Growing Through Faith: Embracing Challenges and Service
Summary
### Summary
The desire to grow—spiritually, emotionally, and relationally—is a common thread among us. Growth requires resistance and intentionality, much like physical exercise. This growth is nurtured through private disciplines and providential relationships. David's story exemplifies this, as his private disciplines and dependence on God prepared him to face Goliath and grow into his role as king.
Our personal growth is intertwined with the healing of the world. Jesus teaches us that we are here to be salt and light, bringing out the God flavors and colors in the world. This means our jobs and daily interactions are not just tasks but personal ministries. The story of the cheerful bus driver who turned his job into a ministry illustrates this beautifully.
When we grow our faith through private disciplines and providential relationships, and then plug into the world's needs, we experience God's power. This is akin to electricity: it only flows when connected to a need. Our holy discontent—those things that deeply trouble us—often reveals our personal ministry. Historical figures like Mother Teresa and William Wilberforce acted on their holy discontent, leading to significant global impact.
Jesus' feeding of the 5,000 teaches us to bring what little we have to God, trusting Him to multiply it. The disciples felt inadequate with just five loaves and two fish, but Jesus used their small offering to perform a miracle. This story encourages us to do what we can and trust God to do what only He can do.
Our faith grows when we step out in obedience, even when we feel inadequate. This tension and discomfort are signs that God is stretching our faith muscles. As we respond to God's call to be salt and light, we will see His power at work in and through us, making the world a better place.
### Key Takeaways
1. Growth Requires Resistance and Intentionality: Just as muscles need resistance to grow, our spiritual and emotional growth requires intentional effort and discipline. This growth is nurtured through private disciplines and the encouragement of providential relationships. David's story shows how private disciplines and dependence on God prepare us for greater challenges. [03:45]
2. Intertwining Personal Growth and World Healing: Our personal growth and the healing of the world are deeply connected. Jesus calls us to be salt and light, transforming our daily tasks into personal ministries. This means our growth directly impacts the world around us, bringing out the God flavors and colors in every situation. [08:57]
3. Holy Discontent as a Catalyst for Ministry: The things that deeply trouble us, our holy discontent, often reveal our personal ministry. Historical figures like Mother Teresa and William Wilberforce acted on their holy discontent, leading to significant global impact. This discontent is God's way of nudging us towards our purpose. [13:09]
4. Trusting God with Our Inadequacies: The story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 teaches us to bring our inadequacies to God, trusting Him to multiply our efforts. The disciples felt inadequate with just five loaves and two fish, but Jesus used their small offering to perform a miracle. This encourages us to do what we can and trust God to do what only He can do. [20:01]
5. Faith Grows Through Obedience and Discomfort: Our faith grows when we step out in obedience, even when we feel inadequate. The tension and discomfort we feel are signs that God is stretching our faith muscles. As we respond to God's call to be salt and light, we will see His power at work in and through us, making the world a better place. [23:47]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[03:45] - Growth Requires Resistance
[04:43] - Private Disciplines and Dependence on God
[05:41] - David's Story of Growth
[06:42] - Desire for a Better World
[07:32] - Intersection of Growth and World Healing
[08:14] - Knowing Your Why
[08:57] - Being Salt and Light
[09:49] - Personal Ministry Examples
[11:10] - Plugging into the World's Needs
[12:10] - God's Power Through Us
[13:09] - Holy Discontent
[14:08] - Historical Examples of Holy Discontent
[17:11] - Feeding the 5,000
[20:01] - Trusting God with Our Inadequacies
[23:47] - Faith Grows Through Obedience
[25:25] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 5:13-16 (NIV)
> "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
2. 1 Samuel 17:34-37 (NIV)
> "But David said to Saul, 'Your servant has been keeping his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.'"
