Keep Your Confidence

Ps David Jones

Sunday Morning’s message 28th of September 2025

citywestchurch YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A28wzzgGLu4

Leaders note: This study is a guide—use it flexibly. Adapt the questions and follow the flow of your group. Keep it simple, keep it fun, and create space for God to move as you grow together.

Keep Your Confidence

Hebrews 10:35-39 - So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For,

“In just a little while,

he who is coming will come

and will not delay.”

And,

“But my righteous one will live by faith.

And I take no pleasure

in the one who shrinks back.”

But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. Confidence in Scripture isn’t self-assurance—it’s assurance in God’s promises. The writer of Hebrews reminds us that perseverance is key to receiving what God has promised. Confidence can be easily shaken when we face trials, but our identity as people of faith calls us forward, not backward.

Discuss

• What do you think it means to “throw away” your confidence in God?

• How have you seen perseverance produce fruit in your own life or in others?

• What helps you keep hold of faith when you feel like shrinking back?

The Struggle of Comparison

Psalm 73:2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.

Asaph, a Levite and one of the chief musicians appointed by King David, gives us a powerful example of honesty in faith. In his psalm, he admits that envy of the wicked almost caused him to stumble. Looking at the prosperity of others, he began to wonder if living faithfully for God was worth it. This wasn’t just a fleeting thought—it shook his spiritual footing and made him feel unstable in his walk with God.

His struggle is incredibly relatable in our world today. With social media, advertising, and constant exposure to other people’s highlights, it’s easy to believe that everyone else has it better, easier, happier, untouched by struggle. Our hearts can slip into comparison. Just like Asaph, we can start to question why following Jesus sometimes feels costly while others seem to have no burdens.

The danger of comparison is that it distorts our perspective. When our eyes are fixed on what others have, we risk losing sight of the eternal reward and the joy that comes from walking closely with Christ. Asaph’s honesty encourages us because it shows that even faithful leaders wrestled with this tension—but it also reminds us that God calls us back to trust, lifting our eyes from others to Him.

Discuss

• Why is comparison so dangerous for our faith?

• How does Asaph’s honesty encourage you in your own struggles?

• What practices help you fix your eyes back on Jesus when envy sets in?

The Deadly D’s

Distraction, disappointment, disillusionment, deception, discouragement, and despair.

Most believers don’t suddenly abandon their faith. Instead, they are slowly worn down by subtle attacks that chip away at confidence in God. Over time, these pressures can make us timid, disheartened, or weary, leading to a gradual cooling of our passion for Jesus. The enemy’s strategy is rarely an outright assault but a steady draining of courage and conviction until faith feels weak and fragile.

Recognising these tactics is vital because it reminds us that we are not powerless. When we identify distraction or discouragement for what it is, we can call it out and stand against it in the strength God provides. Scripture calls us to be alert and resist the enemy, not in our own strength but through the Spirit’s power. By clinging to God’s promises and encouraging one another, we guard our confidence and keep our boldness alive.

Discuss

• Which of the “deadly D’s” do you find yourself most vulnerable to, and why?

• How can we encourage one another when we see discouragement setting in?

• What practical ways can we guard against distraction and stay focused on God’s call?

  
  

Confidence as Boldness

Confidence in God is not just quiet assurance—it is a bold, living hope that shapes how we face the world. The early church knew this deeply. Surrounded by persecution and opposition, they did not shrink back in fear but held fast to the promises of Christ. Their courage wasn’t based on circumstances but on the certainty that Jesus had conquered death and secured eternal life. This confidence became the anchor of their faith and the reason their witness was so powerful in a hostile world.

Think of warriors in ancient times. A soldier’s shield was his lifeline, protecting him from arrows and attacks. To discard it was considered an act of cowardice, sometimes even punishable by death, because it left both the soldier and his companions vulnerable. In the same way, when we throw away confidence in God, we expose ourselves to doubt, fear, and defeat. Yet God has not called us to shrink back but to stand bold in His promises. By keeping our confidence, we guard ourselves against spiritual vulnerability and inspire others to do the same.

Discuss

• Why do you think the Bible connects confidence with boldness in faith?

• What does keeping your “shield” of confidence look like in your life today?

• How can this group help one another to keep boldness in God?

  
  

Pray

• Pray for a fresh boldness in God’s promises.

• Ask the Spirit to give courage in the face of fear or pressure.

• Pray that our group would stand firm and encourage one another to keep their “shield” of confidence.