LifeGroup Notes
BIG IDEA
The purpose of today’s study is to show us that faith is not always the absence of sin–it is turning to God in the face of sin…and importantly, after sin! Everyone, in Hebrews 11 cataloged as the hero’s of our faith–had a sin record–because they are all human and are born in sin.
OPEN
What jumped out at you from the message this week? What led you to really think or even better, to change your actions?
What jumped out at you from the video?
READ
Read Hebrews 11:1-6
1Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3By 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.
4By 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. 5By 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. 6And 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.
As a group, read Read Heb. 11:1-6 What is Heb. 11 known as?
What two (2) distinct things do we see about faith in v1 and v3?
What does v2 tell us about how we know these things about faith?
V2 uses the word ‘commendation’ (ESV). This is the greek word martyreo, which is where we get the word “martyr” from. Discuss the relationship between ‘faith’ and martyrdom.
V4 says that Abel was “commended” as righteous. What made him worthy of this commendation?
Why does v5 say that Enoch was “taken up”?
Writers note: So we see two men who the bible says pleased God. But how does the author of Hebrews arrive at his premise in v2, that they please God and were commended as worthy through their faith? Nowhere in the original accounts (Gen.4:2-8; Gen.5:21-24) of these stories is “Faith” mentioned. JVN
Look closely at v6 as a group! Summarize what the author of Hebrews is saying here?
So the questions are now…did Abel/Enoch please God? and were Abel/Enoch rewarded?
So, from this passage, what is the determining factor in our being presented as a ‘good’ servant?
As we prepare to conclude, let’s look at a few other characters in today’s passage. As a group, discuss these characters and what they were known for.
Noah:
Abram/Abraham:
Jacob:
Can you think of any other characters in the bible who were known as heroes of our faith but also had a notorious sin nature?
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Closing Thought: despite how much we revere and respect the hero’s of our faith–there is no pure, sinless legacy–EXCEPT that of Christ. It is in Him, that we must be steadfast and faithful as we encounter the hurdles and obstacles that we will face. It is in Christ and Christ ALONE that we can be saved from our sin through faith.
- Is your faithfulness in God causing others to see you differently?
- Are you standing against the culture of this world even if it invites difficulty?
- Are you trusting God to deliver you from your enemies?