I Do Believe, but Help me Overcome my Unbelief
Background: In my older years, I have fought unbelief. Maybe you have. Hopefully, this lesson will motivate us to allow God to help us!
Point 1; We must have FAITH to please God.
Hebrews 11:1 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.
Hebrews 11:6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and He rewards those who sincerely seek Him.
Point 2; God is our source of faith.
Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.
Romans 12:2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy waiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
Point 3; We must choose to believe God and the validity of His word.
From the Parable of the Farmer Scattering the Seed:
Mark 4:20 And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s word and produce a harvest of 30, 60, or even 100 times as much planted.
In the past, the words in this passage that stood out to me were “good soil.” In the last few days, the words that have stood out are “hear and accept God’s word.” It is our choice!
2 Timothy 3:6 All scripture is inspired by God and useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong with our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
2 Timothy 3:7 God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work.
Point 4; Possible lies we may encounter
Lie #1: How can all other religions be wrong? As a 40-something-year-old, I contemplated this question as I led my middle-grade students in studies of other religions.
Truth: John 14:6 Jesus told him (Thomas), “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the father except through me.”
Lie #2: Since I am born in the Bible Belt, maybe I would believe differently if I was born somewhere else. I can’t really be that fortunate…Can I?
Background: God recently revealed to me the plight of the Israelites. I have often wondered the reason for them picking up other religions from neighboring nations.
Lie #2 Israelite Style: Maybe, they were fed a similar line: We aren’t really God’s chosen people. We could not be this fortunate…Could we?
Truth: Deuteronomy 7:6 For you are a holy people, who belong to the Lord your God. Of all the people on earth, the Lord your God has chosen you to be His own special treasure.
Point 5; How can I gain faith and kill doubts?
Lesson 1: Stay in God’s word.
Isaiah 55:10-11 v.10 The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. v.11 It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
Lesson 2: Our heart can fool us, but God’s word is always our perfect guide.
Proverbs 3:5-6 v.5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. v.6 Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.
Lesson 3: Keep our eyes on Jesus and not on ourself or the world.
Romans 12:2 (See above.)
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