3. John 6:5-13 (NIV)
> "When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, 'Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?' He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. Philip answered him, 'It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!' Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 'Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?' Jesus said, 'Have the people sit down.' There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, 'Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.' So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus mean when He says we are the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world"? (Matthew 5:13-16)
2. How did David's past experiences with the lion and the bear prepare him to face Goliath? (1 Samuel 17:34-37)
3. In the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000, what was the initial reaction of the disciples to the crowd's need for food? (John 6:5-7) [17:11]
4. How did Jesus respond to the disciples' concern about feeding the crowd, and what was the outcome? (John 6:10-13) [20:01]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How can the metaphor of being "salt and light" influence our daily interactions and responsibilities? (Matthew 5:13-16) [08:57]
2. What does David's confidence in God's past deliverance teach us about facing our own challenges? (1 Samuel 17:37) [05:41]
3. How does the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 illustrate the concept of bringing our inadequacies to God? (John 6:11-13) [20:01]
4. What role does "holy discontent" play in identifying our personal ministry, according to the sermon? [13:09]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt inadequate to meet a need. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? How can you apply the lesson from Jesus feeding the 5,000 to similar situations in the future? [20:01]
2. Identify an area in your life where you can be "salt and light." What specific actions can you take this week to bring out the God flavors and colors in that area? [08:57]
3. Think about a "holy discontent" you have experienced. How can you take a step towards addressing this issue in your community or workplace? [13:09]
4. David's private disciplines prepared him for public challenges. What private disciplines can you incorporate into your life to strengthen your faith and dependence on God? [04:43]
5. How can you cultivate providential relationships that encourage your spiritual growth? Identify one person you can reach out to this week for mutual encouragement. [04:43]
6. Reflect on the story of the cheerful bus driver. How can you turn your daily tasks into personal ministries that reflect God's love and light? [09:49]
7. When you feel the tension and discomfort of stepping out in faith, how can you remind yourself that this is God stretching your faith muscles? What practical steps can you take to embrace this discomfort? [23:47]
This guide is designed to help your small group delve deeper into the themes of growth, faith, and personal ministry, encouraging both personal reflection and actionable steps.
Devotional
Day 1: Growth Through Resistance and Intentionality
Growth requires resistance and intentionality, much like physical exercise. Just as muscles need resistance to grow, our spiritual and emotional growth requires intentional effort and discipline. This growth is nurtured through private disciplines and the encouragement of providential relationships. David's story exemplifies this, as his private disciplines and dependence on God prepared him to face Goliath and grow into his role as king. By committing to daily spiritual practices and seeking out relationships that challenge and encourage us, we can prepare ourselves for the greater challenges that lie ahead. [03:45]
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable." (1 Corinthians 9:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: What specific spiritual discipline can you commit to this week to help you grow in your faith? How can you seek out relationships that will challenge and encourage you in your spiritual journey?
Day 2: Intertwining Personal Growth and World Healing
Our personal growth and the healing of the world are deeply connected. Jesus calls us to be salt and light, transforming our daily tasks into personal ministries. This means our growth directly impacts the world around us, bringing out the God flavors and colors in every situation. When we view our jobs and daily interactions as opportunities to minister to others, we can make a significant impact on the world. The story of the cheerful bus driver who turned his job into a ministry illustrates this beautifully. By being intentional about how we interact with others, we can bring healing and hope to those around us. [08:57]
"You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden." (Matthew 5:13-14, ESV)
Reflection: How can you transform your daily tasks and interactions into opportunities for ministry? What specific actions can you take to bring out the God flavors and colors in your workplace or community?
Day 3: Holy Discontent as a Catalyst for Ministry
The things that deeply trouble us, our holy discontent, often reveal our personal ministry. Historical figures like Mother Teresa and William Wilberforce acted on their holy discontent, leading to significant global impact. This discontent is God's way of nudging us towards our purpose. When we pay attention to the things that deeply trouble us, we can discover the areas where God is calling us to make a difference. By acting on our holy discontent, we can become agents of change and bring healing to the world. [13:09]
"And the Lord said, 'I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey.'" (Exodus 3:7-8, ESV)
Reflection: What is your holy discontent? What specific steps can you take to address this issue and make a difference in your community or the world?
Day 4: Trusting God with Our Inadequacies
The story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 teaches us to bring our inadequacies to God, trusting Him to multiply our efforts. The disciples felt inadequate with just five loaves and two fish, but Jesus used their small offering to perform a miracle. This encourages us to do what we can and trust God to do what only He can do. When we feel inadequate or overwhelmed by the challenges we face, we can trust that God will use our small efforts to accomplish great things. By bringing our inadequacies to God, we can experience His power and provision in our lives. [20:01]
"And Elisha said, 'What shall I do for you? Tell me; what have you in the house?' And she said, 'Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.' Then he said, 'Go outside, borrow vessels from all your neighbors, empty vessels and not too few. Then go in and shut the door behind yourself and your sons and pour into all these vessels. And when one is full, set it aside.'" (2 Kings 4:2-4, ESV)
Reflection: What areas of your life do you feel inadequate in? How can you bring these inadequacies to God and trust Him to multiply your efforts?
