As students join your class, have students divide into small groups. Hand each group one piece of paper and pencils or pens. Encourage students to come up with sentences about things, people, etc. that they have faith in. This isn’t a deep spiritual list, but rather ways students have faith in something or someone every day, for example, “I have faith that this chair will hold me.” “I have faith in my parents to provide for me.” “I have faith that when I go home, my dog will be happy to see me.” “I have faith that if I study for this test I will pass it,” etc.

Regather and invite each group to share their favorite sentences about what they have faith in. Keep the sharing time short and allow for fun and silliness where appropriate.

• Is it possible for anyone to live without faith in someone or something? Explain. (Answers will vary. Most students will come to the conclusion that all people have faith in something whether gravity, the laws of nature, love, justice, etc.)

Share this video with your students [4:41]:
Blind teenager shows what it means to live by faith

Invite students to answer the following questions.

• What impresses you most about Alyssa’s mom? (Answers will vary. Help students notice how Alyssa relies on her family, especially her mom, for things like getting around, putting on makeup, and just being a regular teen.)
• If Alyssa’s mom was not consistently faithful in helping her, would that hinder how much trust Alyssa has in her? For example, what if she told Alyssa she looked fine when she actually had her outfit on wrong or wasn’t careful to tell Alyssa about a tripping hazard and Alyssa fell. What difference does it make that Alyssa’s mom is consistently faithful in helping her each day? Explain your answer. (Answers will vary. If Alyssa’s mom wasn’t a constant help to her, then Alyssa would lose her trust in her and her life would be very different! Some students may say Alyssa’s mom is her constant helper and friend. Alyssa relies on her mom to be honest and helpful, and that is what makes their relationship work allowing Alyssa to live her life as a blind teen.)
• Have you ever had to put your faith in someone else and rely on him or her the way Alyssa does? (Answers will vary. Invite students to share about this person. Be prepared to share your own experience.)
• What might have happened if this person had let you down? Would you have been able to trust him or her the next time you needed them? (Invite students to share their thoughts. Most will say if the person has proven to be trustworthy numerous times then they still may be able to try to trust him or her again, however, consistency would be key here in the trust process. A person who constantly is not trustworthy would not be a person they would rely on.)

Beyond the way Alyssa finds the family and friends in her support group faithful to help her through her day, God has shown Himself faithful to her, too. Today we’re going to talk about a man who faced great difficulty. Let’s see how this story of faithfulness plays out.