LESSON #7 HE'S THERE, YOU CAN LIVE BY FAITH HABAKKUK 2:4

BEHOLD FOR THE PROUD ONE, HIS SOUL IS NOT RIGHT WITHIN HIM, BUT THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH. PLEASING GOD THROUGH FAITH 1. If someone were to ask you what you do that pleases God, what would you say? What do you consider to be crucial to pleasing God? HEB. 11:6 MANY OF US HAVE ENCOUNTERED THIS VERY QUESTION. MARTIN LUTHER REALIZED THIS WHEN HE WAS STRIVING TO KNOW GOD. MANY RELIGIONS AND RELIGIOUS PEOPLE PERCEIVE THAT WE ARE TO DO THIS AND THAT. I MYSELF STUMBLE IN WHAT I AM TO DO AND FORGET THE HEART OF THE MATTER IN ALL THINGS IS HAVING FAITH IN WHO GOD IS. FAITH IS THE MAIN THEME OF THE BIBLE 2. Some say that Hab. 2:4 is the central theme of the Old Testament and that Ro. 1:17 is the central theme of the New Testament. Read both passages and share your thoughts why or why not you think this is true. Use Scripture or biblical examples to prove your point. (This is a good exercise to cause us to think and to be able to articulate what we believe, as well as to keep in mind what God is impressing upon our hearts.) THE BIBLE IS ALL ABOUT GOD AND HE REVEALS HIMSELF TO MAN THROUGH IT. HE EXTENDS HIS GRACE TO US BY ACCEPTING IN FAITH HIS GIFT. FAITH IS HOW WE PLEASE GOD. WE CAN LOOK AT ALL THE BIBLE CHARACTERS AND FAITH IS WHAT GOD COMMANDED HIS PEOPLE TO RESPOND IN. WE WERE TO NEVER JUST OBEY WITHOUT FAITH. WE WOULD BE RELIGIOUS THEN. GOD WANTS US TO BELIEVE THAT HE IS WHO HE IS AND TO LIVE LIVES THAT SHOW WE BELIEVE HIM. A CLEARER PICTURE OF FAITH 3. To gain a better understanding of what it means that the just will live by faith read the following renditions of the passage. Add any definitions or comment on what you gain from these statements. Obedient trust is demanded of us by God. Trusting not in man, but in God and His promises. Having a patient faith and then living. Relying on the Lord and not yourself. It does not mean just to survive by faith but to live in that faith with victory. 4. What are some things that challenge your faith? Consider what challenged Habakkuk's faith: injustice, violence, righteous being swallowed up, evil men becoming more evil, etc.

5. How did Habakkuk respond with an obedient faith to his situation. Read the following passages from the book of Habakkuk.

2:1 I will ___________STAND on my guard post and I will keep _____________WATCH to see what He will ______________SPEAK to me, And how I may ___________ REPLY when I am reproved. HABAKKUK STAYS WHERE HE IS AT. HE WATCHES FOR GOD. HE LISTENS TO WHAT GOD HAS TO SAY. HE IS READY TO BE CORRECTED. How do you need to stay where you are at? Are you or how can you watch for God? How can you listen for God? Are you willing to be corrected by God? 3:2 I have heard the report about Thee and I ____________FEAR. O Lord, revive Thy work in the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember mercy. HE FEARS GOD. 3:3-15 Habakkuk recalls all God has ___________DONE. HE RECOUNTS WHAT GOD HAS DONE. 3:16b .. I must wait _______________PATIENTLY for the day of distress..... HE WAITS PATIENTLY. AND DESPITE ALL THAT MAY HAPPEN THIS IS HOW HE RESPONDS TO GOD. 3:18 Yet I will ____________EXULT in the Lord, I will _____________REJOICE in the God of my salvation. 3:19 The __________LORD God is my strength, And _______HE has made my feet like hinds feet, And ________HE makes me walk on my high places. 5. What three things does Kay Arthur say that the believer must do to act in faith on pg. ? 1) A FIRM CONVICTION THAT FULLY ACKNOWLEDGES WHAT GOD HAS REVEALED 2)A SURRENDER TO WHAT GOD HAS REVEALED 3) CONDUCT THAT IS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF A PERSONAL SURRENDER TO WHAT GOD HAS REVEALED I KNOW THAT GOD'S WORD SAYS TO LOVE MY NEIGHBOR AS MY SELF I AM WILLING TO LOVE MY NEIGHBOR AS MYSELF I AM CHOOSING TO DO LOVE MY NEIGHBOR BY: FORGIVING, SERVING, SPENDING TIME WITH THEM, BEING PATIENT WITH THEM, SHOWING MERCY TO THEM, WITHOLDING ILL CONDUCT, BELIEVING ALL, BEING KIND, NOT BE VENGEFUL, NOT WITHOLDING ANY GOOD THING FROM THEM, KEEPING BITTERNESS AND WRATH FAR FROM ME, TURNING THE OTHER CHEEK, CONSIDERING THEM BETTER THAN MYSELF 6. What does your daily living look like? How is faith lived out in your life? Give several examples of how you can live by faith.For example: How do you deal with your finances? (Ask yourself the following questions as you work through your daily issues) 1) Do I know what God's word says about this?

