Facilitator: Rev. Jaimal C.

Hayes, Pastor

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Bible Study Where Is Your Faith? Ice Breaker Preacher joke. The Tests of Faith Key verses: Luke 5:1-11 Jesus moved out into Simons/Peters boat to avoid being overtaken by the crown. After teaching the crowd, Jesus decides to test Peters faith. Observe, Jesus is by profession a carpenter yet he provides instructions to a professional fisherman about fishing. Jesus instructions appear to be absurd because it was still daylight not an opportune time to fish and the previous nights attempt at fishing was a total failure. Nevertheless, Peter has enough faith to obey the Lord in spite of his past experience and the results are overwhelming! A faith that hasnt been tested cant be trusted. (Adrian Rogers)

1. Peters test was to believe Christ knew more than what he did. What are some of your tests of faith (i.e. finances, marriage)?

2. Consider verse 5 and list the excuses you have made.

3. What happened when Peter took the Lord at his word? (Read v.5-6)

4. Several faith principles that can be used: a. b. c. d. Faith requires obedience (James 2:14-17) Faith is not dependent upon current circumstances (Hebrews 11:1) Faith produces incredible results (Luke 5:6-7; Luke 5:18-20, Mark 11:22) Faith is transferable (Luke 5:10)

Note: Remember Job was severely tested in his faith to God but he still declared Naked I came from my mothers womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. (NRSV Job 1:21) When he has tested me, I shall come out like gold. (NRSV Job 23:10b)

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Facilitator: Rev. Jaimal C. Hayes, Pastor

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

The Power of Faith Key verse: Luke 7:1-10 While in Capernaum, Jesus is approached by an entourage of Jewish elders asking him to heal a Roman centurions sick servant. The Jewish elders not only petitioned for the centurion but lobbied for him because he loved the nation. Close to the centurions house, a second delegation or group of friends gives Jesus a second message. Coupled with humility and unworthiness, the Centurion message exemplifies the power of what faith in the Lord can do.

1. Consider verses 6-7 and write down how humble you are in your requests to the Lord?

Read Romans 12:3 2. After reading verse 8, how much authority/power do you earnestly believe the Lord?

3. What does this text teach you about taken God at his word?

The Paralysis of Faith Fear & Doubt Key verses: Luke 8:22-25 Jesus and his disciples were in a boat crossing over the Sea of Gallilee and suddenly a whirlwind of a storm came that was threatening to capsize their boat. Meanwhile, Jesus is sleeping and the disciples are paralyzed with the fear of drowning. Instead of trusting in the Lord with all their heart and leaning not on their own understanding, they decide to waken Jesus in panic. Jesus rebukes the storm and asks the disciples the thoughtprovoking question Where is your faith? Important facts about fear: a. Fear and doubt are forms of spiritual paralysis. Instead of crippling our physical ability, fear and doubt disables some or all of our spiritual beings. b. Fear and doubt can keep you from ever emerging from mediocrity to greatness and from impossible to possible.

1. In what area(s) of your life are fear and/or doubt paralyzing you?

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Facilitator: Rev. Jaimal C. Hayes, Pastor

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

2. What should have the disciples believed about the Lord that would have kept them from being afraid? Palms 24:1; Ephesians 1:22 Note: Horatio G. Spafford wrote a hymn of faith in response to the tragic death of his four daughters when an ocean liner sank in the Atlantic Ocean. Only his wife survived the storm. She sent him a message that said Saved alone. Despites the storms attempt to ruin his faith and trust in God, he wrote the well-known hymn: When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.

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