Community Bible Study Engaging the Book of Hebrews

By: Ray Johnson

Lesson 15 Those Who Exercise Faith, Part 2

Our text for this lesson is Hebrews 11:23-40
All scripture, unless noted, is from the English Standard Version Bible

Hebrews 11:23-26 Faith Sees Beyond What Is Physical

Hebrews 11:2340 (ESV) 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 kings edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaohs 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.
1. Read Exodus 2:1-10 and Acts 7:17-22. What, by faith, did Moses parents experience and accomplish?

2. What encouragement for parents do you see in Proverbs 22:6 and Hebrews 11:24-25?

Hebrews 11:27-29 Faith Sees the Unseen

Hebrews 11:2729 (ESV) 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. By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned.
3. Read Exodus 3:1-12. What experience helped prepare Moses for his return to Egypt?
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4. What did Moses have to do before he could receive a sign that God had sent him (3:10-12)?

5. What visible symbols did God use to lead the Israelites? (See Exodus 13:21-22.)

6. Read Exodus 14:10-16, 21-22. Record what the Israelites had to do in order to be rescued.

Hebrews 11:30-31 Faith Demands That We Take Risks

Hebrews 11:3031 (ESV) 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.
7. Read the story of Jericho in Joshua 6:1-20. What risks (emotional, physical, and spiritual) did the Israelites experienced at Jericho when they chose to obey God?

8. What risks do you sometimes take when you choose to obey God?

9. a. Read Joshua 2:1-16. How much did Rahab know about God before demonstrating confidence in Him (2:8-11)?

b. How did she demonstrate her faith (2:4, 12-16)?

c. According to Joshua 6:22-25, how was her faith rewarded?

Hebrews 11:32-35 Faith Can Conquer

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life.
Hebrews 11:3235 (ESV) 10. What other victorious deeds done through faith are mentioned in these verses?
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11. What character qualities do you see in the people mentioned here who demonstrated such great faith?

12. Read the following verses that talk about the kind of faith that overcomes: Joshua 1:9; Psalm 118:5-9; John 16:33. What encouragement do you receive from these verses?

Hebrews 11:36-40 Faith Can Be Costly

Hebrews 11:3640 (ESV) 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and

imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated 38 of whom the world was not worthywandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
13. This passage discusses physical and emotional abuses committed against people of faith. Is there a Bible character (from Hebrews 11 or elsewhere in Scripture) whose example of costly faith gives you courage? Whom did you choose, and how does this persons life encourage you?

14. Hebrews 11:39-40 speaks of Gods promises that are to be fulfilled in Christ. What specific promise do you find in the following verses? a. Matthew 5:10-12

b. Luke 18:29-30

c. John 14:2-3

15. How do the passages youve just read help you better understand the relationship between Gods deliverance and a persons faith?

APPLY WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED Faith is not human courage or sharpened intellect. In addition, it is never perfect. Even people of the greatest faith are limited by human frailties mistakes, sin, sorrow, and loss. Faith is simply trusting God and living out that trust, whether the day brings disappointments or joy. Faith knows that in all things God works for our eventual and ultimate good. What opportunities do you have today to exercise your faith in who God is? The author of the faith chapter (11) in the book of Hebrews has shown us that faith enables Gods people to act courageously and accomplish great deeds. In addition, we have seen that following Christ does not necessarily result in an easy life. Even giants of faith knew difficulties and trials as well as triumphs. Regardless of our circumstances, God will enable us to live victoriously. Gods heroes lived and died by faith. If we would be heroes in His eyes, we, too, must live by faith, so that we might rise again to a better life (Hebrews 11:35) and receive the promised perfection. Which of the people described in this lesson as heroes of the faith encourage you? What do you learn about them and about God that helps you live with more courage and trust?