Bible Study About Faith – Trusting God

Faith. It’s a small word with huge implications. We toss it around in church (“Keep the faith!”), but what does “faith” really mean in a biblical sense?

If you’ve ever felt your faith waver at 2 AM or wondered how your faith stacks up against, say, Abraham’s – you’re in good company.

In this friendly Bible study we’ll unpack the meaning of faith, how the Bible uses the word in different ways, the Hebrew and Greek nuances (yes, we’re going there, but I promise to keep it relatable), and see examples of real people who trusted God (sometimes shakily, sometimes triumphantly).

We’ll also look at the rich symbolism surrounding faith and connect the dots from the Old Testament promises to New Testament fulfillment in Christ. By the end, my hope is that you’ll be encouraged in “walking by faith” in your own daily grind.

What Does “Faith” Mean in the Bible?

When we say “faith,” we often think of belief or trust. The Bible’s classic definition of faith is found in Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (KJV).

That sounds beautiful – but what does it actually mean?

In plain language, Hebrews is telling us that faith gives a solid reality to our hopes and acts as proof of what we can’t yet see. It’s like confidence in God’s promises before they materialize.

In other words, if God said it, faith acts like it’s a done deal even when our eyes see nothing.

Think of it like a chair: You can inspect a chair, but only sitting down shows you truly trust it.

Likewise, faith isn’t just knowing about God in our heads – it’s leaning our whole weight on Him.

• Without faith, it’s impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6), because faith is how we connect to Him and receive from Him.
• The New Testament reminds us, “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

We live not merely by what our physical eyes see (bank accounts, doctor’s reports, world news) but by trusting what God has said in His Word​.

Importantly, biblical faith is not a blind leap into the dark or wishful thinking. It’s more like stepping into God’s light.

It begins with God – responding to His initiative and promises. He proves His faithfulness, and we respond with trust.

• In fact, Scripture says that faith itself is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8–9), born from being “persuaded” of His truth.

So if you’ve ever felt, “I wish I had more faith,” know that faith grows as we get to know God’s reliability. It’s less about the size of our faith and more about the greatness of the God we have faith in.

One Word, Many Shades: How Scripture Uses “Faith”

The word “faith” in the Bible doesn’t always pop up in exactly the same way. It has a few nuanced uses across Scripture, and understanding these can enrich our study:

Active Trust in God:

Most of the time, faith means actively trusting or relying on God. Both the Old and New Testaments show that true faith is trust in the Lord’s character and promises.

In fact, in the overwhelming majority of biblical cases, faith essentially means “reliance” or “trust”. When Jesus told people, “Your faith has made you whole,” He was talking about their trust in Him.

Faithfulness or Fidelity:

In some contexts, faith refers to being faithful or loyal.

For example, in Galatians 5:22 (KJV), “faith” is listed as a fruit of the Spirit – here it can be understood as faithfulness, the quality of reliability produced in a believer.

Likewise, when describing God, phrases like “the faith of God” (Romans 3:3 KJV) actually mean God’s faithfulness (since God obviously isn’t “believing” in something higher!).

So one shade of meaning is integrity or fidelity.

Jesus even used the term in this sense when scolding the religious leaders for neglecting the “weightier matters” like justice, mercy, and faith (Matthew 23:23) – implying faithful commitment, not just belief.

“The Faith” (Beliefs/Doctrine):

Sometimes faith means the content of what we believe – essentially, our creed.

The Bible speaks of “the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 1:3) or warns that some will depart from the faith (1 Timothy 4:1).

Here “faith” isn’t the act of trusting, but what is believed – the Christian faith itself. Similarly, James appears to use “faith” in the sense of mere belief or creed when he says, “faith without works is dead” (James 2:17-19).

He points out that even demons believe (assent to facts about God) but obviously that kind of “faith” (just head knowledge without trust or loyalty) won’t save anyone.

True saving faith, as Paul and James would agree, is a living faith that results in action – not just a recitation of beliefs. Faith and faithfulness really do go hand in hand.

Closely Associated Themes:

Biblical faith is often woven together with other key virtues in Christian instruction.

Paul famously groups “faith, hope, and charity (love)” as lasting pillars of Christian life (1 Corinthians 13:13).

Faith is distinct from hope and love, yet inseparable – we trust God (faith) because we anticipate His goodness (hope), and our faith works through love (Galatians 5:6).

