What is faith, exactly? We know it’s powerful, because at least six times after healing someone Jesus says to them, “Your faith has healed you.” However, how do we know we have faith, especially the faith that saves and heals and empowers?
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Has anyone ever said to you "I thank God for you..."? If so, what about you were they thanking God for? Perhaps your help in something, or your ongoing presence in their life, or for a gift you gave them? There are two qualities for which the Apostle Paul consistently gave thanks. Do you have them?
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It has been said that God has no spiritual grandchildren. We are all responsible for our own relationship with Christ. Are you confident you know how to grow in your faith, deepen your relationship with God, and develop love for others? Sadly, this was not the case for Joash.
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What comes to mind when you hear the word "deconstruction" as it applies to Christianity? Does it have positive or negative connotations for you? Sadly, in pop Christian culture, the term has been misused and misunderstood to mean, "I'm throwing away my faith and leaving God and the church!" This is not deconstruction.
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The common thread between the eclosion of the butterfly and Israel inheriting the land is that time and struggle are part of the plan. In fact, they are how God fulfills his purpose for them both.
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What makes faith "faith?" For example, how would I know if I have "faith in Jesus?" If I know about him, is that faith? If I believe he is the Son of God, is that faith? The answer to both those questions is, perhaps surprisingly, no.
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When it comes to a seemingly silent God and unanswered prayer, has someone ever told you that you need more faith? Have you ever told yourself that?
Chances are, they (and you) were wrong.
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We say things like, “Go ahead and question / struggle with church beliefs / deconstruct, as long as you end up back where you started.” We have a hard time allowing those questioning followers to land somewhere else on the faith continuum.
So the first thing that we as followers of Jesus need to understand in order to become the kind of church community for healthy deconstruction and reconstruction is the wideness of Christian faith.
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Have you heard of the term "deconstruction"? It has nothing to do with buildings or renovations, nor is it a synonym of "demolition." Rather, deconstruction is a term that refers to the breaking down of a philosophy, theology, or thought construct. The reason it's an important word to know is because it's happening all around us in the church, especially among Millennials and Gen Z.
It may even be happening to you.
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