For the Christian:
If your inquirer is a Christian who expresses concern about his or her lack of faith, or who desires to have more faith:
1. Ask:
• Why do you want more faith?
• What do you want faith to do for you?
The problem may be a lack of certainty in his or her relationship with Christ. If this surfaces, share "Assurance," page 15, and read and discuss Ephesians 2:8–9.
2. If he or she seems to have a good understanding of salvation by faith in Christ, then share ideas on increasing faith:
A. A life of faith doesn't develop instantaneously through some
mysterious process. Spiritual discipline leads to deeper faith.
B. Confess your lack of faith to God as sin: "Whatever is not from faith
is sin" (Romans 14:23). "Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God" (Hebrews 3:12).
C. Highlight the Bible as the source book on faith. There are
approximately 500 references to "faith," "belief," etc., in the New Testament alone. Read it and study it! Write down every reference to faith, then study each one in its context to determine what God is saying about faith and how you can apply it to your life.
D. Explain the need to exercise faith through a life of prayer. There are
references relating faith to prayer, for example Matthew 17:20 and James 5:15. Faith will grow as you experience victories in prayer.
E. Use what you learn about faith, putting it to the test in your life. For
example, in Proverbs 3:5–6 God promises His guidance if we meet certain conditions. If you desire the leading of the Lord for some decision you need to make or action you need to take, determine from this passage what God's conditions are, and meet those conditions, in order to experience the promised guidance.
F. Begin challenging your faith by daring to believe God more and more
and by acting on that belief. True faith is dynamic; it results in action! The great heroes of faith (Hebrews 11) were on the move for God! Get involved in Christian service: "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be
steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Scripture
"I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you" (Matthew 17:20).
"So Jesus answered and said to them, 'Have faith in God'" (Mark 11:22).
"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).
"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls" (1 Peter 1:6–9).