May 1
Lesson 9
INCREASED FAITH
DEVOTIONAL READING: Jeremiah 23:33–24:6
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Luke 17:1–10
LUKE 17:1–10
1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!
2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.
6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.
7 But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?
8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?
9 Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.
10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
Photo: Shawn Hempel/iStock/Thinkstock
KEY VERSE
Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
—Luke 17:3
THE GIFT OF FAITH
Unit 3: Fullness of Faith
LESSONS 9–13
LESSON AIMS
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. List some duties of a Christian as set forth by Jesus.
2. Explain the relationship between growing faith and forgiveness.
3. Identify one way to practice forgiveness on a daily basis.
LESSON OUTLINE
Introduction
A. Keeping Score
B. Lesson Background
I. Protecting and Forgiving (LUKE 17:1–4)
A. Little Ones (vv. 1, 2)
B. Offending Ones (vv. 3, 4)
Card Counting
II. Growing and Serving (LUKE 17:5–10)
A. Bigger Faith (vv. 5, 6)
B. Enduring Faith (vv. 7–9)
C. Obedient Faith (v. 10)
A Sense of Entitlement
Conclusion
A. Mustard Seeds or Scorecards?
B. Prayer
C. Thought to Remember
HOW TO SAY IT
Corinthians Ko-rin-thee-unz (th as in thin).
Jerusalem Juh-roo-suh-lem.
Leviticus Leh-vit-ih-kus.
sycamine sih-kuh-mine.
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What Do You Think?
In your experience, what makes corrective rebukes effective?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Regarding the rebuke’s content (“what you say”)
■ Regarding the rebuke’s form (“how you say it”)
■ Regarding the medium used (in person, by e-mail, by phone, etc.)
■ Considering the spiritual maturity and personality types of those involved
■ Other
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What Do You Think?
How can we apply Jesus’ words without enabling bad behavior?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Considering the difference between forgiveness and consequences
■ Considering criminal vs. noncriminal behavior
■ Other
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What Do You Think?
How do you know if and when your faith is growing?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Evidence from your prayers
■ Evidence from level of contentment or worry
■ Evidence from your worship
■ Evidence from your Christian service
■ Other
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What Do You Think?
When was a time you saw “mustard-seed faith” result in an unanticipated outcome? How did your faith change as a result?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Involving your church as a whole
■ Involving someone’s ministry gifts in particular
■ Involving a direction-of-life decision
■ Other
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What Do You Think?
What does this verse have to say about a Christian’s being able to “exceed expectations” in various areas of life?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ In the business arena
■ In home life
■ In volunteer work
■ Other
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