From Faith to Doubt
0 Amens
Life still happens
Jesus is attractive because He is God
The father had enough faith to show up, but still had doubts
The disciples unbelief
“But one man, whose son died climbing a mountain when he was twenty-five, said that what he came to see was “tears, a weeping God, suffering over my suffering. I had not realized that if God loves the world, God suffers. I had thoughtlessly supposed God loved without suffering. Jesus introduced us to a suffering God, something the world had never though of before.”” Faith and Doubt, Ortberg, Pg. 115
Sermon Questions for Mark 9:14-27
If you have feedback, please let
SPECIFIC PRAYER (suggestions)
SCRIPTURE AND SHARING
Crawl:
Why do you think this story is included in the Bible?
When was your last “mountain top experience?” What happened right after it?
Walk:
Read
Has there ever been a life circumstance that made you question your faith? Will you share it with us? What changed? What was the result? What do you think about that difficult situation now?
Who is “they?” What happened right before this? Why is this a big deal? (glimpse at His glory)
What do you think the disciples and teachers of the law were arguing about? (consider the failed attempt by the disciples). What do you argue about? What do Christians argue about? Why is this destructive?
When you consider Jesus, are you still overwhelmed with wonder? With awe? Or in thinking about Jesus as our friend, has he become common place in your thinking?
Why were they amazed at just seeing Jesus? Had they not just come to find Jesus and ask for different things? (Mark 9:3)
Can you picture this emotionally charged scene? Have the most creative, artsy kind of person describe it in detail.
Here is a quote, what do you think about this? “If there really is an all-loving, all-powerful, all-good, and competent God overseeing the universe, why is there so much evil and so much suffering and so much pain? Why are there natural disasters like tsunamis and earthquakes, accidents like car crashes and fires, diseases like heart attacks and cancer and Alzheimer’s and multiple sclerosis? Why don’t we hear from God; why don’t we get help from him in these valleys of human pain? Steve Weinberg says, “The god of birds and trees would also have to be the god of birth defects and cancer.” Faith and Doubt, Ortberg, p113
Why do you think Jesus got angry? Who were his comments directed towards? The father? The teachers of the law? Or the disciples? Why do you say that? (see
What do you think about this quote from Ortberg: “Sometimes one of the biggest obstacles to faith in Jesus is the incompetence, complacency, and arrogance of his followers- followers like me.” Faith and Doubt, Ortberg, p 78
Read
What emotions do you think the father is going through during this time? Have you ever had to deal with a child that is this sick? How did you feel?
When we feel helpless in a situation, what response should we have? How did the father display the correct response in a helpless situation?
Can you give a reason for the hope within you when someone says, Why do bad things happen to good people? Why does not God just take away the pain? Why can’t he just stop all the hurt and all the problems in this world?
Why is the father always saying us when really it’s the boy who has the problem? How does your answer to that last question relate to the church?
What is Satan’s strategy? (see
Isn’t what we all want is for Jesus to take us by the hand and lift us to our feet, so we can stand firm in the faith?
Run:
What were or are is the “what ifs” in your life that doubt played on? Did you seek to answer those doubts or ignore them? In what circumstances can each tactic be healthy?
Key Words and Further Study:
The NASB Topics has some interesting things to say about Satan and his power. If you want to chase a rabbit, here are some verses and thoughts by them: Satan is the most prominent and powerful of evil spirits and the archenemy of God and man (Job 1-2; Matthew 13:25, 38-39; 1 Peter 5:8; 1 John 4:4; Revelation 12:1-17). Though God originally created Satan in righteousness as “the anointed cherub who covers” (Ezekiel 28:12-15), Satan sinned through pride (Ezekiel 28:15-17; 1 Timothy 3:6). Consequently, sin entered the universe for the first time (cf. Genesis 3:1-5; John 8:44; 1 John 3:8) and God expelled Satan from his original position in heaven (Ezekiel 28:16). He retains great intelligence (Ezekiel 28:12, 17; 2 Corinthians 2:11) and power (Ephesians 6:10-12; Jude 9) and is widely represented through his demons (Ephesians 6:12; Revelation 12:7-9). Satan has become ruler over demonic spirits, i.e., evil angels who evidently also sinned and fell with him (Matthew 12:24; 25:41; Revelation 12:4-7). Satan rules the world and can influence believers, but only within the permissive will of God (Job 1-2, esp. 2:6; Luke 4:6; John 12:31; Acts 26:18; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 1 John 5:19). Christ judged Satan at the cross (John 12:31; Hebrews 2:14; 1 John 3:8; cf. Colossians 2:15), but the final execution of that judgment will occur when he is “thrown into the lake of fire,” where he will remain forever (Revelation 20:10).
Look up some of these verses on standing firm and discuss
SERVICE (fodder for ideas)
Mothers Day” Service Project: This year we are celebrating Motherhood in a new way. The Chapel partners with two crisis pregnancy centers: First Choice and Turning Point. We want to encourage new mothers who have chosen life by presenting them with a very practical Mother’s Day gift. Join with us as we collect the following items: Diapers (size new born to one), wipes, newborn clothes (0-6months), sleepers/nightgowns, and new onsies. Toiletries (baby shampoo, lotion, powder) baby bottles and receiving blankets. Look for the cribs in the Lobby starting April 19th through Mothers Day.
Helping Hands Ministry project: Join Helping Hands as we team up with Transformation Life Center (TLC) and provide a BBQ lunch for the TLC Fishing Derby held at
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