The DNA of Our Church | Vibrant Faith
How to use it: After watching/listening to this week’s message, from November 6, 2022, use the questions to go deeper into the message, with your group…or on your own. The questions will introduce you to the topic, reflect content from the sermon, go ‘Beyond the Message’, & get you thinking about practical applications for your life.
Do you agree that it is impossible – even for a secular person – to live without faith in something (i.e. faith in doctors, pilots, spouses). Apart from your faith in God, what regular life situations require you to live by faith?
Pastor Mark stated that, “faith is the gap between evidence and belief, and that this gap is where many people discover their need for God.”
a. How do you think a “God of the gaps” can lead people to discover their need for Him?
b. Read Hebrews 11:1. Explain how the terms “confidence” (sure foundation) and “assurance” (certainty that compels) define biblical faith as different from “blind faith.”
c. How does placing your faith in God over a period of time create a vibrant faith, that compels us to give God our all, trusting we will experience his best?
Hebrews 11:3-31 was referred to as the “Faith Hall of Fame.” Have each person in your group select a different statement about a biblical person from this passage (typically 1-3 verses each).
a. In your own words explain each selected story using the “by faith » person » acted faithfully » promise fulfilled” pattern.
b. Using the following passages, how can we apply this same pattern to our own lives? Proverbs 3:45; Phil 4:6-7; James 4:7; Malachi 3:8-10; Matthew 16:18
c. Share a time in your life when you, “by faith » acted faithfully » promise was fulfilled.”
Read Hebrews 12:1-3, which uses the common New Testament metaphor of running a race to describe the Christian life.
a. Define the roles of: the witnesses, Jesus, the runner.
b. If we are to run our race well, we must do certain things to prepare. Describe examples of what we must “throw off that hinders.” What does it mean that “sin so easily entangles” us?
c. Instead of being hindered, we are to fix our eyes upon Jesus. What does it mean that Jesus is the “pioneer/ author” of our faith? What does it mean that he is the “perfecter/ finisher” of our faith?
Considering what you have covered in this study on faith, what are some practical examples of how you and West Meadows could live out vibrant faith; we give God our all, trusting we will experience His best!