NationStates Jolt Archive

Well, heres the story - in a couple of days I'm leading my college CU, and my topic is 'Doubting Faith'. I'm looking through my Bible trying to find relevant stuff, but so far nothing. I was just wondering if anyone could help out - I'm particularly looking for stuff about what to do if you find yourself losing your faith, if there's anything in there about it, I mean I've got the whole lilies of the field bit, but that's more why to have faith, rather than what to do if you find yourself losing it. So yeah, any help?

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=467174

http://www.johnankerberg.com/Articles/practical-christianity/PC0206W2.htm

http://www.crivoice.org/biblestudy/bbmatt8.html (the section on Matthew 11:2-24 - Doubts and Dissatisfaction)

http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/devotionals/doubt.asp

Hope these help

you have a christian union in portsmouth uni?

ah, i know the dudes who run the rock soc there... :p

Well, heres the story - in a couple of days I'm leading my college CU, and my topic is 'Doubting Faith'. I'm looking through my Bible trying to find relevant stuff, but so far nothing. I was just wondering if anyone could help out - I'm particularly looking for stuff about what to do if you find yourself losing your faith, if there's anything in there about it, I mean I've got the whole lilies of the field bit, but that's more why to have faith, rather than what to do if you find yourself losing it. So yeah, any help?

When you find yourself losing your faith, get out pencil and paper and write down why. It it that you consider some of the moral guidelines to be flawed, or even malevolent ? Does the religion of the kid next door seem so much more attractive ? Did you pay attention in class and now doubt the truth of some claims made and stories told by your Holy Book of Choice[tm] ?

Take your questions to your local version of a priest. If he or she cannot give satisfactory answers, consider simply leaving the faith. Something which cannot justify itself is not worth following.

Yes, I know this is not an answer you can use in a very Christian community. Too bad, isn't it.

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=467174

:rolleyes: If you'd taken the trouble to read the post, you'd know that this isn't homework - it's a CU talk. Big difference. If i needed help with my homework (which I do - bloody Mechanics) I'd ask a more reliable source than NS General. My teacher, for example, springs to mind.

you have a christian union in portsmouth uni?

ah, i know the dudes who run the rock soc there...

Not uni - Havant college (honestly man, what are you, American? College =/= uni in this country :p:D)

Another track I'd suggest is to ask the question of what you mean by "Losing Faith". It's not a straightforward one, to be sure. What precisely is it that you're "Losing Faith" in? Is it that God exists? Is it that God knows what's best? Is it that the Bible is in any way trustworthy? Is it just in the church around you? Is it even a generic sense of despair?

The best way to begin, I find, is always to formalise the problem. Once you've broken down what Losing Faith can mean, it's much easier to find answers to the questions you're looking for.

http://www.johnankerberg.com/Articles/practical-christianity/PC0206W2.htm

http://www.crivoice.org/biblestudy/bbmatt8.html (the section on Matthew 11:2-24 - Doubts and Dissatisfaction)

http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/devotionals/doubt.asp

Hope these help

Thanks - I only skimmed through them, but I'll read them through properly tomorrow when, hopefully, I won't be so tired - from what i saw though, especially of the third one, this is exactly the sort of stuff I'm looking for :)

When you find yourself losing your faith, get out pencil and paper and write down why. It it that you consider some of the moral guidelines to be flawed, or even malevolent ? Does the religion of the kid next door seem so much more attractive ? Did you pay attention in class and now doubt the truth of some claims made and stories told by your Holy Book of Choice[tm] ?

Take your questions to your local version of a priest. If he or she cannot give satisfactory answers, consider simply leaving the faith. Something which cannot justify itself is not worth following.

Yes, I know this is not an answer you can use in a very Christian community. Too bad, isn't it.

Hmm - an interesting technique which, who knows, I might end up using, but not particularly helpful in this context - I'm looking for Biblical passages and such on doubting faith, I'm not doubting it myself.

