HEBREWS 11:5-6; GENESIS 5:18-24
THE JOURNEY OF FAITH: FIXING OUR HEARTS AND MINDS ON THE TREASURE
May 15, 2016
David Bartosik
Hebrews 11:5-6 ESV: [5] By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. [6] And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Genesis 5:18-24 ESV: [18] When Jared had lived 162 years, he fathered Enoch. [19] Jared lived after he fathered Enoch 800 years and had other sons and daughters. [20] Thus all the days of Jared were 962 years, and he died. [21] When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. [22] Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. [23] Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. [24] Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.
The author of Hebrews gives us Enoch to show us that the pursuit of happiness in God is not optional in genuine faith. Genuine faith is the belief that God not only is reliable, but desirable.
- One True End: Glorify God.
- One True Means: Faith.
- One True Motivator: The Reward.
Life Group Questions
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
1. How would you summarize Abel’s faith based upon what Cain’s faithlessness looked like?
2. What does the author want us to recognize about Enoch according to v5?
3. What does it mean that Enoch was “commended as pleasing God”?
4. Describe the connection the author makes between pleasing God and faith.
5. What does the author say are the two essential elements in faith?
6. What does it mean to believe that God exists?
7. What is the reward the author is referring to?
8. What does it mean to seek God?
9. What is the author’s intent in communicating the idea of seeking God as the reward?
HOW DOES IT APPLY?
1. How were you first presented with the idea of pleasing God? Explain how your thinking has evolved regarding this idea?
2. In seeking to please God, why does it matter whether we see Him as desirable or not?
3. When we do things to please God out of a sense of duty is that dishonoring to Him? Explain.
4. Is your primary desire for God himself, or for His benefits? How do you discern between them? What do human relationships look like that are primarily focused on the benefits?
5. What would life look like for you if you were able to see God Himself as more desirable? What might move you toward that new point of view?