Steps to Faith: Examine Faith—Explore Questions—Encounter God

Where Inquiring Friends Become Solid Disciples

Gary Comer, Comer

• Publisher: Resource Publications
• Year: 2014
• Print ISBN:
  9781620328170
  9781498266444
• eBook ISBN:
  9781630873349
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christian Church

Everyone Has a Unique Pathway to Faith. Take the First Step! - Perhaps you are open to the Christian faith, but in no way convinced. You have legitimate questions or lingering doubts. - Perhaps you seek a spiritual rooting--that comes from deep beliefs. - Perhaps you hope to experience the living God--in a way that's real and sticks. - Perhaps you are searching for something compelling--a vision for your life! If you are willing, simply, to take the first exploring step, this booklet charts the way forward. It fulfills Jesus's promise that "those who seek will find." Welcome to a discovery-path of unlimited potential. It can bless you--beyond measure! Vignettes Inside: The First Step - A Tale of Two Operators - Jesus: Poser or Pedigree? - Something Has Gone Really Wrong! - Jesus Came to Fix What We Can't - The Meaning of the Cross - The Sign of the Resurrection - What's Unique about Christianity - Miscues in Approaching Faith - Faith & Flying - Navigating Forward - Rear View Mirror - Stepping Up - What Surfers Know To pursue your questions, curiosity, and longings, Steps to Faith can be read personally, with a Christian friend, or by a class/group at church.

Session One

Core Beliefs

Part One

1

The First Step

It is a dangerous business going out your door—you step on the road and if you don’t keep your feet there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.

—Bilbo Baggins

There is an episode in the epic tale, The Lord of the Rings, when Frodo must leave his home to venture into a world he had never seen. Little did he know of what lie ahead. How could he have anticipated all that would be set in motion—by putting his hand to the knob—and taking that first footfall from his Shire door? Every great adventure begins with a first step. Without it, Frodo wouldn’t have had his quest. And we wouldn’t have gotten to enjoy an amazing story!

With no lesser scope of grandeur, the first step of one’s spiritual journey may be the biggest. Since the spiritual life is measured in the heart, the initial step must be the open-willingness to explore spiritual truth. Sadly, many people never take a serious look at what faith offers. They are like window shoppers who quickly glance but do not enter. Because of reluctance, they never truly open their hearts to what God has in store for them.

Perhaps, you are different! You are reading this book either by yourself, with a friend or in a class. Are you willing to take a good look at the incredible claims of the Christian faith? If you are—then you have taken a huge step already! May God fulfill his promise that “Those who seek will find!” You just may uncover answers your heart has longed for all your life. Such is the significance of an honest search for truth, faith, and God.

If you have come this far, let me encourage you to complete this relatively short read. Allow it to reveal things you haven’t thought of, to stir questions that need to be asked, and to provide important answers. Hopefully, it will lead you into discovering how God’s plan intersects in a real and relevant way to your life.

For most of us, coming to faith is a process. It involves looking into it, and feeling comfortable with a decision. Ultimately, the choice of faith is yours. For the majority of people, a course like this has three notable benefits. It is the goal of this book to help you have . . .

#1 A reasoned foundation to your beliefs.

If you have questions, (most of us do!), this is a time to get answers. It will strengthen you to know not only “what” you believe, but also “why.” Then you will have a solid foundation to stand on.

#2 Understanding of what Christ will bring to your life.

God offers himself to his followers. He wants a relationship with you and desires to bless you in Christ! You may not have yet grasped what a relationship with God will mean to you personally; we hope you will see more of this in these writings.

#3 Confidence in your response to become a Christ follower.

What exactly does the Bible say about the Christian message and your response to it? Here you can know you have responded in a way that God intends, and have full assurance of your position with God.

If you are open to explore these possibilities, then put your hand to the doorknob and get those feet a-movin’—may the adventure begin!

Matthew 7:7–8

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Mark 10:49–52

Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

2

A Tale of Two Operators

Picture yourself at the fair getting onto a classic ride called “The Hammer.” It is basically two compartments on rods that swing around in opposite circles. No one is in line, so you and a friend say, “Let’s do it!” You jump in and immediately feel a little claustrophobic in the tight box. Soon off you go in a circle . . . upside down . . . then around . . . and upside down . . . and around. You begin to laugh . . . this ride rocks! As it keeps going around and around and around for a couple minutes your laughing stops—and you start feeling funny. Then you begin moaning—“ooooooh.” The ride keeps going on and on . . . you’re feeling sick now. Moaning stops and yelling begins: “Stoooooop, please stop!”

But the operator just keeps it going. Savoring a fresh drag from his cigarette, he hears you screaming and thinks you must be having one hell of a time! He looks around and says, “There’s no one else in line . . . I will give ‘em their moneys worth.” Then finally, it starts to slow down and comes to a halt, thank God. You cannot wait for the operator to open the door and let you out; but before this happens you feel yourself moving in the reverse direction. Oh no! You yell some more but it’s too late. You go another few minutes—this time backwards! You get out, hurl. Your night is ruined.

Now think for a moment about this scenario —that really happened! Let us breakdown precisely what is so unsettling about this experience. First of all, you were not in control. Your ride was in the hands of the “operator,” and you didn’t know him or trust him. Second, the operator did not know you, and how you were doing; he was oblivious to your situation. Third, and perhaps most disturbingly, was that the operator didn’t give a rip about you either!

You may be glad to hear the Bible teaches the exact opposite ideas about God. As the “Operator” over this world, he knows you personally, and is in tune with how you are doing at all times. And exceedingly better yet, not only does he know you—he cares. Immeasurably! That is why God wants you to know him and trust him.

David writes this in Psalm 139,

You have searched me, LORD,

and you know me.

You know when I sit and when I rise;

you perceive my thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down;

you are familiar with all my ways.

Isn’t it amazing that God is so personal? He is this way, no...

Table of contents

• Title Page
• The Missional Engagement Series
• Session One: Core Beliefs—Part One
• Session Two: Core Beliefs—Part Two
• Session Three: Personal Faith
• Session Four: A New Path
• Leader’s Guide
• Steps to Faith Interactive!
• Addendum: The New Testament’s Authenticity
• Resources by Gary Comer
• Bibliography