Beyond Sunday - Crazy Faith
Beyond Sunday, Week of September 15, 2024
“Crazy Faith” Part 1
Thoughts: The shepherd boy David demonstrated “crazy faith” when he defeated the warrior giant Goliath. (1 Samuel 17.) David remembered that the LORD had previously delivered him from predators that attacked his sheep. That memory fueled David’s crazy
faith that God would deliver him in this seemingly impossible situation.
One of the things I love about the heroic stories in Scripture is that the people God chooses to accomplish big things are typically ordinary people with human failings and weaknesses.
Moses stammered and lacked self-confidence. (Exodus 3, 4) But God chose him to confront Pharaoh. Gideon was from the weakest tribe in the line of Manasseh, and thought of himself as the least in his own family. God greeted him as a “mighty warrior” and chose him to defeat Israel’s enemies, the Midianites. (Judges 6, 7) Neither Moses nor Gideon demonstrated crazy faith initially, but God spoke to them, they took God at His word, and then stepped out in the strength God gave them. God is still speaking to us, His church, through Scripture, the Holy Spirit, and through pastors and teachers. Will we take God at His word and trust that through our obedience, God will accomplish His Kingdom purposes in and through Rock Hills Church—in and through each and every one of us who call Rock Hills home?
Read: Matthew 13:31-32, 17:20, 25:14-30, Ephesians 3:14-21
• That parable in Matthew 25 gives what some call “the little/big principle.” In Jesus’s parable we see that being faithful and diligent with smaller things opens the door for God to entrust us with bigger things.
o How can our faith be like a mustard seed?
o In the parable of the loaned money, what lies did the third servant believe about himself; about his master?
o What lies about yourself, your faith, your future do you have to fight against?
• The Apostle Paul prays some big prayers for the Ephesians, asking that they be strengthened, and filled with power “to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
o Why do you think the Apostle Paul reminds them that God can “do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine”?
o Describe ways in which people tend to put limits on what they ask for in prayer, and why do they?
o How can you avoid that and leave room for God to do far more than you can imagine?
o With that in mind, how do we keep our heart in alignment with God’s will and not try to use God as if He is a genie in a bottle?
Read: 1 Kings 17:9-16, John 6:5-13, Matthew 14:28-31
• In the midst of a severe famine, the prophet Elijah asks a poor widow to feed him. In the face of a huge crowd of hungry people, a small boy offers up his lunch. In the middle of a raging storm, Peter takes a few faltering steps toward Jesus before sinking.
o In these stories, who do you see exhibiting “crazy faith”? How was their faith demonstrated, and why did it seem crazy?
• Troy made the point that the “giants” we face want us to focus on them. I agree, and would add that they are just as content with having us focus on ourselves—our needs, our desires, our shortcomings, and weaknesses.
o In the story of David, and that of Elijah and the widow, where would you say they had their focus? How do you think they kept it there instead of on the “giant” facing them? How could you follow their example?
• Peter started out with crazy faith. I mean, who wouldn’t think it crazy to step out of a perfectly good boat onto roiling seas?
o What enabled Peter to take those first few faltering steps on the water?
o In your own words, describe where Peter went wrong and to what his focus was drawn.
Pray: Use that prayer by Paul in Ephesians 3:14-21 as a model and pray in your own words for your own needs, the needs of others, and for Rock Hills Church as a body. Pray for greater love, strength, understanding, and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Pray
over that “Crazy Faith” card you received on Sunday, praying, “What is my (or our) part to play in making room, what do you, God, want me to commit to?”
Next Steps:
• If you haven’t entered into a relationship with Jesus, start your faith journey today by accepting Him as your Savior(1). If you want more info or help with taking that step, or just want to share your news, reach out to the church by calling (785) 775-0012, or email to info@myrockhillschurch.com
• Perhaps you have made that choice and are unsure what you should do next? Consider joining our Essentials Class meeting at Rock Hills on Sundays. Click here for more info and to sign up.
(1) If you want to receive the salvation that is available through Jesus, place your faith in Him. Fully trust His death as the sufficient sacrifice for your sins. Completely rely on Him alone as your Savior. That is the biblical method of salvation. If you have received
Jesus as your Savior, say a prayer to God. Tell God how thankful you are for Jesus. Offer praise to God for His love and sacrifice.Thank Jesus for dying for your sins and providing salvation for you. That is the biblical connection between salvation and prayer.
