Sermon Overview
In this powerful and personal message, Pastor Chris McDonald teaches what it truly means to live by faith—not by feelings, appearances, or fear. With honesty, humor, and testimony, he calls believers to activate the God kind of faith—faith that speaks, believes, and receives what God has promised even before it is seen.
Pastor Chris challenges cultural Christianity and invites people into biblical belief. From Hebrews 11 to Mark 11, we learn that faith is more than mental agreement—it’s the title deed to what we hope for and the power that pleases God. This message is for anyone who’s ever doubted, wrestled with healing, or wondered if their prayers matter.
Why This Study?
Many people believe in Jesus but struggle to walk in the full benefits of their faith—especially when it comes to healing, spiritual authority, and answered prayer. This study will help you go deeper into what the Bible says about faith, challenge assumptions you may not even realize you hold, and equip you to walk in bold, Spirit-led confidence.
Whether you’re a new believer or a mature disciple, this guide will help you:
- Understand the difference between believing in God and believing God
- Learn how to speak with kingdom authority
- Grow deeper in trust, expectation, and spiritual maturity
- Break patterns of doubt and passivity in your life and family
How to Use This Study
This 5-day study guide is designed to help individuals, families, and Roads Groups dive deeper into the sermon and allow God’s Word to shape their identity, values, and way of life. Each day includes a daily focus and Big Idea drawn from the sermon, full scripture text for meditation, and a quote from the message. You’ll also find two discussion questions tailored for five different groups: New Christians, Mature Christians, Jr. & Sr. High Students, Families with Young Children, and Families with Teenagers.
Each day concludes with one unified personal application step, along with optional ideas for families and Roads Groups to apply the truth together. Set aside time each day to read, pray, reflect, and talk through the questions. Invite the Holy Spirit to bring the message to life in your heart.
Be Ready to Search the Scriptures
Many of the questions in this study will ask, “What does the Bible say?” This is intentional. Faith isn’t based on feelings—it’s built on God’s Word. As you reflect each day, be prepared to open your Bible or Bible app to search for truth—it’s a good practice to cultivate.
You may find your thoughts challenged. That’s good.
You may discover you’ve believed something that isn’t fully biblical. That’s where transformation begins.
Let the Bible shape what you believe—not the other way around.
Keep your Bible close. Let Scripture lead you into deeper understanding and greater faith.
Day 1: What Kind of Faith?
Big Idea:
Faith isn’t just believing in God—it’s believing what He says and living like it’s already true.
Scripture:
Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV)
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Quote:
“I didn’t buy faith at Walmart. I didn’t download it. I believed God when I didn’t understand Him—and it changed everything.”
Discussion Questions
New Christians:
- What do you believe it means to live by faith each day? Now read Hebrews 11:1. Does your view line up with God’s definition?
- Are there areas in your life where you’re still leaning on sight instead of faith? What scripture could help you trust God more?
Mature Christians:
- How would you define “the God kind of faith”? Compare that with how Scripture describes it—what adjustments are needed?
- Where have you settled into familiar beliefs rather than biblical ones? What truth from God’s Word is challenging you right now?
Jr. & Sr. High Students:
- What do you think faith really means? Compare it to Hebrews 11:1—what’s the same or different?
- Where are you believing God for something you can’t see yet? What does the Bible say about waiting in faith?
Families with Young Children:
- What does it mean to believe God even when we don’t see the answer? Let’s read Hebrews 11:1 and talk about it.
- Can we remember a time God answered a prayer? What promise in the Bible reminds us to keep trusting?
Families with Teenagers:
- What are we believing for as a family that hasn’t happened yet? Let’s read Hebrews 11:1—how can we keep faith active?
- Are there ways we’re trusting our feelings more than God’s truth? What does the Bible say we should do instead?
Application Step
Choose one promise of God from scripture.
Speak it out loud every day this week—even before you see it happen.
Family Ideas:
- Young Children: Let your child draw a “faith picture” of the promise and hang it somewhere visible.
- Teenagers: Choose one verse as a family declaration. Speak it together daily (e.g., before meals or during commute).
Roads Group Idea:
Have each person pick a promise from Scripture and declare it aloud during group time. Close with a group prayer affirming each one.
Day 2: Say to the Mountain
Big Idea:
Faith doesn’t stare at the mountain—it speaks to it with the authority of Jesus.
Scripture:
Mark 11:23 (NKJV)
“Whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart… he will have whatever he says.”
Quote:
“You’re already having what you say—you just may not realize it.”
Discussion Questions
New Christians:
- What do you believe about the power of your words? Read Mark 11:23—what does Jesus say your words can do?
- Are you speaking faith or fear? What kind of words does God want you to speak?
Mature Christians:
- How closely do your daily words align with the Word of God? Where do you need to make a shift?
- Are you avoiding certain “mountains” instead of speaking to them? What does Mark 11 say is your responsibility?
Jr. & Sr. High Students:
- Do your words show faith or fear? Read Mark 11:23—how does this change the way you talk about your situation?
- What mountain do you need to speak to today? What scripture will you use?
Families with Young Children:
- What kinds of things are we saying about our school, work, or friends? Are our words full of faith? Let’s read Mark 11:23 together.
- What can we start saying out loud this week to show we believe God’s promises?
Families with Teenagers:
- What’s our family speaking about our future, health, or finances? Let’s compare that with what God says in Mark 11.
- How can we become a family that speaks life and faith—even in tough situations?
Application Step
Write down a “mountain” in your life.