Faith is also linked with obedience (Romans 1:5 speaks of the “obedience of faith”), showing that if we truly trust God, we will act on His words.

Conversely, the lack of faith was often at the root of disobedience (think of the Israelites shrinking back from the Promised Land).

In practical Christian living, virtues like patience, perseverance, and courage are fueled by faith, because believing God’s promises gives us strength to endure and to do right.

And of course, faith and works are a dynamic duo – we aren’t saved by good works, but real faith produces good works as its fruit (James 2:26). So faith is far from a static concept; it’s intertwined with every aspect of a godly life.

In short, faith might be used in different shades (trust, faithfulness, the faith, etc.), but these ideas are all related. If we have faith in God, we’ll strive to be faithful to Him; if we are faithful to Him, we’re likely living according to the faith (the truths He’s revealed). And all of it starts with a heart that trusts Him.

Word Study: Hebrew Emunah and Greek Pistis

Now let’s get a little nerdy (in a fun way!) and look at the original words for faith. Why bother? Because it gives color and depth to what God wants us to understand. Don’t worry – no prior knowledge of ancient languages needed. Consider this the “word study lite” portion, with some practical takeaways.

In the Old Testament (Hebrew):

The main word for “faith” is emunah (אֱמוּנָה). Interestingly, emunah isn’t often translated as “faith” in the King James Version.

In fact, the KJV Old Testament uses the English word “faith” only twice (yep, just two times!​) – once in Deuteronomy 32:20 and once in Habakkuk 2:4.

Does that mean faith wasn’t important in the Old Testament? Not at all! It’s because emunah was typically translated with words like faithfulness or truth rather than “faith.”

In KJV, emunah appears many times as faithfulness (18 times), truth (13 times), faithfully (5), faithful (3), and so on – and only once directly as “faith”​.

• Why? Because in Hebrew thought, emunah is about steadiness, reliability, and fidelity​.

It’s an attitude of trust that leads to steadfastness.

If you have emunah, you are steady, firm in trusting God, and thus you behave faithfully.

A vivid example: in Exodus 17, when Moses kept his hands raised in trust during battle, it says his hands were “steady (emunah)” (Ex. 17:12) – literally, faithful.

So, emunah paints faith as something solid and steady. It’s not a flimsy hope; it’s rock-solid trust in a rock-solid God.

Hebrew emunah comes from a verb root aman (אָמַן) meaning “to support, confirm, or believe.” (Yes, it’s related to our word “Amen,” meaning “truly” or “so be it,” essentially “it’s reliable/firm.”)

• When Genesis 15:6 says “Abram believed in the LORD; and He counted it to him for righteousness,” the word for believed is from this root aman. Abraham was “amen-ing” God in his heart – trusting God’s promise completely.

So, Old Testament faith was very much a relational trust in God’s trustworthy character. The prophets often highlighted faithfulness to God (loyalty) and trusting Him rather than idols or human strength.

When Habakkuk 2:4 famously says, “the just shall live by his faith,” the Hebrew could be understood as “faithfulness”​ – staying faithful to God – which in essence is continued trust.

That little verse was a seed that later blossomed into a core New Testament teaching (more on that later!).

In the New Testament (Greek):

The word for faith is pistis (πίστις). Pistis carries on the idea of trust but also expands to mean belief, confidence, and assurance. It comes from a verb meaning “to persuade or be convinced.”

So at its core, having pistis means you are persuaded that God is true and trustworthy.

By New Testament times, pistis was the go-to word for faith as we think of it – trusting in God or believing in Christ. It’s used over 200 times in the New Testament​, showing how central it is.

Whenever you read about faith in the Gospels or in Paul’s letters, it’s usually pistis.

• For example, Jesus commended people for their pistis (“Great is thy faith,” Matthew 15:28) or chided the disciples for lack of it (“O ye of little faith,” Matthew 8:26).

In those contexts, pistis clearly means active trust in God’s power and goodness.

It’s worth noting that in Greek as well, pistis can mean faithfulness in a few cases. But the New Testament overwhelmingly uses it in the active sense of trusting.

One Bible dictionary points out that apart from a couple of exceptions, pistis in Scripture is best understood as “reliance” or “trust”​.

So when you see faith in your KJV New Testament, think trusting God (with perhaps an occasional nuance of “faithfulness”).

Also, pistis can refer to the faith, the body of belief.

