When evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city.^‍

In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. ^‍

Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”

“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain,

‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Mark 11:19–24 NIV

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In this Sunday’s message, Layla Nahavandi invites us into a deeper understanding of faith. Faith that doesn’t just believe in God’s existence, but actively trusts His Word to move what feels immovable. Through Mark 11, we are reminded that mountains don’t move through striving, but through speaking, standing, and believing. Jesus calls us to mountain-moving faith, not because of the size of our prayers, but because of the power of the One we’re praying to.

Have Faith in God

• Faith is not wishful thinking it’s spiritual certainty.
• Hebrews 11:1 defines it clearly: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”‍
• Faith that stays internal dies in isolation. As James 2:17 puts it: “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
• Real faith steps forward even when the outcome isn’t clear just like the priests in Joshua 3:8 who were told to stand in the river before it parted.
• Mountains move when we put faith in motion.

Seek the Word & Speak the Word

• “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain…” — Mark 11:23 NIV‍
• Faith-filled people don’t just think, they speak.
• Jesus didn’t say wish the mountain away; He said say to it.
• Words only carry weight when they’re anchored in the Word John 15:7–8
• We don’t speak based on hype we speak based on His Word. That’s where our authority comes from. Romans 10:17

Pray & Believe

• “Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” — Mark 11:24 NIV‍
• Faith-filled prayer is not passive it’s prophetic.
• We pray not hoping for an outcome, but believing God has already moved.
• Faith doesn't demand proof; it declares promise.
• God responds to hearts that trust, not just hands that beg.
• Doubt disconnects us from divine movement. James 1:6–8

Discussion Questions

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• What mountain are you facing right now, and how is God asking you to respond in faith?
• How does the practice of speaking the Word shift your perspective or actions in hard seasons?
• What does it look like in your life to believe before you see results?
• Where might God be inviting you to pray bolder, believe deeper, and move forward even when the waters haven’t parted yet?

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