Lesson 2 April 4 - 10

Faith

 

Memory Text: Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

“Scripture taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION”. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson Publishers. Used by Permission.

 

Sabbath Afternoon

Hebrews 11:1 NKJV 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

 

Sunday

Faith–a Gift From God

Ephesians 2:8 NKJV 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

Romans 10:17 NKJV 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Hebrews 11:6 NKJV 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Mark 9:24 NKJV 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!"

 

Monday

The Basis of Our Faith

John 5:39 NKJV 39 "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.

2 Timothy 3:15 NKJV 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 11:1 NKJV 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

James 2:18-19 NKJV 18 But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble!

 

Tuesday

Exercising Faith

Matthew 9:29 NIV 29 Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you";

Matthew 9:29 NKJV 29 Then He touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith let it be to you."

Luke 16:30-31 NKJV 30 "And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' 31 "But he said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.'"

Romans 1:17 NKJV 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

Galatians 5:6 NKJV 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

James 2:17-18 NKJV 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

1 John 5:4-5 NKJV 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

Romans 11:20 NKJV 20 Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear.

Hebrews 3:19 NKJV 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

Romans 11:20 NKJV 20 Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear.

Hebrews 11:6 NIV 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Hebrews 11:6 NKJV 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

 

Wednesday

Growing in Faith

2 Peter 3:18 NKJV 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

2 Thessalonians 1:3 NKJV 3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,

Ephesians 6:10-18 NKJV 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--

1 Corinthians 16:13 NIV 13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.

1 Corinthians 16:13 NKJV 13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.

Romans 14:1 NKJV 1 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.

1 Corinthians 10:12 NKJV 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

 

Thursday

Faith in a Person

1 Timothy 4:16 NKJV 16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

Titus 2:1 NKJV 1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:

John 3:36 NKJV 36 "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."

John 3:35 NKJV 35 "The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand.

Matthew 16:13-19 NKJV 13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" 14 So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 "And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

1 Peter 2:4-8 NKJV 4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame." 7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, "The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone," 8 and "A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense." They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.

 

Friday

2 Peter 3:18 NKJV 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, pp. 112–113

The apostle Paul says that God "hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son." Colossians 1:13. And everyone who has passed from death unto life is able to "set to his seal that God is true." John 3:33. He can testify, "I needed help, and I found it in Jesus. Every want was supplied, the hunger of my soul was satisfied; and now the Bible is to me the revelation of Jesus Christ. Do you ask why I believe in Jesus? Because He is to me a divine Saviour. Why do I believe the Bible? Because I have found it to be the voice of God to my soul." We may have the witness in ourselves that the Bible is true, that Christ is the Son of God. We know that we are not following cunningly devised fables. {SC 112.1}

     Peter exhorts his brethren to "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18. When the people of God are growing in grace, they will be constantly obtaining a clearer understanding of His word. They will discern new light and beauty in its sacred truths. This has been true in the history of the church in all ages, and thus it will continue to the end. "The path of the righteous is as the light of dawn, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." Proverbs 4:18, R.V., margin. {SC 112.2}

     By faith we may look to the hereafter and grasp the pledge of God for a growth of intellect, the (p. 113) human faculties uniting with the divine, and every power of the soul being brought into direct contact with the Source of light. We may rejoice that all which has perplexed us in the providences of God will then be made plain, things hard to be understood will then find an explanation; and where our finite minds discovered only confusion and broken purposes, we shall see the most perfect and beautiful harmony. "Now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." 1 Corinthians 13:12. {SC 112.3}