We see this when the Bible speaks of being “sound in faith” (Titus 1:13) or “keeping the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7) – meaning staying true to the Christian message.

Context usually makes the meaning clear.

For instance, James 2:17 – “faith, if it hath not works, is dead” – James goes on to illustrate that he’s talking about a claimed belief that has no accompanying action (he even says “Thou believest that there is one God… the devils also believe,” James 2:19).

So there faith = intellectual belief in doctrine. Contrast that with Hebrews 11, where faith clearly means a living trust that causes people to obey God even when they can’t see the outcome.

Summary of the Word Study:

Hebrew emunah gives us the picture of faith as faithfulness/steadfast trust, and Greek pistis gives us faith as confident belief/trust.

They complement each other. It’s been said that emunah is like “holding God’s hand for dear life,” and pistis is like “being firmly convinced He won’t let go.” Both get us to a faith that is sure of God.

Understanding this helps us see why, for example, faithfulness (loyalty) is considered part of faith. A faithful person is full of faith – not just in one moment of belief, but in a lifetime of steady trust.

Heroes of Faith: Biblical Examples and Blessings

The best way to understand faith is to see it in action. The Bible is essentially a giant “faith scrapbook,” full of stories of people who trusted God (or, sometimes, failed to trust Him) and what happened as a result.

Hebrews chapter 11 is often nicknamed the “Hall of Faith” for good reason – it rapid-fire lists many heroes of faith from the Old Testament, highlighting what “by faith” they did.

Let’s look at a few standout examples and the blessings or outcomes associated with their faith. (And as we do, remember these were real people with real struggles – their faith was in a very real God, just like ours is.)

Abraham – Faith to Step Out and to Hold On:

Abraham is called the father of all them that believe (Romans 4:11) because his story epitomizes faith.

God told 75-year-old Abram to leave home and go to an unknown land, and “by faith Abraham… obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went” (Hebrews 11:8 KJV).

Imagine packing your bags not knowing your destination – that’s faith! Later, God promised Abraham an heir and as many descendants as the stars, even though Abe and his wife Sarah were well past childbearing years.

• Genesis 15:6 says “he believed in the LORD; and He counted it to him for righteousness.”

Abraham’s faith (trust) in God’s promise put him in right standing with God – a blessing so great that the New Testament uses Abraham to teach justification by faith for us, too (see Romans 4:3 and Galatians 3:6).

Abraham did eventually see the promised son, Isaac, born miraculously. But Abraham’s biggest test came later when God asked him to sacrifice that very son. Talk about a faith crisis!

Hebrews 11:17-19 notes that Abraham’s faith was so solid he reasoned God could even raise Isaac from the dead if necessary.

In the end, God stopped the sacrifice and provided a ram – rewarding Abraham’s obedient faith and also painting a picture of God’s own sacrifice to come (Jesus, the Lamb of God).

Abraham was far from perfect (he had moments of fear and trying to “help” God’s plan along), but overall he demonstrated a patient, obedient faith.

As a result, he’s remembered as “the friend of God” (James 2:23) – not a bad title! His life shows that faith sometimes means waiting on God for a long time, but God always keeps His promises.

Moses – Faith for the Impossible:

Moses’ entire life was one faith adventure after another.

• Hebrews 11:24-29 recounts how “by faith” Moses gave up the treasures of Egypt to identify with God’s people, left Egypt trusting God more than fearing Pharaoh, and kept the first Passover (believing God would spare Israel’s firstborn).
• By faith, Moses and Israel crossed the Red Sea as on dry land – one of the most spectacular miracles in the Bible.

Can you imagine walking between walls of water, trusting they won’t collapse on you? That’s faith! Moses had to rely on God daily for 40 years in the wilderness – for guidance, food (manna from heaven), water from a rock, protection, everything.

Did his faith ever waver?

Yes, at times – like when he struck the rock in frustration. But Moses kept turning back to God. The blessings of Moses’ faith included seeing God defeat the mightiest empire of the day, receiving God’s Law, and even speaking with God “face to face” (Exodus 33:11) as one speaks to a friend.

Through highs and lows, Moses’ example shows that faith listens to God (he acted on God’s word even when it defied human sense) and faith perseveres (leading a grumbling nation in circles for decades required trusting God’s plan beyond what he could see).

David – Trusting God in Real Time:

David’s story gives us faith lived out in real life struggles. As a youth facing Goliath, David’s faith in God gave him courage when everyone else cowered.

