Date: March 22, 2020
Faith
The Point: We can confidently trust in what God says and does.
NOTE: Many groups are not currently meeting because of the coronavirus. We hope you will still host a Bible study discussion through online tools.
As an option, here’s a video of this session you can use with your group:
Get Into the Study
Use the following to introduce today’s topic.
This past week was the season finale of Kids Baking Challenge on the Food Network and a champion was crowned. This is a show where kids compete against each other to create incredible baked creations. From tiered cakes to French macaroons and everything in between, these kids mix, bake, and decorate to win a title and a bunch of cash. While there is a fascination about kids making such creations there is also something very intriguing about the process of baking itself. By mixing the right ingredients, in the correct amounts, in a particular order, and then leaving the batter in an oven at a set temperature, for an exact amount of time someone can create gooey brownies or delicious cake. Not only is it remarkable that kids are baking but the art of baking itself is pretty amazing.
Ask, “When have you had or seen a baking fail?” The art of baking includes a level of faith. Yes, there typically is a recipe to follow but even that doesn’t guarantee success. Ask, “What are some other areas that require faith to reach a particular outcome?”
Dr. Beth Masters is currently working as a hospital chaplain where she engages with families, patients, and hospital staff during critical life moments. She has a Ph.D. in Christian Education from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary where she teaches Collegiate Ministry. Beth loves young adults, baking, and coffee.
Get Into the Study (Adult Option)
Show a video clip of something like an atom that is invisible, yet we believe in its existence. Then ask Question #1.
This idea supports the teaching plan in the Adult Leader Guide.
Get Into the Study (Adult Option)
Use this optional activity after calling attention to “The Point.” Find pictures of the following: a small airplane, a car, a chair, a person. Tape each picture to the front wall. After taping each picture, survey the group to determine (on a scale of 1-10) how much trust members have in each item. (Would they ride in the plane or car, sit in the chair, or share a secret with the person?) Write their answers on a poster or whiteboard beside each picture. Finally, ask rhetorically, “How much trust do we place in God?” Say: “Today we’ll discuss this important topic.”
This idea supports the teaching plan in the Adult Leader Guide.
Live It Out
Use the following to introduce the Live It Out section.
Optional: Bring in a jar of Jif peanut butter and display an image of the Gif peanut butter jar from the article below.
The makers of Jif peanut butter have reignited the debate over the proper pronunciation of “GIF.” Whether you use GIFs, you have likely seen them on social media. The “Graphics Interchange Format” is a file format that typically uses a short repeating video or animation for comic effect. But there is little consensus on the proper pronunciation. Is it a hard “g” like “gift” or a soft “g” like “giraffe”? Jif peanut butter is arguing for the hard “g” pronunciation by releasing a special edition jar of peanut butter labeled “Gif,” highlighting the different pronunciations of “Jif” and “GIF.” However, the creator of the GIF already weighed in on the debate back in 2013 and declared the correct pronunciation as the soft “g.” Nonetheless, people continue to debate, often citing the hard “g” pronunciation of “graphics,” the first word in the acronym, as proof against the creator’s own words.
While people may be unwilling to accept the creator of the GIF’s word on pronunciation, we can confidently accept our Creator’s word as the final authority. God, the Creator of the world is perfect. He does not make mistakes. He does not change. We can confidently trust in what God says and does.
Direct group members to the Live It Out statements. Say, “How will you live out your faith this week? Choose one of the following applications.”
Nikki Wilbanks grew up in Tennessee before heading to California to study literature at Pepperdine University. After graduation, she enjoyed a decade-long career as a commercial real estate appraiser and investor. Having returned to Tennessee with her husband, she is now thrilled to be a stay-at-home mom, writer, and Bible study teacher.
Live It Out (Daily Discipleship Guide Option)
Use the following optional activity as you begin the Live It Out section to wrap up today’s session.
Share with your group that it’s much easier to trust God and live by faith when we recall His past faithfulness. Click here for Zach Williams’ song “Rescue Story” and text a link to your group members. Invite them to listen to this song in the coming week, worshiping God for what He has done and for what He will do.
This idea supports the teaching plan in the Daily Discipleship Guide (page 139).
Additional Questions
Icebreaker
- When have you been asked to believe something based on very little evidence?
- What was something you believed in as a child that you found out later wasn’t true?
- When have you been happily surprised by someone’s or something’s reliability?
Hebrews 11:1-3
- What are some things you hope for?
- How has God proven Himself faithful in your life?
- How do those outside the faith define faith?
Hebrews 11:4
- Whose faith and worship really inspires you?
- When has faith fueled your worship or sacrificial giving?
- When has God’s movement in your life prompted spontaneous worship on your part?
Hebrews 11:5-6
- What’s the relationship between faith and pleasing God?
- What are some ways our group can help one another grow in faith?
- What steps can we personally take to see our faith in God increased?
Member Extra
Send the following link to your group members as either a teaser before the group meets or as a follow-up thought:
Podcast – NEW FEATURE
Click here for a 20-minute podcast for both the group member and the leader.
Tips for Leading Bible Study Groups
Podcast (adultsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
This was very helpful.. I was able to lead the Men’s Lifegroup with this video and I paused to have discussion. We took a poll towards the effectiveness of this type of study and in a unanimous decision all men love this type of delivery via Zoom. I shared my screen and we all viewed your video. I cannot thank you enough for facilitating this tool for us. I am now tasked with training other Life-group leaders in our church to do the same. So… are you going to be offering more videos like this or other tools that we can implement via Zoom? Thank you so much I pray God continues to bless your ministry.
Yes. The Session 5 video is on EXTRA, and it can also be accessed via YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bU4TmaM3cA