Examples of faith scattered through the Scriptures and through our experience encourage us to continue in our own life of faith.
Hebrews 11:4-40
SERMON OUTLINE
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1)
True Christian faith is taking God at His word and building your life on it.
Four aspects of the life of Faith that are exemplified by these stories:
- The life of faith serves as encouragement for believers throughout all history. (vs 3-7) Creation, Abel, Enoch, Noah
- The life of faith looks forward to God’s eternal promises, not to immediate rewards. (vs 8-22) Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph
- The life of faith moves forward according to God’s direction, not human wisdom. (vs 23-31) Moses’ parents, Moses, Joshua, Rahab
- The life of faith experiences a variety of outcomes, but shares a common victory. (vs. 32-40) Prophets and Kings
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Open Up (Answer One):
- Think of the people closest to you, what stories of faith could you share about them?
- What would you say are some popular misconceptions of faith?
Dig In:
- How would you explain faith to someone else?
- Based on chapter 11, how do you think the author of Hebrews would define faith?
- What are some of the reasons spelled out by our author so far to trust God’s promises?
- List some of the amazing things done by faithful people in past ages (Hebrews 11:33-35a).
- What do you learn about difficulty and persecution from this chapter?
- List some of the things these people of faith endured in past ages (Hebrews 11:35b-38).
- Why do you think life following God isn’t always “rainbows and puppy dogs”?
- What did all of these ‘heroes of faith’ obtain? What did they not? Why?
- Why do you think the “eyes of faith” are important during a time of trial?
- Are there any examples of faith in Hebrews 11 that surprise you? Why?
Live It Out:
- What promises from God give you the most hope?
- Of all these witnesses of faith, who most encourages you?
- How does Hebrews 11 sharpen or change the way that you understand faith?
DIG DEEPER
- Each day, read the Old Testament version of one of the stories Hebrews 11 refers to.
- Read Hebrews 11 out loud at least 2 times this week