CELL NOTES 24/9/07

ICE BREAKER

Who have you met, and thought, “I wish I had their faith” - or some other quality about their lives?

THEME

I wish I had their faith

Reading Luke 7 : 1 – 10

SERMON OUTLINE

1) Forgiveness quote from Gee Walker.

2) Faith seen in child’s instinctive trust in an adult.

3) Life is apt to knock that out, and replace it by fear, cynicism etc.

4) We all exercise faith e.g. in our own abilities, the doctor, money etc.

5) Can misunderstand faith, and see it as a crutch for the weak, religiousness, an escape from hard questions etc.

6) Not so. Real faith means entering the realm of God, allowing Him to act in our lives, in a way that produces personal freedom and integrity – as seen in the centurion.

7) It does not mean escaping life’s hardships, or always being on top – quote from man whose wife was ill.

8) Real faith is not vague, but directed on Christ – as was the centurion’s.

9) How does it grow? – by hearing (Rom 10 : 17) – God’s word, and attending to the whispers within.

10) What steps are you taking to nurture your faith? Have you put your faith in the right place?

QUESTIONS OF APPLICATION

1) Read the passage. Describe the faith of the centurion. What exactly would you say is the e quality of faith he exhibits?

2) When in the last two years have you acted by faith, or wished that you had done so?

3) What do you find are the biggest incentives and biggest discouragements in nurturing your faith?

4) How may the group encourage one another to grow in faith?

5) How is “4 Life” going?