When Being Stubborn Works Out

VIDEO CLIP SHOWN BEFORE THE SERMON: https://youtu.be/2ik9KWmBgAM

THE TEXT: Mark 5:21 – 43

Stubborn faith…

•  the pull and weight of status and pride.
•  ridicule, judgment, and rejection.
•  to be stopped by barriers.
•  fear.

And results in…

• Being and by Jesus.
• Release of God’s and .
• !

So…

• to Jesus in , without or .

Reference:

| Luke 8:40-57 | Philippians 3:7-8 | Mark 2:1-12 | Luke 18:1-8 | Matthew 7:7 |
| Matthew 11:28-30 | Isaiah 41:10 | Psalm 56:3 | John 14:27 |

Small Group Questions

What do you think?

1. From Sunday’s sermon, what particular point stood out to you, challenged you, or raised a question for you?
2. The title of Pastor Willie’s sermon was “stubborn faith,” used in a positive light as opposed to a negative light. In what ways do you think stubbornness can actually be helpful?

The story of your life.

Tell about a time when you were stubborn in either a positive or negative way. 

Digging deeper.

1. Another great story of “stubborn faith” is found in Luke 18:1-8. Read it together, have a few group members recap the story, and answer the following questions.
   1. What does this story tell us about God? Faith? Us?
   2. In light of this, is there anything you need to do differently?
2. While stubbornness and persistence can be helpful in a certain context, the type of prayer life God is looking to answer is a lot more nuanced. There are three parables after the persistent widow that help us see this a bit more clearly. Read each of them, recap the story, and then answer the questions listed underneath.
   1. Luke 18:9-14.
   2. Luke 18:15-17.
   3. Luke 18:18-30.
   4. What do these stories tell us about God? Faith? Us?
   5. In light of this, is there anything you need to do differently?
3. Read the Lord’s prayer from Matthew 6:9-15 and answer the following questions.
   1. What do you usually think about when you read the Lord’s prayer?
   2. In light of the topic of “stubborn faith,” did anything different stand out to you this time?

Personal reflection and application.

1. Have everyone share one thing someone else mentioned that struck a chord with you from the discussion.
2. Pray for one another (preferably men with men and women with women if possible).