By Faith Part 2 Hebrews 11:23-40 Lesson 18 In our last lesson, we began a discussion on living by faith. We learned that true faith stands upon the Word of God. This week, we ll continue our study by taking a look at those who chose to live and die by their faith in Christ Jesus. Men and women such as Moses, Rahab, Samson, Gideon, David, Samuel and many unnamed prophets were great godly people who were faithful to the Lord. Many of them faced extreme challenges, persecution, violence, the edge of the sword and ultimately death for what they believed in. It has well been said that the best way to grow in faith is to walk with faithful ones. The Bible allows us to take that walk as we think about and examine these devoted men and women mentioned in Hebrews 11. Their lives stand as a permanent testimony of what it means to live by faith. We will clearly see that as God spoke to them, they were stirred to follow and obey Him at all costs. Not all escaped their trials. Some were tortured for refusing to turn from God, and some faced prison. But, they all placed their hope in Jesus and earned a great reputation for choosing to walk in faith. These heroes of faith did not walk by sight, but instead chose to lean on God fully assured that He would be faithful to His Word and do what He had promised. Some names mentioned on this list may surprise us, but rest assured that each one belongs. Each name serves as living proof that God is only looking for mustard seed sized faith in us. Today, let s pause and be thankful for these saints of old who went before us and for their example of how to live by faith and please God. As you go through this lesson, look for specific character qualities that you can imitate to help you grow and mature in your own walk. 1
Open your Bible and begin with a word of prayer This Week s Scripture: Hebrews 11:23-40 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king s command. 24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh s daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. 31 By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace. 32 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: 33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented 38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. NKJV This Week s Memory Verse: By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. Hebrews 11:24-26 2
1. This week, our scripture focuses on those people who suffered many things for their devotion and faith in God. This perseverance can only come from true faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. According to Galatians 2:20, what should our attitude be regarding our own lives? a. 2 Peter 3:10-13 speaks about the eternal hope that we have as believers. What is that hope and how does this encourage you to keep your focus on eternity? 2. Sometimes, we can lose our focus when in the middle of a difficult trial. We can become carried away by fear, confusion and anxiety. According to 2 Corinthians 5:7, what is the solution to this problem? a. Walking by sight means we believe and trust in only what we can see. What does Proverbs 14:12 say about walking by sight? b. How about you? Do you find yourself walking by sight instead of faith? 3. Before we can possibly walk by faith, we must live by faith. In other words, we must live our lives trusting God at His word. Walking by faith is an outward action of an inner transformation. What do the following verses tell us about living by faith? a. Romans 10:16-17: b. 1 Timothy 6:11-12: 3
c. James 1:6: d. What is our conclusion then? How do we walk in faith? 4. Think of a time when you were left waiting, not knowing what the outcome of a situation would be. How did that experience affect your faith? a. How does 1 John 5:4-5 encourage you in your faith? 5. Think about the faith of the other believers mentioned in today s scripture. They did not receive miracles or liberation for their faith, but instead they had to endure their trials. Why does it make sense to hold on to your faith even if it doesn t bring you deliverance from your suffering? a. How does John 11:25-26 encourage you to remain faithful during those difficult times? Faith and works are bound up in the same bundle. He that obeys God trusts God; and he that trusts God obeys God. He that is without faith is without works; and he that is without works is without faith. C.H. Spurgeon (1834-1892) 4
Reflect What has touched your heart during this week s study? Respond How has this study encouraged your spiritual growth? Result In what practical ways can you apply what you have learned this week? 5
Thoughts & Prayers 6