Each day, speak directly to it using scripture—declare what God says, not what you feel.
Family Ideas:
- Young Children: Help them write or draw their “mountain” and then practice saying, “Go in Jesus’ name!” with boldness.
- Teenagers: As a family, each person writes one mountain on a sticky note. Stick them to a prayer wall/board and speak Scripture over them together daily.
Roads Group Idea:
Create space for group members to share their “mountains,” then speak faith-filled declarations over each one together, using specific scriptures.
Day 3: You Already Believe More Than You Think
Big Idea:
If you’ve already trusted Jesus for salvation, you already have the kind of faith that can change everything.
Scripture:
Romans 10:9–10 (NKJV)
If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart… you will be saved.
Quote:
“You believe in a Savior you’ve never met, born of a virgin, raised from the dead—don’t tell me you don’t have faith.”
Discussion Questions
New Christians:
- What do you believe about your ability to trust God beyond salvation? Compare your thoughts with Romans 10:9–10.
- If God saved you, what else does He want to do in your life? What does His Word say?
Mature Christians:
- Where has your faith stopped at salvation but not extended to healing, provision, or power? What in Scripture calls you deeper?
- How can you intentionally grow into a full expression of covenant faith?
Jr. & Sr. High Students:
- What do you believe Jesus wants to do in your life besides save you? Look at Romans 10:9–10—how does that help you trust Him?
- What’s one thing you’re holding back from trusting Jesus with?
Families with Young Children:
- We believe Jesus saved us—can we also believe He wants to help us today? Let’s talk about that and read Romans 10.
- What other promises of God can we believe in, just like we believe in salvation?
Families with Teenagers:
- Have we made salvation the finish line instead of the starting point? Let’s compare what we believe with the full gospel message.
- What would it look like to live as a family full of faith in every area?
Application Step
Write out your testimony: “I believe in Jesus because…” Then ask, “If I trust Him with eternity, can I trust Him with today?”
Family Ideas:
- Young Children: Let them complete the sentence: “I believe in Jesus because…” and turn it into a thank-you prayer.
- Teenagers: Each person shares their testimony or writes one sentence of faith. Display or journal it. Reflect on what else God is asking you to trust Him with.
Roads Group Idea:
Have members share a short “I believe in Jesus because…” testimony. Then discuss one area where each person wants to trust Him more and pray in agreement.
Day 4: Healing, Authority & Agreement
Big Idea:
Faith agrees with God’s Word even when you don’t feel it or understand it yet.
Scripture:
Matthew 18:19 (NKJV)
“If two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them…”
Quote:
“You can argue with God and miss out—or agree with Him and walk in everything He offers.”
Discussion Questions
New Christians:
- What do you believe about healing and prayer? Read Matthew 18:19—what does agreement with God and others look like?
- How can you choose to agree with God this week, even when your feelings don’t line up?
Mature Christians:
- Have you agreed with symptoms or struggles more than with Scripture? What truth do you need to re-align with?
- Where are you walking in assumed theology instead of revealed truth?
Jr. & Sr. High Students:
- Do you think God wants to heal people today? What does the Bible say about it?
- How can you agree with God in prayer, even when you’re unsure?
Families with Young Children:
- What does it mean to agree with God? Let’s read Matthew 18:19 and say a prayer together in agreement.
- How can we talk more as a family about what God says—not just what we feel?
Families with Teenagers:
- What’s one thing our family has accepted instead of standing against? What does the Bible say we should believe instead?
- How can we unite in agreement and faith this week?
Application Step
Find someone to agree with you in prayer today.
Speak the Word together over a situation and thank God for the outcome in advance.
Family Ideas:
- Young Children: Teach them to say, “We agree in Jesus’ name!” and pray a short, simple prayer with them in agreement.
- Teenagers: Choose one specific need and pray together in agreement. Return later in the week to check in and give thanks.
Roads Group Idea:
Pair up and agree in prayer over one key issue per person. Follow up the next week and share how faith and agreement are working in your life.
Day 5: Receive It Before You See It
Big Idea:
Faith doesn’t wait for results to believe—it receives because God already said it.
Scripture:
John 11:40 (NKJV)
“Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”
Quote:
“You don’t need a feeling. You need faith. This kind of treatment is free. No side effects. Just healing.”
Discussion Questions
New Christians:
-
What does it look like to believe even when you don’t feel anything yet?
-
Have you ever seen God answer prayer after you chose to trust Him?
Mature Christians:
-
Where do you need to stop analyzing and start receiving by faith?
-
Is there something you’ve been waiting to feel before believing? Flip the script.
Jr. & Sr. High Students:
-
What does “faith before feelings” mean to you?
-
What’s one area where you’ll choose to trust God’s Word even if you don’t see change yet?
Families with Young Children:
-
What does it mean to trust God even before we see the answer?
-
Can we thank God together today for something we’re believing Him for?
Families with Teenagers:
-
Do we live like God’s promises are true—even when life doesn’t look that way?
-
What are we waiting for God to do—and how can we start receiving by faith?
Application Step
Pray this simple prayer today: “Jesus, I receive what You’ve already paid for. I believe Your Word is true—even before I see it.”
Family Ideas:
-
Young Children: Act it out! Pretend to “receive” God’s gift with open hands and say the prayer together as a fun moment of faith.
-
Teenagers: Write or speak one thing you’re believing God for—then thank Him in advance. Check in with one another mid-week.
Roads Group Idea:
Lead a prayer circle where each person prays that simple prayer over a specific area in their life. End with worship or a moment of joyful thanks together.