• He famously declared, “The LORD…will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine” (1 Samuel 17:37), and armed with only a sling and faith, he triumphed.

Later as king, David went through periods of fear, failure, and heartbreak.

• What made him “a man after God’s own heart” was that he kept turning back in faith and repentance.

Read the Psalms and you’ll see David processing life with God – pouring out fears, then grabbing hold of trust again: “When I am afraid, I will trust in Thee” (Psalm 56:3).

David’s faith wasn’t a one-time event; it was a lifelong relationship of trust, even when he didn’t feel God’s presence.

The blessing David received was God’s guidance and forgiveness through every trial, and an everlasting covenant that from his line would come the Messiah.

David’s life teaches us that faith can look like raw honesty with God, but it always comes back to saying, “Lord, my hope is in You.”

Other Heroes (and Heroines) of Faith:

Hebrews 11 gives shout-outs to many others:

• Noah (who built a huge ark on dry land simply because God said a flood was coming – talk about acting on things not seen!)
• Sarah (who found strength to conceive Isaac by faith, judging God faithful to His promise despite her laughter of doubt at first)
• Rahab (the prostitute in Jericho who by faith hid Israel’s spies and earned a place in God’s family)
• Daniel and his friends (not named in Hebrews 11, but alluded to as those who “stopped the mouths of lions” and “quenched the violence of fire” – they trusted God in a literal lions’ den and fiery furnace, and God miraculously delivered them).

We see ordinary people who trusted an extraordinary God, and the result was deliverance, provision, and victory. Were they blessed because of their faith? Yes – not because faith itself is a magic power, but because God honored their trust in Him.

• In the New Testament era, we have examples like Mary believing the angel’s word that she, a virgin, would bear the Son of God – “be it unto me according to thy word” was a remarkable statement of faith (Luke 1:38).
• The apostle Peter had a memorable faith adventure when he actually walked on water at Jesus’ invitation – albeit briefly, until he took his eyes off Jesus (Matthew 14:28-31). One moment he’s literally walking by faith, the next he’s doubting and sinking. Jesus caught him, of course, and gently chided his “little faith.”

That story always comforts me: even little faith is enough to get us started, and when we falter, Jesus is there to grab us. Faith grows through such experiences. Later, Peter’s faith matured mightily – he became a bold leader who endured persecution with rejoicing.

• The ultimate example of faith in the New Testament is actually Jesus Himself – though we don’t often think of Jesus “having faith,” as He is God. But in His humanity, Jesus modeled perfect trust in the Father.
• He trusted the Father’s will all the way to the cross (Luke 23:46 “Into Thy hands I commend my spirit”). Some theologians speak of “the faith of Christ” (a phrase in KJV like Galatians 2:16) meaning Jesus’ own faithful obedience, which is the basis for our salvation.

Whether that phrase is translated “faith in Christ” or “faith of Christ,” the two ideas work together: we are saved by believing in the faithful Savior.

Blessings of Faith:

What kinds of blessings are associated with faith? We’ve hinted at many:

• righteousness (right standing with God) was credited to Abraham by faith
• salvation comes through faith (Ephesians 2:8)
• justification (being declared righteous)
• peace with God come by faith (Romans 5:1).

• Jesus often linked faith to healing and miracles (“Thy faith hath made thee whole,” He said to the woman who was healed by touching His garment, Luke 8:48).
• Faith was the key to victory over enemies and overcoming trials (Hebrews 11:33-34 describes those triumphs). The Apostle John writes, “this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4) – because by faith we unite with Christ who conquered sin and death.
• Faith also brings inner blessings: joy and peace. Peter wrote to believers who had not seen Jesus yet loved Him, “in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable” (1 Peter 1:8).
• Believing fills us with joy. Trusting God also brings a peace that passes understanding (Isaiah 26:3 says God keeps in perfect peace the one who trusts in Him).
• Finally, one huge “blessing” of faith is that God is pleased by it (Hebrews 11:6). Think about that – the God of the universe smiles, as it were, when one of His children simply trusts Him.

In all the examples above, it wasn’t the people’s strength or smarts God responded to; it was their faith.

Even faith as small as a mustard seed, Jesus said, can move mountains (Matthew 17:20) – meaning God can do mighty things through even a little bit of genuine trust placed in Him. That’s certainly encouraging for those of us who feel our faith is often feeble.

