Faith: How can I have faith?

Summary

Becoming a Christian isn't about joining a club or going to church — it's beginning a life-changing relationship with God through Jesus. This session explores what that friendship is like (everyone is invited, it's unconditional, and it's everlasting), what grace means, and what it means to have faith: not a blind leap, but a step of trust based on who Jesus is and what he has done.

Key Points

What does it mean to be a Christian?

• "Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than hanging out at McDonalds makes you a Big Mac." — Ben
• Our confidence rests on the promises of God the Father, on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, and on the assurance of the Holy Spirit.

What is a friendship with God like?

• Everyone is invited. "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in." — Revelation 3:20
• It's unconditional. "Never will I leave you; and never will I forsake you." — Hebrews 13:5
• It's everlasting. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son…" — John 3:16

What is grace?

• "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." — Ephesians 2:8-9
• Jesus paid the debt of our sins that we couldn't pay, giving us forgiveness and freedom while taking our guilt on himself.
• "Entering into a relationship with God is a gift. Like any gift, we simply receive it with gratitude." — Jason

What does it mean to have faith?

• Faith is leaning our whole weight on Jesus and what he has done — like Blondin's mother, the only one willing to trust him enough to be carried across the tightrope.
• We can ask God to forgive the wrong we've done. The Bible calls this repentance — a change of thinking that leads to a change of living.

Notable Quotes

"A relationship with God is for anyone. It's unconditional. And it's everlasting." — Ben

"Faith is putting our lives in Jesus' hands." — Jason