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Active Christians Today at The University of Toledo
Alpha Week Four - How Can I Have Faith?
You are invited to our special Alpha Study! Whether you are a Believer, searching or don’t know what you believe, Alpha is for you. What is Alpha? It is a weekly session exploring different aspects of the Christian faith. Each Wednesday we will consider a different question about faith. Our weekly talks are designed to engage and inspire conversation. Each focuses on the big issues around faith and unpack the basics of Christianity through God's Word.
Locations & Times
Delta Church of Christ
2018 Bretton Pl, Toledo, OH 43606, USA
Wednesday 7:00 PM
Introduction:
This week we are looking at the evidence for believing in Christianity. The focus is the perspective of a person who has decided to believe the claims of Christianity. How can that person make sure they have made the right decision?
When someone says they are a Christian, what does that mean?
Consider your own life. How do you know for sure that you are a Christian?
What obstacles might keep you from having faith?
This week we are looking at the evidence for believing in Christianity. The focus is the perspective of a person who has decided to believe the claims of Christianity. How can that person make sure they have made the right decision?
When someone says they are a Christian, what does that mean?
Consider your own life. How do you know for sure that you are a Christian?
What obstacles might keep you from having faith?
Watch ALPHA 4 Part One
What is the worst way you’ve ever told someone about your faith in Christ?
What should our attitude be when sharing about our faith?
What should our attitude be when sharing about our faith?
What makes someone a Christian?
How would you describe your belief to someone who was interested in hearing about your faith?
How people get the point to believing in God and Christ varies enormously. For some there is a definite moment; for others it is a more gradual process.
What was it like for you?
How would you describe your belief to someone who was interested in hearing about your faith?
How people get the point to believing in God and Christ varies enormously. For some there is a definite moment; for others it is a more gradual process.
What was it like for you?
In the video, Nicky describes the relationship with God as “close” and “intimate.” We know what this means in your human relationships. But what does this look like practically in our lives? How do we live a “closely and intimately” with God?
This verse affirms that we can truly “know” we have eternal life. What is the “knowledge” and the “knowing” in your life based on? Is it a feeling? Is it an event that confirmed to you that God is real and you are in a relationship with Him? What is it? What evidence to you have?
Faith is not a blind leap, but a step based on evidence.
Faith is not a blind leap, but a step based on evidence.
1. THE WORD OF GOD
If you came to Christ through the testimony of someone else, what resources did you use to build the foundation for your faith after committing to Christ?
If you came to Christ through the testimony of someone else, what resources did you use to build the foundation for your faith after committing to Christ?
How does this verse relate to our belief in Christ? When you became a Christian, where did you first turn to figure out this whole Christianity thing?
What does the “door” represent in this verse?
Where is the handle on the door? Why is the handle located there?
There is a lot of eating going on... #youwillbefed. Why do you think this seems to be so important in the Bible?
Why is it that once we invite Jesus into our hearts, dependence on the Bible builds a deeper foundation for our faith? Is there any other way for that to happen?
We must not only trust our feelings, which can be changeable and may even be deceptive at times, but instead rely on God’s promises.
Describe how Jesus “freed” us to have a relationship with God.
Where is the handle on the door? Why is the handle located there?
There is a lot of eating going on... #youwillbefed. Why do you think this seems to be so important in the Bible?
Why is it that once we invite Jesus into our hearts, dependence on the Bible builds a deeper foundation for our faith? Is there any other way for that to happen?
We must not only trust our feelings, which can be changeable and may even be deceptive at times, but instead rely on God’s promises.
Describe how Jesus “freed” us to have a relationship with God.
Watch ALPHA 4 Part Two
2. THE WORK OF JESUS
Emerson Nowotny came from a family involved in drug cartels, the drug culture and his life negatively affected many people. However, he became a believer.
Is there anything that you can do that would prevent you from receiving salvation?
What does that mean for the “evil” people in your life and how you interact with them?