Faith Illustrated: Metaphors and Symbolism in Scripture

The Bible, being the masterfully written book it is, doesn’t just tell us about faith – it shows us with vivid imagery and metaphors. These illustrations help us wrap our minds (and hearts) around abstract concepts. Here are some powerful biblical symbols and patterns of faith:

A Walk/Journey:

Walking is one of the Bible’s favorite metaphors for the life of faith. “We walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7) captures the idea that life with God is a step-by-step journey where we trust Him for each step.

• Abraham “walked” to a land of promise.
• The Israelites literally walked through wilderness by faith.
• The Christian life is often called a “walk” (Ephesians 4:1, Colossians 2:6), indicating steady progress in trust.

Sometimes you only see as far as the next step, but faith keeps you moving forward. When Peter stepped out of the boat to walk on water, it was a literal depiction of stepping out in faith.

Our own daily acts of obedience (whether it’s forgiving someone, taking a new job God leads us to, or simply getting through Monday without losing it) are each like steps on water – humanly impossible, but made possible by keeping our eyes on Jesus.

A Shield:

The Apostle Paul, in describing the spiritual armor of a believer, says, “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” (Ephesians 6:16).

What a cool picture – faith as a shield! In ancient times, a shield was a warrior’s primary defensive tool.

So faith is shown as our defense against the enemy’s “fiery darts” – those could be temptations, doubts, fears, lies, discouragement, you name it.

When those figurative arrows fly at us, trusting God acts like a shield, blocking and extinguishing them.

For example, Satan might shoot the lie “God doesn’t really love you.” If my faith is up, I counter it by trusting what God has said (“Jesus loves me, this I know…”).

The more we rely on God’s promises, the less vulnerable we are to the hits that life and the devil try to land on us. Even if our faith feels small, any shield is better than none!

And interestingly, shields in formation (think of the Roman phalanx) were more effective together – which hints that our faith is strengthened in community with other believers as we encourage each other.

A Mustard Seed:

Jesus used the mustard seed to describe faith twice.

• He said, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, “Move!” and it will move (paraphrasing Matthew 17:20).

Mustard seeds are tiny, and mountains are… not. The contrast shows that it’s not the size of faith that matters, but its presence and the power of God behind it.

A little genuine faith can trigger big results, because God is the one doing it. The mustard seed also grows into a big plant – a picture that faith, though it starts small, is living and can grow.

This metaphor encourages us: don’t be ashamed if your faith feels small. Plant it anyway! Trust God with the little you have, and watch Him work. Over time, that faith will stretch and grow.

A Root or Foundation:

The Bible often uses agricultural or building images.

• In Colossians 2:7, Paul says we should be “rooted and built up in [Christ], and stablished in the faith.”

Roots imply stability and nourishment drawn by trust. A life rooted in faith can weather storms (like a tree that stands firm in drought because its roots go deep).

Similarly, faith is like a foundation of a house – Jesus said the wise man builds on the rock by hearing and doing His words (Matthew 7:24). That doing stems from believing Jesus’ words are true.

When floods of trouble come, that house stands. So faith undergirds our life like a solid foundation or like deep roots that keep us anchored when winds blow.

A Race or Fight:

The New Testament compares living by faith to running a race or fighting a good fight.

• Paul says, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).

That’s athletic and military imagery. It acknowledges that trusting God can sometimes feel like a battle – you have to fight to hold onto God’s promises when doubts assail.

• It can also feel like a long-distance race requiring endurance – “let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus… the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

The encouragement here is that Jesus is at the finish line (and with us through the Holy Spirit as we run), and He himself ran this race of faith ahead of us.

These metaphors remind us faith isn’t passive; it involves perseverance. But they also promise a reward: a finish line, a prize (2 Timothy 4:8, 1 Corinthians 9:25). Every step of faith is getting us closer to the joyful “well done” at the end.

Patterns and Types:

Many events in the Bible serve as patterns of the faith journey.

• For example, the Israelites trusting God for daily manna is a pattern for us trusting Jesus, the Bread of Life, for our daily spiritual nourishment.
• The Passover lamb – which Israel trusted in to spare them from death in Egypt – is a type of Christ (1 Corinthians 5:7 calls Jesus our Passover lamb).
• The act of putting lamb’s blood on the door was an act of faith that God would save them; similarly, we by faith apply Jesus’ blood to our hearts and are saved from judgment.

