Giant Sized Faith – Discussion Guide
Getting Started
Main Idea:
God’s promises to bless us, but God’s blessing always involves us changing.
Discussion Starter:
Charles Blondin was an amazing tightrope walker. In the 1860s, he crossed Niagara Falls multiple times in front of crowds…but he wouldn’t only walk across. Sometimes he would cross on a bicycle, or on stilts, or even blindfolded, or with a wheelbarrow full of potatoes. Crowds would cheer and praise him for his ability. One time, he famously asked the crowd if they thought he could push a person across in the wheelbarrow. The crowd roared with agreement, “Yes, you can! We know you can!” Then Charles asked for someone to get in his wheelbarrow. Nobody did.
Did those people in the crowd really believe he could do it? And how good would Charles have to be for you to get in his wheelbarrow? (Some people wouldn’t go, no matter what, and that’s fine!)
Introduction:
This week guest speaker Hallerin Hilton Hill preached about giant sized faith using the story of the call of Abram. What size is our faith, and how can we make it grow even bigger?
Watch this short video with your group.
Encounter God
Primary Scriptures: Genesis 12:2-3, Hebrews 11:8-19, James 1:22-25
Discussion Questions:
- According to Genesis 12:2-3, who did God intend to bless?
- When God says who He intends to bless in Genesis 12:3, is the focus on the past, the present, or the future? Why would God’s focus be there?
- He also says that all families of the earth will be blessed through Abraham. We are to go not just to receive a blessing but to BE a blessing. How are you a blessing to others?
- In James 1:22-25, James talks about not being a forgetful hearer, but a doer of what God has said. Plenty of people say they ‘believe God.’ But God knows what is in our hearts. When He asked Abram to leave Haran, Abram went. But when Jesus asked the rich young ruler to follow Him, that guy went away sad (Mark 10:22). What you do shows what you believe. Not many people got in Charles Blondin’s wheelbarrow, because those people didn’t trust him enough. And they were probably right to be cautious; Charles was a mortal man who was just one badly-timed sneeze away from the end of his career. So…what do your actions reveal about what you think of God?
Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, read Hebrews 11:8-13 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage.
Embrace Others
Suggestion: Consider breaking the group into twos or threes for this section.
Getting to know each other: What is one promise that God has made that you are particularly excited about? Don’t be shy about sharing! The things you care most about define who you are.
Getting to know Him: What do you see God doing in Knoxville right now? How have you noticed Him actively keeping the promise He made in John 12:32 (“I will draw all people to me”)?
Engage the World Around Us
Engaging at Faith Promise: How can you be a blessing to others at Faith Promise? Have you become friends with someone who needs your help, and the love of God?
Engaging in Community: Christmas is a very difficult time of year for a great many people. A huge number of homeless people live under the bridge downtown. Those people can always use more warm clothes (especially socks), and maybe a Bible! But maybe your group can think of a way to help that nobody else has thought of yet?
Engaging the World: There are literal riots and police beatings happening in many countries around the world, right now (e.g. Hong Kong). Many people are being beaten and killed for present-day political freedom. Please join us in prayer that many people will repent, and that God will use these tragedies to cause people to look for that city that is to come, like Abraham.
Expand God’s Kingdom
Paul is very clear that the Kingdom of God is righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost (Romans 14:17). Does your life spread those things? Are you actively cultivating those things in your life with Bible study, prayer, and fasting? Are you being discipled, or discipling someone else? If not, why not? At Faith Promise, there are certainly people eager to do both of those. Surely you can find someone!
Leader’s Notes
ALL groups at Faith Promise should follow Jesus Christ and lead others to do the same. Below are the marks of a growing follower and disciple of Jesus.
– A follower of Jesus desires to encounter God through the deeper study and application of God’s Word.
– A follower of Jesus embraces people and values relationships on a deeper level so everyone can grow together.
– A follower of Jesus engages and serves the world around them and in their community, through local partners or God-directed opportunities.
– A follower of Jesus expands God’s Kingdom through development and multiplication of disciple-makers, possibly to lead more groups at Faith Promise.
