Boldness

David

A Bold Man

Quick Overview

One day David delivered food to his brothers who were in war with the Philistines. David heard a Philistine yelling and making fun of them, David turned to his brothers and asked “Who is that man?” David’s brothers told him about Goliath, the mighty warrior, and how no one could defeat him because everyone was scared. But David had faith in God and made a bold move, he went to face Goliath without armor or protection, all David had was a few stones and a slingshot, he trusted in God and slung the first stone at Goliath, hitting him on the head sending Goliath to the ground, dead. Because of David’s bold move they won the battle.

Boldness is our willingness to venture out and do what is right, at the right time, despite of any fears or obstacles we might face. When you are bold you are able to speak the truth and do what God has called you to do without fear of the consequences or results, because you know it is the right and Biblical thing to do. Boldness is also realizing that God is in control. He is always there within us and beside us, and he will take care of us. Knowing this we do not need to fear what others can do, instead we are to focus on our character and call, and do everything with passion and conviction. Boldness comes from the confidence we have in Christ, who he is and what he can do. This confidence will directly affect how we respond to any given situation. When we have confidence in our God we are able to venture beyond our ‘limits’, capabilities, and comfort zones to connect with the simple things of life, from talking to a stranger in a kind and encouraging way, sharing the Gospel with a friend, to big things such as, going overseas to a foreign place to serve as a missionary.

Read the following verses then answer the questions below’

2 Corinthians 7:16, Proverbs 28:1, Acts 4:31, 2 Corinthians 3:12

Question One. How does the Bible define boldness?

Question Two. How can I be bold in my day to day life?

Question Three. What can I do to become a bolder follower of Christ?

Question Four. What might get in the way of me being a bold person of faith?

Question Five. How can I continue being bold when I feel weak and shy?

Question Six. How will being a bolder person affect my walk with Christ?

After answering the questions above, do you have a better understanding of what faith means and why it is so important?

Now let’s take some time to do a personal evaluation.

· When was the last time you stood alone for what was right even though you knew it might cost you something?

· When you hear of someone being falsely accused, do you remain quiet or do you clarify what you know is right even when it isn’t the popular thing to do.

· What did you do the last time God spoke to you and asked you to witness to a friend or stranger?

Let this be your prayer,

Lord, I pray that you will help me become a bold follower of you and your Word. I pray that you give me the words to say when I am sharing the Gospel. And I pray this all in Jesus name AMEN

Faith

ABRAHAM

A Man Of Faith

Quick Overview

In the Bible God came to Abraham and told him to take his only son and offer him as a burnt offering. I’m sure this sounded absurd to Abraham but he had faith in God. So he took his son up to the mountain and built an altar. He tied his son and laid him on the altar, right as he lifted the knif

e he heard a voice calling him, it was God, he told him not to harm his son. Just as God said this a ram appeared on the mountain, God had sent an offering, He was simply testing Abraham’s faith.

Faith is trusting God, it is living in a relationship with God that is motivated and continual growing by a person realizing that God does keep his promises, and that his Word is true. The Bible says in Deuteronomy 7:9 this ‘Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.’ The character of faith is trusting the goodness of God. Faith is believing that God sent his only Son to die for YOU and accepting his grace through his son Jesus Christ. Faith is just one of the many gifts God gives to those who believe. Faith is not just about believing that God sent Jesus to die for our sins (though that is important) but it is believing that God will get you thr

ough any of the trials you may be facing, and that he will never give us more than we can handle, the Bible is clear about this, it says in 1 Corinthians 10:13 ‘No temptation has over taken you except is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.’ Just like with Abraham, not that he was tempted to kill his son, but God told him to. Can you imagine what Abraham must have been thinking when God told him to do this, surely he was wondering ‘why would God ask me to do something like this? He just gave me a son, why would he ask me to kill him’ I’m sure his mind also floated back to God’s promise to him and his wife Sara, God had told him that he would give him many children. God had made a promise and Abraham knew God would keep his promise. And sure enough right before Abraham was about to kill his son God sent a way out, a ram to offer as a sacrifice. God will always provide a way out to those who have faith in him.

Read the

following verses then answer the questions below;

Hebrews 11:1, 1 Peter 5:7, Isaiah 40:31

Question One. How does the Bible define faith?

Question Two. How do I show faith in my day to day life?

Question Three. What can I do to strengthen my faith?

Question Four. What can get in the way of me being faithful?

Question Five. How can I keep my faith strong even when I feel alone?

Question Six. How will faith affect my walk with Christ?

After answering th

e questions above, do you have a better understanding of what faith means and why it is so important?

