Hebrews 11, Part 1
Faith in Jesus Christ
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.
Focusing on converting principles. While determining lesson pacing, ensure that adequate time is spent helping students engage with portions of the lesson that focus on converting principles.
Student preparation: Invite students to complete the statement “Faith is ” and to be prepared to share their answers in class.
Possible Learning Activities
The assurance of faith in Jesus Christ
This is the first part of a two-part lesson that emphasizes Paul’s teachings on faith in Hebrews 11. If class time is limited and only one lesson on Hebrews 11 can be taught, consider how the two lessons might be effectively combined.
Students could use their student preparation for the following activity. It may be helpful to write on the board a class definition of faith and have students adjust the wording throughout the lesson.
-
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).
Consider inviting students to restate Hebrews 11:1 in their own words to ensure they understand the words of the verse.
-
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?
Consider writing the following statement on the board or inviting students to adjust the class definition to include similar ideas.
One simple truth that Hebrews 11:1 teaches is that faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
For variety in reading the next verses, consider dividing the class in half or inviting students to work in pairs. Ask half of the students to read Alma 32:21 and the other half to read Articles of Faith 1:4. Students can then compare what they learn.
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?
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.
If the previous statement or class definition was written on the board, adjust the wording so that “faith in Jesus Christ” is clearly communicated.
To help students deepen their understanding of faith in Jesus Christ, consider asking some of the following questions. Help them recognize the Savior’s role in the plan of salvation and His personal role in their lives.
It may be helpful to share President Russell M. Nelson’s first statement in the “Commentary and Background Information” section of the lesson.
-
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.
Display the following questions and suggested resources for students to refer to as they study. It may be helpful to provide a few printed copies of one or more of the talks for students who do not have digital devices to access these materials.
Carefully consider the learning abilities or needs of individual students in the class. Some might benefit from studying with a partner. Adjust the assignment or associated questions as needed.
You may want to think about these questions or questions of your own as you study:
-
What does faith in Jesus Christ mean to me?
-
Why is it essential that I develop faith in Him?
-
What can I do to increase my faith in Jesus Christ?
Consider moving throughout the classroom as students study to identify individuals who may have questions or need assistance. Encourage them to keep trying, or ask clarifying questions to help students refine their thinking.
Suggested scriptures and study helps
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
Consider dividing the class into pairs or small groups so students can share what they have learned. As time permits, willing students could share their insights with the class. Encourage students to look for an opportunity to share what they learned with their families or at church. Consider asking students how their definitions of faith in Jesus Christ have changed throughout the lesson.
Commentary and Background Information
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.
Supplemental Learning Activity
President Russell M. Nelson’s five suggestions to increase faith
Consider sharing President Russell M. Nelson’s five suggestions for increasing faith in Jesus Christ, which are found in his talk “Christ is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains” (Liahona, May 2021, 103–4). Encourage students to choose one of the suggestions and to make a plan to work on it for a week. Invite them to report to the class the progress they made or challenges they experienced.