Initiate

A video introduction using illustrations, personal stories, metaphors, or active learning examples to begin the discussion.

Interact

After the video, prompts are supplied for thinking and sharing with others personal perception and experience. This opening activity prompts participants to think about and relate to the topic, and to share with others. 

Who are the people in your life who have faced life’s most difficult challenges, and how have they continued to believe in God’s goodness and presence despite their pain and doubts?  

Which of the following quotes resonate with you the most? Which might be the most helpful in times of uncertainty?

• “We must dare to pray even as we doubt... True faith is like a light that begins to flicker, however faintly, in the darkness that beckons us to pray even when we can hardly find the faith to pray.”― Jerry Sittser
• “The quickest way for anyone to reach the sun and the light of day is not to run west, chasing after the setting sun, but to head east, plunging into the darkness until one comes to the sunrise.” ― Jerry Sittser
• “We do not always have the freedom to choose the roles we must play in life, but we can choose how we are going to play the roles we have been given.” ― Jerry Sittser
• Darkness, it is true, had invaded my soul. But then again, so did light. Both contributed to my personal transformation.” ― Jerry Sittser

Insight

The Bible discussion begins with a careful reading of the whole passage, either from your own Bibles, or from the provided images below.

Then participants are to ask:

1. What is going on in this passage of Scripture?
2. What are the key words and phrases? Highlight them.
3. Why do you think this passage is included in the Bible?
4. What does it contribute to our “knowing Christ” and “living in Christ”?

Read Mark 9:17-24:

17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”

19 “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”

20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.

21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”

“From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Download Mark 9:17-24

In this story, we see a crisis and a struggle with faith. Think about the leper’s question in Mark 1:40: "You can heal me, if you want to," and compare it to the dad’s plea here: "If you can do anything, help us." How are these questions alike? How are they different? Both the leper and the dad bring their doubts to Jesus but still ask for help. 

The phrase “bring the boy to me” is repeated 3 times. Proximity—or getting closer—is the only way to find an answer. No matter what happens, staying near to God is the way to find hope and healing. Even when you feel like quitting, or when you're mad or confused, the best move is to take steps closer to Jesus. 

The dad in this story says, "I believe, but help me with my doubts." Is this a contradiction, or is it a reflection of how our hearts learn to trust Christ? It’s okay to believe while still having questions or doubts. Knowing Jesus means that hope, belief, and doubt can all exist together in our hearts as we grow in faith.