Sunday School Lesson February 21, 2024
Subject: Maturing Faith
The Point: Faith matures as we humbly obey God.
Scriptures: Luke 17:1-10
Study The Bible: Luke 17:1-4
1). Mature faith forgives.
- He said to his disciples, “Offenses will certainly come, but woe to the one through whom they come!
- It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to stumble.
- Be on your guard. If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.
- And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and comes back to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent, ‘you must forgive him.”
Lasting truths from: Luke 17:1-4
* Jesus always has a word of instruction for those who would learn from Him.
* We can expect to face trail, temptations, turbulent times.
* We may stumble in our walk with the Lord, but we do not want to be cause of someone else stumbling.
* Sin is to be confronted, but it is also to be forgiven.
2). Mature faith goes into action.
Luke 17:5-6
- The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
- “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed,” the Lord said, “you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.
Lasting truths from: Luke 17:5-6
* Followers of Jesus live by faith, not by sight.
* Faith in the Lord is trusting Him to act according to His will and purpose.
* Faith matures through action.
* Mature faith goes into action.
3). Mature faith does not seek acclaim.
Luke 17:7-10
- “Which one of you having a servant tending sheep or plowing will say to him when he comes in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’?
- Instead, will he not tell him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat, get ready, and serve me while I eat and drink; later you can eat and drink’?
- Does he thank that servant because he did what was commanded?
- In the same way, when you have done all that you were commanded, you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we’ve only done our duty.”
Lasting truths from: Luke 17:7-10
* The role of the servant is to serve.
* We are privileged to be servants of our Master, Jesus Christ.
* Mature faith is put into practice without expecting something in return.
* How wonderfully joyous to serve Jesus.
As you reflect on this session, respond to the following questions:
- Enlist a friend to talk about the beginning of each other’s journey of faith in Jesus Christ. How were they similar? How were they different? Discuss with each other your perceptions of the maturity of your faith.
- As you review your walk of faith, what are some markers in life you see that indicate a maturing faith?
- Are there things in your life you need to guard against, so they do not cause other people to be tempted to sin?
- How are you serving the Lord and fulfilling the expectations He has for you and the calling He gave you?
- What is the greatest joy you derive from serving the Lord in faith?
Closing Prayer:
“Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died on the cross to forgive me of my sins and rose from the dead to give me new life. I’m sorry for all the wrong I’ve done and ask You to forgive me. I now accept Your gift of eternal life. Thank You for Your love, forgiveness, and a new life in Jesus Christ. From this day forward, I choose to follow You. In Jesus’ name Amen.”
“If this lesson has been a blessing to you, leave us a comment.”