Step Out on Faith - Bible Study Discussion Guide

Below you'll find a Bible Study written for newcomers to the faith and seekers, although a more mature group that does more than "just answer the questions" could find it useful also. There are notes and study helps in the back, and as always, I recommend a good commentary or Study Bible for additional help.

There have been many times in my music ministry as well as my husband, Steve's, pastoral ministry when we have had to "Step Out on Faith." From the jobs we quit to follow the Lord's call, moves we've made without knowing where or why, to future endeavors that He might ask us to do, we try to always "Step Out on Faith." It's not always easy, but it's always been worth it.

May your life journey be blessed with an abundance of faith,

Lynne

Step Out on Faith Take Jesus hand

He will walk with you and you'll never be alone

Step Out on Faith and don't look back

Keep your eyes on Him and you'll never ever drown

Chorus to "Step Out on Faith" © 1994 Lynne Modranski

The Bible and our everyday language use the words faith and believe rather interchangeably, but are they really the same? Webster's has one definition as "to hold as honest or true". While they can sometimes be synonymous, it's important that we understand the differences.

OPEN: What do you think "to believe in" someone really means? It is always the same as "having faith" in them?

Read Hebrews 11:1-6

1. Look at verse 3. Is this an easy or hard statement to have "faith in"? Explore the Why's and why not's?
2. Verse 4 says that Abel's offering was a "better sacrifice" than Cain's. Why? (see Genesis 4:2-5)
3. What is it that you sacrifice to God? Do you give Him just "some of the fruit" or the "fat of the firstborn" on faith? (Consider your money, time, possessions, family, etc.)
4. What are some ways that we can give God a "better sacrifice" like Abel?
5. Just glancing at verses 7-31, how are each of these folks "faith" described or how do we know that they had faith?
   
   Read James 2:17-29
   
   
6. What does James say is evidence of true faith?
7. How does James use the word believe in verse 19?
8. After looking at all of this, is there anything more we can do to have a "living faith"?
9. Read Hebrews 11:6 again. Consider your answer in question 1 in addition to James' explanation of faith vs. belief. Discuss the difference between saying, "I believe in God and Jesus" and "I have faith in God and Jesus."

Pray that this week God will show you how to live your faith.

1. 1. Do you know for sure that you are saved? How do you know or why do you doubt?
   
   Read Romans 3:10-12
   
   
2. If these verses were all of the Bible that you knew what would you think about your salvation? Do these verses pretty much sum up humanity in general, or are they too harsh?
   
   Read Romans 3:21-30
   
   
3. What hope can we draw from these verses?
4. Look at verse 22. Consider our study last time and what we read in James 2:19. What does the word believe mean in this context?
5. Salvation is a covenant between us & God. According to these scriptures what is God's part of the covenant? What is our part?
6. So, if we have done our part to keep the covenant and God has kept His, what is our assurance that we have salvation? (See Romans 4:21-25)
   
   Read 1 John 4:21-24 & 5:13-15
   
   
7. Looking at these scriptures how can we be sure of our salvation?
8. Romans 11:20-24 reminds us that we cannot become arrogant about our salvation, but if we continue in faith we can be confident of our salvation. Faith, Salvation, & the assurance of salvation are sort of a circle. You must have faith to be saved, and if you aren't sure of your salvation and believe that God keeps His promises, what does this say about your faith?

Ask God to increase your faith so that you may never doubt His promises.

OK, now we know that faith alone and God's grace are all that we need for salvation, right? Is it over then once we put faith in Jesus to grant us salvation?

Read Romans 6:1-14

1. What does it mean to have been "baptized into" Christ's death? Do you feel as though your old self was "buried with Christ"?
   
   Read Colossians 3:1-11
   
   
2. In Romans 6:4 and Colossians 3:4, what does this "death" assure us of?
3. What do you need to do or "put to death so that others can tell you've been "buried and resurrected"?
   
   Read Romans 7:14-25
   
   
4. Paul also struggled with sin even after his conversion and faith in Jesus Christ. What hope can we draw from these verses?
5. Who are we waiting on to "rescue us from our body of death"? (vs.24-25)
   Think about a prisoner in shackles at his ankles. It is very difficult to walk. Sin binds us with the same kind of bondage as those shackles, making it difficult to "walk" in our faith. We need Jesus to rescue us.
6. Do you feel as though Paul's "law" in verses 21-23 is often at work in your life? How? What are some things in your life that bind you even though you really want to serve God?
   
   For extra help memorize John 8:34-36
   
   Read Romans 8.1-2, 9-17
   
   
7. What do these verses tell us about walking daily in faith and putting to death the sinful nature? How can we do it?
8. Why do we so often have the problems we read about in Romans 7:14-25?
9. What do we need to overcome this problem and where do we find it? (see Luke 11:13)

Ask God to continually pour His Spirit out upon you so that you may walk freely in faith. This will not eliminate the suffering that we must go through (v. 17), but it allows us to share in Christ's glory.

This is the question that Jesus asked His disciples in two separate instances. Just goes to show that even when you've seen miracles, heard Jesus speak to you, and have walked with Him, there will still be times when your faith is tested!

OPEN: How do you handle the "storms" (upsets) in your life? Do you act like you are afraid of drowning; are already overboard or are you the confident captain

Read Mark 4:35-41

1. Considering the fact the disciples had seen demons cast out, numerous healings including leprosy and paralysis and had heard Jesus preach with authority, what do you think about their fear?
2. If we stopped and thought about it, we might be amazed and maybe terrified to think of the power of Jesus to bring us through a rough time. How do you usually react to Jesus miraculously calming your storms?
3. Considering Jesus was sleeping through the storm, what should the disciples attitude have been? If we have Jesus in our hearts, what should our attitude be like during the storms of life?
   
   Read Matthew 14:22-31 and discover the second storm that Jesus calmed
   
   
4. What was the disciples' first reaction to seeing Jesus in the storm?
5. Why? Did they recognized Jesus? Why or Why not?
6. What keeps you from recognizing Jesus during a "storm?"
7. Share a time when Jesus called you to "step out of the boat" and what your response was.
8. Why did Peter start to sink?
9. What does this tell us about times when we feel as though we are sinking? See also Hebrews 12:2
10. Look at verse 31 - What kept Peter from drowning?
11. What assurance can this bring us when we feel as though life is pulling us under?

Jesus wants to rescue us from drowning, but we must first have faith that He is able.

Read Romans 10:1

1. Substitute for "Israelites" a name or or a group of people that you wish could be saved. Do these people know that you have Jesus as your personal Savior?
   
   Read Romans 10:2-17
   
   
2. Do you know anyone like Paul is talking about "zealous for God," but without Christ's righteousness?" Without revealing names, share what their lives are like.
3. Verses 6 & 7 are kind of confusing, but what do they tell you?
4. Looking at verses 9 & 10, what seems to be a requirement for salvation according to these verses?
5. Concentrating on verse 11, why are we nervous about telling people about Jesus?
6. Are our feet "beautiful"? (vs. 15) If not, what keeps them from being so?
7. If no one had told you about Jesus - would you be saved? Tell about the people that helped you find a relationship with Jesus and their story.
8. Faith comes from hearing the word. (vs. 17) Is anybody "hearing the word" through you? How are they or how could they better?
9. Everyone has a faith story. It may not reach every person on earth, but it will definitely touch somebody. Take some time to think about how you could share your personal relationship with God. Use this space and the back of this page to write your faith story.

Ask God to lead you to share your faith story with someone soon.