Faith Series

Hope Eternal

Remember, believers are not blind to the world's evils, but we can overcome dark influences. So this lesson uncovers the final secret in our Faith Series that believers must exercise as overcomers.

Thought to remember: Base hope in faith, not sight!

Lesson Learned: Life is very challenging, but I must see the possibilities beyond the present. From this lesson, I grasped three concepts: 1) Never fear death 2) Enjoy the peace and comfort of the Holy Spirit. 3) Walk by faith, not by sight.

My Prayer: Dearest Heavenly Father, it is tempting to respond to life's challenges using only our resources. May we instead have faith to trust You, to live as You would have us live. We pray in the name of the one who conquered death, Jesus our Savior. Amen.

A Conquering Faith

Lesson Text: I John 4:2-3, 13-17; 5:4-5

We can have victory and overcome the world only through faith in Jesus our Savior, the Son of God. God enabled this plan even though created beings of His image reject Him over and over again. Remember, His plan centers on the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of His beloved Son, Jesus.

Thought to remember: The only way to overcome the world is through faith in Jesus.

Lesson Learned: I can only overcome the world through the faith that Jesus is my Savior and who is the Son of God. This faith allows the Holy Spirit to empower me to become an overcomer. This action alone results in the demonstration of LOVE.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love expressed in sending Your Son to die for the sins of the world! Empower us to overcome the world and model Your love to others. As we do, may we look ever forward to the day of Your Son’s return, when we will share in His glory. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

A Persevering Faith

Lesson Text: Hebrews 10:23-36

Faith is effective when we depend on God and rest in the death, burial, and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus. Yet, the writer of Hebrews urged believers to recognize the superiority of our faith while living in obedience to God daily. Remember, our reward rests in the afterlife.

Thought to remember: God’s promises are certain for all who walk the difficult path of faith.

Lesson Learned: Because of this lesson, I challenge myself to reduce legalism in my life. Instead of separating the key tenets of my faith, I must synchronize my worship with love and good works toward my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. In other words, I must exercise encouraging, loving, and assisting others along with worshipping together.

.My Prayer: Dearest Heavenly Father, in the midst of strong pressures, grant us strength to remain faithful to Your Son through the Spirit of grace. May we seek each day to live a life worthy of our calling in Him. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!

Meaning of Faith

Lesson Text: Hebrews 11:1-8, 13-16

The writer of Hebrews stresses the superiority of faith over the Law including the prophets, angels, Moses, Joshua, Aaron, and Judaic rituals. Mainly, faith demonstrates the reality of divine creation by the spoken Word of God. In other words, we see what comes from what we do not see when we exercise faith. For such to happen, we as believers must believe 1) that God exists and 2) that God rewards those who seek Him.

Thought to remember: The faithful individuals look for God's country.

Lesson Learned: Sometimes, we undervalue the role of imitation in spiritual maturity because we live in an age of movie superheroes that are impossible to imitate. Yet, we sometimes dispel our heroes because of their personal weaknesses. For instance, Noah became drunk after the flood, so should I depict him as a drunker. Never, so despite my weaknesses, I too, can leave a legacy of faith as noted by I Peter 5:3, Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

Now, become a faithful imitator.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You. Lord. We have more clarity and understanding about living by faith and pleasing You. Lord, help us! Open our eyes and ears to see and hear what You are saying to us in these last days. And may we be doers of the word, and not hearers only. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen!

Salvation Available for All

Lesson Text: Romans 10:5-17

Where does faith come from? First, faith comes from hearing the good news of Jesus Christ, a message proclaimed by preachers. Then, faith initiates from the announcement of how Jesus became the Savior (Christ). Remember, His death, burial, and resurrection are the atonement for our sin. Although many believers are not vocational preachers, we still represent this message, and we should proclaim it as a herald of old proclaiming the king's message.

Thought to remember: Spread the gospel so others may believe.

Lesson Learned: Faith comes from hearing the gospel. Since this statement is true, I challenge myself with this question, how can I proclaim the gospel even if I never step behind a pulpit?

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, may we be faithful to preach the gospel. May our faith in Jesus never waver in so doing. May we live righteously, and may we, through the power of the Holy Spirit, witness by our words and lifestyle to draw others to You. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen!

The Faith of Abraham

Lesson Text: Romans 4:1-12

Abraham is considered the father of faith, and this lesson explains why. The Apostle Paul argued, “was Abraham able to justify his righteousness by works like circumcision?” The obvious answer is negative because no righteous act can position a person correctly in God's presence. Remember, all men have sinned (Romans 3:23). Yet, Abraham believed in God and trusted His promises. Such an astonishing act of faith gave Abraham the status of a righteous person before a holy and righteous God.

Thought to remember: The Lord remains as the Father of the faithful.

Lesson Learned: Faith is what God wants instead of outward signs. Therefore, my faith requires me to trust God and His plan for my life. So each day, I must ask myself, how far will I allow my faith to take?

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, may we continue to live daily as people whose faith results in unconditional trust in You! Thank You for Your amazing grace! Thank You for crediting us with righteousness and not counting our sin against us. We don't deserve Your love, but with the help of the Holy Spirit, we will live according to Your will, in Jesus' name, we pray. Amen!

