1. God’s Nature and Ways
🔹 Story 1: Abraham Expecting a Normal Son
Main Characters: Abraham, Sarah, Isaac
Story Summary: Abraham and Sarah waited years for a child. They assumed the promise would be fulfilled through human means, even trying to help it along through Hagar. But God gave them Isaac—born miraculously in old age.
Key Verses: Genesis 17–18; 21:1–7
Theme Connection: Abraham expected a child in the usual way, but God delayed and delivered through a miracle—His plan was not just different, it was divine.
🔹 Story 2: Disciples Expecting a Military Messiah
Main Characters: Jesus, the twelve disciples
Story Summary: The disciples believed the Messiah would overthrow Rome and restore Israel politically. But Jesus came to conquer sin, not empires, through suffering and resurrection.
Key Verses: Luke 24:13–27; Acts 1:6–8
Theme Connection: God’s plan of redemption was spiritual, not political—far beyond what they imagined.
🔹 Story 3: Mary and Martha Expecting Healing
Main Characters: Mary, Martha, Lazarus, Jesus
Story Summary: The sisters begged Jesus to heal their sick brother. But Jesus waited until Lazarus died—then raised him from the dead, revealing a deeper kind of power.
Key Verses: John 11:1–44
Theme Connection: They wanted healing, but God gave resurrection—His delay brought greater glory.
🔹 Story 4: Joseph Expecting to Lead, But Sold into Slavery
Main Characters: Joseph, his brothers, Pharaoh
Story Summary: Joseph dreamed of leadership, but was betrayed, enslaved, and imprisoned. Years later, he became second-in-command in Egypt, saving nations from famine.
Key Verses: Genesis 37–50
Theme Connection: Joseph’s path was long and painful—but God’s plan was higher than Joseph’s dreams.
🔹 Story 5: Paul Expecting Ministry, But Thrown in Prison
Main Characters: Paul, Roman guards, early churches
Story Summary: Paul’s mission trips were interrupted by beatings and imprisonment. But in chains, he wrote letters that would spread the Gospel for generations.
Key Verses: Philippians 1:12–14; Acts 16:25–34
Theme Connection: Paul expected to preach in person—God used his prison time to preach to the world.
🔹 Story 6: Jonah Expected Destruction, But God Gave Mercy
Main Characters: Jonah, Ninevites, God
Story Summary: Jonah preached to Nineveh expecting judgment to fall, but the people repented and God spared the city, teaching Jonah about compassion.
Key Verses: Jonah 3–4
Theme Connection: Jonah expected wrath—God showed mercy, revealing the greater purpose of repentance.
🔹 Story 7: Job Expected Justice, But Got Restoration
Main Characters: Job, God, Job’s friends
Story Summary: Job endured immense suffering and wanted answers from God. Instead, God revealed His greatness—and then restored Job’s fortunes beyond what was lost.
Key Verses: Job 1–2; 38–42
Theme Connection: Job expected explanations—God gave transformation and double blessing.
🔹 Story 8: Gideon Expected Weakness, But God Gave Victory
Main Characters: Gideon, the Midianites, God
Story Summary: Gideon doubted himself and led a tiny army of 300 men. Yet God gave him a miraculous victory over the vast Midianite forces.
Key Verses: Judges 6–7
Theme Connection: Gideon expected defeat—God used a small force to win a big battle.
🔹 Story 9: Peter Expected Permanent Failure
Main Characters: Peter, Jesus
Story Summary: After denying Jesus three times, Peter was crushed and ashamed. But Jesus restored him and made him a foundational leader in the early church.
Key Verses: Luke 22:54–62; John 21:15–19
Theme Connection: Peter thought he had failed beyond repair—God saw a future of leadership and grace.
🔹 Story 10: Israel Expected a Conquest, But Received a Cross
Main Characters: Jesus, the crowds, Jewish leaders
Story Summary: Many in Israel expected the Messiah to overthrow Roman rule. Instead, Jesus came in humility, died on a cross, and rose again—defeating sin, not soldiers.
Key Verses: Matthew 21:1–11; John 19–20
Theme Connection: God’s plan was not political revolution but eternal redemption through the cross.
🔹 Key Bible Passages for the Theme
- Isaiah 55:8–9
- Romans 8:28
- John 11:40
- Genesis 50:20
- Luke 24:25–27
- Ephesians 3:20
- Habakkuk 1:5
- 1 Corinthians 1:27
- Psalm 33:11
- Proverbs 19:21