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FAITH: Three Biblical Examples
 
    The Father’s Doubt:

    When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. [15] As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.
    [16] "What are you arguing with them about?" he asked.
    [17] A man in the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. [18] Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not."
    [19] "O unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me."
    [20] So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.
    [21] Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?"
    "From childhood," he answered. [22] "It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us."
    [23] " 'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."
    [24] Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"
    [25] When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit. "You deaf and mute spirit," he said, "I command you, come out of him and never enter him again."
    [26] The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, "He's dead." [27] But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.
    [28] After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we drive it out?"
    [29] He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer." _^[NIV]

   The Mustard Seed:

    Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, "Why couldn't we drive it out?"
    [20] He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." [21]  _^[NIV]

    The Disciples’ Fear:

    Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. [24] Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. [25] The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!"
    [26] He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
    [27] The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!" _^[NIV]