Faith's Foundation: From Mentorship to Personal Trust

Devotional

Day 1: The Value of Godly Discipleship and Spiritual Role Models

God often uses spiritual mentors and godly examples to shape our faith, encourage us in our walk, and help us stand firm in challenging times. These individuals, whether parents, friends, or church leaders, have a visible faith that inspires us to pursue God more deeply and to resist the pull of compromise and lukewarmness. Their influence is a blessing, and it is through such relationships that faith is passed from generation to generation, strengthening the body of Christ and building up the next wave of believers. Take time to recognize and give thanks for those who have poured into your spiritual life, and consider how you might become such a role model for others. [55:17]

2 Chronicles 24:1-2 (ESV)
Joash was seven years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zibiah of Beersheba. And Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest.

Reflection: Who is one person whose faith has deeply impacted your walk with God, and how can you express gratitude or honor their influence this week?

Day 2: The Danger of Borrowed Faith

It is possible to follow godly examples and yet possess a faith that is not truly your own—a borrowed faith that depends on the presence and influence of others rather than a personal conviction and relationship with God. When those spiritual mentors are no longer present, the true nature of our faith is revealed, and if it is not genuine, we may quickly drift or even abandon our commitment to God. This calls for honest self-examination: is your faith anchored in Christ, or is it simply a reflection of those around you? [01:06:25]

2 Chronicles 24:17-18 (ESV)
Now after the death of Jehoiada the princes of Judah came and paid homage to the king. Then the king listened to them. And they abandoned the house of the Lord, the God of their fathers, and served the Asherim and the idols. And wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this guilt of theirs.

Reflection: In what area of your life are you most tempted to rely on someone else’s faith or approval, and what step can you take today to make your faith your own?

Day 3: God’s Persistent Grace and Warnings

Even when we stray or begin to doubt, God in His providence and grace continues to reach out, sending people, circumstances, and His Word to call us back to Himself. He does not let us go easily, but lovingly confronts us, pricks our conscience, and offers opportunities for repentance and restoration. This is a testament to His steadfast love and mercy, reminding us that no matter how far we wander, God’s grace is available and His call to return is persistent. [01:15:39]

2 Chronicles 24:19-20 (ESV)
Yet he sent prophets among them to bring them back to the Lord. These testified against them, but they would not pay attention. Then the Spirit of God clothed Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, and he stood above the people, and said to them, “Thus says God, ‘Why do you break the commandments of the Lord, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the Lord, he has forsaken you.’”

Reflection: Can you recall a time when God sent someone or something to warn or redirect you? How did you respond, and what is God saying to you now?

Day 4: The Call to Honest Self-Examination and Living Faith

God invites us to examine our hearts honestly, to bring our doubts and struggles into the light, and to seek a living, active faith that is anchored in Christ alone. It is not enough to hide behind outward appearances or the faith of others; God desires that we come to Him as we are, with our questions and brokenness, trusting that He can repair, restore, and make our faith genuine. This is a daily call to authenticity before God, allowing Him to search us and draw us nearer to Himself. [01:36:05]

Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV)
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

Reflection: What is one doubt or struggle you have been hiding from God or others? Will you bring it honestly before God in prayer today and ask Him to strengthen your faith?

Day 5: God’s Mercy and the Invitation to Return

No matter how far we have drifted or how broken our faith may feel, God’s mercy remains. He is always ready to receive us, to forgive, and to restore us when we turn to Him in humility and trust. There is no situation too hopeless, no heart too hardened, that God cannot redeem. Today, He invites you to come as you are, to lay aside borrowed faith, and to experience the fullness of His saving and restoring grace through Jesus Christ. [01:22:22]

Isaiah 55:6-7 (ESV)
Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you feel it’s “too late” for God to restore you? What would it look like to bring that area to Jesus today and trust in His mercy?

Sermon Summary

The story of King Joash in 2 Chronicles 24 offers a sobering reflection on the nature of faith—its origins, its endurance, and its vulnerability. Joash began his reign with great promise, guided and mentored by the godly priest Jehoiada. Under Jehoiada’s influence, Joash led significant reforms, restored the temple, and inspired the people to return to God. Yet, when Jehoiada died, Joash’s faith faltered. He quickly abandoned the ways of the Lord, succumbing to the pressures and influences of others, and ultimately led the nation into idolatry. This narrative compels us to examine the foundation of our own faith: Is it truly ours, or is it borrowed from the spiritual giants in our lives?

