This lesson teaches children that faith means trusting God even when we cannot see what he is doing yet. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, the discussion, and one activity.
Big Idea
Faith means trusting God, even when we cannot see him or know what will happen next. God is always faithful, and we can trust him to keep his promises.
Memory Verse
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.
(WEB)
Teach children to hold both hands out flat, palms up, as if carrying something invisible. Then have them close their eyes, lift their hands a little higher, and say the verse together. Faith is trusting what we cannot see, and the open hands show that trust.
The Story: Hebrews 11 for Kids
Long ago, God’s people lived by faith. Faith means trusting God even when you cannot see him. Hebrews 11 tells us about many people who trusted God, and it begins with a simple truth: faith is being sure of what we hope for.
Abel gave God a gift from his heart, and God was pleased with him. Noah heard God warn him about a flood that no one could see yet. Noah did not know what the rain would look like, but he trusted God and built a big boat for his family. God kept them safe.
God called Abraham to leave his home and go to a new land. Abraham did not know where he was going, but he packed up and went anyway. He said yes to God. Later, when God asked him to offer his son Isaac, Abraham still trusted that God would keep his promise. Abraham believed God could even bring someone back to life if he needed to.
Moses was a baby hidden by his parents, who trusted God to protect him. When Moses grew up, he chose to stand with God’s people instead of living in luxury. God led his people out of Egypt, and the walls of Jericho fell down after the people marched around them for seven days. Each time, God was faithful.
The chapter says that all these people trusted God, even when they did not get to see everything they were promised. They kept believing God would do what he said. Their faith still teaches us today.
Read It Together
Hebrews 11:6
Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to him, for he who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him.
(WEB)
Point out that faith starts with believing God is real and that he rewards those who seek him. Ask children to notice that God is not hard to find. He wants us to come to him.
Hebrews 11:8
By faith, Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out to the place which he was to receive for an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he went.
(WEB)
Show children that Abraham obeyed even though he did not know where he was going. Explain that obeying God can take courage, but God goes with us on every step of the journey.
Hebrews 11:13
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and embraced them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
(WEB)
Explain that these people did not get everything they hoped for during their lives, yet they kept trusting God. Help children see that God’s promises are bigger than what we can see right now.
Talk About It
- What is something you have trusted God about, even though you could not see the answer yet?
- How do you think Noah felt when he was building the boat and no rain had come yet?
- What did Abraham do when God asked him to go somewhere new, and why do you think he did it?
- When is it hard for you to trust God, and what helps you keep trusting him?
- How can you show your friends and family that you trust God in your everyday life?
Activity Ideas
Faith Picture Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and tape. Ask each child to draw something they hope God will do, like helping a friend or keeping their family safe. Then have them cover part of the picture with a sheet of paper, showing that the answer is not yet seen. Talk about how faith trusts God for the things hidden under the paper.
Walk By Faith Game
You will need a blindfold or a scarf and some open space in a room. Pair children up. One child wears the blindfold while the other gives simple directions, like “take two steps forward” or “turn left.” Afterward, talk about how it felt to trust a partner you could not see, and connect it to trusting God.
Take-Home Faith Jar
You will need a clear jar, small slips of paper, and a pen. Ask each child to write one thing they are trusting God for and fold the paper up. Let them place it in the jar at home. Encourage the family to open the jar together once a week and thank God for the ways he has been faithful.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Hebrews 11 describes faith as confident trust in God’s character and promises, even when the outcome is not yet visible. The chapter reminds believers that the faithful people of the past lived with an eye toward God’s future, and that their stories encourage us to keep trusting him today.
Avoid telling children that faith always brings the exact result we ask for. Some people in this chapter received what they hoped for, and others did not see it in their lifetime. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness and his character, not on a formula that guarantees outcomes.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you that you are faithful, even when we cannot see what you are doing. Help us to trust you like Noah, Abraham, and Moses did. Give us courage to follow you each day. We love you. Amen.
