Faith in Jesus: A Guide

• The chapter's focus question is, "Why put my faith in Jesus?"
• A fitting response is to put your faith in Jesus and believe the Gospel.
• John 3:16 states "...that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life,"

The Gift of Faith

• Through faith, people receive grace
• God's grace at work allows openness to faith.
• Free will allows people to accept the gift of faith.

Understanding Faith

• Divine Revelation communicates truths that can be challenging to accept
• Faith trusts God as the source of all life and love
• The Holy Spirit guides people to holiness and eternal life

Recipe for Nourishing Faith

• Read Scripture regularly and prayerfully
• Spend time with people of faith and ask them questions about God
• Pray to strengthen your faith or for other intentions
• Become part of a faith community to help mix all steps together

Life of Saint Paul

• Paul was a Pharisee who persecuted Christians.
• He converted near Damascus.
• He traveled 10,000 miles to spread the Good News.
• He partnered with Peter and other apostles.
• He guided first Christians on faith and morality

Letters from Saint Paul

• Some letters were written to individuals and to communities
• Some letters were written from prison
• All letters were inspired by God and guided by the Holy Spirit
• All letters share truths God wants people to know

Reading Paul's Letters

• Remember the context: culture and times of Paul
• Remember you are only getting one side of Dialogue
• Paul used a style of reasoning like a first-century Rabbi
• The Magisterium helps understand teachings during current times

Faith and Unity in Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians

• Paul embraced diversity among new Christians
• Salvation is for everyone, both Gentiles and Jews
• Some disagreed, questioning if Gentiles had to follow Jewish Law first

Hypocrisy in Ephesus

• Jewish and Gentile Christians were not getting along
• Paul explains God’s plan for redemption
• Jesus’ sacrifice brings a right relationship with God
• Work toward a right relationship with one another

Lessons for Today

• Faith begins with God and invitation to lead a more meaningful life through belief
• People are called to respond to God with action
• Trust God and the Holy Spirit, to be in relationship with one another

Cliques in Corinth

• There are some that followed Paul and others Apollos
• There were wealthy believers and poor believers
• Demonstrate faith by how people treat one another
• Being unified is more important than being right

The Significance of Jesus

• From the Apostles to Christians today, people have died because of their belief in Jesus
• Examples: Missionaries of Charity nuns, Father Tom Uzhunnalil, and Blessed Father Stanley Rother (beatified September 2017)

Faith and Religion

• Faith and religion cannot exist without the other
• Faith is nurtured and sustained in communities of faith
• They provide worship and adoration
• They provide Service and sacrifice
• They provide Time, talent, and treasure