2) Am I accepting God's ways/plans for my life? 3) Am I pursuing walking in faith by consistently being obedient to God's ways? FIRST PRINCIPLE : A FIRM CONVICTION OF WHAT GOD HAS REVEALED 7. The first thing we were to do to put on faith according to pg. In the book was to have a firm conviction that fully acknowledges what God has revealed.. What means does God use to reveal Himself to us today? How are you using what God has given you to strengthen your faith? Be specific. Read the following passages on how we are to increase our faith: Ro. 10:17 Faith comes by hearing hearing by the word of God. Jo. 17:17 Sanctify them by the truth, your word is truth. 2 Pe. 1:3 THE BIBLE THE SECOND PRINCIPLE: A SURRENDER TO WHAT GOD HAS REVEALED 8. Read the following passages, note how we are to surrender to what God has revealed: Col. 1:9-11 FOR THIS REASON WE ALSO, SINCE THE DAY WE HEARD OF IT, DO NOT CEASE TO PRAY FOR YOU, AND TO ASK THAT YOU MAY BE FILLED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIS WILL IN ALL WISDOM AND SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING; THAT YOU MAY WALK WORTHY OF THE LORD, FULLY PLEASING HIM, BEING FRUITFUL IN EVERY GOOD WORK AND INCREASING IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD; STRENGTHENED WITH ALL MIGHT, ACCORDING TO HIS GLORIOUS POWER, FOR ALL PATIENCE AND LONGSUFFERING WITH JOY. I Th. 4:1-2 FINALLY THEN, BRETHREN, WE URGE AND EXHORT IN THE LORD JESUS THAT YOU SHOULD ABOUND MORE AND MORE, JUST AS YOU RECEIVED FROM US HOW YOU OUGHT TO WALK AND TO PLEASE GOD; FOR YOU KNOW WHAT COMMANDMENTS WE GAVE YOU THROUGH THE LORD JESUS. Are you consistently living in faith? Or are you consistently living in pride? What steps do you need to take in order to live by faith? Take a few minutes and make a plan on how you can live by faith. (Consider sharing your application with the class because you could bless others by your example). CONDUCT THAT IS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF A PERSONAL SURRENDER TO WHAT GOD HAS REVEALED 9. How does Ro. 12:1 give us an idea of what it looks like to surrender to God's will and ways. Name the ways that you are being obedient to this passage. FINAL APPLICATION 10. Are you consistently living in faith? Or are you consistently living in pride? What steps do you need to take in order to live by faith? Take a few minutes and make a plan on how you can live by faith. (Consider sharing your application with the class because you could bless others by your example).

LESSON #7 HE'S THERE, YOU CAN LIVE BY FAITH HABAKKUK 2:4

BEHOLD FOR THE PROUD ONE, HIS SOUL IS NOT RIGHT WITHIN HIM, BUT THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH. 1. If someone were to ask you what you do that pleases God, what would you say? What do you consider to be crucial to pleasing God?

2. Some say that Hab. 2:4 is the central theme of the Old Testament and that Ro. 1:17 is the central theme of the New Testament. Read both passages and share your thoughts why or why not you think this is true. Use Scripture or biblical examples to prove your point. (This is a good exercise to cause us to think and to be able to articulate what we believe, as well as to keep in mind what God is impressing upon our hearts.) 3. To gain a better understanding of what it means that the just will live by faith read the following renditions of the passage. Add any definitions or comment on what you gain from these statements. Obedient trust is demanded of us by God. Trusting not in man, but in God and His promises. Having a patient faith and then living. Relying on the Lord and not yourself. It does not mean just to survive by faith but to live in that faith with victory. 4. What are some things that challenge your faith? Consider what challenged Habakkuk's faith: injustice, violence, righteous being swallowed up, evil men becoming more evil, etc.

5. How did Habakkuk respond with an obedient faith to his situation. Read the following passages from the book of Habakkuk. 2:1 I will ___________ on my guard post and I will keep _____________ to see what He will ______________ to me, And how I may ___________ when I am reproved.

How do you need to stay where you are at? Are you or how can you watch for God? How can you listen for God? Are you willing to be corrected by God? 3:2 I have heard the report about Thee and I ____________. O Lord, revive Thy work in the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember mercy. 3:3-15 Habakkuk recalls all God has ___________. 3:16b .. I must wait _______________ for the day of distress..... 3:18 Yet I will ____________ in the Lord, I will _____________ in the God of my salvation. 3:19 The __________ God is my strength, And _______ has made my feet like hinds feet, And ________ makes me walk on my high places. 5. What three things does Kay Arthur say that the believer must do to act in faith on pg. ? 1) 2) 3) 6. What does your daily living look like? How is faith lived out in your life? Give several examples of how you can live by faith. For example: How do you deal with your finances? (Ask yourself the following questions as you work through your daily issues) 1) Do I know what God's word says about this? 2) Am I accepting God's ways/plans for my life? 3) Am I pursuing walking in faith by consistently being obedient to God's ways?

7. The first thing we were to do to put on faith according to pg. In the book was to have a firm conviction that fully acknowledges what God has revealed.. What means does God use to reveal Himself to us today? How are you using what God has given you to strengthen your faith? Be specific.

Read the following passages on how we are to increase our faith: Ro. 10:17 Jo. 17:17 2 Pe. 1:3 8. Read the following passages, note how we are to surrender to what God has revealed: Col. 1:9-11. I Th. 4:1-2 Are you consistently living in faith? Or are you consistently living in pride? What steps do you need to take in order to live by faith? Take a few minutes and make a plan on how you can live by faith. (Consider sharing your application with the class because you could bless others by your example). 9. How does Ro. 12:1 give us an idea of what it looks like to surrender to God's will and ways. Name the ways that you are being obedient to this passage. 10. Are you consistently living in faith? Or are you consistently living in pride? What steps do you need to take in order to live by faith? Take a few minutes and make a plan on how you can live by faith. (Consider sharing your application with the class because you could bless others by your example).