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A NEW WAVE OF FAITH AND CALLINGGreat faith may require great risk. But there is no surer risk to take than a risk of faith.
PRAYER God, guide our discussion together today. Continue to give us passion for the vision you have given us, and work in our hearts to cultivate a faith that will follow your leading. Amen. SCRIPTURE Read Esther 4:1-7; 7:1-6; 8:3-8 What really stands out to you from this passage? How does Esther’s story give us an example of the kind of thing that can only be accomplished when we step out in faith? JOURNEY Faith requires us to believe in, act and rely on a God who is not seen. The beauty is that God is real and he uses us to accomplish his purposes. When we act out in great faith, we are risking it all. We leave the comforts of what we can control, and do something that only makes sense if God is real and if God is involved in our lives. In the story of Esther, Mordecai's challenge to Esther speaks volumes. He states that God's plan will get done no matter what. It was ultimately up to Esther to decide whether or not she was going to take part in it. But Mordecai suggests that the reason Esther was the Queen was to bring deliverance for God's people. Mordecai knew that God was real and that it was God's plan for the Jews to be delivered. Just like Esther, the circumstances and situations we find ourselves in are not for our own purposes, but for God's purpose. REFLECTION AND APPLICATION How would you describe faith? How big is the God you have faith in? Do you believe that God is bigger than a down economy or a culture that seems to be moving further from him? In what ways might God be stretching your faith right now? Do you have a sense of how God might be calling you to jump out in faith to help accomplish his mission at Mariners Church? Take a look at your notes from this weekend’s message (Not Without Faith), as well as your notes in the Prayer Journal to help you as you answer the following questions: How am I challenged by what I heard? How will I apply what I have learned? PRAYER Lord, give us faith to leap out and take risks for your sake. Help us learn to trust in you and depend on you daily. Amen. MEMORY VERSE |
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Philippians 4:6
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Deuteronomy 31:8
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Deuteronomy 31:8
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
