Week 1

Take the Risk of Faith (Part 1)

By Sandra Clifton, D.Min.

 

Begin your study by reading “Take the Risk of Faith” by Naomi Dowdy (SpiritLed Woman magazine, June/July 2006).

 

Introduction

Each day we are likely to face obstacles, challenges and uncertainties. If we are not careful, we may end up unsure and limited by what we can do. You and I must remind ourselves that, though we feel limited at times by circumstances or people, God is not limited at all! In fact, His Word contains promise after promise of what God can do through us, if we but take the risk of faith!

 

What God Says

Read Matt. 7:7.

 

Write it out and recite it over several times, aware that the God you serve is in no way limited by your circumstances!

 

Deeper Insight

Read the following scriptures (in New King James Version, as the exercises to follow will be based on that). Make brief notes of how each passage reveals God to be all powerful and a good God who can bless you beyond measure!

 

Matt. 7:7: ________________________________________________________

 

Matt. 7:11: _______________________________________________________

 

Matt. 11:27-29:____________________________________________________

 

Eph. 3:20:________________________________________________________

Application

Fill in the blanks of the scriptures below (which are in NKJV), taken from the previous section (Deeper Insight). Afterward, check to see how (hopefully, well!) you did by looking up the Scriptures.

Put them on 3x5 cards. Carry them with you during your day, and memorize them, knowing that you are equipping yourself with the power and authority of God’s Word so that you can nurture positive, godly relationships in your life!

 

Matt. 7:7: “Ask, and it will be _______ to you; ______, and you will _____; ________, and it will be ________ to you.”

 

Matt. 7:11: “If you then, being _______, know how to give good _____ to your _______, how much more will your ______ who is in _______ give ______ things to those who _____ Him.”

 

Matt. 11:28: “Come to ____, all you who _____ and are heavy ______, and I will give you _____.”

 

Matt. 11:29: “Take My _____ upon you and learn from Me, for I am ______ and lowly in _______, and you will find _____ for your ____.”

 

For Group Study

Begin your group time by reading aloud Matt. 7:7 and then Matt. 7:11, and discuss the power of each promise. Share testimonies.

            Break into groups (or brainstorm within your group if it is too small to break into smaller groups)—and discuss how to minister either of these Scriptures to someone going through lack or trouble or a challenge and to minister it with love.

            Close the group session, praying Matt. 7:7 over the whole group, thanking God for His promise of fulfilling every prayer need that is asked.

 

Prayer

Memorize Matt. 7:7 and Matt. 7:11. Thank the Lord for His grace, His mercy, and His love, as revealed in these two scriptures. Thank Him for answering and meeting your every need, as you stand on these Scriptures.