Listen to Dean as he discusses what faith is, where it comes from, and how to develop it.
HEBREWS 11:1-3 For hope to exist, there must be some foundation assuring it (v.1). How does our faith provide proof for our hope (Acts 17:31) How does our faith connect us to our anchor? (Hebrews 6:19) How is your hope being strengthened by the assurance provided by faith? Our assuring faith remains unseen (v.1). What…
HEBREWS 7:18-25 Any law system is incapable of making anything perfect (v.18-19). What is the fault with any law system (8:8)? What happens when we put our hope in any law system? A better hope was introduced with an oath (v.20-21). What makes this oath in Psalm 110:4 even more impressive? How does this oath…
GENESIS 40 God personally gave Joseph reasons to have hope (37:5-11). Whatever would happen to him for the next 13 years, what assurance did he have? Whatever happens to you in your life, what assurances do you have? When rejected by his brothers and sold as a slave, he needed hope (37:23-28). In that cistern,…
JOB 19:25-27 In Joshua and soon in Ruth we read about a ‘kinsman-redeemer’ (Ruth 2:20). How did a kinsman redeemer bless those who were in need? What protection was possible because of a kinsman-redeemer? Job, in the midst of trials trusted in his redeemer (Job 19:25-27). In the face of such terrible trials, how could…
II CORINTHIANS 5:14-17 Christ’s love compels those who are convinced of His sacrifice (v.14). All the major translations agree: “because we have concluded this” –ESV; “because we are convinced” –NIV; “having concluded this” – NAS; “because we thus judge” –KJV What is the reason that Christ’s love compels or doesn’t compel you? What has or…
HEBREWS 4:12 In its context, the purpose of the word is to bring rest (v.8-13). What is the ‘For’ there for? How did our Creator carefully design rest into the creation (Genesis 1:31-2:2)? The word overcomes self-condemning hearts that rob us of rest (I John 3:20). What assurance does the word offer us in this…
PSALM 145 Introduction: We are called to praise God forever and ever (v.1-2). Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise (v.3-7). How does the habit of praise pass from one generation to another? What is the relationship between praising God and meditation? How well are we praising, proclaiming and joyously singing of His…
ROMANS 8:31-39 What should be our response to God’s choosing (v.31a)? When we read verses 28-30, ‘what will we say in response?’ Why should the knowledge of God’s choice help to increase our assurance? “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (v.31b) What assurance do you receive from knowing that God is…
JOHN 14:18-24 The resurrection of Jesus is a witnessed, historical reality (John 20:1-9). What was the scene that led up to this most amazing event? What would it have been like to step into that empty tomb? How can we be sure that it really happened? How does this one event elevate Christianity above all…