Assurance of Things Hope For Part 3

Announcements

This Month's Topic: Faith and Right Expectations in Life

Scripture Reference: Hebrews 11:32-40

Discussion Objective:

Opening

We are continuing our journey through Hebrews 11. The first week we discussed verses 1-11, last week we looked at 12-31 and this week we will finish up with 32-40. The author of Hebrews continues with recollections of OT characters and their examples of faith. This is a summation of this chapter's thoughts after going through all of the OT figures examples of faith.

What have been some barriers/struggles in the past in regards to you living out your life as a faithful disciple of Christ? How has the stories of the OT figures of faith we have been looking at helped buoy you?


32. And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets —
33. who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34. quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.

V32-34: The author of Hebrews reminds us that the stories of faith are so abundant that he can't mention every one of them? How does that help give you faith?

Faith is not just for men although most of the previous figures were men. The women had extra barriers to faith and living a faith filled life. Discuss how the stories of women mentioned in verses 35-38 helps with the faith filled life.


35. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life.
36. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.
37. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated —
38. of whom the world was not worthy — wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

V35-38: Comments and/or follow up questions

What should your expectations be when having true faith in Christ as His disciple be?


39. And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised,
40. since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

V39-40: How have you struggled with expectations surrounding faith?

Write down at least one story of how your faith played out in the past.

Notes from same book of the bible

File Chapter Resource
1_Hebrews Overview - Bible Book Overview
Jesus as God 1 Discussion
Jesus is Able to Sympathize - Tempted in Every Way 4 Discussion
The Real Jesus 5 Discussion
By Faith 11 Discussion
Assurance of Things Hoped For 11
  • Discussion
Strangers and Exiles on Earth 11
  • Discussion
Assurance of Things Hoped For - Part 2 11
  • Discussion
Run With Endurance Toward the Cross 12
  • Discussion
Leaders Keep Watch Over Your Souls 13 Discussion
Entertaining Angels 13
  • Discussion