How to have more faith
Faiths grows in times of crisis, but it doesn’t just grow in individuals but also in those who witness the words and actions of the faithful. In our current difficult times we have probably often thought about our need for more faith. What we see in Hebrews 11 is not only the faith of individuals, but also how faith travels and grows from one generation to the next and from one community to another. What if we stopped asking “how can I have more faith” and started thinking about how we can strengthen and encourage each other as God gives us faith and adds to it as we exercise it.
Scripture
Hebrews 11:20-31 ESV By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. [21] By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. [22] By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones. [23] By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict. [24] By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, [25] choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. [26] He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. [27] By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. [28] By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them. [29] By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. [30] By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. [31] By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.
Bible Study Questions
Where does faith come from? (Romans 10:17)
Can we get and grow faith on our own, is it something we can earn or learn? (1 Corinthians 12:7-9)
How and when is faith increased in us (Mark 4:24-25)
Faith must be expressed in hope and then enacted in love. What does the Scripture say about strong faith that does not express itself in acts of love? (1 Corinthians 13:2)
What part did Isaac, Jacob, Joseph and Moses play in the faith of the people of Israel? (Hebrews 11:20-22)
How did the faith and obedience of the children of God grow the faith of those outside of the nation of Israel? (Hebrews 11:28-30)
Where did Rahab’s faith come from and how did she grow the faith of others? (Joshua 2:8-13)
Prayer
Dear Father God Almighty, Thank You for the wonderful way that You have preserved Your Word in the Holy Scriptures. Thank You for Your faithful servants who spoke and wrote Your word, and especially for those who lived it out. Thank You for their example and for the way that You help us to grown in faith. Please forgive us when we want to keep our faith to ourselves rather than sharing it and acting in such a way as to show others Your awesome power , love and faithfulness. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Worship
Come, thou Fount of every blessing,
tune my heart to sing thy grace;
streams of mercy, never ceasing,
call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount I'm fixed upon it
mount of God's redeeming love.
Here I find my greatest treasure;
hither by thy help I've come;
and I hope, by thy good pleasure,
safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
wandering from the fold of God;
he, to rescue me from danger,
bought me with his precious blood.
Oh, to grace how great a debtor
daily I'm constrained to be!
Let thy goodness, like a fetter,
bind my wandering heart to thee:
prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
prone to leave the God I love;
here's my heart, O take and seal it;
seal it for thy courts above.
Service
It’s good to desire more faith, it’s good to exercise our faith, but it’s even better to take that further and ask “how can I help grow someone else’s faith today?”. Start by praying that God would help you to reach someone today, and to speak and act in such a way as to be an instrument through which God can strengthen their faith. We should constantly look for opportunities to bless others by speaking about and acting on our faith.