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Faith Defined
Read Hebrews 11:1-10
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (v. 1).
In The Edge of Adventure, Keith Miller and Bruce Larson tell of a letter that was discovered in a baking powder can. The can was wired to the handle of an old water pump on the seldom-used trail across Nevada’s Amargosa Desert. The letter read, “This pump is all right as of June 1932. I put a new sucker washer into it and it ought to last five years. But the washer dries out, and the pump has got to be primed. Under the white rock, I buried a bottle of water, out of the sun and cork end up. There’s enough water in it to prime the pump, but not if you drink some first. Pour about one-fourth and let her soak to wet the leather. Then pour in the rest medium fast and pump like crazy. You’ll git water. The well has never run dry. Have faith. When you git watered up, fill the bottle and put it back like you found it for the next feller. [signed] Desert Pete. P.S. Don’t go drinking the water first. Prime the pump with it and you’ll git all you can hold.”
Just as the thirsty traveler had to trust in something he could not see to receive water he desired, so the Hebrew writer tells us we must trust God for that which we desire. (Gayle Woods)
Faith in God is based on the substance of hope and the evidence of a yet to be realized reality.This devotional is the Monday, February 8, 2016 entry of Opening the Word.
Faith Rewarded
Lesson 11 - February 14, 2016
Focus Text: John 4:43-54
Central Truth: Great things await those who trust Christ.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to state how they can exercise their faith to help it grow.
Lesson Outline:
- Faith Challenged (John 4:43-48)
- Faith Exhibited (John 4:49-50)
- Faith Rewarded (John 4:51-54)
Prayer – Lesson 10, The Storm Calmed
Heavenly Father, as our teachers lead their classes today in study of Your miracle of calming the stormy lake, help them to impress upon their students the lesson that Your presence drives out fear; therefore, we should seek to live daily close to You. We pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.
Your Church's School
Arthur Flake asserts "The Sunday School is the 'school' of the church." (Toler, 1995, p. 2).
When you think of "school", what comes to your mind? Heavy textbooks, boring lectures, and an overwhelming sleepiness or new adventures, challenging discussions, and practical application?
Most probably agree that school is important, even though some may argue that the traditional classroom is not always the most effective method of training. We recognize our level of achievement will be greatly stunted if we do not receive some type of education.
Sunday school does not necessarily have the same respect. This is unfortunate as Sunday school plays an integral role in our discipleship. Such disdain may have been earned from years of enduring boring, trivial or unprepared classes. Your calling, Teacher, is to help make Sunday school an essential ministry of your local church.
When your students think "Sunday school", what comes to their mind?
References
Toler, Stan (1995). 101 ways to grow a healthy sunday school. Kansas City: Beacon Hill Press.
How is our desire for miracles often misplaced?
In "Biblical Perspective" Gayle Woods writes:
Miracles tend to produce excitement, but not necessarily faith. The disciples had seen many miracles, but they were still having issues with their faith. The people were excited about physical healings and paranormal dis- plays of power, but not many were coming to Jesus for spiritual healing. Today some have an unnatural hunger for the supernatural display of miracles in the physical realm, not realizing that the results are temporary and earthly at best. Our mission is spiritual in nature rather than physical.
Discussion: What should be our greatest desire?
Source: Miracles of Jesus: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 60.
How Are the Trials of Life Good for Us?
In "Doctrinal Discussion" Glenn McClure writes:
We often refer to trials and tribulations as “storms” because they come upon us suddenly and overshadow our lives with devastation. It is not always easy to understand why they come, but we know that they do come. We soon learn that we must face them squarely and deal with each one properly. We should keep in mind, however, that trials are for our benefit, not our destruction.
He then lists three benefits of trials:
- Trials refine our character.
- Trials refire our commitment.
- Trials refresh our confidence.
Discussion: How have you experienced these benefits of trials in your own life?
Source: Miracles of Jesus: Adult Teacher's Insights, pages 61-62.