Week 2 – Faith: Even If
Leader Guide
In every life, there will come hardships and hurts, trials and troubles. Jesus Himself said this would be so. Yet He also promised to be with us and respond to our faith. How do you hold on to faith, when God does not seem to hear, or the answer is long delayed? Let’s look at some verses that will help us.
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
Leader: This section is designed to get discussions started, examine God’s truth, and apply it to our week. Life Group leaders should not assume everyone in their group is a Christ follower. Because they are taking part in a Life Group, they must have some openness to knowing more, exploring. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work and let Him lead you as well.
1. In “Little Boy,” Pepper is given a list to accomplish. What kinds of things are on the list? Do you think starting with actions might change our faith or hearts?
Leader’s Note: make sure your group knows that “doing” good things cannot earn a specific answer. But doing did change Pepper’s heart as he began to see needs and overcome hate. Sometimes, good actions come before good and faithful feelings!
2. Much of the movie “Little Boy” revolves around this idea of a mustard seed. Read Matthew 17:14-20. What was the original problem in this passage? Why could the disciples not accomplish the healing? What do you imagine their attitudes where at the time, since Jesus gave them a clear reason for their failure? How are you encouraged personally by verse 20? Read Hebrews 11:1. Is it okay to have assurance and faith for things hoped for, even if God’s answer turns out to be “no”?
Leader’s Note: Pepper mistakenly believes a mustard seed, not “mustard seed sized” faith, will bring his father home. The disciples had tried to cast out a demon and had no success because of their little faith. Could they have been hesitant to try, expecting failure, afraid of the demon instead of overcoming it by their faith? We should be encouraged that any faith, any confidence in what Jesus can do through us, will please God and make a difference in the outcome. Hebrews tells us to keep having faith and being assured. God is not offended with our faith, even if His answer is no. Keep in touch with Him and adjust your faith, but not due to circumstances...only as He reveals His will.
3. Read Mark 9:21-24. What In this corresponding account of the same father with a son who is afflicted by a demon, the exchange is between whom? Whose faith is necessary in this account? What part of this passage could you make your own prayer?
Leader’s Note: The longer passage (Mark 9:14-29) shows this is the same event, with the disciples unable to cast out the demon. Jesus uses the same phrasing: “O faithless, how long am I to be with you?” But in this account, the father’s faith comes into play. He is obviously hopeful but doubting when he asks Jesus, “But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” When Jesus “raises an eyebrow” at his “if you can do anything,” the man back tracks. “I believe; help my unbelief!” should be the prayer of every Christian in every trial. Paraphrased, we might pray: “God, I am asking and praying in faith. Strengthen my faith. Help me to remain faithful and open to Your will!”
4. Read Daniel 3:17-18 and 2 Corinthians 12:9. Have you ever felt like you're praying the wrong way because your prayers aren't answered? When we do not hear from God, or we do not get the answer and results we asked for, how do you remain faithful?
Leader’s Note: The young men who were about to be cast into the furnace declared their faith in God: “He is able to deliver” and “He will deliver us.” But, they added, if not, we still will not turn from Him and trust and worship elsewhere. They would remain trusting, even if they died. Paul states that he heard from God that His power showed more strongly in Paul’s weakness. Paul chooses to accept, trust, and even gladly rejoice in God’s decision not to remove his trial, so that God would be glorified. This reminds me to pray, “not to us oh Lord, but to Your Name be glory” (Psalm 115:1).
5. Action Step: Does Pepper, accomplishing the list he is given, make God answer his request? Does accomplishing the list change anything? What one thing may be keeping you from allowing God to work in your life?
Deeper
Leader: This section is designed for further use in your Life Group or for personal study. These can also be used as discussion points and ways to stay connected with your group throughout the week. Encourage your group to take time daily to walk through these questions.
6. If we were to make a list of spiritual disciplines that might lead to greater connection with God, do you think this would also lead to greater faith? What might it definitely lead to?
a. Proverbs 19:17: (LN: caring for the poor and showing mercy draws us closer to the heart of God.)
b. John 7:24: (LN: do not judge others by race, appearance, externals.)
c. Galatians 3:26-28: (LN: treat all with value, worth, and dignity. Do not discriminate based on race, faith, gender, or status. Loving others makes you more like God.)
d. Colossians 4:2: (LN: Being devoted to prayer draws you into a deeper relationship with God and makes you more aware of His will. Being thankful gives you right attitude of faith for all God has done in the past.)
e. James 1:27: (LN: If true religion is not “going to church” but taking care of others, then acting with compassion in this way makes us more like Jesus and gives us His heart.)
f. Romans 15:7: (LN: Accepting others – just as they are – exhibits God’s love and brings us into alignment with His character.)
g. Micah 6:8: (LN: Actions like justice and mercy, and attitudes like humility, also bring us in tune with God’s Spirit, pleasing Him, and helping us sense His presence and will.)
h. Hebrews 10:25: (LN: gathering together for community with the Church, the body of Jesus, will strengthen you, speak truth and encouragement into your situations, and bolster your faith.)
i. Matthew 22:37-39: (LN: the Great Commandment to love God, not just obey rules, will change your life. And next, love your neighbor-all your neighbors! -as well as you love yourself. Jesus said everything, all the Law and the words of the Prophets, can be summed up in these disciplines. Love God. Love others.)
j. Deuteronomy 10:18: (LN: God defends the widow, the orphans, the unfortunate, and He loves the foreigner, the immigrant, and asks us to care for them. This is a heart check for us: are we in line with God’s care for others? In the movie, the priest says one little bit of hate will negate all your faith. Not sure if that’s accurate, but God loves for us to be compassionate.)
k. Matthew 25:35-40: (LN: if you have served the “least of these,” Jesus sees this as service to Himself.)