Core 52 | week 28 | Faith
November 2, 2022

Core-52-Banner.png

OPENING DISCUSSION

  1. Have you ever pledged your allegiance to someone or something whether
    spoken or unspoken? Who and what were they and how did it change the way
    you lived?

  2. How have you heard your friends and family define faith? How do you describe
    faith?


For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. —Ephesians 2:8-10


We know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. —Galatians 2:16


He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. —Romans 2:6-8


AS AN ATTEMPT TO EACN GOD’S GRACE, WORKS FAIL. YET WHEN GOOD WORKS ARE “IN CHRIST,” THEY DEMONSTRATE FAITH IN GOD’S FREE GIFT OF SALVATION.

Mark Moore, Core 52


SESSION VIDEO :: FAITH (Mark Moore)


Key Points

  1. Faith (the same Greek word as “belief”) should be read as “fidelity” or “loyalty.”

  2. We’re saved “by grace…through faith…for good works” (Ephesians 2:8–10).

  3. Obedience (or “good works”) is not a means of earning salvation but an inevitable expression of allegiance by those who’ve been saved.



FOR REFLECTION

  1. What are your thoughts on the way Mark Moore described faith as an actionable step rather than something that is only in your head or heart?

  2. Read Hebrews 11:1 and discuss what this could mean.

  3. Read James 2:17–18 and discuss your thoughts on this passage.

  4. What do you notice about the difference in obedience that is motivated from guilt or fear versus love and joy (whether to God, parents, or teachers)?



ACTION STEP

Share with the group an area of your life where you want to shift your loyalty to Jesus from “this is what I have to do?” to “what else can I do?”. Commit to living this out and hold each other accountable. You may want to split the group up into men and women to discuss this and keep accountability.


WEDNESDAY
Read the essay.

THURSDAY
Memorize Mark 1:15.

FRIDAY
Read Genesis 6:9–9:17.

MONDAY
Meditate on Proverbs 3:5–6; Hebrews 11:1; James 2:17–18.

TUESDAY
Watch a patriotic film such as The Patriot, A Few Good Men, or Captain America: The First Avenger, and ask how faith would be defined through that movie.

OVEREACHIEVER CHALLENGE
Memorize James 2:17–18.