By Faith—Hebrews 11:1–40 Open It 1. If you were able to listen to your own funeral eulogy (Tom Sawyer style), how would you like to hear yourself described? 2. *When you were a child, what are some ways you showed trust in your parents? 3. What do you consider the greatest example of faith you have ever seen? Why? Explore It 1. What is faith? (11:1) 2. What does faith help us to comprehend about the creation of the world? (11:3) 3. How did Abel demonstrate faith? (11:4) 4. What was unusual about Enoch? (11:5) 5. *What role does faith play in approaching and pleasing God? (11:6) 6. What did Noah’s faith prompt him to do? (11:7) 7. How did faith affect Abraham’s life? (11:8–12) 8. How does faith change a person’s focus and perspective? (11:13–16) 9. What ultimate test of faith did God put Abraham through? (11:17–19) 10. What hard choices did Moses make because of his faith? (11:24–28) 11. What “secret” enabled Moses to persevere through rough times? (11:27) 12. *What were some of the victories enjoyed by faithful Old Testament believers? (11:32–34) 13. How does this passage disprove the notion that faith always leads to earthly blessing? (11:35–38) 14. *What happened to a great many Old Testament saints who exercised faith in God? (11:39) Get It 1. According to this passage, what is the only way we can please God with our lives? 2. *What prompts committed followers of Christ to continue to exercise faith even when He never seems to “come through” for them? 3. *Why do you think the author said that “the world was not worthy of” the heroes of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11? 4. How do you think the individuals praised in Hebrews 11 were looked upon by those of their day? 5. Why do you think God sometimes leaves us in the dark about His will? 6. What are some examples from your life of both trusting God and doubting Him? 7. Which characters named in this chapter would you most like and least like to trade places with? Why? 8. In what concrete ways can we demonstrate the truth that we are “aliens and strangers” on earth? (11:13) Apply It 1. What is one way you can remind yourself to live as an alien and stranger at work and in your community? 2. *With what do you need to trust God even though you can’t see what the future holds? How can you show this trust?