Lesson 9: Faith (Hebrews 11)
Lesson 9
Faith
(Hebrews 11)
Before you begin …
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and wisdom as you go through this lesson.
• Read Hebrews 11. This lesson references chapter 10 in Be Confident. It will be helpful for you to have your Bible and a copy of the commentary available as you work through this lesson.
Getting Started
From the Commentary
The fact that Christ is a superior person (Heb. 1—6) and that He exercises a superior priesthood (Heb. 7—10) ought to encourage us to put our trust in Him. The readers of this epistle were being tempted to go back into Judaism and put their faith in Moses. Their confidence was in the visible things of this world, not the invisible realities of God. Instead of going on to perfection (maturity), they were going “back unto perdition [waste]” (Heb. 6:1; 10:39).
In Hebrews 11, all Christians are called to live by faith.
—Be Confident, page 143
1. How has the argument in Hebrews to this point helped to prepare for this chapter on faith? What does it mean to live by faith? How is that different from the way the Jewish people lived prior to the new covenant?
More to Consider: Before going any further, write your definition of faith. How are “faith” and “belief” different?
2. Choose one verse or phrase from Hebrews 11 that stands out to you. This could be something you’re intrigued by, something that makes you uncomfortable, something that puzzles you, something that resonates with you, or just something you want to examine further. Write that here. What strikes you about this verse?
Going Deeper
From the Commentary
Three words in Hebrews 11:1–3 summarize what true Bible faith is: substance, evidence, and witness. The word translated “substance” means literally “to stand under, to support.” Faith is to a Christian what a foundation is to a house.…
The word evidence simply means “conviction.” This is the inward conviction from God that what He has promised, He will perform.…
Witness (“obtained a good report”) is an important word in Hebrews 11. It occurs not only in verse 2, but also once in verse 4 and once in verse 39. The summary in Hebrews 12:1 calls this list of men and women “so great a cloud of witnesses.”
—Be Confident, page 144
3. How do each of these words work together to supply a definition of faith? Why do you think witness is such a key word in this passage?
From the Commentary
Faith enables us to see what others cannot see (note Heb. 11:7, 13, 27). As a result, faith enables us to do what others cannot do! People laughed at these great men and women when they stepped out by faith, but God was with them and enabled them to succeed to His glory.
—Be Confident, page 145
4. What are some of the things faith enabled the “cloud of witnesses” to see? To do? What are some of the things faith enables Christians to do today?
From the History Books
In the early twentieth century, faith healing became something of national interest with the popular rise of controversial faith healer Aimee Semple McPherson. Others followed, but it wasn’t until later in the twentieth century and the advent of televangelism that faith healing once again was publicly discussed among believers and nonbelievers alike.
5. How does the concept of faith healing fit in line with the teaching of Hebrews about faith? The writer of Hebrews doesn’t talk explicitly about faith for healing. How is his discussion of faith different?
From the Commentary
We have to admire the faith of the patriarchs. They did not have a complete Bible, and yet their faith was strong. They handed God’s promises down from one generation to another. In spite of their failures and testings, these men and women believed God, and He bore witness to their faith.
—Be Confident, page 148
6. What do the stories of the faithful in Hebrews 11 say about how God “shows up” for those who have faith? What were some of the failures they experienced? How do we hand down these stories to the next generation? Are there new stories of faith we can hand down? What are they?
From the Commentary
God always rewards true faith—if not immediately, at least ultimately. Over against “the treasures in Egypt” Moses saw the “recompense of the reward.” As Dr. Vance Havner said, “Moses chose the imperishable, saw the invisible, and did the impossible.” Moses’ faith enabled him to face Pharaoh unafraid, and to trust God to deal with the enemy. The endurance of Moses was not a natural gift, for by nature Moses was hesitant and retiring. This endurance and courage came as the reward of his faith.
—Be Confident, page 149
7. For all that Moses did for the Israelites, he still didn’t get to enter the Promised Land. What does this teach us about God’s rewards for the faithful? Review the list of people in Hebrews 11. What are some other examples of rewarded faith that seem unexpected or maybe even unsatisfying (at least according to the world’s understanding of “reward”)?
