Date: December 7, 2025
Session Title: When Your Faith Falls Short
The Point: A faith that looks to Jesus is a powerful faith.
Get Into the Study
Read before RECAP:
Trust is difficult, and usually doesn’t come easily to most people. In fact, when trust is broken it is almost impossible to trust again—whether that is in family, religion, government, employers, etc. A recent poll shows that people’s trust in families is roughly only 55%, religion comes in at 29%, government at 6% and trust in the media is the lowest at just 5%.
With trust at all time lows, life can feel hopeless. Anxiety, depression, pain, and sorrow are at an all time high throughout society. However, there is good news! Bible study and engagement is up 36% since last year.
When our faith is in Jesus, He is more than enough to move mountains. As we dwell on His faithfulness, but our trust in our culture falters, what anchors us?
As Americans Lose Trust in Media and Government, Faith in the Bible Is Starting to Grow
Study the Bible
Matthew 17:19-20
Read before DISCUSS:
Most often in Christian circles we talk about how mustard seeds are one of the smallest seeds, as opposed to an acorn or a maple tree “helicopter” pod. However, while mustard seeds may be small, they pack a big punch when it comes to taste. They can be used for many things in culinary dishes, such as sauces, soups, relishes, salads, dressings, pickles and more! Who knew? [Source: Grow Your Own Mustard Seed]
Chefs add the seed directly to food to season it, or it can be ground into a powder to use as an ingredient in an entree, dish or sauce. No matter how you use it, it is sure to offer a big reward for your pallet.
Our faith, even when it is small, can permeate through each aspect of our lives—from the tiniest thought to the biggest action. It can flavor our view points, add texture to our discussions and spice up our otherwise hopeless circumstances. Faith may start small, with our relationship with God and His faithfulness, but it will grow as we continue to trust Jesus in all aspects of our life.
The week’s writer for Extra is Erika Morrison. Erika is the daughter of missionary parents. She lives in Southwest Michigan, where she serves as the executive director of a human services non-profit, and speaks regularly on poverty culture, and having a relationship with Jesus.
Additional Questions
Icebreaker
- Who is the most trustworthy person in your life and what makes them trustworthy?
- As a kid, when did you attempt something new but spectacularly failed?
- What’s the closest you’ve come to running out of gas?
Matthew 17:14-16. We are helpless when we do not rely on Jesus.
- Why do we tend to blame others for our own lack of faith?
- When have you seen a helpless situation only God could fix?
- How do we navigate the tension between being self-sufficient and relying on God?
Matthew 17:17-18. Doubt often reflects a lack of faith.
- What’s one area of your life in which you’ve struggled to trust/doubted God?
- What are some reasons someone might not trust God?
- Why did Jesus rebuke not just the man or the disciples, but the “unbelieving generation?”
Matthew 17:19-20. Even a little faith is great when it looks to Jesus.
- Why is the object of our faith more important than the amount of faith?
- What has helped grow your faith?
- What hinders us from living with mustard seed sized faith?
Podcast
Click here for the podcast for both the group member and the leader.
Hey, I’m still not able to download these. There’s no option to download the podcast. There’s no option that I see.
I’m Android, is that the issue?
Hi Jonathan, thank you for commenting. I’m unaware of this being an android issue. Would you mind screenshotting and emailing me what you see in the podcast section? email is [email protected] — once I see that, maybe I’ll find a setting I can change on my end. Thanks for your patience on this.
Click on the “share” button. This will open up a menu where you can download (Arrow Down Icon)
Hi Wes and Marcus, thanks for your replies here. Jonathan, have you been able to download using the share / down arrow? Please let me know if I can help more on this.
Yes,finally figured out that on my phone, you have to view the podcast feature in landscape in order for the share button to appear.
Thank you for your help and patience!
Great news Jonathan — glad you were able to get the access you wanted. Have a good day.
Try to Click Share then download. Works on IPhone not sure about Android.
Verse 17. Then Jesus answered the man confronting the multitude. When he said, “O faithful and perverse generation.” It wasn’t until a verse nineteen one of disciples took jesus aside and asked them , why couldn’t they cast out the devil that was what the boy. It was their unbelief. But what about the boy’s father misplaced faith?
Hi Johnson, Thank you for such a thoughtful question. Matthew 17 is a rich and challenging passage to be sure. Jesus does seem to point to unbelief as the reason the disciples couldn’t cast out the demon, but looking at the father’s role reminds us that faith isn’t about having everything figured out—it’s about bringing what we have honestly to Jesus. Mark’s account (Mark 9:24) captures this beautifully: “I do believe; help my unbelief!” His faith wasn’t in the wrong person—he came to Jesus—but it was mixed with doubt. And Jesus met him with grace and power. I read that as good news for me and you. Faith doesn’t have to be flawless—praise God. Faith simply means trusting Jesus enough to bring Him our weakness. When we do, He proves Himself strong. I hope this helps as you’re considering this passage more. May the Lord bless you as you continue leading and seeking Him.
Well said!
Hi, I’m not seeing the sermon outlines for the Limited Resources study. Thanks!
Hi Amy, Please see this link for the Limited Resources Study. https://biblestudiesforlife.lifeway.com/leader-extras-sermon-outlines/
Where are the sermon outlines for this new unit-Limited Resources, Limitless God ?
Hi Carol, please check this link for the outlines you’re looking for: https://biblestudiesforlife.lifeway.com/leader-extras-sermon-outlines/