Read an Excerpt
THE FAITH
A JOURNEY WITH GOD DFD 2.3 a study of why to believe
TH1NK Books
Copyright © 2004 The Navigators
All right reserved. ISBN: 1-57683-638-X
Chapter One
THE FATHER Faith in God is threefold: It's an educated conclusion of your mind; it's a visceral reaction in your heart; and it's a resolute decision to live it out, even in the face of death. Mind, heart, action. All three must be involved in a real and effective Faith.
Faith begins and ends with God. Let's start our study of the Faith by digging a little deeper into who God is. Remember, behind all Faith, the Spirit works in mysterious ways to open our hearts, souls, and minds to the unsurpassable glory and significance of God. Before you start, pray that God will strengthen and grow your Faith in Him.
REVIEW: WHO IS GOD?
1. What are some of God's names? What do they mean to the Faith?
Genesis 17:1: Psalm 95:6:
Luke 11:2:
1 Timothy 6:15:
2. Read Isaiah 45:18-25. From this passage, explain a few things about God's character that can bolster your Faith.
3. What else does the Bible say about God's nature?
Isaiah 40:28:
John 4:24:
4. God is omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, eternal, and immutable. Match the verses below with one of these traits of God (you may need to look them up in a dictionary first). Briefly surmise why each trait is essential to a solid Faith in God.
Psalm 90:2:
Jeremiah 23:24:
Jeremiah 32:17:
James 1:17:
1 John 3:20:
5. How do David's thoughts about God in 1 Chronicles 29:10-13 coincide with or differ from the way you think about God?
6. Using David's prayer as a pattern, write your own prayer to God, praising Him for who He is and acknowledging how Faith in Him has changed your life (if it has).
Without doubt the mightiest thought the mind can entertain is the thought of God. -A. W. Tozer
7. Humans, for all their flaws, hold a unique place and calling within creation. To illustrate this point:
a. Read and summarize Genesis 1:26-27.
b. Read and summarize 1 Peter 1:15-16.
c. Explain how the fact in the Genesis passage relates to the com-mand in 1 Peter.
8. Major problems arise in our lives when we don't accurately under-stand who the Father is. For example, if we don't have Faith that God is holy, we won't prioritize holy living in our own lives. If we don't believe God is loving, we won't emphasize true love in our lives. With that in mind, read the following verses. Each contains a truth about God's character. Decipher what each verse says about God and then consider what problems might arise if you didn't accept this attribute of God.
Deuteronomy 7:9:
Psalm 130:3-4:
1 John 1:5:
1 John 4:16:
9. Think back to The Walk: DFD 2.2. You learned that God is sovereign-He's in control, even in difficult times. Tell how each verse below affirms the supremacy of God in all circumstances and how this applies to your Faith.
Proverbs 21:1:
Isaiah 14:27:
Acts 4:26-28:
FAITH IN THE FATHER
10. Look up Jeremiah 31:3, John 3:16, and Ephesians 3:19.
a. Summarize what each passage teaches about God's love.
b. Why does God's love matter to your Faith?
11. How do we become "children of God" (John 1:12-13; Galatians 3:26)?
12. Why do you think God defines His relationship with us as Father and child? What does it mean to your Faith that God, the Creator and Master, wants to be your Father, your Dad? Write a short paragraph to explain your answer.
13. If God is indeed our Dad, how should we react when He lovingly guides us in the right direction (Hebrews 12:7-10)?
14. Read the first sentence of 2 Chronicles 16:9. From this passage, draw some conclusions about God's heart and His love for those who put their Faith in Him.
15. Next, read Psalm 46:1.
a. How is the Father described in this passage?
b. Give a personal example of a time when you experienced this aspect of God's character in your life.
WHAT DOES THE FATHER EXPECT FROM US?
16. What does God want from us? Read closely Psalm 51:16-17. Try to explain in your own words what "a broken spirit" means. Does it mean that God wants us to be sad or depressed?
17. How should we respond to God's call? (Hint: Read Psalm 95:6.)
18. Look up the following verses: Deuteronomy 10:12, Psalm 100:4, and Hebrews 11:6. Use them to write another short paragraph, this time explaining some of the essentials of having a God-honoring Faith.
In all His dealings with us, God works for our good. In prosperity, He tests our gratitude; in mediocrity, our contentment; in misfortune, our submission; and in all things, our obedience and Faith in Him.
19. Using all you've learned so far in the DFD 2.0 series or other studies you've completed, define worship. (For a clue, go back to Psalm 95:6.)
20. Why do you think worship is so vital to our Faith?
21. In what ways do you worship and honor God with your life?
22. Read 1 Chronicles 28:9. How does David's advice to his son relate to your life today?
23. What does Psalm 46:10, one more quote from David, teach us about knowing God?
SUMMARY
Review the chapter and write your own summary, answering these three questions:
Why do you have Faith in God?
How does God love us?
What does God expect from us?
(Continues...)
Excerpted from THE FAITH Copyright © 2004 by The Navigators. Excerpted by permission.
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