FAITH: The Man That Never Died

Text: Hebrews 11:1-6, Genesis 5:21-24

Summary: Faith invites us to turn away from the world and find true contentedness, hope, and confidence in God as we walk with him. 

Understanding God’s Word: Know and Understand the Truth

READ Hebrews 11:1

• Everybody who has ever lived has faith in something. As we look at the world around us who or what do you see people putting their hopes and confidence in? (Hint: Money, politicians, technology, achievements, ect.) 
• As Christians, we've been changed so that we put our hopes and confidence (faith) in something new, something different from the rest of the world. What are those things?
• As Christians, when Jesus is the object of our faith, do we have more or less assurance and hope than people who put their faith in the things of the world? Why?

Living and Applying God’s Word: Give a Vision of Life With God. 

READ Hebrews 11:5-6

• These two verses give us a picture of what it looks like to live a life in faith. What can we learn from Enoch’s life about hopeful confidence?
• What is God offering us when we live in faith like Enoch? (Hint: Walk with God, we will never experience death, living a life that pleases God, assurance of all the rewards He’s offered us {Ephesians 1 gives us a good idea of what some of these rewards are.} ) 

Assessing the Heart: Identify and Address Sin. 

• However, as Christians, there are times when we become content with the things of this world, when we put our hopes in them, and when we pursue and draw near to them. How are we in danger when we choose those things over God? (Hint: We can get burned by them when they fail us, they don’t give us truly fulfilling or lasting rewards, we can end up living a life void of eternal purpose and significance, etc.)
• What does it communicate to God when we turn our hearts from Him and give them over to these other things of the world? (Hint: Pride - We think we know what is best for us; Unbelief - We don’t believe that God is inviting us into a life that is better than what the world can offer; Idolatry - We elevate people or things to the status that only God should have.)

Turn to God: Confess and Renew Belief in God

• What do you feel God is calling you personally to confess and repent of? 
• Psalm 119:105 —> God is using His Word as a gracious reminder to help us see how empty the things of this world truly are. It’s His Word, these reminders, that give birth to a holy discontentedness to the things of this world. This holy discontentedness becomes a catalyst for our faith; God is inviting us to draw near to Him instead and walk with him. What are some practical ways God is inviting you to walk in the same direction as Him this week, or what are next steps He’s inviting you to take in faith?