We all benefit from spiritual mentors—those who challenge us, nurture us, and model a living faith. God often uses such individuals to shape our journey, just as Jehoiada shaped Joash. But the tragedy of Joash’s story is that his faith was not deeply rooted in God Himself; it was propped up by the presence of his mentor. When that support was gone, his convictions crumbled. This warns us of the danger of a faith that is dependent on others rather than anchored in a personal relationship with God.

The passage also reveals the relentless grace and providence of God. Even as Joash and the people turned away, God sent prophets to call them back, refusing to let them drift without warning or conviction. God’s love is persistent; He places obstacles and messengers in our path to awaken our conscience and draw us back to Himself. Yet, we must respond—either with repentance or with hardened hearts.

In our own lives, we may find ourselves wrestling with doubt, disappointment, or the temptation to drift. The call is to bring these struggles honestly before God, not to hide or pretend. God is not looking for borrowed faith or outward conformity, but for a living, genuine trust in Him—a faith that endures beyond the presence of mentors or favorable circumstances. No matter how far we may have wandered, God’s mercy remains. He is always ready to restore, to heal, and to make our faith truly our own if we will come to Him in humility and truth.

Key Takeaways

1. The Gift and Responsibility of Spiritual Mentorship God often places mentors and spiritual role models in our lives to guide, challenge, and nurture us in the faith. Their visible devotion can inspire us to pursue God more earnestly, but we must remember that their role is to point us to Christ, not to become the foundation of our faith. We are called to be grateful for such influences and, in turn, to become godly examples for others, passing on a living faith to the next generation. [39:29]
2. The Danger of Borrowed Faith It is possible to appear faithful and zealous while actually relying on the convictions and presence of others. When those supports are removed, the true state of our hearts is revealed. We must ask ourselves whether our faith is truly our own, rooted in a personal relationship with God, or merely a reflection of those around us. [55:17]
3. God’s Relentless Grace and Warnings Even when we stray, God’s grace pursues us. He sends warnings, messengers, and circumstances to awaken our conscience and call us back to Himself. Ignoring these promptings leads to spiritual decline, but responding in humility opens the door to restoration and renewed fellowship with God. [74:49]
4. Honest Self-Examination and the Reality of Doubt Many struggle with hidden doubts or spiritual dryness, often masking these struggles out of fear or pride. God invites us to bring our questions and weaknesses to Him, trusting that He can transform borrowed or faltering faith into a living, enduring trust. True faith is not the absence of doubt, but the willingness to seek God honestly in the midst of it. [82:22]
5. Restoration Is Always Possible No matter how far we have drifted or how broken our faith may feel, God’s mercy is greater still. He specializes in restoring backsliders and reviving those who have grown cold. The invitation is always open: come as you are, confess your need, and trust that Jesus is able to make your faith genuine and strong.

** [86:43]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[31:34] - The Pain of Abandoned Faith
[32:50] - Introducing King Joash
[33:44] - Examining Our Own Faith
[34:35] - Joash’s Early Reforms
[36:57] - Restoration of the Temple
[38:07] - The Turning Point: Jehoiada’s Death
[39:29] - The Value of Spiritual Discipleship
[42:07] - Judah’s Spiritual Decline
[44:51] - The Legacy of Wicked Kings
[47:33] - Jehoiada’s Courage and God’s Favor
[50:57] - The Impact of Godly Influence
[55:17] - The Peril of Borrowed Faith
[74:49] - God’s Persistent Grace
[82:22] - Honest Self-Examination and Prayer
[86:43] - The Call to Restoration
[93:08] - Praying for Renewal
[96:05] - Closing Prayers and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Story of King Joash and the Nature of Faith**

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### Bible Reading

- **2 Chronicles 24:1-19**
(The story of King Joash, his reforms under Jehoiada, and his turning away after Jehoiada’s death.)

