Hebrews 11, Part 1

Faith in Jesus Christ

A woman holding a small picture of Jesus Christ. The picture is a reproduction of a painting by Robert Barrett.

Many people talk about having faith—in themselves, in others, and even in events or objects. So, what makes having faith in Jesus Christ empowering and important? In Hebrews 11 we read the Apostle Paul’s teachings on developing faith in Jesus Christ. This lesson will help you understand what faith in Jesus Christ is and why it matters to you personally.

The assurance of faith in Jesus Christ

What would you say if someone asked you what faith is?

Write your definition in your study journal or in a digital note. Consider making changes or additions to this definition and recording other thoughts and impressions as you study today.

Read Hebrews 11:1 and mark how the Apostle Paul defined faith. It may be helpful to know that in the Joseph Smith Translation of this verse, the Prophet changed the word substance to assurance, a word meaning certainty or trust (see Hebrews 11:1, footnote b).

What do you think it means to have assurance or trust in things you hope for?
How is it possible to have evidence of things you cannot see?
Based on this verse, how might you change or add to your definition of faith?

One simple truth that Hebrews 11:1 teaches is that faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Read Alma 32:21 and Articles of Faith 1:4, looking for additional insights about faith. You may want to cross-reference or link these two verses with Hebrews 11:1.

What else did you learn about faith?
How might you change or add to your definition of faith because of what you learned?

“Christ and the Rich Young Ruler,” by Heinrich Hofmann.

One way to adjust the previous statement of truth is faith in Jesus Christ is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen which are true.

How do you think having faith in Jesus Christ is different than having faith in someone or something else?
How might your faith in Jesus Christ help you trust Him when you are faced with questions or uncertainty?

Deepen your understanding of faith in Jesus Christ

Reflect on how you feel about your personal faith in Jesus Christ. In what ways do you feel your faith in Him is strong? In what ways do you feel your faith in Him could be stronger?

Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Faith does not fall upon us by chance or stay with us by birthright. … Faith in Jesus Christ is a gift from heaven that comes as we choose to believe and as we seek it and hold on to it. Your faith is either growing stronger or becoming weaker. Faith is a principle of power, important not only in this life but also in our progression beyond the veil. By the grace of Christ, we will one day be saved through faith on His name [see Ephesians 2:8]. The future of your faith is not by chance, but by choice.

(Neil L. Andersen, “Faith Is Not by Chance, but by Choice,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 65)

What stood out to you in Elder Andersen’s words?
What does he help you understand about faith in Jesus Christ?

Take time to learn more about faith in Jesus Christ by studying some of the following resources. Record your insights in your study journal. Be thoughtful, and invite the Holy Ghost to help you learn what you need today.

Complete the following activity, and upload a three-to-five sentence summary of what was meaningful to you.

Writing on a piece of paper with a pen or pencil.

Suggested scriptures and study helps

Alma 32:26–34
Ether 12:6–9
Bible Dictionary or Guide to the Scriptures, “ Faith ”

You may find other resources in the scriptures or in the Gospel Library app by searching for the term “Faith in Jesus Christ.”

Suggested counsel from Church leaders

Russell M. Nelson, “Christ Is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains,” Liahona, May 2021, 101–4
Neil L. Andersen, “Faith Is Not by Chance, but by Choice,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 65–68
Richard C. Edgley, “Faith—the Choice Is Yours,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2010, 31–33

Optional: Want to Learn More?

Why is it important to put my faith in Jesus Christ?

President Russell M. Nelson counseled:

When we speak of faith—the faith that can move mountains—we are not speaking of faith in general but of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. …

We might each ask ourselves, where is our faith? Is it in a team? Is it in a brand? Is it in a celebrity? Even the best teams can fail. Celebrities can fade. There is only One in whom your faith is always safe, and that is in the Lord Jesus Christ.

(Russell M. Nelson, “Let Your Faith Show,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 29)

Why should I try to increase my faith in Jesus Christ?

President Russell M. Nelson taught:

My call to you … is to start today to increase your faith. Through your faith, Jesus Christ will increase your ability to move the mountains in your life [see 1 Nephi 7:12], even though your personal challenges may loom as large as Mount Everest.

Your mountains may be loneliness, doubt, illness, or other personal problems. Your mountains will vary and yet the answer to each of your challenges is to increase your faith. That takes work. …

Faith in Jesus Christ is the greatest power available to us in this life. All things are possible to them that believe [see Mark 9:23].

(Russell M. Nelson, “Christ is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains,” Liahona, May 2021, 102–3, 104)

What is required of me to learn by faith?

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said:

Experience has enabled me to understand that an answer given by another person usually is not remembered for very long, if remembered at all. But an answer we discover or obtain through the exercise of faith, typically, is retained for a lifetime. The most important learnings of life are caught—not taught.

The spiritual understanding you and I have been blessed to receive, and which has been confirmed as true in our hearts, simply cannot be given to another person. The tuition of diligence and learning by faith must be paid to obtain and personally “own” such knowledge. Only in this way can what is known in the mind be transformed into what is felt in the heart. Only in this way can a person move beyond relying upon the spiritual knowledge and experience of others and claim those blessings for himself or herself. Only in this way can we be spiritually prepared for what is coming. We are to “seek learning, even by study and also by faith” (D&C 88:118).

(David A. Bednar, “Seek Learning by Faith,” Ensign, Sept. 2007, 67)

How can faith in Jesus Christ affect my daily life?

Watch the video “Campfires of Faith” (3:25), in which Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and others share what they have learned about faith in Jesus Christ. This video is available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.