TO THEM THAT BELIEVE

DCC SMALL GROUP DEVOTIONAL & DISCUSSION GUIDE

TO THEM THAT BELIEVE

Main Scripture

Mark 11:22–24

“Have faith in God.”

Jesus taught His disciples that faith is more than simply believing that God exists. Biblical faith trusts God, responds to His Word, and acts upon what He has said.

A true believer is not identified only by what they say they believe, but by the way that belief shapes their everyday life.

James reminds us that faith without action is dead. James 2:17–19

God’s Word is meant to transform us. We are not called merely to hear the Word, agree with it, or admire it—we are called to live it.

James 1:22–25

Paul describes the great mystery of the Gospel as:

“Christ in you, the hope of glory.” — Colossians 1:27

As believers, we are called to become a living revelation of Jesus to the world around us.

Our attitudes, decisions, words, relationships, prayers, and actions should increasingly reflect the life of Christ within us.

Jesus also taught that believers should live with expectation that God is still at work.

Mark 16:17–20

The early disciples went out preaching the Gospel, and the Lord worked with them, confirming His Word.

Faith does not mean that we control God or that everything happens exactly the way we want. Faith means that we trust God enough to believe His Word, obey Him, pray boldly, and leave the results in His hands.

Main Thought

What we truly believe is not revealed only by what we say—it is revealed by the way we live.

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What does it mean to you to “have faith in God”?

Read Mark 11:22–24.

How is biblical faith different from simply hoping that something good will happen?

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2. What is the difference between believing about Jesus and truly believing in Jesus?

Read James 2:17–19.

Why do you think James connects genuine faith with action?

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3. In what ways should faith produce visible change in a believer’s life?

Consider areas such as:

* Attitude
* Relationships
* Speech
* Priorities
* Habits
* Forgiveness
* Generosity
* Prayer
* Obedience

Where have you seen God change you?

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4. Read James 1:22–25.

Why is it dangerous to hear God’s Word without responding to it?

Is there something God has been showing you recently that you need to act upon?

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5. What does “Christ in you, the hope of glory” mean to you?

Read Colossians 1:26–27.

How should the presence of Christ within us affect the way we live around other people?

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6. Jesus said signs would follow those who believe.

Read Mark 16:17–20.

What do these verses teach us about depending upon the power of the Holy Spirit rather than simply relying upon our own strength?

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7. How would you describe your expectations when you pray?

Do you usually pray:

* Expecting God to move?
* Hoping He might move?
* Afraid to expect too much?
* Trusting God regardless of the outcome?

What would it look like for you to pray with greater faith?

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8. What voices compete with God’s Word in our lives today?

Examples might include:

* Culture
* Fear
* Social media
* Personal experience
* Other people’s opinions
* Past disappointment

How can we keep God’s truth louder than those competing voices?

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9. Read Colossians 3:1–11.

What parts of the “old life” does Paul say believers should put away?

Which part of this passage challenges you most?

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10. Consider this question from the sermon:

“How are you living?”

If someone watched your everyday life without hearing you talk about your faith, what evidence would they see that you belong to Jesus?

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PERSONAL REFLECTION

Take a moment and privately ask yourself:

Where is God asking me to believe Him more deeply?

What truth from His Word do I need to act upon?

Is there an area where I have allowed fear, doubt, culture, or disappointment to become louder than God’s Word?

What would obedience look like this week?

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THIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE

Choose one area of your life where you know what God’s Word says but you have struggled to act upon it.

This week:

Believe it.

Pray about it.

Speak in agreement with God’s truth.

Take one practical step of obedience.

Then pay attention to what God does in you and through you.

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CLOSING PRAYER

Father, thank You for the gift of faith and for the truth of Your Word. Help us to be more than people who simply say that we believe. Let our faith be demonstrated through our obedience, our character, our prayers, and the way we live.

Teach us to trust You completely. Give us courage to believe Your Word even when circumstances seem impossible. Fill us with the Holy Spirit and help our lives reveal Jesus to the people around us.

May Christ be seen in us, and may our lives bring glory to You.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Key Scriptures

Mark 11:22–24
Mark 16:15–20
James 1:22–25
James 2:17–19
Romans 1:16–17
Colossians 1:26–27
Colossians 3:1–11
Proverbs 18:21