The Gospel Project® for Adults

POINT 2 FAITH IN CHRIST CHANGES A PERSON’S RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD (HEB. 11:1-6).

1 Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for,
the proof of what is not seen.
2 For by this our ancestors were approved.
3 By faith we understand that the universe was created
by the word of God,
so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.
4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain did.
By faith he was approved as a righteous man,
because God approved his gifts, and even though he is dead,
he still speaks through his faith.
5 By faith Enoch was taken away,
and so he did not experience death.
He was not to be found because God took him away. For
before he was taken away,
he was approved as one who pleased God.

6 Now without faith it is impossible to please God,
since the one who draws near to him must believe
that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Explain:

Verses 1-5 (the bold words fill in blanks in the DDG):

The Bible gives us many examples of faithful people
with whom God was pleased to be in relationship
because of their faith.

Discuss:

• Why might we try to prove ourselves to God
  by means other than faith?
• (some relationships in the world are based on what we can do for other people;
• we don’t trust God to overlook our sins and shortcomings;
• we feel like we should bring something to the table to be acceptable to God)

Explain:

Use the Verse 6 commentary to emphasize the following idea (the bold words fill in blanks in the DDG):

Faith involves believing that God is all
that He says He is—
sovereign, powerful, good, and faithful.
Without faith in this God, it is impossible to please Him.

Transition:

True faith in God,
whom we know through faith in Christ,
always leads to action.
Works cannot save a soul,
but a saved soul will work out his or her salvation
for all around to see.