HOW TO RESIST SUFFERING BY STAND FIRM IN FAITH

The Bible tells us in Ephesians 6:16 ‘In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extingu

ish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.’ When you are being tempted and tested you are su

pposed to put up a shield of faith, so that the devils shots (si

ckness, poverty and problems) won’t pierce you, or stick with you. God wants you to get rid of your trials, and make your faith stronger. But if you think that troubles and trials will automatically make you stronger, then you are sadly mistaken. Trials come along to test your faith. This means that the trials you face are a battle. And if your faith is not fighting back, you will not win. And obviously if you are not winning your faith is not growing, God wants the trials we face to strengthen our faith and help us to resist the devil that sent the trials. Facing trials can be compared to lifting weights. Imagine lifting a weight, if you are bent over hands on the weight are you becoming stronger? Of course not! You only become stronger when you lift the weight. Your faith is just the same, just because you are facing a trial doesn’t mean you are automatically becoming strong you have to endure and lift the trial up to God. Though it does not feel like it trials can actually be helpful.

Next time you are facing a trial say a prayer.

Dear God, I know that you Word says that you will not give us more than we can bear, but I feel like I’m never going to see the end of this. So God please help me to fight back with my faith, and to keep trusting in you. Thank you for sending your son for me, and my sins. Thank you that your son also faced many of the same trials I do, and for being an example.

In Jesus name

AMEN

Obedience

MOSES

A Man Of Obedience

Quick Overview

In the Bible Moses was a great man of obedience. As he was walking he noticed a burning bush, which called him by his name, God spoke to Moses through the burning bush, and told him to go to Pharaoh and tell him to let God’s people go. Moses was obedient to what God had asked him to do, and after some time Pharaoh finally let the Israelites go. Had Moses not been obedient the Israelites would have been kept as slaves.

Obedience is simply pure loyalty to our God. When we are obedient we can better focus on God, and what He has done for us, and in our life. Obedience is also our willingness to cooperate with God. Obedience is a big deal to God, therefore it should be a big deal to us, the Bible says in Deuteronomy 5:33 ‘Walk in obedience to all that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.’ The character of obedience encourages and motivates us to keep seeking our Lord and clinging to Him regardless of life’s circumstances. Obedience is not only for God but for others that are in authority over us, such as parents, the Bible mentions this quite often first in Deuteronomy 5:16 were it says ‘Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you.’ The Bible mentions this again in Ephesians 6:1-3 ‘Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and your mother” – which is the first commandment with a promise – “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” So clearly we must be obedient. The Bible says that when we are obedient we will live long; Moses is a great example of this because he was obedient, and the Bible tells us in Deuteronomy 34:7 ‘Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when we died...’ And if you are not impressed by that take a look at Noah, God told Noah to build an ark, and without questioning he did, God rewarded Noah with a long life on the earth, ‘Noah lived to a total of nine hundred fifty years, and then he died’ Genesis 9:29. These two men are examples of God’s promise about obedience.

Read the following verses then answer the questions below;

1 Samuel 15:22, Deuteronomy 11:1, Deuteronomy 11:8-9, John 14:1, John 14:21.

Question One. How does the Bible define obedience?

Question Two. How do I show obedience in my daily life?

Question Three. What can I do to develop a better willingness to be instructed by God and godly people?

Question Four. What gets in the way of me being obedient?

Question Five. How can I become better at staying obedient even in times of uncertainty?

Question Six. How will being obedient affect my walk with Christ?

After answering the questions above, do you have a better understanding of what obedience means and why it is so important?

SIX SIMPLE WAYS TO TEST YOUR OBEDIENCE

First Test: Do you ask why, or for an explanation when your request is turned down?

Obedience is accepting ‘No’ as a final answer, no ‘if’ ‘ands’ ‘buts’ or questions about it.

When you make a request and are told ‘no’, it is considered being disobedient if you ask any further questions. Simply thank the person you asked for taking the time to listen you your request, you never know they might just change their mind, if they see you acting in obedience and with respect.

Second Test: Do you immediately stop what you are doing when given instructions?

Obedience is acting right away, without a delay, and without arguing or reasoning.

When you delay in your obedience you are being disobedient. When you are asked to do something you stop everything you are doing and do what you have been instructed to do, there may be times when you are in the middle of a project that will be damaged if not finished right then, if this is the case kindly ask if you may finish what you are doing, and let them decided what is more important, if they decide to let you continue working, be sure to thank them, and do what they have asked without being reminded.

Third Test: Do you smile and have a pleasant attitude when you are told to do something?

Obedience is cheerfully responding to request, without frowning, or rolling your eyes. When you have a pleasant attitude you are showing respect, and that you are happy to carry out the wishes of your authority.

Fourth Test: Do you ever give excuses for why you cannot do what is being asked of you?

Obedience is believing in yourself, no negative thinking! When you are told to do something it is normal to think of the obstacles that may be in your way, but the key to obedience is not voicing them out loud.

Fifth Test: Do you ever have to re-do a job because you did it the wrong way?

Obedience is following the instructions given to you just as they were given. And doing them right the first time, by not taking the easy way out.

Sixth Test: Do you ever ask another instructor or parent after the other has said no?

Obedience is not holding one authority against another, this means no scheming, and no repeated request.

Let this be your prayer:

Dear God, thank you for sending your son to die for me and my sins, and I thank you that he was obedient to what you asked him to do, I ask that you will help me be more obedient like your son Jesus Christ, help me to do everything with a cheerful heart like you have commanded. In Jesus’ name AMEN