Stepping Out in Faith: Embracing God's Call
Summary
Looking back on the early days at Granville Chapel and the founding of Regent College, it’s clear that God often calls us to step out in faith, even when the path ahead is uncertain. The move from Mount Pleasant to Shaughnessy was not just a change of location, but a bold step to reach new communities and to innovate in ministry. Granville Chapel became known for its willingness to take risks, to include women in ministry, and to reach out to Christians beyond its own walls. This spirit of adventure and obedience to God’s leading was foundational in the birth of Regent College, which began with only a handful of students and many doubts about its viability.
The early days of Regent were marked by real challenges—financial shortfalls, tragic loss, and questions about sustainability. Yet, in the midst of these trials, God’s faithfulness was evident. There were moments when the only thing to do was to gather in prayer and trust that God would provide. Sometimes, the answer to those prayers came through the willingness of individuals to give sacrificially, even when it meant letting go of something precious. The conviction that all resources ultimately belong to God, and that He calls us to use them for His purposes, was tested and proved true. God is no one’s debtor; when we give Him our first and best, He is faithful to provide and to prosper us—not for our own gain, but for the advancement of His kingdom.
Throughout these experiences, it became clear that God often works through the dreams and visions of others. Rather than seeking to build personal empires, the call is to come alongside and support the God-given dreams of those around us. This posture of humility and generosity leads to a life of deep satisfaction, as we witness God’s hand at work in ways we could never have orchestrated ourselves. Faithfulness in small things—those daily decisions to trust and obey—lays the foundation for greater opportunities to serve and to see God’s kingdom expand. In the end, it is God who directs, prospers, and fulfills His purposes through those who are willing to listen and respond.
Key Takeaways
- Faith often requires stepping into the unknown, trusting that God’s leading is enough even when resources and outcomes are uncertain. The willingness to move, to innovate, and to reach out beyond comfort zones is a mark of a community that desires to see God’s kingdom expand. [01:56]
- God’s provision is frequently tied to our willingness to respond to His prompting with sacrificial generosity. When we recognize that all we have belongs to Him, we become conduits of His blessing, and He proves Himself faithful in ways that defy our expectations. [05:19]
- The temptation to hold tightly to our resources can be strong, but true stewardship means being open-handed, even when it feels risky. God honors those who trust Him with their first and best, and He is no one’s debtor—He will not let generosity go unrewarded, though the reward may not always be material. [08:37]
- Supporting the dreams and callings of others is a powerful way to participate in God’s work. Rather than seeking to advance our own agendas, we are invited to discern where God is moving in the lives of those around us and to invest in their flourishing, which often leads to greater impact than we could achieve alone. [09:45]
- Faithfulness in small, seemingly insignificant things is the training ground for greater trust and responsibility. God uses these moments to shape our character and prepare us for larger opportunities to serve, reminding us that nothing done in faith is ever wasted. [10:39]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:23] - Early Days at UBC and Mount Pleasant
[01:10] - The Move to Granville Chapel
[01:56] - Taking Risks and Expanding God’s Kingdom
[02:45] - The Birth of Regent College
[03:30] - Early Challenges and Questions
[04:20] - Tragedy and Perseverance
[05:19] - Praying for Provision
[06:10] - Sacrificial Giving and God’s Faithfulness
[07:30] - Lessons in Stewardship
[08:37] - Investing in God’s Work
[09:45] - Supporting Others’ Dreams
[10:39] - Faithfulness in Small Things
[11:10] - Looking Back on God’s Direction
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
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### Bible Reading
- Luke 16:10 — “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”
- 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 — “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
- Proverbs 3:9-10 — “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”
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### Observation Questions
1. What were some of the risks and new things Granville Chapel was known for in its early days? [01:56]
2. According to the sermon, what happened when Regent College faced financial crisis in its first year? [05:19]
3. What attitude did the speaker have toward giving away resources, and what was the outcome? [08:37]
4. How did the speaker describe his involvement in supporting the dreams of others rather than promoting his own projects? [09:45]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus say that faithfulness in small things is important before being trusted with bigger things? (Luke 16:10; [10:39])
2. How does the idea that “God is no one’s debtor” challenge or encourage the way people think about giving and generosity? [08:37]
3. What does it look like in practice to support the God-given dreams of others instead of focusing on building your own “empire”? [09:45]
4. In what ways does sacrificial giving test and grow a person’s trust in God’s provision? (2 Corinthians 9:6-8; [05:19])
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### Application Questions
1. Is there an area in your life right now where you sense God might be asking you to step out in faith, even though the outcome is uncertain? What would it look like to take that step? [01:56]
2. When was the last time you gave sacrificially—meaning it cost you something significant? How did you see God provide, or what did you learn from that experience? [05:19]
3. Are there resources (time, money, skills) you tend to hold onto tightly? What would it look like to offer your “first and best” to God in that area? [08:37]
4. Can you think of someone around you who has a God-given dream or calling? How might you come alongside them to encourage or support what God is doing in their life? [09:45]
5. Looking back, are there “small things” God has asked you to be faithful in that prepared you for bigger opportunities? How can you be more attentive to those small acts of obedience this week? [10:39]
6. The speaker mentioned that sometimes the answer to prayer comes through our own willingness to act. Is there a prayer you’ve been praying where God might be nudging you to be part of the answer? [05:19]
7. How can our small group encourage each other to take risks for God’s kingdom, even when it feels uncomfortable or uncertain? [01:56]
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Devotional
Day 1: Faithfulness in Small Things Leads to Greater Trust
Being faithful in the small, everyday tasks of life is the foundation for spiritual growth and deeper trust in God. When a person proves trustworthy with little, God often entrusts them with more significant responsibilities and opportunities to serve. This principle encourages believers not to overlook the importance of seemingly minor acts of obedience, generosity, or service, as these are the stepping stones to greater impact in God’s kingdom. [10:39]
Luke 16:10 (ESV)
“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.”
