WEEK FIVE
Shield of Faith
Week Five
Shield of Faith
Karen Ewen
“In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” - Ephesians 6:16
WEEK FIVE JOURNAL/SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
Journaling Time:
Reflect on Jeremiah 29:11 For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.
Imagine the Lord working for your good in all things.
Are there any areas of you life that you are lacking in Faith? These areas are usually attached to some kind of fear (which is the opposite of Faith), and where we don't feel like the Lord sees or hears us. Imagine the Lord with you in the midst of this situation (walking with you, holding your hand, carrying you) and return to your reflection of Jeremiah 29:11 and pour out your heart to Him. Tell him all your doubts, your fears and your desires. Then surrender this situation to Him, ask Him for the faith to trust his plan and then tell Him that you know he cares for you and has your best intentions and if you are ready tell Him: “Thy Will Be Done”, and lay all your burdens down at the foot of the cross.
Journal what comes to you during this reflection time.
Small Group Questions:
What stood out to you about this talk? Was there something new that you heard?
We have a good, good Father that knows us in perfect intimacy as our creator, who loves us unconditionally, who delights in all our uniqueness and who meets us in mercy despite all our shortcomings. He is a Father who we can place all of our Faith, Hope and Trust in.
- Do you personally know the love of the Father? Have you asked Jesus to be at the centre of your life so you can know him like this?
- Share a time in your life that you have known His goodness, love and mercy and how this experience increased your Faith.
Where do you feel your faith is at right now? Do you receive Faith as a free gift from God or are there any ways that you are striving, taking control or trying to earn God's faith and love?
Karen shared some ways that the Holy Spirit has taught her she can foster her faith and exercise it in difficult times. These included: immersing ourselves in scripture, remembering times where our prayers were answered and our faith was bolstered, and growing faith in community.
- Has your faith been strengthened by any of these practices in your journey?
- Share your experiences and if there are any other tools that you have learned that help to foster your faith.
Download PDF journal/small group questions HERE
References/Mentions
Catechism of the Catholic Church no. 142-165:
Read the Complete CCC Reference On Faith HERE
Scripture References
Ephesians 6:16 In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Jeremiah 29:11 For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.
Practical Tools for Fostering Faith
Immersing Ourselves in Scripture
- use index cards
- make scripture into art and place it in your home
- memorise verses that you can call to mind in times of trial
Practising Remembering
- write it down (in your bible or your journal)
- share it
- take the picture
- make a play list of songs that bolster your faith
Faith Thrives in Community
- share your trials and successes with your people
- take part in small groups in your parish: bible studies, faith studies, praise and worship etc.
- where these groups don't exist, ask the Lord if he is calling you to create something beautiful with Him
Do you want to go deeper in your Faith?
Here are some scripture passages you can pray and journal with:
We have a good Father
Jeremiah 29:11 For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.
1 Samuel 1:2–2:21 For the full story of Hannah click here
Faith through Remembrance
Psalm 105:1-6 O give thanks to the Lord, call on his name, make known his deeds among the peoples. Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wonderful works. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually. Remember the wonderful works he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he has uttered, O offspring of his servant Abraham, children of Jacob, his chosen ones.
Luke 22:19 Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Living in Faith'
Matthew 7:7-9 Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone?
Matthew 9:20-22 Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, for she said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.” Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.
Romans 8:31-39 What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
SONGS OF FAITH
Hillsong Worship: Who You Say I Am
Cory Asbury : Reckless Love
Matt Maher : Lord I Need You
Lauren Daigle : Trust In You
Elevation Worship : Do It Again
Bethel Music : King Of My Heart