32 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: 33 who THROUGH FAITH subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— 38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.
Heb 11:32-40
Q & A：
- Have you ever felt rejected by men and on what basis, as how Jephthah was driven out by his own family and community? Discuss if you feel secure with your identity through your family background, possessions, academic or professional achievements, in comparison to your identity in Christ. (Heb 11:32-40; Jud 11:1-2; Eph 1:6-7)
- Discuss your view on how your background, past or status will not determine the future that God has in store for you, just as God called Jephthah from being a rejected outcast to be a leader/commander to fight the Ammonites. (Jud 11:5-7; Jud 11:9-10)
- How would you like your story to be written in the hall of faith? Discuss your faith journey with God so far, considering that God is more interested in developing relationship with us than giving us the breakthrough immediately. (Jud 11:11, 29, 32-33)