The Gospel of John- Part 11: There’s Faith & The There’s Faith | John 4:43-54// March 15th, 2026
Teaching overview
Riley taught from John 4:43-54 and challenged the idea of shallow “signs faith,” which is based on what Jesus can do, with true saving faith rooted in who Jesus is. Through the royal official’s story, we see that real faith pursues Jesus in desperation, trusts his word before seeing results, and ultimately rests in his identity as Lord. Riley challenges us to move beyond superficial interest or need-based belief to deep, committed trust in Christ for his own sake.
Our prayer for your Community
Lord, we come to you aware of our need, asking that you move our hearts from seeking what you can do for us to trusting fully in who you are. Help us this week to pursue you wholeheartedly, to take you at your word even before we see the outcome, and to surrender our lives fully to you as Lord; deepen our trust and commitment to you alone. In your name, amen.
Group questions and further meditations:
Recognizing My Own “Signs Faith” Tendencies
Meditation:
JThe sermon highlighted how the Galileans welcomed Jesus because of the miracles they had seen, but their interest remained shallow—focused on what He could do for them rather than who He is. Many of us start our faith journey the same way: drawn to Jesus for help, comfort, answers, or blessings, yet hesitant to fully surrender when the miracles don’t come quickly or look the way we expect.
Questions:
In what areas of your life right now are you primarily seeking Jesus for what He can do (healing, provision, guidance, relief) rather than for who He is as Lord and Messiah?
How has “signs faith” shown up in your relationship with God in the past year—can you name a specific example?
What would it look like this week to shift your focus from “Jesus, do this for me” to “Jesus, I want to know and trust You more deeply”?Trusting Before Seeing
Meditation:
This man traveled 20–25 miles uphill, left his dying son’s side, and risked his social position as a royal official to seek Jesus in person. His desperation became the doorway to genuine faith—he didn’t wait for convenient circumstances; he pursued Jesus at great personal cost.
Questions:
When was the last time you pursued Jesus with that kind of urgency and willingness to risk comfort, reputation, or convenience? What held you back then, and what might be holding you back now?
Where in your current life situation do you sense God inviting you to take a step of desperate, wholehearted pursuit (perhaps in prayer, obedience, reconciliation, or sharing your faith)?
As a group, how can we encourage and hold one another accountable to pursue Jesus more boldly this week?
3. Trusting Jesus’ Word Before Seeing the Outcome
Meditation:
The royal official believed Jesus’ simple statement—“Go, your son will live”—and returned home without demanding proof or insisting Jesus come with him. He trusted the word of Jesus before he saw the result, and that trust led his whole household to saving faith.
Questions:
IThink of a promise from Scripture or a word you believe God has spoken to you personally—what makes it hard for you to trust and act on it before you see evidence?
Share a time when you chose to trust God’s word even though the situation still looked impossible—what happened, and how did it affect your faith?
This week, identify one area where you’re waiting to “see” before you obey or trust fully. What small step of faith can you take today to believe Jesus’ word first?
