BCIC Faith Sample

Faith

Visualizing what God intends to do in a given situation and acting in harmony with it

HEBREWS 11:1

ABRAHAM TRUSTS GOD TO KEEP HIS PROMISES

“And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.”

GENESIS 22:2

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

BIBLICAL CHARACTER ILLUSTRATED CURRICULUM Illustrated in Scripture, Illustrated in Life

GIFT: Exhorter

SPIRITUAL

Biblical Character Illustrated Curriculum

Illustrated in Scripture

“The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7b). Biblical character is illustrated in this curriculum through both artwork and lessons from the lives of people in God’s Word. We most often benefit from the positive examples of faithful men and women. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4). There were also people in the Bible who are representations of poor character, and we can learn from their lives as well. “Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted” (I Corinthians 10:6). We would be wise to learn from the testimonies God has given us in Scripture.

Illustrated in Life

“Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Hearing the Word of God causes us to grow in faith. This curriculum offers many practical applications of God’s Word to everyday life. “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22). As God enables us to act in faith, our lives as believers will illustrate His character to others.

The character of God is illustrated in Scripture. May it also be illustrated in

our lives.

Character Quality Overview

What Is Faith?

Read aloud and discuss what faith means and how it applies to life.

The operational definition of faith is “visualizing what God intends to do in a given situation and acting in harmony with it.” Often, the word faith is used to describe “religion” or “a person’s beliefs.” However, Biblical faith is seeing Who God is, discerning (visualizing) His will, and confidently obeying Him. Faith in God gives us access to His grace. (See Romans 5:2.) Faith is developed by learning to hear God’s voice through His Word. The Holy Spirit reveals Who God is and convicts of sin. He also directs in accordance with His Word and confirms with peace. A Christian’s hope is complete confidence that God will fulfill His promises, even while expectantly waiting for them to happen. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Those who exercise faith in God can overcome doubt and experience God’s supernatural peace and joy, even in stressful situations.

The opposite of faith is “unbelief.” When a person questions God, he is not trusting that God is Who He says He is. Doubting God is denying His faithfulness, which leads to relying on oneself or something other than Christ. Being independent reveals pride, which is the presumption that we know what is best for ourselves and others. This stubborn distrust is unbelief, which

often is expressed in complaints, fears, and rebellion. We demonstrate unbelief when we think: “I’m not sure God’s promises apply to my situation” or “I tried trusting God, but it didn’t work.” We may even conclude that “I need to be in control.” Acting on these lies will lead to disaster. Scripture warns: “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12).

Imagine an earthly father who is kind, dependable, and hardworking. Wouldn’t his children have the confident expectation and assurance that whatever their dad promised, he would do? Of course they would! Because of their father’s love and integrity, the children would trustingly believe his word and be at rest. How much more should we trust our perfect, Heavenly Father, Who always keeps His Word? We can trust God because He loved us and died to redeem us from sin. If we doubt God’s love and goodness, we miss the joy of seeing His faithfulness and participating in His work. Our unbelief also prevents us from pleasing God: “But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).

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Just as a sleeping baby’s full weight rests on his parent, we demonstrate faith by fully resting in the Lord, trusting that He will meet all our needs. Unbelief is seen in the theory of evolution, because it denies both the truths of the Bible and the evidence of a Creator clearly manifested in nature.

Faith in Scripture

As you read and study God’s Word, you will see Who He is! Be willing to be changed by Him so Christ can be seen through your life and others will glorify God.

FAITH KEY VERSE

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

HEBREWS 11:1

The Character of God

We see faithfulness and faith manifested through the Trinity in the following ways.

• God, unlike man, is always worthy of our faith.

(See Psalm 18:2, 118:8.)

• God’s faithfulness gives us reason to trust Him.

(See Hebrews 10:23, I John 1:9.)

• God is faithful to sanctify believers and to continue His work in them.

(See Philippians 1:6, I Thessalonians 5:24.)

• Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our faith.

(See Hebrews 12:2.)

• Jesus steadfastly obeyed the will of God despite great suffering, because He had faith in His Father.

(See Luke 22:42, I Peter 2:23.)

• The Holy Spirit convinces the heart of truth and gives faith to say that “Jesus is Lord.”

(See I Corinthians 12:3.)

• The Holy Spirit produces faith in a believer’s life.

(See I Corinthians 12:8–9, Galatians 5:22–23.)

Faith in My Life

Now let’s examine some ways God wants us to live out faith daily.

• Why is faith important?

(See Romans 14:23, Ephesians 2:8.)

• How can I receive faith?

(See Romans 10:17.)

• What enables me to please God and live the Christian life?

(See Hebrews 11:6, Galatians 2:20.)

• How is my faith evident or demonstrated?

(See James 2:17–18.)

• Who are the enemies of my faith?

(See I Peter 5:8–9, Jude 1:3–4.)

• What does God provide to protect me from the enemy?

(See II Corinthians 10:3–5, Ephesians 6:16, 18.)

• Why can I be confident that God’s Word will come to pass?

(See Psalm 119:160, II Corinthians 1:20.)

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God’s Word is a treasure chest of promises just waiting to be opened and received! For example, God declares that He is gracious, merciful, and slow to anger. He is near to those who sincerely call on Him. God also forms and fulfills the desires of those who fear Him. He preserves the eternal souls who love Him. All these specific promises are found in a single psalm—Psalm 145! Plus, there are thousands more promises in the Bible! You can receive God’s promises by trusting and acting on His Word. “There failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass” (Joshua 21:45). Be encouraged to know that this powerful God of the Bible is alive and true to His Word today!

His Promises

Visualizing what God intends to do in a given situation and acting in harmony with it

6 FAITH

INTRODUCTION GOD

ENABLES ME TO Receive

Abraham Trusts God to Keep His Promises

BIBLE STORY

Abraham Trusts God to Keep His Promises

Abraham is called the “Father of Faith.” After he had walked with God for many years, one day God gave him a very difficult assignment. Because Abraham trusted God, he obeyed. Early the next morning, Abraham took his beloved son Isaac, two young men-servants, and a donkey, and they began a three-day journey to the place where God told him to offer a special sacrifice. The purpose of sacrifices was to maintain an open relationship between sinful man and holy God. With this particular sacrifice, God was testing Abraham to see whom he loved most: his son Isaac or God. God was also leading Abraham to the area where

God would one day sacrifice His Own Son. As the small group approached their destination, Abraham told the servants, “Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.”

Isaac surveyed the supplies: the wood, the fire, and his father’s knife for slaughtering the sacrificial animal. He noticed that something was missing. “My father: Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Isaac asked. What would Abraham answer? What promise did Abraham fully expect God to fulfill?

Let’s read the Bible story in Genesis 22:8–19 and then discuss the following questions.

1. Isaac was the promised son through whom the promised Savior would come. What did God ask Abraham to do? (See Genesis 22:2.) What did Abraham believe God would do if he obediently offered up Isaac? (See Hebrews 11:17–19.)

What are some promises God has given to you in His Word?

2. Who called to Abraham as he prepared to obey God? (See Genesis 22:11.)

How quickly do you respond when you hear God’s Word? If you waver in unbelief, what might you pray? (See Mark 9:24, James 1:5–6.)

3. What did God say to Abraham when he willingly gave up what was most dear to him?

(See Genesis 22:12.)

If God asked you to give up a precious possession, would you obey? As you obey, what can you be assured of? (See Romans 8:28, Mark 7:37.) What is more important than your prized possessions?

(See Philippians 3:7–9.)

4. Jehovah-jireh means “the Lord will provide.”

What did God provide as the offering?

(See Genesis 22:13–14.) Whom did God later provide as the sacrificial Lamb for sin?

(See John 1:29, Romans 8:32.)

What is God’s promise to you if you receive His Son, the Lamb of God? (See John 1:12, 3:16.) What must you do in order to receive God’s promise of salvation? (See Romans 10:9–10.)

5. After the sacrifice, for what did the Lord commend Abraham? (See Genesis 22:16, Hebrews 11:17–19.) Because Abraham obeyed in faith, what promises did he receive?

(See Genesis 22:17–18.)

What are the powerful results of receiving God’s promises? (See II Peter 1:3–4.)

6. What did God say of Abraham’s faith?

(See Romans 4:3, 20–22.)

For what specific promises will you thank and glorify God?

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LESSON 1 Receive His Promises

Revealing the character of Christ through the stories in His Word.

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Biblical Character Illustrated Curriculum

Discover this unique tool that uses the stories in Scripture to illuminate character qualities God wants to develop in the lives of His people. This curriculum contains multiple ways to teach character to kids and give them a vision for building character through faith in Christ!