From the Commentary
[Rahab] protected the spies, put the cord in the window as directed (Josh. 2:15–21), apparently won her family to the true faith (Josh. 2:13; 6:25), and in every way obeyed the Lord. Not only was Rahab delivered from judgment, but she became a part of the nation of Israel. She married Salmon and gave birth to Boaz who was an ancestor of King David (Matt. 1:4–6).
—Be Confident, page 150
8. Keeping in mind that Rahab was a pagan prostitute at the time when God chose to use her, what does her inclusion in this list of the “cloud of witnesses” tell us about God’s people? About how God Himself works things for good? What do Rahab’s actions teach us about the relationship between obedience and faith?
More to Consider: Check out a resource that describes the lives of great Christian martyrs. As you consider the people God has used for great things, what are the common character traits? What does the diversity of these people teach about God’s plan? About how He might yet use you or those you love to further the kingdom?
From the Commentary
We would not call Samson a godly man, for he yielded to his fleshly appetites. He was a Nazarite, which meant he was dedicated to God and was never to cut his hair or partake of the fruit of the vine. (A Nazarite should not be confused with a Nazarene, a resident of Nazareth.) Samson did trust God to help and deliver him and, in the end, Samson was willing to give his life to defeat the enemy. However, we must not conclude that believers today can expect to lead double lives and still enjoy God’s blessing.
—Be Confident, page 151
9. Samson was impulsive, violent, and sexually promiscuous. Why do you think God chose to work through him despite these faults? How do you respond to the statement that “believers today [can’t] expect to lead double lives and still enjoy God’s blessing”?
From the Commentary
Faith enables us to turn from the approval of the world and seek only the approval of God. If God is glorified by delivering His people, He will do it. If He sees fit to be glorified by not delivering His people, then He will do that.
—Be Confident, page 153
10. How does faith enable us to seek only God’s approval? How could God be more glorified by not delivering us from suffering than from delivering us from it? Does this give you confidence in God? Please explain.
Looking Inward
Take a moment to reflect on all that you’ve explored thus far in this study of Hebrews. Review your notes and answers and think about how each of these things matters in your life today.
Tips for Small Groups: To get the most out of this section, form pairs or trios and have group members take turns answering these questions. Be honest and as open as you can in this discussion, but most of all, be encouraging and supportive of others. Be sensitive to those who are going through particularly difficult times and don’t press people to speak if they’re uncomfortable doing so.
11. In what ways does the list of the faithful in Hebrews 11 encourage you? Challenge you? Intimidate you? If you were to add your own name to this list based on the way in which you’ve shown great faith, how would that entry read? In what areas is your faith in God currently challenged?
12. Have you ever felt that you didn’t have enough faith? If so, what led to that feeling? What are some practical ways you have sought to grow in faith?
13. If you knew that you wouldn’t receive any earthly rewards for your faith, how would that affect the way you live? Knowing that you will ultimately receive a promised blessing, does that make faith easier or more difficult when challenges arise?
Going Forward
14. Think of one or two things that you have learned that you’d like to work on in the coming week. Remember that this is all about quality, not quantity. It’s better to work on one specific area of life and do it well than to work on many and do poorly (or to be so overwhelmed that you simply don’t try).
Do you need to study more about the great patriarchs of faith? Take action to respond to God’s call with faith. Be specific. Go back through Hebrews 11 and put a star next to the phrase or verse that is most encouraging to you. Consider memorizing this verse.
Real-Life Application Ideas: Ask a friend to help you evaluate areas in your life today where you could have more faith. Perhaps this is in regard to talking about Christ in conversation with a nonbelieving friend or in the way you give to the church. Talk together about how you might step out in faith in these areas, then make a plan to do this, inviting your friend to act as an accountability partner for your actions.
Seeking Help
15. Write a prayer below (or simply pray one in silence), inviting God to work on your mind and heart in those areas you’ve previously noted. Be honest about your desires and fears.
Notes for Small Groups:
• Look for ways to put into practice the things you wrote in the Going Forward section. Talk with other group members about your ideas and commit to being accountable to one another.
• During the coming week, ask the Holy Spirit to continue to reveal truth to you from what you’ve read and studied.
• Before you start the next lesson, read Hebrews 12—13. For more in-depth lesson preparation, read chapters 11 and 12, “Stay in the Running!” and “Pardon Me, Your Faith Is Showing,” in Be Confident.