A Men’s Study on the Old Testament’s “Faith Hall of Fame”
Memory Verse
Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Overview|Background
Hebrews was written to Jewish believers who were tired. Some had lost property for following Jesus; some were tempted to quietly slide back into the old system where things felt safer and more familiar (see Hebrews 10:32–39). Right before chapter 11, the writer tells them: “the just shall live by faith” — and then, instead of a lecture on what faith is, he gives them a highlight reel of men and women who actually lived that way.
Hebrews 11 runs through Israel’s story from Abel to the prophets, and every single entry follows the same pattern: “By faith, [name] did [something that made no sense without God].” Faith, in this chapter, is never a feeling. It’s not “I sure hope things work out.” It’s a settled trust in God’s word that is strong enough to act on — often before any evidence shows up, and sometimes without ever seeing the payoff in this life.
Today, in Part 1, we’ll cover the definition of faith and its earliest examples — Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Sarah. Next time, in Part 2, we’ll trace faith through Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, and the “great cloud of witnesses” who close out the chapter.
That’s the target for today: not “what is faith” as a definition to memorize, but “what does faith cost, and what does it produce” in men who were ordinary, flawed, and scared — just like us.
Before we start: Think of one decision in your life you made purely because you trusted God, with no guarantee it would work out. What did it cost you?
Section 1 — What Faith Actually Is
Read together: Hebrews 11:1–3 (NKJV)
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
Two words carry this verse: substance and evidence. Faith isn’t a leap into fog — it’s substance, something solid to stand on, even when you can’t see the outcome yet. Verse 3 grounds that idea in the biggest possible example: we weren’t there at creation, but we trust God’s word that He made everything out of nothing. If you can trust Him for that, you can trust Him with your next decision.
Discuss:
Where in your life right now do you need “substance” for something you’re hoping for but haven’t seen yet?
How would you explain the difference between faith and wishful thinking to a younger guy?
Section 2 — Faith That Pleases God: Abel, Enoch, and Noah
Read together: Hebrews 11:4–7 (NKJV)
By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain… By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death… 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. By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark…
Three very different men, three different tests. Abel offered the right sacrifice in the right spirit — faith showed up in ordinary worship. Enoch simply walked with God so closely, for so long, that God took him home early — faith showed up as a lifestyle. Noah built a boat for a flood nobody had ever seen, for over a century, while his neighbors mocked him — faith showed up as costly, public obedience.
Verse 6 is the hinge for all three: you cannot please God without faith, period. Not sincerity, not effort, not good intentions — faith. And faith always believes two things about God: that He exists, and that He rewards those who seek Him.
Discuss:
- Noah worked for decades on the ark before it ever rained. What’s something God has asked you to be faithful in with no visible payoff yet?
- Which of these three men’s version of faith — Abel’s worship, Enoch’s walk, or Noah’s endurance — do you relate to most right now?
Section 3 — Faith That Waits: Abraham and Sarah
Read together: Hebrews 11:8–12 (NKJV)
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… By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.
Abraham gets the most space in this chapter for a reason — his whole life is a case study in delayed fulfillment. He left home not knowing the destination. He lived in tents in the very land God promised him, never owning it outright, because he was looking further ahead — “for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (v. 10). Sarah’s faith looks different: hers is about believing God’s specific promise against the plain facts of her own body and age. Verse 11 gives the reason plainly — she judged Him faithful who had promised.
Read together: Hebrews 11:17–19 (NKJV)
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac… concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead.
This is faith’s hardest test in the whole chapter: God asks Abraham to give back the very promise he’d waited twenty-five years to receive. Abraham’s reasoning in verse 19 is remarkable — he didn’t understand why, but he trusted God’s character enough to conclude God could raise Isaac from the dead if He had to.
Discuss:
- Abraham lived in the promised land his whole life without ever fully possessing it. What does it look like for you to trust God with a promise that’s taking longer than you expected?
- What’s the difference between Abraham’s faith here and simply “gritting it out”? What was he actually trusting in?
Cross-References: Where Their Stories Are Told
For further reading during the week — the fuller Old Testament accounts behind each name in today’s passage (NKJV).
| Person | Hebrews 11 | Old Testament Story |
| Abel | v. 4 | Genesis 4:1–16 — his offering, and his murder by Cain |
| Enoch | v. 5 | Genesis 5:21–24 — walked with God 300 years, then God took him |
| Noah | v. 7 | Genesis 6:13–22 — instructions to build the ark; Genesis 7:17–24 — the flood itself |
| Abraham | v. 8–10, 17–19 | Genesis 12:1–9 — the call to leave home; Genesis 15:1–6 — the covenant promise; Genesis 22:1–14 — offering Isaac |
| Sarah | v. 11 | Genesis 17:15–19 — God’s promise of a son; Genesis 18:10–15 — Sarah laughs; Genesis 21:1–7 — Isaac is born |
Going Deeper: Faith Elsewhere in Scripture
Optional — for personal reading during the week, or for the group if time allows.
Faith fully convinced — Romans 4:19–22 (NKJV)
And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
This is Paul’s own commentary on the very story we just discussed. Notice the phrase “fully convinced” — that’s the picture of faith the whole Bible paints: not the absence of hard facts (Abraham didn’t ignore his age or Sarah’s), but trusting God’s ability more than the facts in front of him.
Faith is a gift, not a wage — Ephesians 2:8–9 (NKJV)
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
A guardrail worth naming: Abraham and Sarah didn’t earn God’s favor by their faith. Faith is the hand that receives grace — it isn’t a transaction that obligates God.
Faith comes by hearing God’s word — Romans 10:17 (NKJV)
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Sarah all acted on something God had said — a promise, a warning, a command. Faith isn’t generated by trying harder; it grows by staying near God’s word.
Point of Application
- Name your substance. Faith isn’t a feeling — it’s something you stand on and act from. What’s one thing God has said that you need to start actually standing on this week?
- Keep building in the dry season. Noah worked for decades before the rain came. What’s the “ark” God has you building right now, with no visible payoff yet?
- Trust the character, not just the plan. Abraham didn’t get an explanation for Isaac — he trusted who God was. Where do you need to trust God’s character more than His explanations this week?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for the record of ordinary men and women who trusted You before they ever saw the outcome — who worshiped rightly, walked closely, built faithfully, left home not knowing the way, and waited decades on a promise. Forgive us for wanting evidence before we obey. Teach us that faith is substance, not sentiment — something solid enough to build a life on. Give us Abraham’s patience and Sarah’s confidence in Your faithfulness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prayer List
Doc – renewed vigor to join us on Saturdays
Richard Brooks – faith and courage during the next stage of his journey in Christ
Bob & Gaynelle – Breast cancer (from Mike Arras)
Julia (Arras) – praise for health
Jim Allen, friend of Daryl, heart issue, praise
Jim Sachs – praise
Darryl’s employee Tara – lung cancer, in US
Darryl’s Son Jonathan and Wife Lizz – spiritual renewal
Tom and Jeanice – praise and prayers for continued recovery
Becky and Lee Davidson, health and healing, difficult situation
Jim & Melissa, father-in-law’s heart condition and spiritual health, marital closeness
Mike Arras’ daughter, praise
Mike Allen – sister Adele and brother
Joe & Deb – continued prayers for Deb’s Dad, travel for Deb
Brian – Job situation
JC – health issues
JC’s granddaughter Kylie, Tiffany, and Tommy
Todd – medical issues (sinuses, hands)
Wisdom about meeting location
Our country & our world
Gayle (Karl’s wife) – wisdom, peace, strength in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds
Karl’s friend, Jesse – PRAISE! Found a good church body to join
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