PASSAGE: Hebrews 11:1-6

SERIES SUMMARY 

This summer, we’ll journey through the great “hall of faith” in Hebrews 11 and discover that biblical faith is not blind optimism or wishful thinking—it is taking God at His Word, even when His Word does not seem to make sense. From Abel’s costly sacrifice to Noah’s ark on dry ground, from Abraham leaving home without a map to Rahab staking everything on a God she barely knew, each story reveals ordinary people learning to trust unseen realities because God had spoken. Week after week, we’ll see how faith clings to God’s promises in moments of uncertainty, delay, suffering, sacrifice, and obedience that often look foolish to the world. And as we walk with these men and women of faith, we’ll discover that the same God who called them to trust Him still calls us to follow Him today—believing His promises, obeying His voice, and fixing our eyes on what cannot yet be seen.

PASSAGE GUIDE

Hebrews 11 was written to people who needed endurance. They had started strong, but following Jesus had become costly. Some had suffered publicly, some had lost possessions, and some were tempted to drift back toward what felt safer and more familiar. Into that pressure, Hebrews calls them not to shrink back, but to live by faith. Faith is not a religious slogan or a vague feeling that everything will somehow work out. Faith is the solid confidence that God is real, God has spoken, and God’s promises are more substantial than what we can currently see.

Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Faith gives present weight to what God has promised and deep conviction about what we cannot yet see. Verse 2 reminds us that “by it the people of old received their commendation.” The lives that follow are not examples of unusually strong willpower; they are examples of people who trusted God and lived in response to His Word.

Verse 3 begins with creation: “By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God.” Faith does not ignore reality; it sees reality more clearly. It recognizes that what is visible points beyond itself to the unseen God who made all things by His word. Biblical faith is thoughtful trust in the God who has made Himself known in creation, in His Word, and most clearly in Jesus.

Hebrews then shows us faith in real lives. Abel trusted God enough to bring Him his first and best, not simply what was convenient or leftover. Enoch trusted God enough to walk with Him in ordinary life, even while the world around him moved in another direction. Abel and Enoch did not have every question answered, but they had a word from God, and they lived as if that word was more solid than what they could see.

Verse 6 brings the passage to its central point: “Without faith it is impossible to please Him.” The faith that pleases God believes two things: that God exists and that He rewards those who seek Him. Most of us would say we believe that, but the places where life feels unstable often reveal what has become more “real” or more “rewarding” to us than God. Security, control, approval, comfort, success, or a certain outcome can quietly become the foundation we build on. Hebrews invites us back to what is most true: God is real, and seeking Him is never wasted.

Ultimately, Hebrews 11 is not calling us to admire heroes of faith from a distance. It is calling us to look to the same God they trusted. Hebrews will lead us all the way to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith. The One who calls us to live by faith entered the storm Himself, went to the cross, rose again, and now stands as the sure foundation beneath His people. Living by faith means taking the next step of obedience because we trust who God is, what He has said, and what He has promised us in Christ.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Big Idea: Biblical faith is not blind optimism or wishful thinking. It is taking God at His Word, even when His Word does not seem to make sense.
• Thru Line: What does it actually mean to live by faith when God’s Word does not seem to make sense?
• Faith gives weight to what we cannot yet see. Hebrews 11:1-3 shows us that faith is assurance, conviction, and thoughtful trust in the unseen God who created all things by His Word.
• Faith becomes visible in ordinary obedience. Abel offered God his first and best, and Enoch walked with God day after day. Faith is not just what we say we believe; it is how we respond to God because we trust that He is real and that seeking Him is never wasted.

*We are a church located in Greenville, South Carolina. Our vision is to see God transform us into a community of grace passionately pursuing life and mission with Jesus.

SUGGESTIONS FOR COMMUNITY GROUP QUESTIONS    

Remember, these are “suggested” questions. You do not have to go through every single one of them. You DO NOT need to listen to both sermons at both campuses to participate in the discussion.  

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS (Read Hebrews 11:1-6)

*Remember the text is the focus, the sermon is a commentary, discuss and apply in the group.

1. What has the Spirit taught you this past week from God’s Word or His people?
2. What stood out to you from the text itself, not simply the sermon or the speaker?
3. Hebrews 11:1 describes faith as “the assurance of things hoped for” and “the conviction of things not seen.” Can you think of a time when God used a season of uncertainty to teach you what it means to trust Him before you could see how things would work out?
4. Charlie said biblical faith is not blind optimism or wishful thinking, but taking God at His Word even when His Word does not seem to make sense. Why is that distinction important?
5. Verse 3 says that the universe was created by the word of God. How does remembering that God speaks and brings life out of nothing help us trust Him in places that feel unclear or unfinished?
6. Abel’s faith showed up in what he offered to God. Where might God be inviting you to give Him your first and best rather than what is convenient, comfortable, or leftover?
7. Enoch’s faith was seen in walking with God. What would it look like for you to walk with God more intentionally in your ordinary rhythms this week?
8. Hebrews 11:6 says that whoever draws near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him. Which part feels more challenging in this season: believing God is present, or believing that seeking Him is worth it? Why?
9. Can you share a time when you took a step of faith and later saw God’s kindness, provision, presence, or wisdom, even if the outcome was different than you expected?
10. What is one next step of faith God may be inviting you to take this week, and how can this group encourage or pray for you as you take it?

CLOSING PRAYER

• Ask: “Where is God inviting me to live by faith when I cannot yet see how everything will work out?” Examples: a place of uncertainty, a relationship, a financial concern, a next step of obedience, giving God your first and best, walking with Him in ordinary rhythms, or believing that seeking Him is worth it.
• Each person shares briefly, as they feel comfortable.
• After each person shares, the group prays that they would trust God’s Word, believe He is present, and take one next step of faith this week.
• Close by thanking Jesus that He is the founder and perfecter of our faith, and that He is faithful even when the way forward is not yet clear.