The Faith of Abraham

Hebrews 11:8-22

Key Verse 11:17a

Read verses 8-16. Verse 13a reads, “All these people were still living by faith when they died.” Who do “all these people” refer to? 

Consider the following expressions found in verses 8-16: 1) “a place he would later receive as his inheritance”; 2) “the city with foundations”; 3) “the things promised”; 4) “a country of their own”; and 5) “a better country”. Are these all referring to the same place (location) or multiple places? 

Read verses 9 and 13 again. What would it be like for a person to live in a certain land “like a stranger in a foreign country” (or to live as “aliens and strangers on earth” or to live “in tents” [as in a camping trip])? 

Why did “all these people” live as “strangers on earth”? (Heb 11:9,13-16) What would be the alternative to living as “strangers on earth”? What are the consequences of not living as “strangers on earth”? (Luke 12:1-59; 17:32-35)

How were “all these people” able to live as “strangers on earth”? 

Read verses 17-19. According to verse 17 God “tested” Abraham. How did God test him? (Genesis 22:1-2) In what respect was it not easy for Abraham to obey the command? Yet, how was Abraham able to successfully pass the test? What lessons can we learn from Abraham’s example?

Read verses 20-22. What can we learn from the examples of Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph?