Faith

LESSON 2 *April 4 - 10
Faith SABBATH AFTERNOON

Read for This Week's Study:

Eph. 6:10-18; Hebrews 11; James 2:18, 19; 1 Pet. 1:3-8.

Memory Text:

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8, 9, NIV).

Faith is not to be confused with rational conviction. Faith in the biblical sense is not based primarily on our reason (even though it is not unreasonable or irrational!); nor is it based on our emotions (though emotions do play a role). Faith is a deep-rooted assurance that affects the entire person. Faith is a principle that governs the life. Faith is the means by which we reach out and grab hold of the promises of a God we can't see yet web know is there.

Hebrews 11:1 speaks about the "substance" of our faith. William G. Johnsson, an expert on Hebrews, suggests that the best translation is: "Faith is the title deed to what we hope for, the certainty of what we do not see."—The Abundant Life Bible Amplifier: Hebrews (Boise, Idaho: Pacific Press®Publishing Association, 1994), p. 204.

The Week at a Glance:

Faith is the guiding principle in the life of a Christian. It's how we are to live and to relate to God and to others. However important an intellectual assent to doctrines is, faith is so much more than just that. This week we'll look at how much more.

*Study this week's lesson to prepare for Sabbath, April 11.