“It wasn’t that I changed who I was. It was that I accepted who I was.” What does Emerson Nowotny’s statement mean?
Have you ever felt “dirty” or “polluted” by the things you do wrong (sin)? How does that affect your relationship with God? What can you do to change this?
You come exactly as you are. It’s not about what you do or what you can achieve; it’s about what has been done for you by Jesus on the cross.
Emerson Nowotny came from a family involved in drug cartels, the drug culture and his life negatively affected many people. However, he became a believer.
Is there anything that you can do that would prevent you from receiving salvation?
What does that mean for the “evil” people in your life and how you interact with them?
“It wasn’t that I changed who I was. It was that I accepted who I was.” What does Emerson Nowotny’s statement mean?
Have you ever felt “dirty” or “polluted” by the things you do wrong (sin)? How does that affect your relationship with God? What can you do to change this?
You come exactly as you are. It’s not about what you do or what you can achieve; it’s about what has been done for you by Jesus on the cross.
3. THE WITNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
To be an atheist requires faith. Why? How would you explain to an atheist that despite their denial, they too believe in a “religion?”
What does the Holy Spirit mean to you? Describe the Holy Spirit as if you were explaining it to a child.
To be an atheist requires faith. Why? How would you explain to an atheist that despite their denial, they too believe in a “religion?”
What does the Holy Spirit mean to you? Describe the Holy Spirit as if you were explaining it to a child.
How role does the Holy Spirit play in the story of your faith?
What impact has the Holy Spirit had on your life?
What impact has the Holy Spirit had on your life?
Does being a Christian make you better than anyone else?
Why does the world tend to view Christians as self-righteous?
How are the “fruits of the Holy Spirit” demonstrated in your life?
What is the ACT equivalent of a porridge party?
Why is a “porridge party” so important in the life of a community of faith?
Why does the world tend to view Christians as self-righteous?
How are the “fruits of the Holy Spirit” demonstrated in your life?
What is the ACT equivalent of a porridge party?
Why is a “porridge party” so important in the life of a community of faith?
Your Story
How can Jesus be a closer friend to you than any other friend? What does this look like in your life from a practical perspective?
How can Jesus be a closer friend to you than any other friend? What does this look like in your life from a practical perspective?
Maybe this is all new to you. If so, here is a very simple prayer that you can pray to open the door of your heart to Jesus Christ and invite Him to come into your life by His Spirit:
Lord Jesus Christ, I am sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life (take a few moments to ask his forgiveness for anything particular that is on your conscience). Please forgive me. I now turn from everything that I know is wrong. Thank you that you died on the cross for me so that I could be forgiven and set free. Thank you that you offer me forgiveness and the gift of your Spirit. I now receive that gift. Please come into my life by your Holy Spirit to be with me forever. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Don’t end with this prayer, however! Talk to someone! Let them know that you’ve invited Jesus into your heart.
Lord Jesus Christ, I am sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life (take a few moments to ask his forgiveness for anything particular that is on your conscience). Please forgive me. I now turn from everything that I know is wrong. Thank you that you died on the cross for me so that I could be forgiven and set free. Thank you that you offer me forgiveness and the gift of your Spirit. I now receive that gift. Please come into my life by your Holy Spirit to be with me forever. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Don’t end with this prayer, however! Talk to someone! Let them know that you’ve invited Jesus into your heart.
RECOMMENDED READING
The Reason for God - Tim Keller
Is Faith Irrational? - Nicky Gumbel
One Step Beyond: One Man’s Journey From Near Death to New Life - Gram Seed
The Reason for God - Tim Keller
Is Faith Irrational? - Nicky Gumbel
One Step Beyond: One Man’s Journey From Near Death to New Life - Gram Seed
Plan now to join us for our Alpha Retreat Weekend on October 18 & 19! This will be a student led and organized event!
Praise & Prayer
Praise & Prayer