January 11

Title: Faith in the Fog
Text: Mark 9:14-29

Outline:

I. A Powerless Faith (vv. 14–19) — When we act without dependence on Jesus.

II. A Struggling Faith (vv. 20–24) — When we believe, yet doubt.

III. A Victorious Faith (vv. 25–29) — When we trust and pray to the One who has all authority.

Small Group Application Questions

Discussion questions with suggested answers:

1. What did the father bring to Jesus, and what condition was his son in?

The father brought his only son, who was possessed by a spirit that rendered him mute and violently afflicted him. The boy experienced seizures, convulsions, foaming at the mouth, and physical self-destruction. The condition was longstanding, severe, and beyond human control—both spiritually and physically devastating.

2. How does the ‘Fog of War’ relate to the father’s faith and the disciples’ faith?

The “Fog of War” describes the confusion, fear, and disorientation present when expectations collide with reality.

• For the father, the fog is created by years of unanswered suffering and the disciples’ failure, leaving him unsure whether Jesus can truly help.

• For the disciples, the fog comes from overconfidence rooted in past success, blinding them to their present dependence on God.
  In both cases, faith is obscured—not absent—but clouded by circumstance and disappointment.

3. What does Jesus indicate is the true obstacle to divine power in this passage?

Jesus identifies unbelief—not the power of the demon—as the true obstacle. His rebuke (“O faithless generation”) exposes not a lack of technique or authority, but a failure to trust and rely on God. Divine power is not constrained by opposition; it is hindered by hearts that operate independently of faith-filled dependence.

4. What was the father's response when Jesus asked if he believed?

The father responds with one of the most honest confessions in Scripture:

“I believe; help my unbelief!”
This is not a contradiction but a confession of partial, struggling faith—a belief that exists alongside doubt and desperation. He brings both to Jesus, refusing to pretend his faith is stronger than it is.

5. What are the key components that Jesus identifies as necessary for overcoming the challenges faced by the disciples?

Jesus points to prayer (and in some manuscripts, fasting) as essential. These are not techniques but expressions of dependence. Prayer acknowledges weakness, reorients the heart toward God, and cultivates ongoing reliance rather than self-confidence.

6. What lesson can we learn about reliance on past experiences from the disciples’ failure?

Past victories do not guarantee present faithfulness. The disciples had successfully cast out demons before, but they attempted this moment in their own strength. The lesson is clear: spiritual authority is not something we store; it must be continually received. Yesterday’s obedience cannot replace today’s dependence.

7. What can we infer about the condition of the father’s faith throughout the story?

The father’s faith is real but fragile, flickering rather than extinguished. It begins uncertain (“If you can do anything”), is challenged by disappointment, and matures into humble honesty. His faith is not perfected—but it is directed toward Jesus, which proves sufficient.

8. How does the message in this sermon relate to personal crises of faith we might face today?

This passage speaks directly to moments when God feels silent, prayers seem ineffective, or spiritual confidence erodes. It assures us that faith is not measured by certainty but by direction. In crises, God does not require polished belief—He invites honest dependence.

9. What is the significance of the father's acknowledgment of his unbelief in relation to the theme of faith?

The father’s confession reframes faith not as self-generated confidence but as grace-dependent trust. By admitting his unbelief, he places even his weakness into Jesus’ hands. This moment reveals that faith grows not by denying doubt, but by submitting it to Christ.