Stand Up

Daniel 3 NIV

There are moments when faith is no longer theoretical: it’s tested. When pressure rises, the heat intensifies, and the cost of obedience becomes real. It’s easy to trust God when life is comfortable, but what happens when standing for Him means standing alone? In a culture that demands compromise, three men chose conviction. They didn’t know how the story would end, only who their God was. Their faith wasn’t built on outcomes, but on trust. Trust that God is able… and trust that even if He doesn’t, He is still worthy.

1. Pastor Hinz said that “Faith that cannot be tested cannot be trusted.” Why is this true?

2. What challenges to your faith have you had to confront?

3. Do you struggle with one of the confrontational extremes: unwilling or overbearing?

4. Read Matthew 4:1-4 & 5:6 — What do you often find stealing your affection from God?

       a. Do you find yourself treating God like a genie or one with whom you can bargain?

       b. How do you combat that tendency?

5. Read Job 23:10-12 & John 15:1-2 — What fiery trial or pruning have you gone through?

       a. How did it strengthen your faith or make you more fruitful?

6. Do you feel that you know scripture well? Well enough to wield it as the sword it is? (Eph 6:17)

7. Do you find that you can always find more that needs to be or can be surrendered to Jesus?

       a. Why do you think it takes us multiple humblings? Why do we not give it all to him the first time or the second time and so on, holding nothing back, or later why do we try to take it back?

8. Pastor Hinz said, “A man or woman of God, in the will of God, is immortal until their work on earth is done.” What do you think about this statement?

       a. How would living by the truth of this statement change the way you stand up for God?