Another track I'd suggest is to ask the question of what you mean by "Losing Faith". It's not a straightforward one, to be sure. What precisely is it that you're "Losing Faith" in? Is it that God exists? Is it that God knows what's best? Is it that the Bible is in any way trustworthy? Is it just in the church around you? Is it even a generic sense of despair?

The best way to begin, I find, is always to formalise the problem. Once you've broken down what Losing Faith can mean, it's much easier to find answers to the questions you're looking for.

Ah, good advice - thanks :) I shall most definitely use that. In fact, just looking at your suggestions for diffenerent aspects, I've thought up several answers already. Cheers.

Not uni - Havant college (honestly man, what are you, American? College =/= uni in this country :p:D)
oh yeah, good point :p

i think i'm spending too much time on this forum... i'm turning american :eek:

How can you be losing faith in physics?

How can you be losing faith in physics?

Wha?:confused: Where did physics come into this?

oh yeah, good point:p

i think i'm spending too much time on this forum... i'm turning american :eek:

Hehe, that's ok - I'll forgive you. Just don't do it again yeah? :D:p But turning American? What a horrifying thought :p:D

How can you be losing faith in physics?

I heard a bunch of PhDs got caught molesting undergrads, and some Department Heads just moved them to different labs...

Turned out later it wasn't molestation, the undergrads were just trying to kiss the Prof's asses, and the Profs just turned around too fast.

Hehe, that's ok - I'll forgive you. Just don't do it again yeah? :D:p But turning American? What a horrifying thought :p:D
well i could be turning japanese... *sings song*

i really think so...

well i could be turning japanese... *sings song*

i really think so...

Japanese?!:confused: Man, you goin' crazah!

Japanese?!:confused: Man, you goin' crazah!

What do they teach in schools today?

The Vapors were a New Wave band from England that existed between 1979 and 1981. They had a hit with the song "Turning Japanese".

I can't say I truely understand what "losing you faith" means. Did you check under the couch? Because everytime I think I lost something that's where it is. :p Just kidding.

Seriously though, I don't quite understand what you mean, either you believe something or you don't right? How do you loose faith? What would cause such a calamity?

The Vapors were a New Wave band from England that existed between 1979 and 1981. They had a hit with the song "Turning Japanese".

Ooooh. My apologies - I'm almost ashamed of my ignorance (but only almost :p)

I can't say I truely understand what "losing you faith" means. Did you check under the couch? Because everytime I think I lost something that's where it is. :p Just kidding.

Seriously though, I don't quite understand what you mean, either you believe something or you don't right? How do you loose faith? What would cause such a calamity?

That's part of the problem - I think what I'm mainly looking at here is people who are questioning why Christianity is the true way, doubting the word of God that sort of thing.

That's part of the problem - I think what I'm mainly looking at here is people who are questioning why Christianity is the true way, doubting the word of God that sort of thing.
you know I have lots of verses/Bible stories about people who doubt God's judgement, who don't believe what He says, but it's not really losing your faith so much as not having any to begin with.

You really have to ask yourself why you discount other gods. Then ask how yours is any different. Now there is a question worthy of contemplation.

You really have to ask yourself why you discount other gods. Then ask how yours is any different. Now there is a question worthy of contemplation.

Hehe - we did that last week; why Christianity is the true way. It was a very interesting discussion, and, especially for an all-Christian gathering, surprisingly questioning and challenging.

Doubt in itself is no bad thing. If you didn't constantly bear a little bit of doubt in your actions, no matter what they were (heck, I'm kinda doubting even making this post, though I think it's going to pass most of my scrutinising) you'd be a very dangerous individual.

Faith is essentially willing to act in spite of this doubt. You have enough conviction to see the point in spending time on it, even if you're not completely and utterly convinced in the absolute verity of your choice.

I think Losing Faith is when the doubt becomes such that the conviction is not sufficient to devote time and effort to the cause any more.

you know I have lots of verses/Bible stories about people who doubt God's judgement, who don't believe what He says, but it's not really losing your faith so much as not having any to begin with.

Oh. Not to worry - if you find any, I'd greatly appreciate them :)