The bronze serpent Moses lifted up in the wilderness is another powerful type: people who were bitten by snakes were healed when they looked at the bronze serpent (Numbers 21:8-9).

Jesus directly linked this to Himself: “as Moses lifted up the serpent… even so must the Son of Man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should… have eternal life” (John 3:14-15).

It’s a vivid picture of faith – the people could do nothing to heal themselves except trust God’s provision and look in obedience. Likewise, we can do nothing to save ourselves; we simply look to Christ in faith and live.

All these images – walking, shielding, planting (mustard seed), rooting, running, fighting, and more – work together to deepen our understanding. Faith isn’t just one flat concept; it’s an adventure, a defense, a tiny seed, a tenacious root, a long race.

At times, faith might feel like clinging to a shield under heavy fire, or other times like quietly waiting for a seed to grow. The Bible’s rich metaphors assure us that whatever the situation, faith is the appropriate response: trust God, and keep trusting Him.

From Promise to Fulfillment: Faith in the Old and New Testaments

One of the coolest things to see in a Bible study on faith is how the Old Testament and New Testament connect on this theme. Sometimes people mistakenly think the Old Testament was all about works or law and the New Testament is about faith.

In reality, faith has always been the way to please God and receive His salvation​.

The storyline of Scripture shows a continuity (and development) of faith, with the New Testament fulfilling what the Old Testament promised. Let’s connect some dots:

“The Just Shall Live by Faith” – a 3x Quoted Prophecy:

We must start with Habakkuk 2:4, that little verse that reverberates through the whole Bible: “the just shall live by his faith.”

In context, Habakkuk was observing the corrupt world around him and God assured him that those who remain faithful to God will truly live, whereas the proud will fall.

• This statement was so foundational that it’s quoted three times in the New Testament as a cornerstone of the gospel: in Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, and Hebrews 10:38.

Paul in Romans uses it to declare that righteousness from God is revealed from faith to faith – basically, that we are made righteous by faith from start to finish, just as the Old Testament hinted.

Galatians emphasizes that no one is justified by the law, “for the just shall live by faith.”

The writer of Hebrews uses it to encourage believers to persevere in faith and not shrink back. So an Old Testament concept of living by faith became a bedrock of New Testament teaching on salvation.

It shows that God’s way of salvation didn’t change – rather, it was clarified and fulfilled in Christ.

Abraham’s Faith – Model for Jews and Gentiles:

We already talked about Abraham, but he’s worth mentioning again for his theological impact. The New Testament (especially Romans 4 and Galatians 3) makes a big deal that Abraham was justified by faith before he was circumcised or the Law was given.

This means he is the father of all who believe, whether Jew or Gentile.

God’s promise to Abraham that “in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 12:3) is fulfilled in Christ – and we receive that blessing simply by the same kind of faith Abraham had. Galatians 3:7 says, “they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.”

So if you trust in Jesus, you’re exercising an Abraham-like faith and are considered one of Abraham’s spiritual offspring. Pretty neat, huh?

The continuity is clear: Abraham looked forward to God’s redemption (Jesus said Abraham rejoiced to see His day – John 8:56), and we look backward to the finished work of Christ, but both are connected by faith in God’s promise.

Law vs. Faith?

The Old Testament Law of Moses was given after the principle of faith was established with Abraham.

The Law taught God’s standards and was meant to guide Israel, but it also showed that no one could be perfectly righteous by works alone – we need God’s grace and mercy. The sacrificial system itself implied faith: people had to trust that the sacrifice would cover their sins as God said.

• Hebrews points out that those sacrifices were actually pointing to Jesus, the Lamb of God, whose one sacrifice would truly take away sins (Hebrews 10:4-10).

So, while on the surface the Old Testament era seemed dominated by “doing” (obeying laws, offering sacrifices), underneath it was meant to be done in faith in God’s covenant love.

Many in Israel missed that and fell into mere externals, but the prophets constantly called them back to heart-trust and faithfulness.

• The New Testament makes it explicit: “By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in [God’s] sight” (Romans 3:20). Instead, “by grace are ye saved through faith” (Ephesians 2:8).

But this is not a contradiction – Habakkuk’s words show the righteous always lived by faith, even when obeying the law.

The difference with the New Testament is that Jesus fulfilled the law for us, so we trust in His finished work rather than our ability to keep the law. The object of faith became much clearer: it’s Jesus Christ, crucified and risen.

