30 Aug ‘Where Is Your Faith’ | Part Two – ‘The Kind of Faith God Rewards’ – All Locations

 PLEASE CHECK OUR EVENTS PAGE FOR ALL UPCOMING EVENTS!

Check the Events Page for What is Happening (not everything is listed here) (waterschurch.org/events)

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Rather than inundating this Guide with multiple announcements, I will feature one upcoming announcement each week.

Please see the events page for everything that is happening and encourage your members to do the same.

ALPHA NEEDS PEOPLE TO PROVIDE A PREPARED MEAL OR ORDER A MEAL FOR UPCOMING CLASSES.  

MEAL INCLUDES: A MAIN DISH, A SIDE, AND A DESSERT AND DOES NOT HAVE TO BE PREPARED BY YOU, BUT CAN BE CATERED OR DELIVERED.

Location Text Alerts:

PLEASE CHECK YOUR NOTIFICATIONS AND OR YOUR PLANNING CENTER PROFILES FOR NEW MEMBER REQUESTS.  

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NOTE:

Two opportunities to pray: 

Leaders only: Please be available at the end of services to pray for those who come forward. If you are not actively serving during the service you are attending, make it a priority to head to the front when the invitation is given. Your presence matters!

North Attleboro Leaders and members: If you or any member of your group who currently serves is available, there is an opportunity to meet for prayer in the conference room off the break room during the second and third services.  Please see Doug and Joanie White or Felix Shyllon if you would like to be a part of that ministry.

Please note: if you have a member who is not currently serving and would like to be part of the prayer during the service team, please have them take the appropriate steps to become a serve team member.

NORTH ATTLEBORO

Prayer at the Altar – AFTER SERVICES

If possible, please make an effort to be at the altar after this service to pray for others.

Your presence makes a difference—thank you for serving!

Key Verse: Hebrews 11

Where is Your Faith – Part 2

The Kind of Faith God Rewards

Hebrews 11:4-7

Icebreaker Question:

If you had to compete in an Olympic event made entirely from something you do in everyday life, what would you have the best chance of winning?

Opening Prayer

Lord, thank You for bringing us together. As we open Your Word, strengthen our faith and teach us to draw near, walk with You daily, and trust You one step at a time. Help us hear what You want to teach us and respond in obedience. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Hebrews 11:6 ESV

Hebrews 11:4 ESV

Why did God accept Abel’s offering and not Cain’s offering?

1. Faith DRAWS NEAR to God on His terms, not MINE.

It is clear from the Scriptures that there is a proper way to come to God and an improper way to come to God.

Abel made a blood sacrifice to come to God. He brought the firstborn of his flock, while Cain’s offering symbolized works. He gave God his leftovers.

Genesis 4:3–7 ESV

God killed the animal to cover their shame; he shed an animal’s blood because they sinned.

Abel understood that if he were going to come to God, he would come to God through the blood.

Hebrews 10:19–22 ESV; 1 Samuel 2:30 ESV

Faith comes EMPTY-HANDED for acceptance.

Faith comes OPEN-HANDED in worship.

Q. As mature believers, how can we recognize when we are approaching God on our own terms rather than drawing near to Him on His terms?

Leader Prompt:

Encourage the group to consider how humility and surrender help us approach God on His terms.

Practical Application:

Surrender one expectation to God this week and choose to trust His way over yours.

2. Faith SEEKS God one STEP at a TIME.

Hebrews 11:5 ESV

To seek God means you walk with Him daily, one step at a time.

Genesis 5:22–24 ESV

Enoch did not see death because He walked with God.

Faith keeps WALKING with God when nothing DRAMATIC is happening.

We WALK by the SPIRIT and OVERCOME the flesh.

We welcome the Holy Spirit into our day and do not worry about what happened yesterday or what will happen tomorrow.

Galatians 5:16–25 ESV

We WALK in the LIGHT and FELLOWSHIP with God’s family.

1 John 1:7 ESV

We WALK in our CALLING, which is ours in Christ.

Ephesians 4:1–3 ESV

We WALK by FAITH and not SIGHT.

2 Corinthians 5:7 ESV

Q. What does it look like practically to WALK by the SPIRIT, in the LIGHT, in our CALLING, and by FAITH rather than sight?

Leader Prompt:

Help the group see that a faithful walk with God is built through consistent daily choices, not only dramatic moments.

Faith TAKES us PLACES.

Faith takes us to a higher level of reality.

Colossians 1:13 ESV ; John 5:24 ESV; Ephesians 2:4–6 ESV; Hebrews 11:7 ESV

Q. How should understanding where God has already brought us in Christ change the way we live today?

Leader Prompt:

Help the group focus on their position in Christ and how that new reality should shape their identity, choices, and perspective today.

3.  Faith BUILDS today for what God has PLANNED for TOMORROW.

Genesis 6:17–18 ESV

Faith is not a DESTINATION; it’s an ASSIGNMENT.

Q. How does mature faith help us faithfully build today for what God may be preparing us for tomorrow?

Leader Prompt:

Encourage the group to see faith as an ongoing ASSIGNMENT, not a destination.

Practical Application:

Take one faithful step today toward what God has placed on your life.

Sermon in a sentence:

Faith lives in the NECESSITY of Christ’s BLOOD, the daily EXPERIENCE of God’s GRACE, and the ASSIGNMENT God has placed on our lives

Closing Prayer:

Lord, thank You for Your grace and for the faith You are growing in us. Help us walk closely with You in the ordinary moments and faithfully build today for what You have planned tomorrow. Give us courage to trust You even when we cannot see what is ahead. In Jesus’ name, Amen