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### Observation Questions

According to 2 Chronicles 24, what specific reforms and actions did King Joash take while Jehoiada was alive?
What happened after Jehoiada died, and how did Joash’s behavior change?
In verse 19, what did God do when the people turned away from Him?
The sermon mentioned that Jehoiada was buried among the kings, even though he was a priest. Why was this significant? [[36:57]]

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### Interpretation Questions

What does Joash’s story reveal about the influence of spiritual mentors in shaping someone’s faith? [[39:29]]
Why do you think Joash’s faith did not endure after Jehoiada’s death? What does this suggest about the difference between personal faith and “borrowed” faith? [[55:17]]
The sermon described God’s response to Joash’s and Judah’s unfaithfulness as “relentless grace.” What does it mean that God sent prophets and warnings even after they turned away? [[01:14:49]]
The pastor said that many people struggle with hidden doubts or spiritual dryness. Why do you think people are afraid to admit these struggles, and what does God invite us to do with our doubts? [[01:22:22]]

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### Application Questions

Who has been a Jehoiada in your life—a spiritual mentor or role model who helped shape your faith? How did their influence impact you? Have you ever relied too much on their faith instead of developing your own? [[39:29]]
The sermon warns about the danger of “borrowed faith.” Are there areas in your spiritual life where you are simply going through the motions or depending on someone else’s convictions? How can you begin to make your faith more personal and real? [[55:17]]
When have you experienced God’s “relentless grace”—times when He sent people, messages, or circumstances to call you back to Himself? How did you respond? [[01:14:49]]
The story of Joash shows how quickly faith can falter when external supports are removed. What practices or habits can help you root your faith more deeply in God, so it endures through changes and challenges? [[01:06:25]]
The pastor encouraged honest self-examination about doubt and spiritual dryness. Is there a doubt or struggle you’ve been hiding? What would it look like to bring it honestly before God or share it with a trusted friend? [[01:22:22]]
God’s invitation is always open, no matter how far we’ve drifted. Is there an area in your life where you need restoration or a fresh start with God? What step can you take this week to move toward Him? [[01:26:43]]
The sermon challenged us to become spiritual mentors for others. Who in your life could benefit from your encouragement or example? What is one practical way you can invest in someone’s faith journey this month? [[39:29]]

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**Closing Prayer Suggestion:**
Invite the group to pray for genuine, enduring faith—faith that is rooted in a personal relationship with God, not just in the influence of others. Pray for courage to be honest about doubts and for God’s restoring grace to be at work in every heart.

Sermon Clips

You see, the revelation of God brings transformation. Was it not the same Paul who was crucifying the believers until that faithful day he encountered the same God that now he preaches about to you. May that same God meet you at the point of need. May that same God who knows the heart that you need to serve Him faithfully, may He reveal Himself to you today and may He show up in every situation you come upon. [01:13:09] (43 seconds)

When an individual in unbelief begins to go a wrong path, their conscience is not silent. God will often send individuals through His providential circumstances to speak into your life. And what tends to happen is that either you're hardening your heart or there's a full repentance. [01:16:01] (27 seconds)

God is a God of providence and grace. He's a God of grace. Hallelujah. God is a God of grace. You see, when we looked at the history from chapter 17 to 9 to our main text, all of the other kings turned their backs toward idol worshiping. God, because of His covenant with David, the Bible says that He will send a prophet. [01:14:06] (36 seconds)

And if you find yourself to be on the wrong side of this question. It doesn't mean you should be cast away. It doesn't mean you should be troubled. At this very moment, God is providing you and I an opportunity to continue to earnestly seek and to ensure that our faith is a living one. [00:33:44] (27 seconds)

You may be sitting here listening to the sound of my voice or you're online joining us for your soul and in your soul doubt is beginning to grow concerning the reality of god who is involved in this creation i pose to you this afternoon we just celebrated easter do you believe in god's redemptive plan. [01:08:21] (34 seconds)

Does god's purposes give you assurance when you're alone in your bed at night and the lights have been switched up and your mind is free to wander wherever it pleases is there that consciousness is there that consciousness that even this i have to give an account to the living god you see too many too many of us have all kinds of doubts and we hide them in our souls because we cannot express so we continue to follow others just getting out to maybe get out of their way or we want them out of our way and we show our true colors the unbelief that was in the soul pours out. [01:10:48] (60 seconds)

Do you really believe in this God, that he is the creator and consequently you owe everything to him? Is he real to you? Do you honestly believe this God as the one who rules the university? vez in all the details of your life. Listen to this , that in all the details of your life ...this god is involved that nothing happens by chance or accident in his sovereign will whatever comes into your life good or bad this god is gone do you believe this. [01:06:59] (46 seconds)

So as you sit here this afternoon, you ought to accept the fact that you are what you are because there were individuals like Jehovah. Perhaps it was a godly mother or a father whose faith you stood on. Maybe it was a brother or sister. Maybe it was a church member. Maybe it was a colleague. It doesn't matter. That person's visible faith challenged your lukewarmness. [00:54:28] (39 seconds)

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