Series: GROWING IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD with Pastor Mark Finley
🌟 Lesson 8: Having Faith
✨ Prayer as a practical and daily experience with God
Introduction:
Faith belongs at the center of Christian life, yet many people connect it only with feelings or visible miracles. However, the Bible shows that true faith goes much deeper. It grows where people learn to trust God despite questions, uncertainty, and difficult circumstances. In this lesson, we meet people whose faith was weak, struggling, or challenged — and yet God still worked in their lives. Above all, Jesus Himself is presented as the perfect example of faith, fully trusting the Father even in suffering. This lesson invites us to discover that faith is not perfect strength, but a daily decision to draw closer to God and trust Him.
Content:
🔍 8.1 Just Give Me a Sign!
Faith does not grow through spectacular miracles alone
Many people think they would immediately believe if they experienced a visible miracle. But the Bible shows that even people who saw great signs still doubted. The Pharisees kept demanding more proof, even though Jesus had already performed many miracles. Jesus made it clear that the real problem was not a lack of signs, but a closed heart. Even today, we have countless indications of God’s work — through the Bible, history, and personal experiences. True faith therefore does not mean being able to prove everything visibly, but trusting God despite unanswered questions and allowing Him to transform us inwardly.
👀 8.2 Jesus Sees Our Faith
Faith means trusting despite our own weakness
Jesus did not only see people’s outward behavior, but also recognized the condition of their hearts. While His disciples often showed fear and uncertainty, Jesus acknowledged the great faith of people such as the Canaanite woman and the centurion. These people trusted Jesus even though they did not have complete security or control. Especially honest is the father’s prayer in Mark 9: “I believe; help my unbelief!” — a prayer that shows true faith can also struggle with weakness and doubt. God does not require perfect faith, but a heart willing to trust Him and turn to Him. Therefore, spiritual growth does not mean never doubting, but not allowing doubt to rule, while letting God’s truth and trust grow in the heart.
🌱 8.3 Faith Is Not a Feeling
True faith remains even when feelings change
Many people strongly connect faith with emotions and think they have no faith if they cannot feel God. But the Bible shows that faith is far more than a feeling. Jesus explained that even faith as small as a mustard seed can accomplish great things when it is directed toward God. Salvation comes through God’s grace and through trust in Him — not through perfect feelings or spiritual excitement. Feelings may change, but God’s character and His promises remain constant. True faith therefore means trusting God even in difficult times, even when His presence is not clearly felt or everything is not fully understood.
🕊️ 8.4 Examples of Faith
Faith trusts God even when nothing can yet be seen
Hebrews 11 shows people who trusted God even though they had not yet seen many promises fulfilled. Their faith did not consist of perfect strength, but in holding on to God despite uncertainty. Noah built the ark, Abraham moved to an unknown land, and Moses chose God’s way despite difficulties. These people lived trusting that God’s promises were true, even when visible circumstances often seemed to say otherwise. The Bible makes clear that faith grows when we hear God’s Word, live with Him, and trust Him step by step. Therefore, believing does not mean never having questions or doubts, but consciously choosing God again and again and valuing His faithfulness above our feelings or fears.
✝️ 8.5 The Faith of Jesus
True faith finds its foundation in Jesus Himself
Revelation 14:12 describes God’s people as those who keep God’s commandments and at the same time possess the faith of Jesus. This means not only believing in Jesus, but also imitating His perfect trust in the Father. Especially in the Garden of Gethsemane, we see how Jesus remained fully committed to God’s will despite fear, suffering, and inner struggle. His faith was not based on pleasant feelings, but on complete surrender and trust. Therefore, Christian faith does not consist merely of religious knowledge or obedience, but of a living relationship with Jesus, who Himself is the foundation of our faith. Even when our own faith is sometimes weak, we may trust that Jesus remains faithful and desires to work His faith within our lives through the Holy Spirit.
💡 8.6 Summary
Faith means trusting God — even when we do not see or understand everything
This lesson shows that true faith is not based only on visible signs or feelings, but on trust in God’s character and His promises. Jesus made it clear that even a small faith can have great impact when it is founded on God. The examples in Hebrews 11 lived trusting in God’s guidance even though many promises had not yet been fulfilled. At the same time, the lesson reminds us that doubt and faith can exist side by side as long as we continue turning to God. The highest example of faith is Jesus Himself, whose trust in the Father remained perfect even in suffering and darkness. Therefore, faith does not grow through perfect feelings, but through daily fellowship with God, His Word, and the conscious decision to trust Him again and again.
