Lesson 2
FAITH
The Importance of Faith
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
To have faith is to believe in God and His Word. It means taking God seriously. By faith we receive what we want and need from God. Faith is necessary to be able to enjoy fellowship with God and to please Him.
The Measure of Faith
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
God has given us a measure of faith, but our faith can grow and become stronger.
How Faith Grows
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
The Bible shows us the will of God, and when we know what God wants, it is easy to believe. Our faith also grows stronger as we use it. We can compare it to the muscles of the body. The people that exercise continually develop more strength.
How Faith Works
Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
God created heaven and earth by speaking, and as His children, we can change our lives by proclaiming His Word by faith. When there is faith in our hearts there is power in our mouth. What we proclaim or ask for in prayer by faith materializes.
And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Faith and Hope
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hope has to do with the future, while faith is in the present. Faith receives what God has done for us in Christ. Faith says “- I receive it now”.
And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
Faith and Patience
That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
After receiving something from God it is necessary to maintain the faith and keep saying “I have it. It is mine”, until the answer manifests in the natural.
(Abraham) He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
Faith in Action
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works... For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Faith needs to be expressed by words and actions to work.
Faith is a Lifestyle
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. To live by faith” means to “use our faith” in our life. That means to get up by faith in the morning, get dressed by faith, eat by faith, leave the house by faith, work by faith and finally go back to sleep by faith at night.
What we say or ask for in prayer by faith becomes reality in our lives. We can speak positive words, proclaiming what we want instead of affirming what we have. Explain to the disciple that faith grows by hearing, meditating, and confessing the Word of God.
Example of how to Speak by Faith
”I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” (Php 4:13)
“Whatsoever I do shall prosper.” (Psa 1:3)
“I will always have all that I need” (2 Co 9:8)
Summary
- Faith receives what we want and need from God.
- Faith is expressed by words and actions.
Goals for this lesson
The goals are written to the mentor, about the disciple.
- Instruct your disciple how to speak and pray by faith.
- Teach your disciple how faith grows.