"If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all." Isaiah 7:9 (NIV)
FOUR WAYS TO BUILD A RESILIENT FAITH
- GET CLEAR ON WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A CHRISTIAN
Jesus said, "Come, Follow me." Matthew 4:19 (NIV)
"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." Romans 12:2 (NLT)
"So we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, "Come back to God!" 2 Corinthians 5:20 (NLT)
"If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world." John 15:18-19 (BSB)
Action Plan: If you have not yet taken CLASS 101, sign up for the next offering at your campus. Saddleback.com/class
- JOIN THE FIGHT OF FAITH
"For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12 (NLT)
"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:11 (NIV)
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us." Hebrews 12:1 (NLT) - GET TRAINED
- Core teachings of the faith
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
"For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NIV)
- Apologetics
"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)
- Critical thinking and question asking
- Listening to the Holy Spirit
- Critical thinking and question asking
"But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come." John 16:13 (NIV)
Action Plan: Choose one way that you can start getting trained. Watch Foundations videos on the core truths of the Christian faith. Read a book on spiritual growth. Go on a retreat and spend time listening to the Spirit.
- MOVE FORWARD IN LOVE
"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." 1 John 4:7-8 (NIV)
"Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." John 13:35 (NLT)
"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters." 1 John 3:16 (NIV)
Action Plan: Your children/grandchildren learn by watching you. Be intentional about how you are acting and speaking not only with the children, but with others.
Doable Discipleship: This week's episode of Doable Discipleship features an interview with Mission Pastor Skip Lanfried about what it means to be Made for Mission. New episodes release every Tuesday. To watch or listen,click here.
Talk It Over: Have you ever discussed the weekend message in your small group? Talk It Over provides weekly small group discussion questions as a way to bring the weekend message into your small group. To view this week's Talk It Over,click here
