Growing Stronger in Faith

Key Verse: Hebrews 11:1 – "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."

Faith is something that many of us struggle to maintain through life’s challenges. Disappointments, delays, unanswered prayers, and unmet expectations can weaken our faith over time. Yet the good news is this: weak faith can be made strong, and little faith can grow.
Just like children who believe wholeheartedly and pray without hesitation, adults too can experience deeper, stronger faith. Faith is not just something you're born with — it is both a gift and a fruit (1 Corinthians 12:4, 8-9; Galatians 5:22-23), which means it can be cultivated and strengthened.

Biblical Examples of Growing Faith
There are several biblical characters from the book of Judges, each of whom grew stronger in faith by acting on what they believed:
• Gideon – A man hiding in fear who became a mighty warrior (Judges 6–7).
• Othniel and Shamgar – Ordinary men who became extraordinary through faith (Judges 3).
• Samson – A fallen hero who returned to faith in his final moments (Judges 16).
• Deborah – A bold, faithful leader who obeyed God's call (Judges 4–5).
The New Testament confirms that faith can grow:
• Luke 17:5 – “Increase our faith!” the apostles asked Jesus.
• 2 Corinthians 10:15 – “...as your faith continues to increase...”
• 2 Thessalonians 1:3 – “...your faith is growing more and more.”

Five-Point Checklist for Growing Stronger in Faith
Based on the key verse Hebrews 11:1 - “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
1. Unseen – Connect with the Invisible
Key Verse: Hebrews 11:6 – “Anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Faith starts with believing in a real but unseen God. To make weak faith stronger, and a little faith grow, we need to reaffirm and reconnect with the invisible realm of the spirit by seeking the unseen God in heavenly places.  We connect with the invisible through prayer, through Jesus, who gives us access to the Father.
Application: Visualize entering God’s throne room with Jesus at your side and the Holy Spirit around you (Hebrews 4:16, Matthew 6:9).

2.  Assurance – Hear the Evidence of God’s Presence
Key Verse: Romans 10:17 – “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”
To make weak faith stronger, and a little faith grow we need to search out and meditate on the evidence God has given us of the unseen world.  Sources of evidence:
1. Scripture – God-breathed and historically reliable (2 Timothy 3:16).
2. Testimonies of Others – Eyewitness accounts of others like the OT heroes mentioned above and modern day testimonies.
3. Personal Experience – Journaling your own “God moments” builds memory and faith.

3. Hope – Have a Sincere Desire
Key Verse: Psalm 37:4 – “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Faith grows when our hopes are aligned with God’s will. Misplaced or self-centered desires hinder faith, but God-given desires ignite it.
Like Peter Parker in Spiderman 2, who desperately wants to be Spiderman once more, could not make it happen with desire alone. It was when he committed himself to the defense of his loved ones, that his abilities returned.

4.  Things – Envision a Clear-Cut Objective
Key Verses: Hebrews 11:33–34  - “…who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.”  
To make weak faith stronger, and a little faith grow, we need to develop our future hopes and the things we are believing for into clearer and specific objectives. The OT examples of those showing faith reflect a specific hope people had. Examples - Conquered kingdoms... shut the mouths of lions... routed foreign armies.
The more specific we are in our faith hopes, the more able we are to put faith into action, and the more we can give God the glory when what we are believing for in Him happens.

5. Confidence – Put Your Confidence in Christ
Key Verse: Hebrews 11:1 ““Now faith is confidence (the title deed) in what (things) we hope for (desire) and assurance (evidence) about what (things) we do not see (the invisible).”...
Confidence is like the “title deed”, a legal guarantee. Confidence is a rock-solid belief in the reality of what we are hoping for or the promise we have received. Confidence comes from the Spirit and is strengthened through repeated trust and obedience.

We grow in faith by exercising our faith.
Like driving, cooking, or playing an instrument, faith grows through use. The heroes in Hebrews 11 weren’t perfect. They stumbled, fell, and tried again. Faith isn’t about getting it right every time; it’s about getting back up.
• Psalm 37:23–24 (NKJV): “Though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand.”
• Proverbs 24:16: “Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.”

It’s time to GET UP, STEP UP, GROW UP, and GO UP!

Discussion Questions
1. Which of the five areas (Unseen, Assurance, Hope, Things, Confidence) do you most need to grow in right now? Why?
2. What piece of evidence (a Bible verse, a testimony, a personal experience) has built your faith in the past?
3. What desire is on your heart currently, and how do you think God is shaping it?
4. What specific step of faith is God inviting you to take? Can you clearly define your faith goal or objective?
5. Have you ever taken a leap of faith that didn’t work out? What did you learn, and how can you try again differently?