Reading Luke’s account of Jesus healing a demon-possessed boy compels us to consider the greatness of God and our own faith. If you have children in Elementary Kids Ministry, ask them this week if they know what faith is. Likely, they’ll begin singing, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see,” which is Hebrews 11:1. You, too, can check this song out and sing along on the Lamp & Light album on Spotify!

Steve’s Main Points

• Ask God for help
• Trust what God says
• Exercise what has been entrusted to you
• Behold the cross

Key Takeaways

• How can a person know that what she believes is true? Our faith is proven true by the Word and Person of God.

• Scripture is God-breathed.

• God is reliable and worthy of our trust.

• Be like Sarah who considered God faithful to his promises.

• Everyone has been given gifts for the purposes of ministry.

• We wither when we are not participating in the mission of God; we are encouraged when we play a part in God’s work. In light of this, Steve pleaded with the body not to cease exercising the gifts God has given.

• Beholding the cross moves us to gratitude, fullness of life, love, and trust in Jesus.

Discussion Questions/Application

Personal application:

• Read Mark’s account of the boy’s healing in Mark 9:14-29.

• Consider a season in your own life when you have confessed to God, “I believe, Lord, help me with my unbelief.” Through meditation, journaling, or prayer, reflect on how you have related to the boy’s dad in his sincere reply to Jesus.

• In what ways have you recently been amazed by the greatness of God?

Community Group Discussion Questions:

• How would you answer Steve’s daughter’s questions for yourself? “How do we know our faith is true?” “Can I trust God’s Word?” Share with your group how you might talk about these questions with your own friends or children. (Once a month on Mondays you can check out Great Questions, a safe place to discuss hard topics in the faith.)

• Read John 1:1-5, Romans 4-5:2, and 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 together. Discuss with your group your own confidence in the Word and Person of God as well as Jesus’ work on the cross.

Passages Referenced

Matthew 14:22-31, Mark 9:14-29; Luke 6:46-48, 9:1-2, 37-45; Romans 5:1-11, 8:28, 12:6-8; Hebrews 7:19, 11:1-13; 1 John 1:9.

Additional Resources

• Faith song on Lamp & Light album
• World Views Family Activity Book (as mentioned in the opening of the teaching)
• Around the World family global missions book

Worship Set List

Psalm 150 (Praise the Lord), Lord I Need You, His Mercy is More, How Marvelous, Christ our Hope in Life and Death