As we step into another year why is faith so important?

Hebrews 12:1-2a NLT “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.”

Hebrews 11:1-4a NLT “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation. By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen. It was by faith...”

Hebrews 11:6 NLT “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”

Hebrews 11:7 NLT “By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land. He was warned about something he couldn’t see, and acted on what he was told. The result? His family was saved. His act of faith drew a sharp line between the evil of the unbelieving world and the rightness of the believing world. As a result, Noah became intimate with God.”

Faith moves us to make tough decisions that will move us closer to God

Hebrews 11:24-25 NLT “It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin.”

When we live by faith today it prepares our life for tomorrow living with Christ for eternity.

Hebrews 11:31 NLT “It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed with the people in her city who refused to obey God. For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.”

Hebrews 11:32-40 NLT “How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. Women received their loved ones back again from death. But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.”

Faith is possible to all kinds of Believers in all kinds of situations.

Faith looks to the future for that is where the greatest rewards are found.


In the New Year…
Let us be ready to Do The Things God has called us and equipped us to do


In the New Year…
Let us be ready to Strip-Off What Slows Us Down


In the New Year…
Let us be ready to Keep Our Eyes On Jesus

Small-Group Discussion

Who in your life has shown themselves to be faithful?

Read Hebrews 11; 12:1-2a

Who do you identify with most that are talked about in Hebrews 11?

What are some personal things holding you back in your personal faith?

Family Time:
Make a list of ways you can see that Jesus is real by the people and creation around us.