Five Things God Uses to Grow Your Faith (2) – Practical Teaching (Matthew 7:24-29)

Welcome to CROLCC, we are so glad you are here worshiping with us. We started this new series last week and we are talking about five things God uses to grow your faith. Do you still remember them?
Here they are again.

Practical Teaching
Providential Relationships
Private Disciplines
Personal Ministry
Pivotal Circumstances

Today we are going to talk about the first one – Practical Teaching. It’s one thing to know a lot about weightlifting and another thing to actually lift weights. It’s one thing to know a lot about nutrition and another thing to eat healthy. Similarly, it’s one thing to know a lot about the Bible and another thing to actually live out what it teaches. That’s why the Christian life isn’t just about knowledge. It’s when our acts of faith intersect with God’s faithfulness that our faith grows. From Jesus’ parable of the wise and foolish builders, we discover that hearing and learning are not enough. The value is in the application, because, in the end, it’s obedience that makes all the difference.

Moving Forward

We can be the most knowledgeable believers, but if our knowledge doesn’t move us toward application, then our faith will wither. The Bible challenges us to respond to God’s truth in many different ways: love your enemies, show forgiveness, and practice generosity. What have been the most difficult truths from the Bible for you to apply?

This week, identify two areas of your life where a bit more application would make a noticeable difference. And then apply.

Discussion Questions

1. Did the church or churches you attended before emphasized application? If not, what was emphasized in your church experience? Doctrine? Sacraments? Attendance?

2. Read Matthew 7:24-29. This parable follows the Sermon on the Mount. Why do you think Jesus concluded his sermon with this parable?

3. Have you ever applied a specific teaching of Scripture that, looking back, prepared you for an unexpected storm?

4. Can you think of a difficult time you have faced that could have been avoided if you had applied the principles of Scripture?

5. Can you identify a couple of areas in your life where you would think a bit more application would make a difference? How could this group help you to apply?