Heb 11:8-12 In what way does the faith exhibited by Abraham epitomize the faith that is required for salvation in Christ? See esp. Heb 11:8-9. Have we likewise been called to forsake our home in this world and follow Christ into a land He will show us? See Gen 12:1, Mat 10:37-39, Lk 18:28-30. What is the “land of promise” that we are to receive as an inheritance? See Mark 1:15. Do we, like Abraham, live there by faith, though we have yet to receive the fullness of our inheritance in God’s kingdom? Do we, like Abraham, at times not know where we are going, but in faith go anyway? Do we, like Abraham, sojourn as aliens in this present world? Why does the Scripture say that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob dwelt in tents? See Heb 11:10. Like Abraham, is our home in this present world temporary? Are we, like Abraham, looking for that city with foundations whose architect and builder is God? Or, are we instead quite at home in this present world, putting down permanent roots, and perhaps even laying a foundation upon the shifting sands of this age? Was Abraham alone responsible for the great faith ascribed to him? See Heb 11:11-12. What does this teach us about the important contribution both husband and wife make in man’s faith walk with God? Cf. Gen 1:27, 1 Pet 3:5-7. What does Heb 11:12 teach us about the resurrection power of God at work even within this age, and those in whom it works? Cf. Gal 2:20, 2 Cor 4:7-11, 12:9-10. Note: NASB “and him as good as dead” is rendered by Young’s Literal translation as “and that of one who had become dead”; i.e., the Greek word used speaks of the literal deadness of his body to beget children, which is rendered as it is in the NASB since he was in fact still living on in the flesh.
Heb 11:13-16 How would the testimony of “all these” who “died in faith, without receiving the promises” (Heb 11:13) have been an example and encouragement to the original readers in their present circumstances? Consider the distance that separates us in this present life from the many promises of God that will only be fulfilled beyond the grave; by what means is one able to “see” those promises and “welcome them” from so far away? What example do we have in Scripture of those who kept thinking about the country from which they went out? See Ex 16:3, Num 11:4-6, 14:2-4, 20:3-5, Dt 17:14-16, Neh 9:17, Hos 8:13, 9:3, Jer 42:1-43:7. How does their example contrast with those described here in Hebrews 11? How does it contrast with the example of Abraham? See Gen 24:5-8. What “country” have true Christians likewise gone out from and to which they are warned not to return? See 1 Jn 2:15, 5:4, 2 Pet 2:20-22. What is the “better country” they desire but can only see from afar? See Heb 11:16. By what means only does this chapter emphasize that one is able to enter into and possess that land? By what means only is one able to keep such faith alive and growing? See Col 3:1-2. How is that like Abraham? See Heb 11:9.
Heb 11:17-19 In what way did Abraham demonstrate his great faith and love for God that reflects the way that God demonstrates his great love for us? See John 3:16. How did Abraham resolve the seeming contradiction that God was asking him to offer up his “only begotten son” in whom his “descendants shall be called”—i.e., through whom God’s promise to Abraham was to be fulfilled? See Heb 11:19. What does Abraham’s example teach us about the inseparability of our faith and works? See James 2:20-24. In what way does the faith of Abraham epitomize the faith necessary for the preserving of the soul, and how was such faith necessary for those to whom this letter was originally written? When faced with life or death consequences for our faith, should we relinquish our faith for what is seen and only temporary, or like Abraham, in faith, reckon that the mighty power of God “is able to raise men even from the dead”?