Series: Short Stories with Jesus
Message: Faithless 
Preacher: Japhet De Oliveira
Reflection: Karl Haffner
Live Wonder: Zan Long
Live Adventure: Zan Long
Live Purpose: Jessyka Albert
Editor: Becky De Oliveira

Refresh: Begin with prayer. Ask for the Holy Spirit to open your heart to new understanding and for God’s character to be revealed.

Read: Mark 9:17-27 in the English Standard Version (ESV). Note 1–3 insights or questions.

Reflect: Consider the lessons from this story that Lawrence Richards highlights in The Teacher’s Commentary:

Perhaps the first lesson for us in this story is that God does not demand perfect faith in people. We do believe. But we still need help for our unbelief. Jesus accepts even imperfect faith and generously works His miracles in our lives. As we continue to grow in our relationships with Him, He does indeed “help our unbelief,” gradually replacing it with a more perfect trust in Him. But there is another lesson as well. The disciples who had been unable to help were troubled by their powerlessness. Afterward they asked Jesus privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” Jesus answered, “This kind can come out only by prayer.” (p. 620).

For the challenges of our lives as Jesus’ disciples we must rely, not on our own strength, but completely on God’s. And we express that dependence most perfectly in prayer. How might you apply each of these lessons in your life today? What other lessons would you extract from this Bible story?

Recalibrate: Have a raw, honest conversation with God. Rage, doubt, apathy, confusion, worry—whatever you’re feeling, tell God. He can handle the truth. Can you think times in your life when God proved Himself to be trustworthy? List all the stories that come to mind and give yourself a faith-lift. Following the example of the father in Mark 9:17-27, intercede on behalf of a loved one who needs healing.

Respond: Pray for God to increase your faith.

Research: Read one of the recommended commentaries on this story.

Remember: “Everything is possible for one who believes.” —Mark 9:23 (NIV)

Karl Haffner gets to hang out with some fabulous folk at the Kettering Seventh-day Adventist Church in Ohio where he serves as pastor. He's blessed with his wife, Cherié, and their two daughters, Lindsey (a senior at Walla Walla University) and Claire (a junior at Spring Valley Academy). They also have a mutt named Skip.

Communicating with your little one is so much more than words. It’s how you touch them and the tone you use to speak and the space you create fordaily  life. Jesus is gentle and patient and good. Be His hands, His voice, and His actions in your child’s day.

Write a letter to Jesus telling Him about how things are at home and at school—what you dream about and what you are afraid of and what you would love the most. Look and listen for His reply. Jesus speaks in love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, and self-control. Look out for messages wrapped in these.

What is your prayer life like? Is it mainly filled with requests? This week when you pray, try to process your requests deeper with God. Why are you asking Him for this or that? How would you feel if He didn’t answer your prayer right away? How would you feel if He did?