Study Helps - Lesson 11

Lesson 11 June 9 - 15

Giants of Faith

Memory Text: (Heb 11:1 RSV) Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Sabbath Afternoon

(Heb 11:13 NKJV) These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

Sunday

Abel - Sacrifice Of Faith

(Heb 11:4 NKJV) By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.

(Gen 4:4 NKJV) Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering,

Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 71

Chap. 5 - Cain and Abel Tested Cain and Abel, the sons of Adam, differed widely in character. Abel had a spirit of loyalty to God; he saw justice and mercy in the Creator's dealings with the fallen race, and gratefully accepted the hope of redemption. But Cain cherished feelings of rebellion, and murmured against God because of the curse pronounced upon the earth and upon the human race for Adam's sin. He permitted his mind to run in the same channel that led to Satan's fall--indulging the desire for self-exaltation and questioning the divine justice and authority. {PP 71.1}

These brothers were tested, as Adam had been tested before them, to prove whether they would believe and obey the word of God. They were acquainted with the provision made for the salvation of man, and understood the system of offerings which God had ordained. They knew that in these offerings they were to express faith in the Saviour whom the offerings typified, and at the same time to acknowledge their total dependence on Him for pardon; and they knew that by thus conforming to the divine plan for their redemption, they were giving proof of their obedience to the will of God. Without the shedding of blood there could be no remission of sin; and they were to show their faith in the blood of Christ as the promised atonement by offering the firstlings of the flock in sacrifice. Besides this, the first fruits of the earth were to be presented before the Lord as a thank offering. {PP 71.2}

The two brothers erected their altars alike, and each brought an offering. Abel presented a sacrifice from the flock, in accordance with the Lord's directions. "And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering." Fire flashed from heaven and consumed the sacrifice.

Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 71 (Continued)

But Cain, disregarding the Lord's direct and explicit command, presented only an offering of fruit. There was no token from heaven to show that it was accepted. Abel pleaded with his (p. 72)

brother to approach God in the divinely prescribed way, but his entreaties only made Cain the more determined to follow his own will. As the eldest, he felt above being admonished by his brother, and despised his counsel. {PP 71.3}

(Rom 8:1 NKJV) There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

Monday

Enoch - The Man Who Walked With God

(Heb 11:5 NKJV) By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, "and was not found, because God had taken him"; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

(Gen 5:24 NKJV) And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.

(Job 1:7 NKJV) And the LORD said to Satan, "From where do you come?" So Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it."

(Heb 11:6 NRSV) And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

(Heb 11:6 NKJV) But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Tuesday

Sacrifice Of The "Only Begotten Son"

(Heb 11:17 NKJV) By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

Read Genesis chapter 22

(John 3:14 NKJV) "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up,

(Heb 11:19 NKJV) concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.

Wednesday

Rahab, The Unlikely Accomplice

(Heb 11:31 NKJV) By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.

Read Hebrews chapter 11

(Josh 2 NKJV) Now Joshua the son of Nun sent out two men from Acacia Grove to spy secretly, saying, "Go, view the land, especially Jericho." So they went, and came to the house of a harlot named Rahab, and lodged there. {2} And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, "Behold, men have come here tonight from the children of Israel to search out the country." {3} So the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, "Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered your house, for they have come to search out all the country." {4} Then the woman took the two men and hid them. So she said, "Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. {5} "And it happened as the gate was being shut, when it was dark, that the men went out. Where the men went I do not know; pursue them quickly, for you may overtake them." {6} (But she had brought them up to the roof and hidden them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order on the roof.) {7} Then the men pursued them by the road to the Jordan, to the fords. And as soon as those who pursued them had gone out, they shut the gate. {8} Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, {9} and said to the men: "I know that the LORD has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you. {10} "For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. {11} "And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. {12} "Now therefore, I beg you, swear to me by the LORD, since I have shown you kindness, that you also will show kindness to my father's house, and give me a true token, {13} "and spare my father, my mother, my brothers, my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death." {14} So the men answered her, "Our lives for yours, if none of you tell this business of ours. And it shall be, when the LORD has given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with you." {15} Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was on the city wall; she dwelt on the wall. {16} And she said to them, "Get to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you. Hide there three days, until the pursuers have returned. Afterward you may go your way." {17} So the men said to her: "We will be blameless of this oath of yours which you have made us swear, {18} "unless, when we come into the land, you bind this line of scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you bring your father, your mother, your brothers, and all your father's household to your own home. {19} "So it shall be that whoever goes outside the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we will be guiltless. And whoever is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head if a hand is laid on him. {20} "And if you tell this business of ours, then we will be free from your oath which you made us swear." {21} Then she said, "According to your words, so be it." And she sent them away, and they departed. And she bound the scarlet cord in the window. {22} They departed and went to the mountain, and stayed there three days until the pursuers returned. The pursuers sought them all along the way, but did not find them. {23} So the two men returned, descended from the mountain, and crossed over; and they came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all that had befallen them. {24} And they said to Joshua, "Truly the LORD has delivered all the land into our hands, for indeed all the inhabitants of the country are fainthearted because of us."

(James 2:18 NKJV) But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

Thursday

We Can't Forget These Either

(Heb 11:32 NRSV) And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets--

(Heb 11:32 NKJV) And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets:

Read Hebrews chapter 11

Read Judges chapters 6 - 7

Read Judges chapters 4 - 5

Read Judges chapters 13 - 16

Read Judges chapter 11

(Acts 7:52 NKJV) "Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers,

Friday

(Heb 11:33-39 NKJV) who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, {34} quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. {35} Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. {36} Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. {37} They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented; {38} of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. {39} And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise,

(Heb 11:33-37 NRSV) who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, {34} quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. {35} Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, refusing to accept release, in order to obtain a better resurrection. {36} Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. {37} They were stoned to death, they were sawn in two, they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, persecuted, tormented--

(Heb 11:33-37 NKJV) who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, {34} quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. {35} Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. {36} Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment.

{Heb 11:37} They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

(Heb 11:7-8 NKJV) By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. {8} By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

(Heb 11:28 NKJV) By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

(Heb 11:40 NKJV) God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

(Heb 11:16 NKJV) But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.