The Power of the Gospel

Lesson Text: Romans 1:8-17

The gospel possesses the power to save, but it also can destroy walls of injustice. Mainly, the gospel has the power to do many things, including the power to release the sting of death. As believers, we affirm that the Cross is about death; yet the Cross enables life. For this reason alone, "the just must live by faith."

Thought to remember: The gospel is powerful for all who believe.

Lesson Learned: Like the Prophet Habakkuk, who complained about the prosperity of the wicked and the suffering of the righteous, I too must grasp that I cannot compel God to act. Yet, I must place my faith in God to do the right thing in His timing. For this reason, Paul reminds his readers of Habakkuk 2:4 that "the just shall live by his faith."

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, we approach Your throne with faith, unashamed of our love and trust for Your Son, Jesus Christ. May we give all that we have to serve You and bring the gospel message to those who have not heard. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen!

Attitude of Gratitude

Lesson Text: Leviticus 13:45-46; Luke 17:11-19

This lesson displays faith with an attitude of gratitude. The Savior encounters ten lepers when He enters a village. While keeping their distance, they requested the Savior's mercy, and He displays His authority by speaking deliverance. Yet, the Samaritan returns with gratitude, of which he demonstrates reverence and worship to God.

Thought to remember: Let us determine to give thanks to God.

Lesson Learned: In the end, my relationship with God is defined by my faith, not by my heritage, my denomination, nor even my acts of kindness! "Then he said to him, "Get up. On your way. Your faith has healed and saved you." (Luke 17:19) In other words, the Samaritan's trusting expectation in God, as demonstrated by his act of obedience, conveyed the healing. This expectation led him back with gratitude. Trusting expectation comes from a thankful life.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, may we worship You without distraction or impatience. We thank you for our salvation! We are thankful that You loved us even when we were far from You. Would you please help us to care for those on the outskirts of our society? In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen!

Why Do You Doubt?

Lesson Text: Matthew 14:22-33

Like us, Peter had a problem with consistency. Peter often said and did impressive things while in the Savior's presence. Our lesson today demonstration such even during a crisis of faith. When Peter began to doubt, he started to sink toward an abyss. Yet, he recovered quickly because of the Savior. Let us realize when we experience doubt, like Peter, we too must call on the Savior.

Thought to remember: Cry out to Jesus, who overcomes our doubt.

Lesson Learned: When I experienced faith and doubt simultaneously, I must reflect on what happened when Peter walked on water. Whether Peter doubted his ability to continue to walk on water or doubted Jesus' ability to keep him afloat, his doubt minimized his faith. Likewise, I must allow my faith to minimize my doubt instead of letting doubt reduce my faith even when distractors appear.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, I want to thank you for Your almighty power at work in Jesus to save and protect us. We affirm Your promise of never forsaken even when physical death occurs, you continue to live with us. Direct our hearts to You whenever life makes us afraid; we pray. In Jesus' name. Amen!

Healed by Faith

Lesson Text: Matthew 9:18-26

The miraculous power of the Savior does not assure us that we will have no loss or pain. However, this lesson informs us what we can do while suffering and losing. We must place our trust in the LORD. Remember, the Savior's power will eradicate sickness and death because HIS power and authority exceed over life and death.

Thought to remember: Jesus' power and authority are more significant than the worst of our circumstances.

Lesson Learned: Understand that the number 12 signifies perfection or completion. According to Bible scholars, 12 is the product of three, which signifies the divine, and four, which signifies the earthly. This number tells me that I must exercise faith in my earthy circumstances to decree divine measures for completeness.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, we cry out to You in our suffering and our grief. We long for the life that You have in store for us. We recognize the abundance that we now possess through your Son, Jesus, even the abundance of eternal life. We thank you for this abundance, in Jesus' name, we pray. Amen!

Why Are you Afraid?

Lesson Text: Matthew 8:23-27

What do you fear? Typically, the things that make us afraid are those that threaten our wellbeing because we cannot control them. So, instead of praying first, we first try our best to gain control. This lesson gives us an alternative. Instead of us relying upon our abilities to control our circumstances when fears overtake us, we must yield upon faith even if it is little faith.

Thought to remember: Allow the Lord to grow your faith and silence your fears.

Lesson Learned: 1) When I trust God, I become free of my fears. 2) I must exercise my faith when I am unable to control the situation. 3) Even little faith has potential, so I must allow the Savior to grow my faith.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, we confess that we are a fearful people. Our faith is small. Please help us to grow in faith as we freely confess our mixture of belief and unbelief as noted when a father sought you with tears, I believe but help my unbelief (Mark 9:24). In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen!

Why Do You Worry?

Lesson Text: Matthew 6:25-34

Worry is a universal human experience. Our brains constantly provoke us to evaluate our circumstances and identify threats to our well-being. Yet, the Savior provides believers a solution in this lesson. We are free from the burden of worrying when we submit to God and His righteousness.

Thought to remember: Worry … empties today of its strength.

By Corrie ten Boom (1892–1983)

Lesson Learned: 1) When I trust God, I am free from the burden of worry. 2) Worry does not keep me alive because only God's provision can sustain me in the trials of life. 3) I cannot rename my worries with the term "concerns," but I should replace my worries with trust.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, give us confidence in Your provision so that our worries will cease? As You do, may we respond with trust so that our hearts will pursue Your rule? Grant us strength in the Holy Spirit to pursue Your righteousness as subjects in Your kingdom. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen!