Assurance of Things Hoped For
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This Month's Topic: Faith and Right Expectations in Life
Scripture Reference: Hebrews 11:1-11
Discussion Objective:
We will be going through most of Hebrews 11 this month as it relates to Faith and Right Expectations in Life. While this is not the way our suggested discussions are lined out for group leaders, I feel like it is a good way to take a passage like this and discuss it over our 3 weeks.
Hebrews is the only book in the New Testament where scholars are unsure of its author. It contains a rundown of Old Testament figures to show how they believed by faith in the Messiah, even though Christ had not come yet.
This is important to keep in mind that the people we will discuss in Hebrews 11 were in pre Jesus times.
The first verse of this passage is worthy of committing to memory - there is no better definition of what faith is. It is easy for us to view God as a cosmic vending machine that randomly selects people and prayer He answers. What are some indications you see that might point toward this type of approach in Christianity?
- Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
- For by it the people of old received their commendation.
- By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
V1-3: How is conviction revealed in daily life?
I will briefly over over the Old Testament stories mentioned in verses 4 & 5, listen and discuss the faith involved with these OT figures. What is the significance of verse 6 in light of the discussion?
4. By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.
5. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God.
6. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
V4-6: Abel was a shepherd, while Cain was a farmer. In a display of their devotion to God, each offered a sacrifice: Abel presented the best of his flock, while Cain offered some of his crops. God favored Abel's offering but did not favor Cain's.
This rejection caused Cain to become jealous and resentful toward his brother. In a fit of jealousy, Cain lured Abel to a field and killed him. When God asked Cain about Abel's whereabouts, Cain famously responded, "Am I my brother's keeper?" God, aware of the murder, cursed Cain to a life of wandering and marked him so that no one would harm him. Cain then left his family to wander the land.
Despite his punishment, Cain expressed fear that someone might seek revenge for Abel's murder. God placed a mark on Cain to protect him from harm, promising a sevenfold vengeance to anyone who would try to kill him.
Enoch is described in the Book of Genesis as the great-grandson of Adam, the son of Jared, and the father of Methuselah. He is known for his unique relationship with God and the fact that he did not experience death.
According to the Bible, Enoch lived for 365 years and "walked with God" during his life. This phrase suggests a close and righteous relationship with the divine. It's written that Enoch had a son named Methuselah and that after his son's birth, Enoch continued to walk faithfully with God for another 300 years.
Verses 7-11 continue the pattern of OT faith demonstrations. Pick one of these stories and discuss what the faith aspect of the story involves.
7. By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
8. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
9. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise.
10. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.
11. By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.
V7-11: Comments and/or follow up questions
Read Hebrews 11 several times and ask God what He wants you to take away from it this month.
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 |
| Strangers and Exiles on Earth | 11 |
|
| Assurance of Things Hoped For - Part 2 | 11 |
|
| Assurance of Things Hope For Part 3 | 11 |
|
| Run With Endurance Toward the Cross | 12 |
|
| Leaders Keep Watch Over Your Souls | 13 | Discussion |
| Entertaining Angels | 13 |
|