The Faith of Abel

Hebrews 11:4

(Read Genesis Chapter 4 for a background)

Read verse 4 and think about the following statements: 1) By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did; 2) by faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings; and 3) And by faith he still speaks even though he is dead. How are the above statements related to one another?

Consider the statement: “By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice…” This passage presupposes that it is good to offer a “better” sacrifice to God. What good does the act of offering do for the one who offers? 

It was “by faith” that Abel did what Cain was not able to. What (or whom) might Abel have believed in? 

The second statement (“By faith Abel was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings”) indicates that it is a worthy proposition for one to be commended by God as a righteous man. Why (is it worthy)? What practical application(s) can we find for our walk in the Lord? 

Think about the third statement: “And by faith he still speaks even though he is dead.” What message do you think Abel still has for us?