FAITH IN

TIMES OF DOUBT

CKCKS RETREAT 2021

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

James 1:2-4

Title

Bible Text

Speaker

Speech 1: Habakkuk's Struggle with God's Ways

Hab 1-3

Rev Justin Smidstra

Outline of Speech 1

I. Questioning God's Timing

II. Questioning God's Character

III. Responding with Faith

Discussion Questions of Speech 1

  1. In what manner did Habakkuk bring his troubles to God? Is it acceptable for us to do it in the same manner? Why or why not?

  2. What doubts do you face in your life? What are some steps we can take when faced with such doubts?

  3. God does not speak directly to us now. How then our doubts answered? How do we respond to these answers? How does faith respond when it cannot fully understand God's ways?

Optional Question:

  1. Are Habakuk's concerns valid to us today?

Speech 2: Faith Overcoming Doubt

Mark 9:17-29

Rev Justin Smidstra

Outline of Speech 2

I. Acknowledging our Weaknesses

II. Leaning on God by Faith

III. How we obtain This Faith

Discussion Questions of Speech 2

  1. What does Jesus mean when He says that all things are possible to him that believes? (Mark 9:23; Mark 11:24)

  2. How do we know if our faith measures up to Jesus' standards? Is it possible to have faith while having doubts?

Optional Questions:

  1. Why is faith important in prayer?

  2. By what means is faith strengthened? How do we obtain true faith?

  3. Why were the disciples unable to cast the spirit out of the boy? What can we learn from this?

Speech 3: Encouraging a Friend in Doubt

Job 16:20-21

Rev Justin Smidstra

Outline of Speech 3

I. Job's friends' responses to his affliction

II. Why their response is wrong

III. What we can learn from this

Discussion Questions of Speech 3

  1. What difficulties do you face when a friend shares their trials with you?

a. How did Job's friends scorn him by trying to comfort him? If one might accidentally scorn a friend by trying to comfort him, should we still do it? Why or why not?

b. What are some practical/concrete steps we can take when someone comes to us with their doubts?


  1. How should we respond when others try to comfort us? Is it possible for fellow believers to be miserable comforters? What if their words are right? What if their words are wrong?