Begin your discussion with a moment of quiet reflection, individual or group prayer, or whatever would be conducive to further discussion. Share with the group, as appropriate, your experiences during the week in being disciplined, in doing the journal exercises, in having a more active faith, or whatever.

1. (Faith is a much broader topic than can be easily covered in this handout. For a more extensive treatment, see Romans: Saving Faith.)
2. Faith is best understood as trust. It means relying on God, abiding by God's will, and counting on God to fulfill his promises. The opposite of faith is suspicion, doubt, and reliance on yourself, others, and things. Faith is warranted by the resurrection of Jesus: Death, the only final and permanent defeat that could threaten us, is rendered impotent. People who are not afraid of death are capable of astounding accomplishments. See Acts 4:5-20. Most importantly, however, they have no cause to hesitate in putting their trust in God.
3. Paul's model of faith is Abraham (Rom.4). Review quickly Gen.12:l-5.
 
1. In the first instance, God said to Abraham, "Pack up everything you own, abandon your relatives, and move to a new country." And, unbelievably, Abraham did it! How do you suppose God spoke to Abraham? Do you suppose there was an audible voice? Or, do you suppose God spoke to Abraham the same way he speaks to us, through a small voice that speaks in soft tones? Has God ever "spoken" to you? If not, is it possible that you were not listening? If he has, did you do what he said? If you thought God were speaking to you, would you be willing to pack up, move to a different country?
2. Why don't we trust God more? Review God's promises to you as recounted in Scripture. See Matt.7:7, 6:25-33. Do you believe these or not? Are you willing to count on them or not? (Be honest.) If not, why not? Is it possible that sometimes we don't rely on God because we know that what we want is not right, and we are correct in thinking that God won't pander to such desires?
4. The purpose of the exercise is to focus on ways in which we "hedge our bets," try to play it safe, because we believe we might fail. Bluntly said, we think that God won't come through.
 
1. Share with the group ways in which you are willing to rely on one of God's promises. What do you expect God to do?
2. Consider pledge time at the church. With faith in God, what is the proper approach to pledging? without faith? How did you do? How can the church best communicate a message of faith and trust to the congregation?

4/17/98