F-A-I-T-H! We do because we are!

Main Thought

Faithful, Available, Involved, Teachable, and Hungry are character traits that we at Every Nation Ministries Worldwide embrace.  Combined, they form the F.A.I.T.H. acronym. F.A.I.T.H. is a part of our core values. But why do we do seek to emulate these qualities? Answering our Why is crucial in living out this core value not as a burden, but out of joy and gladness. F.A.I.T.H is imparted through God’s grace. It's summed up in this phrase: “We do, because we are.” That’s the essence of true Christianity. God’s presence dwelling in us becomes our “Why” in practicing F-A-I-T-H with gladness and joy.

Main Passages

“And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.”

- 1 John 5:11-13 ESV

“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

- John 10:10 ESV

“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.”

- Psalm 67:1-2 ESV

Discussion Questions

1. According to 1 John 5:11-13, our identity and eternal life come from having Christ - not from what we do to earn God’s approval. How does knowing who we are in Christ change the way we practice F.A.I.T.H. (Faithful, Available, Involved, Teachable, Hungry)?

2. Psalm 67:1-2 shows that God blesses us so that His ways and saving power may be known among the nations. Which F.A.I.T.H. character trait is God currently challenging you to grow in, and how could practicing it become a blessing to the people around you?

3. Sometimes living out our values can feel like a responsibility or burden. What is the difference between practicing F.A.I.T.H. because we feel we “have to” and practicing F.A.I.T.H. because we know who we are in Christ? What would it look like to live out these 5 traits with greater joy this week?

Less of Me

Main Thought

We all want to know that we matter. We want our work to be appreciated, our contribution to be noticed, and our voice to be heard. There’s nothing wrong with recognition, accomplishment, or wanting to do something meaningful. But without realizing it, we can begin looking to those things to tell us who we are. When we feel overlooked, corrected, or when someone else gets the credit, suddenly “ME” has a way of moving to the center.

In Philippians 1–2, Paul shows us a different way to live. Jesus knew exactly who He was, so He didn’t need to prove Himself, protect His position, or chase recognition. His security allowed Him to humble Himself, serve others, and trust the Father with the outcome. Christ-like character grows when we become secure enough in who we are that we don’t need everything to be about us. “Less of me” doesn’t mean less confidence, ambition, leadership, or purpose. Less of me doesn’t mean less effort, it means less ego. As more of Jesus is formed in us, more of Jesus can be seen through us.

Main Passages

27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel  - Philippians 1:27

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature[b] God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. - Philippians 2:3-11

Discussion Questions

1. Are you naturally more comfortable working in the background, or do you enjoy being out front and recognized for what you do? What do you like about that posture?

2. Think about a time you were overlooked, criticized, or someone else got the recognition you wanted. What did your reaction reveal about what was happening inside you?

3. Philippians 2 shows us that Jesus was secure in who He was, which freed Him to humble Himself and put others first. Where do you find yourself needing to prove, protect, or promote yourself and what is one specific way you can choose “less of me” in that area this week?

Life that Abides

Main Thought

Jesus commanded us to abide in Him. Abiding requires action. To help us abide, we can do things like read the Bible, pray, and obey God. Yet abiding in God is more than action. It includes our awareness of God in our lives. We can train our thoughts to return to an awareness of His presence. We can remember that He’s with us and that He’s moving in our lives.  

Our actions and awareness are united by our aim, or goal. Aiming to abide means learning to live in the love of God. When we learn to live in God's love, His life flows to us. Spiritual fruit grows in us and through us. When we abide in God's love, the life of God (which includes His love and joy) abides in us.

Main Passages

'“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. '

- John 15:1-5 ESV

'If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. '

- John 15:6-8 ESV

'As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. ' - John 15:9-11 ESV

Discussion Questions

1. Think about the Main Passages above. What stands out to you most?

2. When do you find yourself to be most aware of God’s movement in your life?

3. Abiding in God requires action. What actions help you abide in God most? What can you do to abide in God this week?