BCA-Online Homepage | Back to BCA page for AvantGo 

Pastor Rob Carlson: 
"Moving From Safe to Faith" 
series: Believing - Building - Belonging
Sunday, April 25, 2004 
Hebrews 11:32-38 & 12:1-3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 
-Hebrews 12:1-3 

Moving From Safe to Faith 

Believing - Believing God is who He says He is and whatever He asks me to do is best and He will help me as I step out and trust Him. 

Building - Building on the promises of God and the past evidence of God and His faithfulness and power and provision. 

Belonging - Belonging to God and embracing His future for me. 
His assignment and plans belong to me and I am determined to step out in faith to fulfill them.

Live in the faith zone, not the safe zone 

Consider the life of Moses: 

• Beginning - Mother placing him in a basket in the Nile as a baby. Exodus 2 
• Burning bush encounter with God Exodus 3 
• Parting of the Red Sea Exodus 14
• Let 2 million constantly-complaining people Exodus 15, 16
• Received the Ten Commandments Exodus 20

3 Steps to Living in the faith zone: 

1. Let God help you overcome the difficult experiences of your past. 

• Moses: Your failures are not fatal, nor final. Exodus 3:10 
• Paul: Learn from the past; don’t live in it. Philippians 3:12-14 
• Lot: Leave the past with God and don’t look back. Genesis 19:17, 26 
• Peter: Remember that God has big plans for you. Mark 16:7 

2. Let God help you overcome the comforts of your present. 

3. Let God help you overcome the insecurity of your future.  

• Who am I that I should go? Exodus 3:11 
• What shall I say to them? Exodus 3:13 
• But suppose they will not believe me? Exodus 4:1 
• But I am slow of speech. Exodus 4:10 

Exodus 4:13--But Moses said, "O Lord, please send someone else to do it." 

Points to Ponder: 

1. We do not naturally leave the safe zone. 
2. Growth begins when we leave the safe zone. 
3. The safe zone robs us of our greatest moments and memories.

Small Group Discussion Questions: 

1. Think of an area where you feel God is wanting you to step out in faith. 
   What feelings and thoughts come to your mind as you consider taking a faith step?
2. Review the points and Bible verses from this lesson. 
   What personal application can you make from this week's teaching? 
3. Share a faith dream you have had in the past that God has helped you step toward, or share a faith dream that you presently have.
4. Take some time right now to pray for the needs of those in your small group. 

*Scripture is quoted from the New International Version unless otherwise noted.
www.bca-online.com