Becoming a Family of Faith
Lessons from Hebrews 11
Scripture: Hebrews 11
Hebrews 11 is often called “the Hall of Faith.” It highlights men and women whose lives demonstrate what it means to trust God.
But the chapter isn’t just about famous heroes—it’s about ordinary people who trusted an extraordinary God.
“If they could put their hand in the hand of the Lord and trust Him… then certainly we can make it too.”
Faith is not just a spiritual concept. It is the foundation of relationships, families, and the way we live our lives.
What Faith Really Is
Many people misunderstand faith. Faith is not simply optimism or positive thinking.
“Faith is not just positive thinking. Faith is biblical thinking.”
True faith is rooted in the character and promises of God.
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Faith trusts what God has said.
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Faith believes even when circumstances are unclear.
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Faith sees what cannot yet be seen.
Hebrews describes faith this way:
“Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.”
Faith opens the eyes of the spirit to what the physical eyes cannot see.
The Three Steps of Faith
Hebrews 11:6 explains how faith works.
“Without faith it is impossible to please God.”
Faith grows through three simple steps:
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Come to God
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Approach Him with humility and dependence.
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Believe that He is
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Trust that God is present and active even when you cannot see Him.
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Seek Him diligently
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Pursue Him with consistency and commitment.
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“God will reward those who seek after Him in faith.”
Noah: Building Faith for Your Family
One of the first examples in Hebrews 11 is Noah.
“By faith Noah… prepared an ark for the saving of his household.”
Noah’s faith was not just personal—it impacted his entire family.
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He trusted God’s warning.
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He obeyed when no one else believed.
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He involved his family in building what God called him to build.
“If God has called me to build something for His kingdom, then I’m going to build it.”
Noah reminds us of an important truth:
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It’s easier to tear things down than to build them up.
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But faith chooses to build.
Faith builders:
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Build their marriages
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Build their children
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Build the church
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Build the kingdom of God
“Be the builder of your family… always building the thing up.”
Abraham: The Faith of Sacrifice
Another powerful example in Hebrews 11 is Abraham.
Abraham was known for building altars—places where he met God.
“Abraham built seven altars in his lifetime.”
Each altar represented something important:
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Connection with God
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Consecration
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Sacrifice
Faith is not only about receiving from God.
“Some people are only asking, ‘What can I get out of it?’ But that’s not the way God calls us to live.”
Faith asks a different question:
“What am I willing to place on the altar?”
Abraham demonstrated this when God tested him with Isaac.
When Isaac asked where the sacrifice was, Abraham responded with confidence:
“The Lord Himself will provide the sacrifice.”
That statement revealed Abraham’s faith.
Even if he did not understand the outcome, he trusted the character of God.
“In light of everything I know about God, here’s what I believe: God will somehow make a way.”
Faith That Changes a Family
The faith of Noah and Abraham shows a powerful truth:
Faith is never just personal—it influences the people around us.
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Noah’s faith saved his household.
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Abraham’s faith shaped generations.
Faithful parents and leaders create families of faith.
“Before I touch this earth, I need to touch heaven.”
When we trust God, build what He asks us to build, and place our lives on the altar, something powerful happens.
God begins to work in ways we could never accomplish on our own.
Final Thought
Hebrews 11 is not just a history lesson—it is an invitation.
The same faith that worked in Noah and Abraham is available to us today.
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Trust God.
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Build what He asks you to build.
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Place your life on the altar.
And like those who came before us, we will discover the same truth:
“God will somehow make a way.”
