Week 8

TRUE FAITH LOOKS TO GOD (Part 1)

By Sandra Clifton, D.Min.

 

Begin your study by reading “True Faith Looks to God” by William Wilberforce (SpiritLed Woman magazine, Feb/Mar 2007).

 

Introduction

William Wilberforce dedicated his life to be “salt and light” of his culture—to stand firm and bold for the things of Christ and never to compromise. The truths that he stood for should be ours, as well. God’s Word will help us to keep on course in our Christian faith—a faith that is strong, as it looks to God.

 

What God Says

Read Acts: 16:31.

 

Write it out.

 

Deeper Insight

Read the following Scripture sections (in New King James Version, as the exercises to follow will be based on that). Make brief notes of how each section reveals the promises from God’s Word of how you are rewarded when you look to God in your faith.

 

Acts 16:31: ___________________________________________________

 

John 15:4-5:___________________________________________________

 

Eph. 2:8: _____________________________________________________

Application

Drawing from the three Scriptures of the previous Deeper Insight section (NKJV), do your best to fill in the blanks. Then look up the Scriptures and see how well you did. Memorize them and write them on 3x5 cards to carry them with you into your day, drawing strength in your faith from the promises of God.

 

Acts 16:31: “_________ on the Lord ______ _____, and you will be _____, you and your _____.”

 

John 15:5: “I am the ___, you are the ________. He who _____ in Me, and I in ___, bears much ___; for without ____ you can do _______.”

 

Ephesians 2:10: “For we are His ___________, created in ____ _____ for good ____, which God prepared ________ that we should walk in them.”

 

For Group Study

Begin your group time by reading aloud John 15:5. Then go around the group and discuss what this means and how it has been evident in the lives of the group members.

Close the group session with prayer with thanks to God that He is the Vine and that the group members and their families are the branches. Thank Him that He gives strength and life to all daily and builds, protects, and grows their faith into something beautiful and strong.

 

Prayer

Memorize John 15: 5. Read it aloud as part of your prayer. Thank the Lord that as His branch, you can draw from His great power and life—so that your own life is blessed, enriched, and “fed” with His very presence in all that you do throughout your day.