Day 5: Faith Grows Through Obedience and Discomfort
Our faith grows when we step out in obedience, even when we feel inadequate. The tension and discomfort we feel are signs that God is stretching our faith muscles. As we respond to God's call to be salt and light, we will see His power at work in and through us, making the world a better place. By embracing the discomfort and stepping out in faith, we can experience God's power and grow in our relationship with Him. This process of growth and transformation is essential for our spiritual development and for making a positive impact on the world. [23:47]
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4, ESV)
Reflection: What steps of obedience is God calling you to take, even if they make you feel uncomfortable? How can you embrace the discomfort and trust that God is using it to grow your faith?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "You are here to be salt, salt seasoning that brings out the God flavors of this earth, Matthew writes in the book of Matthew. If you lose your saltiness, Jesus says, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. It's pretty sobering. Here's another way, says Jesus, to put it. You are here to be light, bringing out the God colors in the world. God's not a secret to be kept." [08:57] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When you walk into a room, you preserve, like salt, you purify, and you bring out the flavors, the God flavors. When you walk into a room, you bring light, God's light. This is why you are here, says Jesus to his friends. And if you've ascribed to faith in Jesus, he's saying this is why you're here." [09:49] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You just do what you know how to do. And then you trust your heavenly father to do what only he can do. You simply do what only you can do. And you trust God to do what he can do. Because the tension you feel, and the fear you feel, and the oh my word what's going to happen that you feel, and I'm not prepared that you feel, and all that stuff. All that is. That is your faith or your confidence in God muscle being stretched." [22:54] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You will find someone saying, God, I can't, but you can. And I'm going to do what I know to do and trust you to do what only you can do. He has my loaves. He has my fish. Would you break it, give it back to me, and then do what only you can do? That is the story of every major move of God in the world since the beginning of time. And this is the way God works." [24:33] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "May you experience a holy discontent, because God has something astounding to do through you. It is your personal ministry. And it's the way that God grows our faith. God bless you. Let us see and share the stories of what God's doing in us as he invites us to be salt and light. Amen." [26:32] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "We grow through private discipline, which leads to an awareness of our personal dependence on God. That's how our faith grows. And we grow through providential relationships, which Pippa talked about last week. The people God puts around us, the very resourceful people, the very important people who in God's hands form us and they shape us. You see, friendship forms." [04:43] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When we grow our faith through private discipline and with the help of providential relationships, God-inspired relationships around us, and then with this trust, we plug into a need in the world, call it personal ministry, we experience, and this is an incredibly exciting thing, we experience the power of God. God doing what only God can do. Through us and in us." [11:10] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When you feel that internal nudging, when you feel that thing in you that's saying, I want to serve. I see a need. I want to sign up. I want to fill that thing out. I want to go on that trip. I want to call. On those ladies, I want to respond to the nudge within me, the holy discontent within me. I want to go in and talk to you. I want to go and talk to my boss. I want to organize. I want to do these things." [22:08] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The tension isn't just about fear and tension. It's not just around your own insecurity. It's bigger than that. Your faith and the future and the size and the strength of your faith are at stake. God's working on your faith. You want to grow? So does God want you to grow. And he cares about your faith. And that's why. Our responsibility is to say, okay, I'll do what I can do. And I'm going to trust you, God, to do what only you can do. And then God's power flows through us." [23:47] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I pray that you will experience a holy discontent. I pray that you'll have some discomfort as you live and work in your world. I pray that you will recognize God's invitation in that discomfort. And then I pray that you will exercise your faith muscle and do what you can do and trust that you will be. And I pray that you will be amazed at what God does, because God is busy stretching your muscles, growing your faith through his personal call on your life and his invitation to say you are the salt of the earth, bringing out the God flavors. You are the light of the world, bringing out the God colors." [26:32] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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