Faith

​Community Group Discussion Guide
Faith
Icebreakers:

1. How would you describe the difference between faith and self-determination?
2. Have you ever had a chair collapse beneath you while sitting in it?  (Did you loose your faith in chairs?)
3. What do you see as the relationship between faith and faithfulness?  (What is the difference?)

Scripture: Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
Digging Deeper:  If you are going to please God, faith is essential.  Furthermore, a person of faith will believe two things: 1) They will believe that God exists.  2) They will believe that God is good.  (“A rewarder of those who seek Him”)
The 2nd Definition of “Faith” listed in Webster’s dictionary reads like this: “Faith is belief, trust in and loyalty to God.”  How would you define faith in one sentence?  (We are going to talk about Belief, Trust and Loyalty as they relate to the subject of faith)
Belief in God.  John 20:24-29 NASB95 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. [25] So the other disciples were saying to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” [26] After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” [27] Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving but believing.” [28] Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” [29] Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”

1. Why do you think Thomas was so skeptical?  (How many of you consider yourself a sceptic?)
2. What do you think Jesus was talking about when He said, “Blesses are they who did not see, and yet believed?”
3. Since “we” have not seen Jesus in the flesh, what gives us cause to believe in Him?

 
Trust in God.  Jeremiah 29:11-13 For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. [12] Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. [13] You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

1. How would you define “trust?”
2. Do you trust in God?  (On what basis, or “why” do you trust in God?)
3. What are some of the reasons that you believe that God is good?

 
Loyalty to God.  2 Corinthians 5:17,18,20 NASB95  If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. [18] Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. (Skip to verse 20) [20] Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
 
1.How would you describe the idea of loyalty?
2.In what way do Believers act as ambassadors for Christ?
3.Do you see yourself as a loyal person?  (Why or why not?)
 
Wrap-up: True faith will ultimately cause a person to be faithful.  The word faithful literally means “to be full of faith.”  As the literal ambassadors for Christ it is essential for us to be people who are full of faith.