Reflection: What is one small area of your life where you can choose to be faithful to God today, even if it seems insignificant?
Day 2: God Prospers Those Who Surrender Their Resources
When individuals recognize that all they have belongs to God and are willing to surrender their resources for His purposes, God is able to provide and prosper them in unexpected ways. This surrender is not about giving out of obligation, but out of trust that God is no one’s debtor and delights in blessing those who give Him their first and best. [08:37]
Proverbs 3:9-10 (ESV)
“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.”
Reflection: Is there something you are holding back from God—time, talent, or treasure—that He may be asking you to surrender for His kingdom?
Day 3: Answering Prayers Through Action
God often invites His people to be the answer to their own prayers and the prayers of others, prompting them to act in faith and generosity when needs arise. Rather than waiting passively for God to intervene, believers are called to listen for His prompting and respond with practical help, trusting that God works through their obedience. [05:19]
James 2:15-17 (ESV)
“If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
Reflection: Who in your life has a need that you could help meet today, becoming part of God’s answer to prayer?
Day 4: Investing in Others’ Dreams for God’s Kingdom
A life of significance is often marked by supporting and investing in the dreams and callings of others, rather than seeking to promote one’s own agenda. By coming alongside others and helping them fulfill God-given visions, believers participate in the expansion of God’s kingdom and experience the joy of seeing God’s purposes unfold in community. [10:39]
Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV)
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Reflection: Whose God-given dream or calling can you encourage or support this week, even in a small way?
Day 5: Trusting God Amid Uncertainty and Risk
Stepping out in faith often involves risk and uncertainty, but God’s faithfulness is revealed as His people trust Him with their future and resources. Even when circumstances seem daunting or resources are scarce, God honors those who move forward in obedience, providing what is needed at just the right time. [01:56]
Hebrews 11:8 (ESV)
“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.”
Reflection: What step of faith is God inviting you to take today, even if you don’t know how everything will work out?
Quotes
There's a scripture verse that says if you trust God in the small things he'll test you in bigger things and so I think it's important that we be faithful in little things that we don't think are important, but they are the basis for our ongoing growth and trust in God for bigger things. [00:11:36] (46 seconds)
So it's been a wonderful, satisfying life as we look back and realize it was God was directing us. And we could see his hand and prospering us not for our own wealth but for extending God's kingdom. [00:11:01] (36 seconds)
We could see his hand and prospering us not for our own wealth but for extending God's kingdom. [00:11:19] (18 seconds)
I think it's important that we be faithful in little things that we don't think are important, but they are the basis for our ongoing growth and trust in God for bigger things. [00:11:57] (25 seconds)
And I remember from years earlier, when I was in Toronto, that the minister always closed his service by praying, Lord, help us to answer our own and other people's prayers. And this was an occasion that I heard Rita praying, and I knew I had some resources I could sell, and give to Regent College. [00:05:59] (47 seconds)
So I sort of felt I heard the Lord say, I prospered you, and now I want some of it back. Well, we had a property that we could sell. And I know another Christian friend was dead against letting go of your capital, only giving the income but I felt that all our money was the Lord's and on this occasion God wanted me to sell the property and give the whole works to meet the current need of the day. [00:06:46] (63 seconds)
And the person who suggested that we only sell the income and keep the property. He went bankrupt shortly after and lost his property. It was quite touching to me, and the properties that we had left, they prospered and went up in value so much that I'm amazed and still believe what my father did. [00:07:49] (48 seconds)
And I remember using some of the funds to help organizations begin their work. And with Mark, he was needing funds to start out. And so we were able to help them and so many different groups that were needing a boost to get going. [00:09:29] (45 seconds)
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