TEACHING VIDEO: “Faith & Prayer”

KEY QUESTION

What is different about prayer with a strong, awakened faith?

A working definition of faith

Faith is the hope-filled conviction of a mind and heart fully believing, trusting in, and acting upon the truth of who God is and what He has said and done.

Prayer Shaped by Strong, Awakened Faith

1. Is birthed in the spirit, by the Spirit.

Faith is a gift created by the movement of the Holy Spirit in and upon our lives. As such sincere faith grows only in a thriving relationship with God and His Word (which fundamentally, always includes prayer).

John 3:5-8; Gal. 5:23; Eph. 2:8-10

2. Overcomes doubt.

Jeremiah 33:1-3; James 1:5-8; 5:14-18; 1 Kings 17:19-22; 18:36-37 

“I will risk disappointment, but never disbelief! I will risk disappointment if it puts me in a position to experience a miracle.” – Tyrone Spenst

3. Holds a steady course, anticipating the best

Faith is steadfastly hoping in God with confidence of mind and deep assurance of heart that He is who He says He is, even if we do not see material evidence of it yet.

Hebrews 11:1; Romans 4:3,18-22

4. Testifies to God’s Presence

Heb. 11:2-6

“We shall never find happiness by looking at our prayers, our doings, or our feelings; it is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul. If we would at once overcome Satan and have peace with God, it must be by “looking unto Jesus.” Keep thine eye simply on Him; let His death, His sufferings, His merits, His glories, His intercession, be fresh upon thy mind; when thou wakest in the morning look to Him; when thou liest down at night look to Him. Oh! let not thy hopes or fears come between thee and Jesus; follow hard after Him, and He will never fail thee.” – C.H. Spurgeon, Looking unto Jesus

Response to Teaching

• Attend a virtual group discussion of the video lesson on Wednesday at 10 A.M. (~30 minutes).

Group Discussion Questions: (1) What questions do you have concerning this week’s teaching? (2) What insights do you have from today’s presentation? (3) How would you answer the key question(s) answered in the lesson? (4) What story from your own life could illustrate this week’s teaching?

• If unable to attend the Wednesday group discussion, please email to school participants your response to the questions above.

• Read the blog posted on Wednesday and complete at least one of the activities.

• Share your thoughts and experiences.

Please let the Ewerts know when you have completed an activity, and what you found meaningful in the exercise.

David and Julia Ewert | davidandjulia.ewert@gmail.com

When inspired to do so, compose a prayer to share with the school that we can publish online with the blog. It can be in any form you choose (prose, poetry, music, picture, psalm, etc.).