Faith Commander: Do You Have Redonkulous Faith?

Living in the spotlight, subjecting yourself to the scrutiny of those who take pleasure in exploiting your flaws is beyond difficult. Many families crumble when subjected to this kind of pressure. The world of reality TV proves this point. Viewers watch helplessly as couples they have come to know crash and burn. One might ultimately determine that no family can hold up under such pressure.

There is a family, however, that has not only stayed together under the spotlight, it has thrived. The Robertson Family, stars of Duck Dynasty, have made it their mission to demonstrate their faith to a very critical world. Look past the antics necessary for television ratings, and we find a family with a strong faith in Christ.

Korie Robertson gives us a different look at the Robertson family in the new book and Bible study curriculum, Faith Commander. This new series of books, written for adults, teens, and children, reflects the Robertsons’ desire to bring the entire family into the faith discussion. Using parables from the gospel of Matthew, we are challenged to consider the strength of our faith. We may not be in a spotlight, but would our faithfulness to Christ stand if we suddenly found ourselves in that position? We hope you enjoy this free session 1 of Faith Commander.

Watch the Trailer for Faith Commander

Faith Commander

We love a good story. In the Robertson family, about the time you start learning to tie your shoes is when you start listening to good stories. Later you get your chance to tell a good story. Our stories involve experiences we have gone through, taken from the ordinary things we deal with every day, but often made bigger than life to make them more fun. There may also be some surprise twists to keep you guessing. But the secret to a really good story is that it will have a point that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

It’s no surprise, then, that we love Jesus’s stories. He called them parables, which means they compare something to something else. Parables aim straight for the heart and can change yours if you let them. Think of a parable as an earthly story with a heavenly meaning from our Faith Commander: Jesus.

Redonkulous Faith?

Jesus’s disciples asked Him, “Increase our faith!”

He answered, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you” (Luke 17:5–6).

Apparently, the size of your faith is less important than its quality and what you’re doing with it. Are you using the faith you have?

Redonkulous faith can be as tiny as a mustard seed, but it’s as powerful as a mighty wind. It trusts that God is our defender, deliverer, and provider. Actions like forgiveness and kindness and obedience flow naturally from redonkulous faith. But without redonkulous faith, it’s hard to keep forgiving people when they’re harsh, keep being kind when they’re cold, keep obeying God when He asks difficult things. You just run out of gas.

Apparently, the size of your faith is less important than its quality and what you’re doing with it. Are you using the faith you have?

Watch Faith Commander Session 1: Redonkulous Faith

Study Questions

Discussion questions in this study combine questions taken from the Adult and the Teen editions of Faith Commander. We also include a follow-up assignment from the Children’s edition as a sampler.

1. In the video (teen edition), John Luke says that when the Duck Dynasty® show started, it rocked his world. How would it rock your world if your family was in a television show? How would it challenge your faith in Christ?

2. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” What is something you have confidence about that you can’t see, or that hasn’t happened yet?

3. How did Jase express faith in God when he was fourteen? How did his actions require faith in what he couldn’t see?

4. Many people make it a goal to be popular? How does popularity challenge a person’s faith? How does feeling unpopular challenge a person’s faith?

5. What are you confident is true about God? Why are you confident? (If you’re not confident of anything about God, what leads to your lack of confidence?)

6. John Luke also talks in the teen edition video about how speaking in front of groups challenges his faith, because he has to trust God to come through with the words he needs to say. What are the circumstances in your life where you need to trust God to come through for you?

7. Do you boldly share your faith as Jase did? What encourages you to do that? Or what gets in the way?

8. Read Matthew 13:3-9 and Matthew 18-23. How would you summarize what this parable is about?

9. How does each of these things affect your confidence in Jesus Christ?

• Trouble or persecution
• The worries of this life
• Money or the lack of it?

10. What do you think God would like you to do in response to this parable?

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In the children’s edition of Faith Commander, Korie offers some advice, which easily applies to any age. Here’s a sample excerpt:

Following Our Faith Commander

An important way to be like Jesus, our Faith Commander, is to spend time reading the Bible, praying, and learning from His teachings. Your challenge this week is to spend 15 minutes each day reading the Bible as a family. Consider studying the Parable of the Sower or begin reading in the Gospel of John. Ask God to open your eyes, ears, and heart to all that He wants to show you. The preschool song says it best: “Read your Bible and pray every day, and you’ll grow, grow, grow!” Want more Redonkulous Faith? Spend time reading His words to you!

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Excerpted with permission from Faith Commander: Living Five Values from the Parables of Jesus by Korie Robertson and Chrys Howard, copyright Zondervan 2014.

Your Turn

How would you like for people to pray for you with regard to redonkulous faith? We invite you to leave your prayer requests below so the FaithGateway team can pray for you this week!