TRUE BELIEVERS

TRUE BELIEVERS

Small Group Discussion Guide

Main Scriptures

Mark 16:17–20
1 Peter 2:21–23
James 1:2–4
Romans 4:18–22
1 John 5:14–15
John 14:11–12
Ephesians 2:8–10
2 Corinthians 5:6–9
John 4:23–24
Acts 1:4–8
Acts 2:1–4

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OPENING QUESTION

When you hear the phrase “true believer,” what comes to mind?

What do you think separates someone who simply says they believe from someone who actually lives as a believer?

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1. TRUE BELIEVERS FOLLOW JESUS

Read 1 Peter 2:21–23.

Jesus did not merely call people to agree with Him. He called them to follow Him.

Discuss:

1. What does it practically mean to follow in the footsteps of Jesus?
2. Which is harder: following Jesus when life is difficult or following Him when life is comfortable? Why?
3. What are some ways people can treat Christianity like a “trial run” instead of a lifelong commitment?
4. Is there an area of your life where Jesus is asking you to follow Him more closely?

Key Thought:

True belief produces faithful following.

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2. TRUE FAITH WILL BE TESTED

Read James 1:2–4.

James teaches that trials do not necessarily mean faith is failing. Sometimes trials are the very thing God uses to strengthen faith.

Discuss:

1. How has a difficult season tested your faith?
2. What can trials reveal about what we truly believe?
3. Why do you think some people pull away from God when things get difficult?
4. How can we help one another remain faithful during testing?

Personal Reflection:

What is one area where your faith is being tested right now?

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3. TRUE BELIEVERS KEEP HOPING

Read Romans 4:18–22.

Abraham continued believing even when his circumstances gave him no natural reason to hope.

Discuss:

1. What stands out to you about Abraham’s faith?
2. What is the difference between biblical hope and wishful thinking?
3. How would you define the phrase “confident expectation”?
4. Have you ever had to continue trusting God when circumstances looked completely opposite of what you were praying for?

Key Thought:

Faith does not ignore reality. Faith refuses to let circumstances have the final word.

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4. TRUE BELIEVERS PRAY WITH CONFIDENCE

Read 1 John 5:14–15.

Our confidence in prayer comes from knowing that we are asking according to God’s will.

Discuss:

1. How can Scripture help shape the way we pray?
2. What is the difference between praying in faith and demanding that God do what we want?
3. How does knowing God’s character affect our confidence in prayer?
4. Is there something you are currently believing God for?

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5. TRUE BELIEVERS LIVE OUT THEIR SALVATION

Read Ephesians 2:8–10.

We are not saved by good works, but we are saved for good works.

Discuss:

1. Why is it important to understand that salvation is by grace through faith?
2. What does it mean that we are God’s workmanship?
3. What kinds of “good works” might God be calling believers to do?
4. How can we discover the things God has prepared for us to walk in?

Key Thought:

We do not work for salvation. We work from salvation.

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6. TRUE BELIEVERS WALK BY FAITH

Read 2 Corinthians 5:6–9.

Paul says believers live by believing rather than by what they see.

Discuss:

1. What does it mean to “walk by faith and not by sight” in everyday life?
2. How can feelings sometimes work against faith?
3. What situations make it hardest for you to trust God?
4. According to verse 9, what should ultimately be the goal of our lives?

Group Answer:

To please the Lord.

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7. TRUE BELIEVERS WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH

Read John 4:23–24.

Jesus said the Father is seeking true worshippers.

Discuss:

1. What does worship look like beyond music and singing?
2. What might it mean to worship God “in Spirit and in truth”?
3. How can our everyday decisions become acts of worship?
4. Is there an area of your life that needs to become more fully surrendered to God?

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8. TRUE BELIEVERS HUNGER FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT

Read Acts 1:4–8 and Acts 2:1–4.

Jesus told His disciples not to begin their mission until they had received power from the Holy Spirit.

Discuss:

1. Why do you think Jesus told the disciples to wait?
2. What does Acts 1:8 say the Holy Spirit empowers believers to do?
3. What happens when Christians try to fulfill God’s mission only through human ability?
4. What would it look like for us to become more dependent on the Holy Spirit?

Key Thought:

God never intended His Church to fulfill a supernatural mission through natural strength alone.

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PERSONAL APPLICATION

Take a moment and consider these questions:

* Am I truly following Jesus or simply agreeing with Him?
* Where is my faith being tested?
* What promise of God do I need to keep believing?
* Am I seeking God’s Kingdom first?
* Is pleasing God really the goal of my life?
* Am I hungry for everything the Holy Spirit wants to do in me and through me?

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THIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE

Choose one word to focus on this week:

BELIEVE

FOLLOW

TRUST

RECEIVE

GO

Share with the group which word you chose and why.

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CLOSING PRAYER

Pray together:

Father, make us true believers. Help us not only to hear Your Word but to live it. Strengthen our faith when it is tested. Teach us to trust Your promises, seek Your Kingdom first, walk by faith, and live to please You. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit and empower us to be faithful witnesses of Jesus everywhere You send us. Amen.