Faith in God is an often misunderstood idea in the modern New Testament church.
QUESTION 1: What is your personal understanding of having faith in God? (Encourage responses and ensure responders give practical examples).
Heb. 11. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to Him must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
The above scripture talks about 2 levels of believe:
Believe that He is…
Believe that He rewards (that is; He gives, blesses, heals, provides etc)
While the first level speaks of His essence (Essence is the intrinsic nature or quality of somebody or something which determines their character), the second level speaks of an attribute of His.
Most people tend to relate with God at level 2 so we will consider it first.
Characteristics of level 2 worshipers
Their worship of God is conditional on their expectation of Him to deliver in specific areas of their life. John 6. 24 – 26
QUESTION 2: Do you have pending prayer points you believe the devil can use to make you doubt God’s faithfulness? Any willing person can share.
They set their own expectations for their relationship with God and they are only willing to receive the word when it agrees with their own notions John 6. 60, 66-67
QUESTION 3: Have you ever had a challenge accepting God’s word in any area because it challenged your ego, personal opinion or preference.
QUESTION 4: If you have now moved beyond that; what was the process involved?
They are never FULLY PERSUADED about any doctrine of scripture (be it holiness, giving, healing or grace). John 6. 67, 68 (notice v.69: Peter said, “we believe and WE ARE SURE…”)
Their ears always itch to hear NEW arguments on the TRUTH they already know to give them an excuse for willful disobedience. II Tim 4. 3, 4(AMP) for the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine and accurate instruction (that challenges them with God’s truth); but wanting to have their ears tickled (with something pleasing), they will accumulate for themselves (many) teachers (one after another, chosen) to satisfy their own desires and to support the errors they hold.
They usually measure God’s faithfulness based on His “performance” in their personal affairs but never realize that the reason God’s power is limited in their lives is because of their DOUBLE – MINDEDNESS James 1.6-8; James 4.8
QUESTION 5: In an age of opposing opinions on basic scriptural truths (from grace to giving), what do you think is the key to maintaining stability.
(Summarize with Eph. 4. 11, 12, and 14)
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Level 1 faith is believing in His essence. His intrinsic nature as the self – existing, omnipotent (all powerful), omniscient (all – knowing), omnipresent (everywhere present) God of love. This can come from two sources:
Generally from the wonders of creation Rom. 1.20
Specifically by revelation Matt 16. 13. 17; Matt 11. 27