Prophecies and Types Fulfilled in Christ:

So many Old Testament prophecies and symbols required people to have faith then, and now we see their fulfillment.

• For instance, Isaiah 53 prophesied a suffering servant who would bear our sins, and it begins with, “Who hath believed our report?” (Isaiah 53:1).

It was a call to faith – to believe the message of the coming Messiah. In the New Testament, John 12:38 notes that many did not believe in Jesus, thus fulfilling Isaiah’s question. But to those who did believe, the prophecy became salvation.

• Another prophecy: Isaiah 28:16, “Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone… a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste (be shaken).”
• This is about the Messiah (the foundation stone), and Paul quotes it in Romans 10:11 as “Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”
• Again, linking faith in Christ to an Old Testament promise. The idea of the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:33-34) was that God would write His law on hearts and all would know Him – this implies an internal, faith-based relationship, as opposed to an external rule-keeping.

The New Testament believers understood themselves to be living in that New Covenant, where by faith in Christ’s blood their sins were forgiven and God’s Spirit indwelt them (Hebrews 8:6-13).

Jesus: The Author and Finisher of Faith:

Hebrews 12:2 calls Jesus “the author and finisher of our faith.” This title beautifully connects everything. Jesus is the author (pioneer) of faith – all the earlier heroes of faith were really trusting in God’s promise that pointed to Christ.

Jesus blazed the trail by perfectly trusting the Father and perfectly fulfilling all righteousness. And He’s the finisher (perfecter) of faith – by His death and resurrection, the faith of all God’s people (past and present) finds its completion.

All the types and shadows meet their reality in Jesus. For example, those Old Testament sacrifices, Noah’s ark, the bronze serpent, the manna – each required faith then, and each one quietly whispered “God will provide.”

• In the New Testament, on a hill called Calvary, God did provide. Jesus cried, “It is finished.”

And now our faith looks to that accomplished work. No more lambs on altars – Jesus is the Lamb. No more physical temples – Jesus’ body is the temple, and by faith we are now God’s temple.

Essentially, everything the Old Testament saints had faith in (in terms of promises) either was fulfilled by Christ or will be ultimately fulfilled through Him.

This means our faith has an even sturdier foundation. We have more revelation of how God saves and keeps His promises.

Hebrews 11:39-40 notes that those prior faithful ones did not receive the promise in full, “God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.”

We’re all part of the same faith family, but we’re privileged to live in the time of fulfillment – the promise has a name: Jesus.

Continuity of God’s Character:

One more connection point: The object of faith in both testaments is the same God – and He hasn’t changed. The God who helped David slay Goliath is the God who helps us slay our metaphorical giants of fear, sin, or adversity.

The God who provided manna is the God who provides our daily bread (physical and spiritual). When we read the Old Testament stories, they fuel our faith because we see God’s faithfulness back then, which assures us He’ll be faithful now.

• Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever.”

That consistency undergirds the continuity of faith. We trust God’s unchanging nature. As you see prophecy and fulfillment, promise and completion, it should make you say, “Wow, God really does what He says!” That builds faith.

In summary, the Old and New Testaments are like two halves of a conversation, and faith is the common language. The Old Testament says, “Trust God, the Messiah is coming, the just shall live by faith.”

The New Testament answers, “Yes, trust God, the Messiah has come (and is coming again!), and the just shall live by faith in Him.” It’s one beautiful story of God calling people to trust Him – and people who do, finding Him utterly faithful.

Walking by Faith Today: Encouragement for the Journey

At this point, you might be thinking, “Alright, I get the theology – but living by faith is hard in real life!” If so, you’re absolutely right. It’s one thing to understand faith; it’s another to wake up each day and walk by faith through bills, illnesses, family struggles, global pandemics, and personal doubts.

So let’s get practical and personal. How do we apply this Bible study on faith to our actual lives? Here are some honest thoughts and encouragements for fellow believers striving to trust God in the everyday, with a friendly pat on the back (and maybe a bit of humor) along the way:

Even “Great Faith” Starts Small:

Remember Jesus’ mustard seed analogy – you don’t need to have giant, superhero-level faith to begin. Use the faith you’ve got, even if it feels mustard-seed small.

• The man who asked Jesus to heal his son honestly cried out, “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief!” (Mark 9:24).

