Mark 9:14–29

“Lord, I Believe; Help Thou Mine Unbelief”

A man holding his son in his arms as he presents the boy to Jesus Christ to be healed. Christ is depicted standing and reaching with His and toward the boy’s head. The painting depicts Jesus Christ healing and casting a devil out of the boy.

Jesus Christ came upon a group of people questioning His disciples because the disciples could not cast an evil spirit out of a certain man’s son. After teaching this father about faith, Jesus Christ healed the son. This lesson will help you examine your faith in the Lord and seek revelation about how you can strengthen it.

Challenges to faith

Imagine experiencing the following challenges:

Not feeling welcome at Church
Depression
A family member leaving the Church
The death of a friend

How might these experiences affect someone’s belief and trust in Jesus Christ?
What other experiences might test a teenager’s faith in Christ?
What experiences have you or others had that have shown you the importance of having strong faith in Jesus Christ during difficult times?

Complete the following self-assessment:

Attribute Activity: Faith

Choose the number that best describes how often each statement applies to you. Remember that spiritual growth is a gradual process and that no one is perfect.

1 = never; 2 = sometimes; 3 = often; 4 = almost always; 5 = always

I believe in Jesus Christ and accept Him as my Savior. (2 Nephi 25:29)
I have the faith necessary to help make good things happen in my life or the lives of others. (Ether12:12)
I trust the Savior enough to accept His will and do whatever He asks. (1 Nephi 3:7)

Reflect on the areas in which you are strong. What experiences have helped you be strong in these areas?
In which areas do you need strengthening?

“Have compassion on us”

After His experience with Peter, James, and John on the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus came upon a man who desired to have his son healed from an evil spirit.

Read Mark 9:14–22, looking for the difficult situation this father and son faced.

How do you think the father felt when the Savior’s disciples couldn’t heal his son?

When have you or someone you know had reason to say to the Lord, “Have compassion on us, and help us”?
What do you know from your experiences about the Lord’s willingness to show compassion?
Why is Jesus Christ able to have compassion for each of us?

Read Mark 9:23–27 to see what happened next. Consider marking any words, phrases, or truths you feel are important to remember.

What did the Savior tell this father when he asked for help?
What stands out to you about the father’s response to the Savior in verse 24?
What experiences have you had that help you say, “Lord, I believe”?

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles emphasized important truths we can learn from this account:

When facing the challenge of faith, the father asserts his strength first and only then acknowledges his limitation. His initial declaration is affirmative and without hesitation: “Lord, I believe.” I would say to all who wish for more faith, remember this man! In moments of fear or doubt or troubling times, hold the ground you have already won, even if that ground is limited. … Hold fast to what you already know and stand strong until additional knowledge comes. …

… When doubt or difficulty come, do not be afraid to ask for help. … God will send help from both sides of the veil to strengthen our belief.

(Jeffrey R. Holland, “Lord, I Believe,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2013, 93–94)

What can we learn from this scriptural account and Elder Holland’s teachings?

One truth we learn from this account is that as we choose to believe in Heavenly Father and seek for His help through prayer, He will help us strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ.

What do you think it means to “hold the ground you have already won” and “hold fast to what you already know”?

One way to “hold the ground you have already won” and “hold fast to what you already know” is to remember and rely on previous experiences that strengthened your faith. Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles described these experiences:

Along with the peaceful direction we receive from the Holy Ghost, from time to time, God powerfully and very personally assures each of us that He knows us and loves us and that He is blessing us specifically and openly. …

… When personal difficulty, doubt, or discouragement darken our path, … the[se] spiritually defining memories … are like luminous stones that help brighten the road ahead, assuring us that God knows us, loves us, and has sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to help us return home.

(Neil L. Andersen, “Spiritually Defining Memories,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 19, 21)

Writing on a piece of paper with a pen or pencil.

Optional: Want to Learn More?

Mark 9:29. What did the Savior mean when He said, “This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting”?

Fasting and prayer can invite greater spiritual power from the Lord. Some challenges, like when the Apostles attempted to cast out the unclean spirit, may require that greater power. President Russell M. Nelson taught, “The sweet power of prayer can be intensified by fasting … when appropriate to a particular need” (“Sweet Power of Prayer,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2003, 7).

Where can I learn more about faith and doubt?

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught additional truths about strengthening faith and dealing with doubts. To hear some of these additional truths, consider watching the video “Lord, I Believe” from time code 5:57 to 10:28.