Teaching hope (Jesus) and truth (Bible) to future generations:

The Bible Trivium of Teaching:

1.  Wisdom: Logic: Knowing how to think; to translate truth into life

2. Understanding: Rhetoric: defending truth; even if you stand alone

3.  Knowledge: Grammar: possessing truth; telling truth to others 

Luke 18:8  When the Son of Man comes will He find faith on the earth?

Experiencing Faith*:  Look in the rearview mirror: We can't live in the past so why should we let past failures control our future?  Take your spiritual temperature:  Look at your life today to determine what you've learned from past problems.  Look beyond your present troubles:  Since God has used past troubles to make you a better person, don't you think He can do the same thing again?  Consider it a faith issue: What is our usual reaction to problems? We ask, "Why is this happening?"  When our whole focus is on our difficulties, we lose God's perspective.  Focus on God and He will show up larger than any trouble.  Make all your difficulties a faith issue:  Since God brings troubles to make you stronger and better, when you refuse to learn from your dificulties, you turn your back on God. 

Turn Failure to Victory*: Get your eyes on God and not on your problem: Faith is knowing God will do something, even when you don't know what He will do. Talk to God: Keep asking Him to solve your dilema, and He will.  Get many people praying for you: Their prayers will not only touch heaven, but touch you and encourage you.  Never be afraid to examine what you're doing: Faith is what God tells you in the Bible, so examine what you do by Scripture. Wait for God's release that comes after you admit your mistakes and failures: The worst thing in life is not failure, but failing to act. 

You can't have faith in God without being honest with yourself.

"Prove all things, hold fast what is good." I Thessalonians 5:21

*Brief excerpt from Building Dynamic Faith, Dr. Jerry Falwell

God wants to stretch your faith! 

Your life is going to be changed!  As you study the greatest life-changing book ever written, God's Word, you will change in faith!  Jesus said, "If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you shall move a mountain and cast it into the sea." (Matthew 17:20)  Learn how much faith can move mountains!

Dust off your old dreams, and dream again.  Develop your life purpose, then get a life plan so you can accomplish your life dreams.  Get ready for God!  It can happen if you plan and believe God! 

• we need to learn some basic skills of talking daily to God
• we need to develop an attitude of faith expectancy
• we need to focus on things that develops our faith
• we must each develop our own personal faith
• we must purpose to grow our faith
• we must not compare our faith to anyone else's faith
• we must be grounded on the authority of the Bible

Look at your gifts, talents, and longings to see God's purpose in your life. When you see what God is doing in your life, it's the beginning of spiritual growth.  You will get spiritual strength from Bible study, prayer, and reading great books of Christians whose faith will build your faith.  The more your talk to God, the more you will trust Him.  When you get dreams to believe God for great things, you will begin praying for great things and your faith will grow as God answers.  God calls you to be faithful where He has placed you and to trust Him. 

1.  We all have some kind of faith in God, but does your faith do anything for you?  Write down what God is saying to you right now.

2.  Sometimes God uses irritations to pull us to Him.  What is happening right now in your life?  Make a list of the things God is using to speak to you.

3.  What's keeping you from making a decision to open up to God since He is calling you? Make a list of things that have kept you from God in the past.

4.  The secret to a life of faith is keeping your eyes on Jesus! Think about whether you have been converted. Many church members  have only joined the chuch and haven't established a relationship with God. If you know the gospel in your head, and your emotions motivate you to respond to God, you must say "yes" in your heart.  If you've never done that, pray: "Lord Jesus, come into my life now."  What is your answer?                       a.Jesus, I've never done it; come into my life and make me a Christian.  b.Jesus, I don't think I've dont it before, even though I've been in church.  Now I want You to come into my heart to make me a Christian.          c.Lord, I've done it. Thank you for bringing salvation into my heart.

5.  Your life dream gives you energy and purpose.  Spend time with God to find your dream, then write it down, and tell someone else.

6.  Continue to work out the dream God has given you and commit to finish, by faith, what God has shown you.

7.  Evaluate your prayer life.  Plan your prayer time wisely to make the most of your time with Him.  Add a prayer for victory to your prayer list.

8.  Your first priority is to know Christ, and your second priority is to tell others about Christ.  Our inward life influences our outward life. Find an older Christian friend as a mentor and look for opportunities to share your faith.

9.  Write out your life plan, identify some projects to carry out your life plan, and make a faith statement of what you want God to do.

10.  Write a long prayer list of the names of family and friends, and a short prayer list of current problems and projects.  Prayer is about God and His purpose for your life.  Start searching for God's will by asking Him to show you what to do.

"These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."  Hebrews 11:13

Experience faith.  Since today counts, what changes will you make in your life for God today?