Lesson 6: Faith

Aim: To teach what Biblical faith is and its importance to the life of a believer. To understand
some basic aspects of faith.

Introduction: An important principle of growth in Christian life is to live by faith. 2 Cor. 5:7, “For
we live by faith and not by sight.” Faith is our link to God. Our relationship to Him will grow only as
we grow in faith.

"Faith and prayer are the vitamins of the soul; man cannot live in health without them." (Mahalia
Jackson)

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."(Martin Luther King,
Jr.)

I. Why Is Faith Important?

A. We cannot be saved without faith

Ephesians 2:8-9 - “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from
yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Grace

Gk. “Charis” - grace, kindness, favor

Heb. “Hen”

The first use of the word ‘grace’ in the Bible is found in

Genesis 6:8: “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.”

The Hebrew word used here to define grace is indeed “hen” Its derivative, “hanan”(‫)חנן‬, is often
translated as “to be gracious” or “have mercy “. In Psalm 6:2, the Psalmist says, “Be gracious to
me, O LORD, for I am languishing; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled.”

Insight:

Grace is activated through faith and faith works through the conviction of the Holy Spirit which
man is able to respond.

John 16:8 “When [the Spirit] comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness
and judgment” (ESV)

Romans 10:17 “Faith comes from hearing and hearing by the Word of God.”

B. Anything that is not faith is Sin.

Romans 14:23- ” But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not
from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.”

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C. Faith is the Condition for answered prayer.

Mark 11:22-24 – “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this
mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that
what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in
prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

D. We can Please God only through faith.

Hebrews 11:6 - “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to
him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

II. What is faith?

A. Biblical Definition. Hebrews 11:1 – “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance
about what we do not see.”

Faith ( FirmIsrael.org)

The Hebrew word emunah (‫אמונה‬, pronounced “eh-moo-nah”) is understood in English to mean
“faith” or “belief”. But it is often also translated as “faithfulness.” And yet, it describes much more
than just believing a statement about God. It reveals a life of full reliance upon Him.

James 2:17 NIV - In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

Emunah is not faith alone, it is faith completed by works. According to the biblical definition of
faith, what you do is more important than what you know.

Luke 17:5-6, “The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” He replied, “If you have faith as
small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’
and it will obey you.”

Greek “Pistis”(Strongs)

- faith, faithfulness

Usage: faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness.

III. What is the Basis of Faith?

The Word of God. Romans 10:17 - “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the
message is heard through the word about Christ.”

Example: Abraham

Romans 4:18-22 – “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many
nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Without weakening in his
faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years
old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the
promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded
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that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why it was credited to him as
righteousness.”

IV. How Do we Develop our Faith?

A. Listening to the Word of God.

Romans 10:17 - “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard
through the word about Christ.”

B. Meditate

Psalm 1:1-3 – “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way
that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of
water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do
prosper.”

C. Confess/Share

Romans 10:9,10 – ” If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that
God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are
justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”

D. Obey

James 2:17 – “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

V. Conclusion

Faith is like a seed, which, when planted and taken care of will grow. As believers, we have the
responsibility in developing our faith. And as we apply the practical suggestions above, we will see
our faith in God growing each day.