Today's passage is an exploration of faith through numerous examples in the Old Testament. These exemplars were anything but. These were people, like you and me, full of faults. Their stories include a variety of sins: lying, murder, and prostitution to name a few, and so much doubt and faithlessness throughout. God allows us to catch a glimpse of those people through His eyes, and we see notable and praiseworthy faith in action. God was moving, and they were blessed to be caught up in it, working with Him in faith. God is still moving and accomplishing His mission through our current broken world, through us, His imperfect people. Let the word of God encourage you to put your faith into action and be a co-laborer with Him.
Luke
The following guide is a resource for your personal time of abiding with the Lord and for your Community Group when you meet. It can also be used for times with family or friends around the table.
DISCOVER [ Hebrews 11:8-31 ]
WHAT is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that I/we learn?
(Use the questions interspersed through the passage to help make additional observations to clarify the main point)
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. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.
+ What was Abraham's demonstration of faith? [v8-9; see also Genesis 12]
+ How does "the land of promise" referenced in v9 compare with the promised land to come, referenced in v10?
+ How did Sarah demonstrate faith (despite her initial reaction of laughing in Gen. 18)? [v11]
13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
+ Did Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Sarah get to see the fulfillment of the prophesy they had faith about before they died? [v13]
+ What were these faithful people longing for? [v14-15]
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. 20 By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. 21 By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.
+ How was Abraham's faith tested? [v17-19; see also Gen. 22]
+ How did Isaac, who earlier in his life laid on the alter as commanded by his aged father, demonstrate his faith in relation to his sons? [v20; see also Gen. 27]
+ How did Jacob and Joseph continue the family tradition of faith? [v21-22; see also Gen. 48 and Gen. 50]
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.
+ How did the family tradition of faith continue through Jacob's offspring, Moses' parents? [v23; see also Exodus 2]
+ How did Moses show faith? [v24-28; see also Ex. 2-12]
29 By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.
+ How did the people of Israel demonstrate faith at the exodus? [v29; see also Ex. 14]
+ What was the result of the Israelite's faith at Jericho? [v30; see also Joshua 6]
+ How did Rahab demonstrate her faith, and what was the result? [v31 and Josh. 2 and 6]
HOW is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?
(Below are a couple of ideas to help prompt responses if needed)
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Just as those in today's passage, we all have sin in our lives, but God doesn't leave us there. God the Father through His Son Jesus' death and resurrection created a means of forgiveness of sin and hope for the future that is the impetus for our faith. He works through imperfect people to bring about His perfect will daily. What sin is keeping you from being in God's will? Confess and turn from that sin!
+ What action does God want you to take in faith? Partner with Him and His people to do so!
WHO am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?
(e.g., spend time with them, set-up an intentional time to share your story, begin a discovery study on the teachings of Jesus with them)
+ What is my next step?
+ Today's passage has a strong familial streak of faith. Are there members of your family with whom you can share how God is working in your life?
+ In Luke 8:21, Jesus said His mother and brothers are whoever hears the word of God and does it. How will you know the rest of your spiritual family if you don't first share the word of God? Possible members of your family are all around you. Don't hold back the gift God has given to you--your adoption into His family--share it with them.