Summary of Hebrews 11:1-16:
Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we don’t see. The ancients were commended for this. We believe God formed the universe by command. Abel offered a better sacrifice than his brother Cain by faith, which God accepted and through this example Abel still speaks.
Enoch was taken by God without dying due to his faith (Genesis 5:24). It is impossible to please God without faith; you must believe in Him and how he rewards the faithful.
By faith Noah built the ark when warned the world would be destroyed. Abraham left his home of Haran by faith when God called him to the promised land even though he lived as a foreigner. Isaac and Jacob were heirs to this land.
Abraham and Sarah became parents due to faith in God’s promises and in turn fathered a nation.
All of these people lived by faith even though they did not receive the things promised. While living on the earth they lived as strangers, continually longing for a heavenly country, a city God has prepared for them.
BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 16, Day 2: Hebrews 11:1-16
3a) Part personal question. My answer: “Being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” The writer of Hebrews uses great pillars of the Bible (Enoch, Abel, Noah, and Abraham) to show how great things can come of faith. People today think of faith as having faith that something good will happen. It’s more of the results, rather than who is doing the results.
b) True faith as a Christian is believing in the saving blood of Christ that will rescue you from sin. True faith is the belief that God is in ultimate control and that He will keep His promises — either in this life or another.
4) Part personal Question. My answer:
Abel–offered God the fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock while Cain only brought some of the fruits of the soil (Genesis 4)
Enoch–walked with God and was therefore taken by God without dying (Genesis 5:24)
Noah–built an ark on God’s command despite being mocked by the people. Gathered two of every animal and followed God’s directions to the letter–all on faith
Abraham–followed God out of Haran and left for the promised land despite the hardships
Isaac and Jacob–the beneficiaries of Abraham’s covenant with God. Both however did follow God on their own accord and obeyed his wishes for them.
Sarah–after laughing at God’s prophecy, she did have faith and did bear a son
It shows that faith can bring great things to your life.
5) Personal Question. My answer: God works in His own ways and own time. When we become impatient, we must wait on Him and have faith He is with us and will answer us in time.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 16, Day 2: Hebrews 11:1-16
One of the most important chapters of Hebrews, this passage is very important in showing how faith works in your life and mine.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 16, Day 2: Hebrews 11:1-16
Faith is a belief beyond reason, but not in contradiction to or against reason. It’s a willingness to trust.
These pillars of faith are meant to encourage the Jewish Christians that the writer of Hebrews is writing about.
- We have faith that God created the world, although no one saw it.
- Abel sacrificed by faith and was rewarded in heaven, not on earth.
- Enoch (who has a grand total of four Bible verses dedicated to him in Genesis 5:21-24) pleased God by faith.
- Noah did what God commanded, which real faith always does something.
- Abraham moved where God told him to by faith.
- Sarah had faith she’d have a baby, even after laughing at God for saying so.
Sarah and Abraham died without having received the fulfillment of God’s promise. Yet it was fulfilled, and Sarah and Abraham still reaped the rewards in heaven.
