Where faith comes from

01 · GATHER ROUND

Start with a question.

“What does a kite need to fly—how many things can you name?”

Running can get a kite up for a moment, but it takes a steady wind to keep it flying high. Keep that picture handy.

03 · OPEN THE BIBLE

A kite and the wind.

On a still day, you can run up and down the field until you’re out of breath. Your kite might flutter up for a second, but the moment you slow down, it flops back to the ground. But when the wind picks up—whoosh!—the kite leaps into the sky and stays there. You can’t see the wind. You can’t control it. But you can see what it does.

Last week we saw why saved people do good. Now here’s a question hiding underneath it all: where does faith come from? Do we just work it up on our own, like running harder with a kite? The Bible says no. Faith comes from the Holy Spirit.

Jesus once compared the Holy Spirit to the wind. You can hear it, but you can’t tell where it comes from or where it’s going. The Spirit works in our hearts in ways we can’t see, opening our eyes to who Jesus really is and helping us trust him.

Paul describes it beautifully in his letter to Titus. When God’s kindness and love appeared, he saved us—not because of good things we had done, but because of his mercy. He gave us new birth and made us new by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out generously. Faith is part of that new life God gives.

This means you can’t take credit for your faith. It’s a gift. But it also means you can ask for more. If your faith feels small, you can pray, “Holy Spirit, help me trust Jesus.” That’s a prayer God loves to answer.

And if there’s someone you love who doesn’t trust Jesus yet, don’t lose hope. You can’t make them believe, but the Holy Spirit can change hearts. Keep praying, and keep loving them. The wind can pick up at any moment.

04 · WONDER TOGETHER

Let’s talk about it.

1. How is the Holy Spirit like the wind?
2. Why is it good news that faith is a gift and not something we have to work up?
3. When your faith feels small, what could you ask the Holy Spirit for?

Try answering one yourself first. “I don’t know yet” is a fine place to start a conversation.

06 · TALK TO GOD

Let’s pray.

Holy Spirit, thank you for giving us faith to trust Jesus. We couldn’t do it on our own. Thank you for making us new and pouring out God’s kindness on us. When our faith feels small, help us trust Jesus more. Please work in the hearts of the people we love who don’t know him yet. Amen.

Then invite everyone to add one thing they want to tell God.

07 · MAKE IT STICK

A little truth to learn by heart.

This week’s answer is short, so have fun with it. Say it in a whisper like a gentle breeze, then like a gusty wind, then like an opera singer, then like a robot. Let each person invent a new voice until everyone is laughing—and knows it by heart.