Big idea
In our series, BIG GOD, little me, we have been looking at different attributes of God. This week, we are talking about one of the most important aspects, and that is that He is faithful. We were reminded during the weekend message that the word faithful means "being dependable, reliable, and a person of integrity." While people in this world let us down and may not be faithful, and while we also let others down, Scripture teaches that this is not the case with God. God is faithful. He will always be dependable. He will never let us down.
Break the ice
What holds people back from being faithful today, despite their best efforts?
Small group questions
Bible study
1. Read Numbers 23:19. Compare God’s faithfulness to our own faithfulness according to this passage of Scripture.
19God is not a man, so he does not lie.
He is not human, so he does not change his mind.
Has he ever spoken and failed to act?
Has he ever promised and not carried it through?
2. Read 2nd Timothy 2:11-13. What does this passage of Scripture reveal about God’s faithfulness, and how does His faithfulness impact His followers?
2nd Timothy 2:11-13
This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him. 12 If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. 3 If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.
3. Read Genesis 12:1-3. Summarize the promise that God made to Abraham in this passage of Scripture.
The Call of Abram
1The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. 2I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”
4. Read Romans 4:18-25. How did God show Himself faithful to the promise He made in Genesis 12, according to this passage of Scripture?
18Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!”[1] 19And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb.
20Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. 21He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. 22And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous. 23And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded 24for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.
Translation notes (1)
- 4:18 Gen 15:5.
Application
- Describe a time when God has proven Himself to be faithful in your life.
- How does God’s past faithfulness in your life give you confidence for His future faithfulness?
- What is an area of your life where you need to be reminded of God’s faithfulness?
Moving forward
Now that you have all shared areas of your lives where you need to be reminded that God is faithful, divide up into groups of two or three and pray together about those specific areas. Thank God that He is always faithful and that He never changes. Ask Him to work in the areas that you shared, too. Ask in confidence, knowing that God is always faithful and always working in our lives, even when we cannot see it.
Going deeper
Because God is faithful, we can be confident that He keeps His promises. Every promise that He made will come to fruition. For the next few minutes, let's take a look at three of God's important promises to us that can be found in Scripture.
God Can Bring Good Out of Any Situation:
We see in the book of Genesis that this world is infected with the consequences of sin everywhere. While we face many good times here on this earth, we also face heartaches and trials. Through it all, God promises to bring good out of every single situation that we face.
1. Read Romans 8:28-30.
28And we know that God causes everything to work together[1] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn[2] among many brothers and sisters. 30And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.
Translation notes (2)
- 8:28 Some manuscripts read And we know that everything works together.
- 8:29 Or would be supreme.
- What is the promise from God in this passage of Scripture?
- What is the ultimate way that God will bring good out of any situation, regardless of what we face, according to this passage of Scripture?
- How have you seen God bring good out of a difficult situation in your own life?
Salvation:
Of course, the greatest promise we have in Scripture is salvation. Scripture reveals that if we place our faith in Christ, we can stand confidently knowing that we will one day spend eternal life with Him. Even more, we can be confident that once we give our lives to Him, nothing and no one can take us away from Him.
1. Read John 10:27-30.
27My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, 29for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else.[1] No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. 30The Father and I are one.”
Translation notes (1)
- 10:29 Other manuscripts read for what my Father has given me is more powerful than anything; still others read for regarding that which my Father has given me, he is greater than all.
- What promises does Jesus give us in this passage of Scripture?
- How does this promise impact us believers, the recipients of this promise?
- How should we respond to this incredible promise from God?
The Holy Spirit:
Before He left earth and returned to heaven, Jesus promised His followers that He would not leave them alone. The Holy Spirit would come and live life alongside them and help them. The Holy Spirit, Scripture reveals, is also a reminder of the future awaiting those who have placed their faith in Christ.
1. Read Ephesians 1:13-14.
13And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own[1] by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. 14The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.
Translation notes (1)
- 1:13 Or he put his seal on you.
- What does the Holy Spirit reveal, according to this passage of Scripture?
- What promise does the Holy Spirit point to, according to this passage of Scripture, and how does this promise impact us today as we follow Christ?
- How have you experienced the power of the Holy Spirit in your own life?
Look back at the verses you studied today in this Going Deeper section. Pick one of the verses that you studied to memorize. Take 5 to 10 minutes to begin memorizing it now. After 5 or 10 minutes have passed, your group leader will ask for a few volunteers to share what verse they selected to memorize, why they selected that verse, and practice reciting that verse for the group. Remember, it does not have to be perfect! You can keep working on memorizing the verse you selected over the next week and beyond.
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