Hello and welcome!
Describing Faith
Now faith is substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen.
Faith is not always the easiest thing to describe
and even more complex with youth.
I want to share a method that seemed to help
bring the idea across.
On this poster I used different versions of Hebrews 11:1 so my students could compare versions showing how the same words are translated differently. I also thought it may be easier for them to understand the verse by adding a couple definitions of faith.
First off faith is based on things we know.
Things our brain logs in from our senses.
Here are a few visual aids that helped me explain what faith is to my students.
I began by placing the word "faith" on the board.
Faith is NOT wishful thinking.
(Add - NOT wishful thinking!)
Faith is substance, assurance or confidence,
(Add - substance, assurance, confidence.)
It's what we hope for/believe in but cannot see.
(Add - of what we hope for/believe in but cannot see,)
What we hope for/believe in is something REAL/something that is GOING to happen.
What did Noah hope for?
(Add - Safety in the ark.)
Noah's faith was built on a foundation.
(Add - the foundation) -
(I drew little blocks all around the outside of the paper to make a foundation, with no lines in the middle so I could write in what Noah's faith was built upon.)*
This is a foundation of evidence.
Add - green page under the foundation
(It says - Evidence/proof of, what we hope for/have confidence in, but cannot see.)
Evidence of what we know and understand,
making what we cannot see, REAL.
Noah had faith/assurance that what he hoped for (safety in the ark) was real.
The foundation or evidence, Noah had confidence in or based his faith/belief on were the words God told him.
(Write - The words God spoke to Noah - on the foundation paper.)
The words God told Noah, were the evidence or proof that what God was talking about
(even though Noah couldn't see it) WAS REAL!
Noah believed God would keep His word and send a flood because of the wickedness of the world.
He believed God would save him if he obeyed what God was asking him to do.
"Build the ark."
Noah and his family would have safety in the ark!
How do we know Noah had faith in what God said?
⭐Noah showed his faith by what he did!! ⭐
He built the ark!!
This is called living faith!!
Challenges!!
(Add - the boxing picture.)
Talk about different challenges that may have weakened Noah's faith.
(Hard work, hot sun, not much help, not any encouragement from those who were not following God, etc..)
What made Noah want to obey God?
#1 Noah's love for God! (Noah was a righteous man who walked faithfully with God.)
#2 The consequences of NOT obeying/building the ark.
* If you laminate this foundation paper you will be able to wipe it off with finger nail polish remover and use it again and again with different Bible people even on a personal note with ourselves.
What do we have confidence in/hope for that we cannot see?
A home in heaven?
What is the foundation of our faith/hope?
What is it built on?
What God says in His word?
How do we show our faith?
What challenges do we have?
How can God help us with these challenges?
A "Gold Star" Just for you!
Find a power point lesson defining faith by clicking the gold star.
Click on the singing girl to listen!
Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave a comment!