice, not even the smallest aspect of our lives.
So, let us not hesitate to bring every detail before the Lord - the worries that seem too trivial, the concerns that others may deem insignificant, and the burdens that weigh lightly upon our hearts. For in His infinite wisdom and boundless love, God sees value in every detail of our lives.
“There are billions of people around the world, but God knows every detail about you.” - Jentezen Franklin
- Discuss practical ways to cultivate a habit of bringing even the smallest concerns before God in prayer on a daily basis.
- In what ways can acknowledging God's attentiveness to even the smallest aspects of our lives bring comfort and assurance in challenging times?
Praise God in The Details of Your Testimony
The story of the blind man, once in darkness, now healed by Jesus on the Sabbath, is a profound testament to God’s perfect love. Jesus, without promising the man healing, placed mud on his blinded eyes and instructed him to wash in the pool of Siloam. The man, filled with an overwhelming sense of joy and gratitude upon seeing the world for the first time, rushed to the temple to proclaim this miraculous event.
The man, despite knowing nothing of this man Jesus, knew only that the stranger had given him his sight. The Pharisees, in their disbelief, questioned him repeatedly, and the man, unwavering in his faith, refused to deny the miracle.
John 9:24-25,30,33 NIV
A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.” He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”
The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes.”
If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.
- Share a personal experience where you felt God's presence and care in a situation that others might have considered trivial or insignificant.
- How can we encourage others to bring their worries and concerns, no matter how small, before the Lord, fostering a community of trust and support?
Scripture tells us in the same chapter (John 9:35-38) that Jesus learned the man had been cast out from the temple, so He returned to him and told him He was the Son of God. The man fell to his feet and worshiped Jesus.
Jesus heals us from blindness by opening our spiritual eyes to His light and love, giving us an open invitation to a closer walk with Him. Just like the blind man who was healed, we should always show gratitude to the Lord by praising and honoring Him through our words and actions. May we all be mindful of the vision given to us by our Lord Jesus so that we can share His teaching with others, that they too may enjoy the blessings accompanying the life-giving sight of His enduring love.
- Explore the concept of sharing the blessings of spiritual sight with others. How can we effectively share the teachings of Jesus and His enduring love with those around us?
Conclusion
God still does miracles! He wants to do big things in your life, but oftentimes, God works in the small details to show you how much He is involved in your life and how much He loves you! He cares about every detail of your life.
Scripture affirms this truth in Matthew 10:29-31, where Jesus teaches us that not even a sparrow falls to the ground apart from the Father's will, and that we are of much more value than many sparrows. Similarly, in Psalm 139:1-4, we are reminded that God knows us intimately, even down to the number of hairs on our heads.
Therefore, let us take the following action steps in response to this revelation:
- Firstly, let us cultivate a spirit of attentiveness and gratitude, recognizing God's handiwork in the seemingly mundane moments of our lives.
- Secondly, let us entrust our worries and anxieties to God, knowing that He cares for us deeply and is intimately involved in every aspect of our lives.
- And finally, let us share this message of God's unfailing love and faithfulness with others, that they too may experience the profound joy of recognizing God's presence in the tiny details of life.
As we embark on this journey of faith, may we continually be amazed by the depth of God's love and the intricacy of His care for us, even in the smallest of details.
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