Of these three words—faith, hope and love—that became the early Christian shorthand for a well-lived life with Jesus, faith is probably still the most common. We talk about a life of faith, a community of faith, the power of faith. Yet, what is faith? In the descriptions of the New Testament, faith seems to be a life of unwavering conviction about Jesus, unwavering confidence in Jesus and unwavering commitment to Jesus. It is a whole-person, whole-life orientation towards God that gives us something rock-solid to believe in. It is not blind, but an entirely different way to see the world. No wonder Paul once wrote that, "Those that are righteous are those who live by faith."

1. Prior to this weekend, how would you have described "faith"?

• When you think of faith, what comes to mind? How would you describe a "life of faith"?
• How do you see this at work in your own faith? How do you try to live consistently with your own definition of "faith"?
• How does your understand of faith "fit" with the definition of faith explored this week, as unwavering conviction, confidence, and commitment to Jesus? What are the differences? Why do you think they are different?

2. What was meant by "faith as unwavering conviction about Jesus"? What does it mean to have "unwavering conviction"?

• Read Colossians 1:3-5. Why do you think that it was stressed that faith requires us to place our faith in something beyond/outside our subjection feelings and opinions Where else, besides the truth about Jesus in the scriptures, do we turn to form our beliefs?
• Do you believe that the Bible is authoritative in every way for forming our convictions? If so, then why do we turn elsewhere to shape our beliefs? If not, why not?
• In what areas do you find it hard to "believe" what you've been told Bible says? Why are these beliefs so difficult to accept? If you believe the Bible is authoritative, how will you reconcile this?
• What does it mean for our convictions to be "unwavering" in this kind of faith? Do you think this means that we never doubt? Why or why not? How does faith relate to doubt?

3. What was meant by "faith as unwavering confidence in Jesus"? What does it mean to have "unwavering confidence"?

• Read Mark 1:14-15. What does it mean to "repent and believe"? How do you understand it? Did your understanding change because of this conversation? How?
• What's the difference, in terms of how we live, between treating Jesus as our "travel agent" to heaven and as our "trainer and coach" for a heavenly life? Which is more representative of how you've lived your faith?
• In what areas of your life are you disinclined to put your faith in Jesus, to believe that his way is best? Why is it so hard to "believe" in Jesus with our whole life in these areas?
• What does it mean for our confidence to be "unwavering" in this kind of faith? How do we strengthen our confidence in Jesus so that we trust him enough to follow him in all areas of life?

4. What was meant by "faith as unwavering commitment in Jesus"? What does it mean to have "unwavering commitment"?

• Read Galatians 5:22-23 (remembering that biblical faith = "faithfulness"). What is the relationship between faith and faithfulness? Why does the Bible assume that biblical faith will mean utter faithfulness? Why do we tend to separate the two in our thinking?
• In what ways/areas has the value of commitment faded in our culture?^* Why are we so reluctant to actually make lasting commitments, to stick to our promises? What do we say about ourselves when we walk away from our commitments?
• Which do you tihnk is harder for you, to be unwaveringly committed to Jesus when life gets very bad or when life gets very good? Why?
• Why do we allow ourselves to drift in good and/or bad times? What does that say about our "faith" in Jesus? How do we strengthen our faith, and remain committed to Jesus?

5. How can we grow into this kind of life of faith in Jesus?

• Of these three aspects of faith, which do you feel requires the most growth in your own life of faith? Why? How has this negatively impacted your ability to live your faith?
• What do you think the benefits would be in your life to growing in this way in your faith? What do you think the benefits would be to those outside the Church who are watching your faith?
• How could you start to grow this area of your faith? What steps could you take? What support, encouragement and accountability could this group provide to walk with you in that journey?
• Pray for each other and for the commitments you are making to grow in your faith? Pray for those who are watching our lives and making decisions about Jesus based on what they see in our faith.

^* As, for example, when Kim Kardasian and Kris Humphries ended their marriage 72 days after their wedding (not 72 hours, as the sermon stated). See the story here.