Faith: Our Source to Grow
In downtown Chicago, there is a balcony entirely made of glass you can step onto and feel like you are floating 1,300 feet up in the air.
It is attached to the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere and sticks out 4.3 feet from the ledge. When it was first being built, many were speculative of how anyone in their right mind would pay money to walk on to something seemingly so fragile? Now it is one of the top tourist attractions in the city.
What is true faith?
- Hebrews 11:6 tells us that without faith we cannot please God. Faith in God is believing enough to trust Him completely. True faith allows us to understand two basic facts as we come to God. What are they according to Hebrews 11:6?
- Faith is more than just believing with our minds. Many people believe intellectually in God yet are not true disciples. James 2:19 and 26 speaks about this issue. Write out these two verses and explain the point being made.
- In Matthew 7:21, we see the difference between just believing in God and having true faith. Can you describe the difference?
- True faith will always lead us to action. What is the man compared to who hears the Word and puts it into practice according to Matthew 7:24-25?Explain the comparison.
- What is the man compared to who hears the Word and does not put it into practice according to Matthew 7:26-27? Again, explain this comparison.
- Do you know people who say they believe; yet their faith does not change their life? Comment on what you have seen.
- Many of us struggle like doubting Thomas: unless we see it, we won’t believe it. What kind of people does Jesus bless in John 20:28-29?
- How is your faith personally attacked the most? What do you do when it comes under attack?
How do we increase our faith?
- Do you ever wish you could have more faith or could believe in a deeper way? You can. Read Romans 10:17. Where does faith come from?
- How do you think this gives birth to faith in our lives?
- Where do you get the faith-building message in your life?
- After reading this verse, how would you encourage someone who is doubting and weak in faith to increase his or her faith?
- The Bible says in Jude 1:20, “Build yourselves up in your most holy faith.” According to 2 Timothy 3:16, we as believers should use the word of God to build each other up. List the four ways this is done beside the correct definition.
__________ To make or set right. To alter or adjust a wrong way.
__________ To strongly disapprove or seek to turn someone away from something.
__________ To cause someone to know and understand a subject.
__________ To form by instruction, discipline, or drill.
- You must allow the Word of God to be applied to your life in these four ways. Are there other believers who are confident enough to teach, rebuke, correct and train you? Who are they? Describe how one of these things has happened in your life recently.
- Evaluate how well you respond to the application of the Word of God to your life. Circle one number (ten being the highest score) to describe how well you are doing in these areas.
On a scale of one to ten, with ten being the highest:
- How teachable are you?
- Do you admit faults when they are pointed out?
- Do you allow yourself to be corrected?
- How well do you keep growth assignments?
Read Hebrews 3:12-13. According to verse 13, how can we help prevent someone from developing an unbelieving heart (weak faith) so that they do not turn away from God?
What does faith do in our lives?
- All the gifts that God has prepared for us come through faith. Without faith those gifts are not available to us. How does James 1:6-8 describe the man who doubts?
- Why do you think a doubting man is compared this way?
- According to verse 7, what can the man without faith expect to receive from the Lord? (Remember what Hebrews 11:6 says.)
- Read Ephesians 2:8-9. We see that our forgiveness and salvation are gifts from God. How do these gifts come to us?
- Grace is a gift we receive when we do not deserve it, God’s unmerited favor. According to verse 9, why does the gift of salvation come his way?
- Although our salvation does not come to us by good works, good works are a result of our salvation. Read verse 10 and explain why we are created and what God prepares for us to do in advance.
- Righteousness = being right with God. Read Romans 3:22, and answer these questions about righteousness.
- Where is righteousness from?
- How does it come?
- To whom does it come?
- In Mark 9:21-24, we read the account of a father who is desperate to solve his son’s problems. What do we learn about the power of faith from verse 23?
- Do you feel like the father of the child who makes the following request in verse 24? “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief?” If you are feeling that way about something in your life now, write a brief prayer asking the Lord to increase your faith in this area.
- Determine now to build up your faith and keep it strong. Commit yourself to practicing these faith-building steps.
- Read a passage from the Word of God each day.
- Keep in touch with other disciples daily.
- Keep your heart from any habitual sin that would harden it.
So build yourself up in your most holy faith. Remember, faith is the source of our growth.
Steps to Begin
Complete your Daily Bread calendar in the front inside cover of this book. Record the scriptures that speak to you each day.
Practice your Memory Verse for this week. Memorize it to hide God’s Word in your heart.
Review your Prayer List in the back inside cover of this book. Ask God who you can pray for and share with this week.
Questions for Group Discussion
- In your own words, define the word faith.
- What is one area of your life you are putting your faith into practice?
- In what areas do you doubt or struggle with your faith? Ask God to help you.
- Read Jude 1:20. How do we practice these in our group? Which area does God want you to grow in?
- Who is one person you can share your faith with this week?
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