Hebrews 11: Enoch

Dear TVCC Students,
Last night was so encouraging! We were able to witness Spencer getting baptized and able to dive more into Hebrews 11. As always, our hearts are so encouraged to worship the Lord with you all and see you soaking up the truths in His Word. Sonny spent time looking into the life of Enoch last night. Here is a recap...

Hebrews 11: Hall of Faith. People listed in Hebrews 11 were by no means perfect but were those who trusted the Lord and lived lives of faith despite their shortcomings.

~11:1-4: Men of old gained approval by their faith, not by their works! Works reveal faith but faith is what makes one righteous before the Lord. Remember though that once we have faith in Christ, we are called to have our lives be living sacrifices (Romans 12).  Pouring out your life for Him is the most wonderful thing that you can do- it is ETERNAL. Again, works do NOT save you but after you have received grace to believe in Christ, works will follow (Ephesians 2:8-10)

Q: Read Ephesians 2:8-10 and James 2:14-26. Do you see the correlation between works and faith? Genuine faith will have works following it. Belief will have an effect on your life. If someone looked JUST at your life, not at what you SAID, would they see someone who is living a life of faith in Christ? Are there any changes you feel the Lord calling you to in order to have your life aligned with His desires for you?

~1:5-6: Enoch was taken up. Enoch did not taste death. Wow... Let that sink in! Genesis 5:21-24. Enoch walked with God and “was not” for God took Him! "Walking with God" is what the Lord wants for us just as He did for Enoch. This is what Jesus died for (1 Peter 3:18). Even though we are completely undeserving of "walking" with Him, He still desires this for us. If we look at 2 Corinthians 6:14 we see that we are not to be bound together with unbelievers. Believers and unbelievers are different beings and it is dangerous for us to surround ourselves with those that are not like minded. How wonderful for us that even though we are so different from the Lord, He still wants us to walk with Him. There is such a great chasm between us and the Lord; He bridged that gap through Christ so that we could “walk” with Him. 

Q: Read 1 Peter 3:18. What does it look like for you to "walk" with the Lord on a daily basis? Others noticed that Enoch walked with the Lord by the way that He lived. Who in your life have you seen "walking with the Lord?" The Word tells us to imitate the FAITH of those that encourage us (Hebrews 13:7). What things do you think contribute to their "walk" with the Lord that can be emulated in the lives of others? 

~2 Peter 1:3-10: He has granted to us all we need for life and godliness just as He did with Enoch. The Lord has made a way for us to be partakers of the divine nature through the death and resurrection of Christ so that we can now relate to Him. He has restored what was lost.

Q: Which of the things listed in 1 Peter 1:3-10 do you feel that the Lord wants you to work on (by His power)? What steps do you want to take to grow in that area this week?

~1 Corinthians 6:9-11: The unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God. All of us were unrighteous before our redemption in Christ (Romans 3). The Lord has made us righteous in Christ. We have been washed by the blood of Christ and are now different. Because we are now washed, let us live differently. Let us press into the Lord. Let us walk with Him out of love as Enoch did. Walking with Him involves us listening to the Lord and speaking to Him. Enjoy time with Him! As long as we are still taking in breath, we still have an opportunity to walk with the Lord!

Q: Have you been walking with the Lord this week? What has that looked like? In what areas do you feel the Lord calling you to change so that your walk with Him will be more intimate?

~Romans 3: How was Enoch pleasing to the Lord? He was not justified by his works. That was not even possible. Enoch was justified by his faith just as we are justified by faith. Faith in the work of Christ is what makes us righteous before the Lord. Without faith it is impossible to please God! We must believe that He is God and that He has made us clean through Jesus. Our works will follow genuine faith.

Q: Are you believing in the Lord Jesus this week? Have you spent time in His Word this week knowing that He who began a good work in you is faithful to complete it?

Dear Students,

We pray that this week you will follow the example of Enoch and genuinely walk with the Lord. We pray that you will listen to Him as you read His Word and gain insight into His heart. We pray that you will speak to Him in prayer and pour out your hearts continually to Him as you would your best friend. Remember that He is in control of everything- both the good and the bad. Everything that happens is an opportunity for us to grow in our relationship with the Lord and for us to show others His power through us who believe. We love you all!

With hope,

~Sonny and Casi