“Crazy Faith” Part 1
Thoughts: The shepherd boy David demonstrated “crazy faith” when he defeated the warrior giant Goliath. (1 Samuel 17.) David remembered that the LORD had previously delivered him from predators that attacked his sheep. That memory fueled David’s crazy
faith that God would deliver him in this seemingly impossible situation.
One of the things I love about the heroic stories in Scripture is that the people God chooses to accomplish big things are typically ordinary people with human failings and weaknesses.
Moses stammered and lacked self-confidence. (Exodus 3, 4) But God chose him to confront Pharaoh. Gideon was from the weakest tribe in the line of Manasseh, and thought of himself as the least in his own family. God greeted him as a “mighty warrior” and chose him to defeat Israel’s enemies, the Midianites. (Judges 6, 7) Neither Moses nor Gideon demonstrated crazy faith initially, but God spoke to them, they took God at His word, and then stepped out in the strength God gave them. God is still speaking to us, His church, through Scripture, the Holy Spirit, and through pastors and teachers. Will we take God at His word and trust that through our obedience, God will accomplish His Kingdom purposes in and through Rock Hills Church—in and through each and every one of us who call Rock Hills home?
Read: Matthew 13:31-32, 17:20, 25:14-30, Ephesians 3:14-21
• That parable in Matthew 25 gives what some call “the little/big principle.” In Jesus’s parable we see that being faithful and diligent with smaller things opens the door for God to entrust us with bigger things.
o How can our faith be like a mustard seed?
o In the parable of the loaned money, what lies did the third servant believe about himself; about his master?
o What lies about yourself, your faith, your future do you have to fight against?
• The Apostle Paul prays some big prayers for the Ephesians, asking that they be strengthened, and filled with power “to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
o Why do you think the Apostle Paul reminds them that God can “do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine”?
o Describe ways in which people tend to put limits on what they ask for in prayer, and why do they?
o How can you avoid that and leave room for God to do far more than you can imagine?
o With that in mind, how do we keep our heart in alignment with God’s will and not try to use God as if He is a genie in a bottle?
Read: 1 Kings 17:9-16, John 6:5-13, Matthew 14:28-31
• In the midst of a severe famine, the prophet Elijah asks a poor widow to feed him. In the face of a huge crowd of hungry people, a small boy offers up his lunch. In the middle of a raging storm, Peter takes a few faltering steps toward Jesus before sinking.
o In these stories, who do you see exhibiting “crazy faith”? How was their faith demonstrated, and why did it seem crazy?
• Troy made the point that the “giants” we face want us to focus on them. I agree, and would add that they are just as content with having us focus on ourselves—our needs, our desires, our shortcomings, and weaknesses.
o In the story of David, and that of Elijah and the widow, where would you say they had their focus? How do you think they kept it there instead of on the “giant” facing them? How could you follow their example?
• Peter started out with crazy faith. I mean, who wouldn’t think it crazy to step out of a perfectly good boat onto roiling seas?
o What enabled Peter to take those first few faltering steps on the water?
o In your own words, describe where Peter went wrong and to what his focus was drawn.
Pray: Use that prayer by Paul in Ephesians 3:14-21 as a model and pray in your own words for your own needs, the needs of others, and for Rock Hills Church as a body. Pray for greater love, strength, understanding, and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Pray
over that “Crazy Faith” card you received on Sunday, praying, “What is my (or our) part to play in making room, what do you, God, want me to commit to?”
Next Steps:
• If you haven’t entered into a relationship with Jesus, start your faith journey today by accepting Him as your Savior(1). If you want more info or help with taking that step, or just want to share your news, reach out to the church by calling (785) 775-0012, or email to info@myrockhillschurch.com
• Perhaps you have made that choice and are unsure what you should do next? Consider joining our Essentials Class meeting at Rock Hills on Sundays. Click here for more info and to sign up.
(1) If you want to receive the salvation that is available through Jesus, place your faith in Him. Fully trust His death as the sufficient sacrifice for your sins. Completely rely on Him alone as your Savior. That is the biblical method of salvation. If you have received
Jesus as your Savior, say a prayer to God. Tell God how thankful you are for Jesus. Offer praise to God for His love and sacrifice.Thank Jesus for dying for your sins and providing salvation for you. That is the biblical connection between salvation and prayer.
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