Discussion Guide
Faith is one of the most important aspects of our Christian walk with God. This week we will look at how to have a “now faith” and how to grow our faith in God.
What you will need: A Bible or your Bible app, a notebook, pen, and highlighter. The verses highlighted below are linked so that you can easily access them during your study time.
Jump Start
1. Share a time that you had a now faith, where you may have stepped out believing God would do something?
2. Read Hebrews 11:1-2. What is faith and why is it so important to live it out in our daily lives? How do we get God’s “approval”?
3. Read Hebrews 11:6. What does this verse teach us about not having faith? Is believing God exist enough? What is the result of believing that He rewards us for our faith and pursuing Him?
4. Read 2 Chronicles 16:9. In this verse, what kind of person is God looking for? How much of your heart is He seeking? Look back at Hebrews 11:1-2. Why is it important to cling to hope while the dream(s) God gave you appear not to be progressing? What place, if any, do hard work, delays, and problems have in accomplishing the dreams given to us by God?
5.Read Mark 9:22-24. In these verses, what is the father struggling with? How does Jesus respond? Does this often play out in our everyday lives? How do you think Jesus responds to our honesty about our unbelief at times? How can we grow and stretch our faith?
7. Action Steps: Just as last week we were asked to spend time on our knees, we are challenged to do so again. This time, pray humbly on your knees with His Word laid out in front of you, saying, “God, I want You to do in my life what I see in these pages.” Tell God you do believe, but also admit if you need help with any unbelief. Be real with God about it. He already knows us, and He is full of grace and mercy towards us. Ask God to give you a big dream. And then act, don't wait! Pray, ask, do. “Faith is like a muscle; you must use it and stretch it to grow.”
Deeper
8. Read Genesis 37: 5-11, Genesis 37:24, Genesis 37:28, Genesis 37:36. What was Joseph’s big dream from God? How did others feel about his dream? Did it look like his dream would happen, considering how things were going?
9. Read Genesis 39:2, Genesis 39:19-21. Here we see that the Lord was with Joseph and blessed him. Then in a turn of events, he was falsely accused of something he did not do. What do you think Joseph was thinking? Does it look like he continued to live out his faith? How did Joseph keep taking the next right steps?
10. Read Genesis 41:40 & Genesis 45:5-8. In Joseph’s situation, does he get to see his dream or plan for his life fulfilled? Could Joseph have allowed the discouragement and delays to create unbelief in his life and situation? How can the story of Joseph encourage us to live out our faith and believe God even when we can’t see the promise?