"Whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when it is fully developed you will be strong incharacterand ready for anything!" James 1:2-4(NLT)
6 WAYS GOD TESTS YOUR FAITH
TO BUILD YOUR CHARACTER
1ST TEST: A NEW TASK(What Lord?)
"It was by faith that Noah built an ark to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about something that had never happened before." Heb. 11:7(NLT)
o FAITH IS FACING THE FUTURE
without knowing "WHAT?"
"Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Heb. 11:1(NIV)
ACTION PLAN: Do a word study on "faith." Go toBlueLetterBibleand search the word "faith." Read through the verses that come up and write down some that stick out to you.
2ND TEST:A MAJOR CHANGE (Where Lord?)
"It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going." Heb. 11:8-10(NLT)
o FAITH IS FOLLOWING GOD'S LEADING
without knowing "WHERE?"
3RD TEST: A DELAYED PROMISE (When Lord?)
"Even after Abraham reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in a tentAnd so did Isaac and Jacob, to whom God gave the same promise. Abraham did this because he was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God." Heb. 11:8-10 (NLT)
o FAITH IS WAITING FOR GOD'S TIMING
without knowing "WHEN?"
ACTION PLAN: Read through each of these stories this week. Noah (Genesis 6-9), Abraham (Genesis 12-22), Moses (Exodus 1-3).
4TH TEST:AN UNSOLVABLE PROBLEM(How Lord?)
"It was by faith that Sarah together with Abraham was able to have a child, even though they were too old and Sarah was barren. Abraham believed that God would keep his promise. And so a whole nation came from this one man, Abraham, who was too old to have any children—a nation with so many people that, like the stars of the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them." Heb. 11:11-12 (NLT)
o FAITH IS EXPECTING A MIRACLE
without knowing "HOW?"
5TH TEST:A SENSELESS LOSS(Why Lord?)
"It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God's promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, even though God had promised him, 'Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted." Heb.11:17-18(NLT)
"Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death!" Heb. 11:19(NIV)
o FAITH IS TRUSTING GOD'S PURPOSE
without knowing "WHY?"
ACTION PLAN: Who is going through a similar loss you've already suffered? Call or text them with an invitation to grab coffee or a lunch. If you are hurting, who could you reach out to in God's family and ask for help?
6TH TEST:A PROLONGED PAIN (How longLord?)
"By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward." Heb. 11:24-26(NIV)
o FAITH IS CONTINUING TO PERSIST
without knowing "HOW LONG?"
"By faith Moses left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible." Heb. 11:27(NIV)
An Opportunity- God gives you a promise
An Obstacle or Opponent –that holds you back
An Ordeal - A waiting period or test
Doable Discipleship: This week's episode of Doable Discipleship features an interview with Carolyn Baker on some amazing things God has been doing in her life. 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.
