August 15, 2015
This week is the second of three messages George is giving on “Faith”.
This week’s study is titled “The Foundation of Faith”.
Consider and discuss your answers to the following questions….
· When you hear the word ‘Foundation’ what comes to mind?
· What is the purpose/role of a foundation?
· What is the difference between a good and a bad foundation?
· Which areas of life do you consider as important to have a good foundation?
1. The Foundation of Faith.
As Christians what is the most important foundation effecting every part of our lives?
Discuss George’s words….
‘The foundation of faith refers to what underpins faith – It is the foundation of your faith that gives conviction to what you believe & why you believe it. If the foundation of faith is wonky then the faith that results will be weak.’
Read what God said through Isaiah he is doing. Isaiah 28:16, and through Paul in I Corinthians 3:10-11.
Read Jesus’ story of two builders as an example of a good and a bad foundation. Matthew 7:24-27.
What was the same about each foundation and what was different?
Read Matthew 7:21-23. What foundation had these built on? Do you see this today? Consider other religions and what many will think one day when the stand before God and He will judge them according to how they have lived
their lives. Revelations 20:11-15.
1.What is ‘Faith’?
Read Hebrews 11:1. What does this mean? Write in your own words what the writer is saying and how this applies to our lives.
Consider George’s words….
‘Christian faith is faith on a foundation of beliefs that have substance & evidence which aligns with reality.’
‘If your Christian faith is not based on a foundation of substance/ evidence, then it will be a faith that is easily displaced; a faith that will easily succumb to discouragement & doubt.’
Discuss your conclusions in your group.
3. Habakkuk.
Read the book of Habakkuk 1:1-17, 2:1-20, 3:1-19.
Compare how Habakkuk starts with being overwhelmed with a sense of futility & despair, Habukkuk1:2-4 but ends with him having fortitude & determination. Habakkuk 3:17-19.
What happens in between that changed him?
Discuss the following….
God gave 3 assurances that provided Habakkuk with a foundation for a faith that would overcome the challenges of his situation and his struggles.
A. A. Assurance of God’s Grace.
B.
Read Habakkuk 2:4. Reread Jesus’ words. Matthew 7:24-27.
B. Assurance of God’s Glory.
Read Habakkuk 2:14. What does this mean? Read what Habakkuk says in Habakkuk 2:3. What does Paul say in Philippians 2:9-11 and John in Revelations 20:11-15, 21:1-8, 22:1-5.
C. Assurance of God’s Governance.
Read God’s words about the foolishness of relying on manmade idols. Habakkuk 2:18-19.
What do the following words of Habakkuk 2:20 mean?
‘But the Lord is in His holy Temple’ and
‘Let all the earth be silent before Him.’
Consider God’s sovereignty according to Paul’s words in Romans 11:33-36.
When Habakkuk realized God’s sovereignty what was his response? Habakkuk 3:1-2.
4. Conclusion.
What is the foundation you are building your life on?
‘Campbell Morgan said that when Habakkuk looked at his circumstances he was perplexed, but when he waited for God & listened to Him, he came to sing one of the greatest praise songs in the Bible.’
Reread Habakkuk 3:17-19. For this reason the message of Habakkuk is about faith that overcomes.
Is this your response when circumstances in your life look grim?
Has George’s message and this study been helpful? Share your answer with others in your group.