Miracles

Chilean miners survive Against overwhelming odds, all 33 workers at a mine in Chile that had collapsed in 2010 were finally rescued after spending 69 days underground. Some of the miners said they’d prayed urgently to survive the ordeal, and many people worldwide watching television coverage of the rescue operation also prayed for their survival. Did God help the rescue team safely get each man out of the mine?

Kidnapped girl found after 18 years Jaycee Dugard, who was abducted as an 11-year-old while on her way to school, was reunited with her family 18 years later – long after they thought she’d died. Investigators found Jaycee living as a prisoner in the backyard of the man who police say kidnapped her and had two children with her before Jaycee finally found freedom as a 29-year-old woman. Jaycee’s family members describe her return as a miracle. Do you agree?

Image of Virgin Mary on garage door Hundreds of people gathered every evening for several weeks in 2007 to watch an image that looked like the Virgin Mary appear on a Pennsylvania garage door. Skeptics said the image might be nothing more than the setting sun’s reflected light. But believers said the Virgin Mary appeared to encourage them and motivate them to pray more. What do you think?

Cat returns after hurricane When massive Hurricane Katrina hit, a cat named Scrub wandered away from the Noble family in Mississippi. The Nobles thought they’d never see their beloved pet again, but five years after the hurricane, they got a call from a local animal humane society that had picked him up as a stray and identified him by an implanted microchip. Scrub then returned to his former home. Was God watching over Scrub during those years he spent wandering?

What do we mean by miracles? Traditionally, miracles are events that seem impossible. They go against the laws of nature They are extraordinary events. Would any of the 4 qualify as miracles? Why?

Also miracles are traditionally associated with God or some religious significance They are seen as God answering prayers or helping. They are interpreted as revelations of God or some important religious figure.

Finally, miracles are always good

Even if an event meets all 3 criteria… It’s also about interpretation Genelle sees it as a miracle that she survived 9/11 But what about the thousands who died?

Nev’s story Nev was caught in the conveyor belt of an industrial shredder. The belt snapped so he wasn’t dragged in, but his arm was snapped in pieces and the nerves in his shoulder shredded

Doctors said… He would never be able to use his arm and hand again. He was paralised Repeated tests confirmed the diagnosis. His wife prayed, as did many of her friends in church.

Nev isn’t religious 10 months later, long after treatment stopped Neville gets a tingling in his fingers There is life again. The unfixable has fixed itself He now uses his hand & arm like everyone else. His wife says it’s a miracle. Nev shrugs & says he’s just lucky.

Over to you Why does Nev’s wife think it’s a miracle If it isn’t a miracle, how could it be explained? What does this tell you about labelling events as miracles? What does Nev think?

Just one more miracle Don’t…be…dead. Just stop it.

Presentation by WGSG

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