I love that. It’s so real. “I do trust you, Lord… but I’m also struggling – please help!”

And Jesus honored that prayer and healed the man’s son. This shows us that struggling faith is still faith. You can come to God with shaky hands and say, “I’m trying to trust You,” and He will not turn you away.

In fact, He’ll help your faith to grow. Don’t beat yourself up for any doubts – instead, bring them to God. Faith isn’t the absence of doubt; it’s choosing to trust God despite doubt.

Like a muscle, faith grows when it’s exercised. Every time you choose to rely on God in a tough situation, you’re essentially doing a “faith rep.” Over time, those spiritual muscles will strengthen.

Feed Your Faith, Not Your Fear:

What we focus on often determines how strong our faith or fear is. If I binge the news 24/7 and never open my Bible, I know my anxiety levels shoot up and my faith shrivels. Ever been there?

• The Bible tells us, “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).

To build faith, we need to soak in God’s Word – His promises, His stories of faithfulness, His instructions.

• When I’m struggling, verses like “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5) or “All things work together for good to them that love God” (Romans 8:28) are like lifelines.

Consider making a list of promises that speak to you and keeping them handy (on your phone, fridge, etc.). Also, recall past times God came through for you – your personal testimonies.

It’s harder to doubt God when you’re actively remembering, “Hey, He provided for me last year when I lost my job. He can handle this situation too.” On the flip side, be mindful of what triggers unnecessary fear or unbelief in you and set some healthy boundaries.

Sometimes, walking by faith might mean walking away from certain voices (including negative people or media) that constantly shout doom. Tune your ears to God’s voice above all. He doesn’t sugarcoat reality, but He always offers hope.

Faith Works Through Love (and vice versa):

When our faith feels weak, one surprising booster is to practice love and good deeds anyway. James and Paul would both agree here: living out your faith in action can reinforce and energize your faith internally.

For instance, praying for someone else’s need can remind you that God hears prayer, lifting your own confidence in Him. Serving others in Jesus’ name can rekindle your awareness that He is with you.

Conversely, knowing God loves you deeply builds your faith – because you realize He will care for you.

• Meditate on the truth that God is faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9, 2 Timothy 2:13) – He keeps His covenant of love.

It’s easier to trust someone when you know they truly love you. So if you doubt God’s care, spend time focusing on the cross (the ultimate proof of His love) and the countless scriptures of His compassion. The more you grasp His love, the more your faith will naturally respond.

Community Helps:

Earlier we talked about the shield of faith working best in formation. It’s worth emphasizing – you’re not meant to do this faith journey alone. Yes, your relationship with God is personal, but God also places us in a community of faith (the church).

Other believers can encourage us when our faith is flagging. Just hearing someone else’s testimony of how God answered a prayer or provided in a crisis can spark new faith in our own heart.

I’ve had days where I felt pretty low, and a friend shared a scripture or a story that was exactly what I needed to refocus on God.

• Hebrews 10:24-25 urges us to meet together and encourage one another, “provoking unto love and to good works.”

Part of that is spurring each other on in faith – reminding each other of God’s promises. So, plug in with friends or a group where you can be real about struggles and pray for each other.

It’s like runners in a marathon cheering each other on (or sometimes practically carrying each other). Jesus sent out His disciples two by two – there’s wisdom in having a faith buddy or two!

Faith Isn’t a Feeling:

This is critical. Some days you feel full of faith – other days, not so much. But feelings can be fickle. Faith, in the end, is a decision of the will to trust God. You can have faith even when you feel afraid or uncertain.

Think of it like this: a person crossing a rickety bridge might feel terrified, but if they keep going because they trust the bridge will hold, they are exercising faith despite feelings.

In our walk with God, sometimes you just have to say, “Lord, I don’t feel You right now, and I don’t see how this will work out, but I’m going to trust You anyway because You are God and You are good.”

That choice honors God immensely. Over time, you may find your feelings catching up – peace and joy may sneak back in as you persevere – but even if not immediately, your act of trust is precious to God.

The Psalms are a great help here: many times the writer starts in despair and by the end is praising, simply because he reminded himself of God’s faithfulness.

For example, David says, “Why are you cast down, O my soul? … Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him” (Psalm 42:11). He’s basically giving himself a pep talk to trust God until the feelings realign.

Keep Your Eyes on the Finish:

One more encouragement – remember where this journey of faith is headed. We mentioned the “race” analogy; the finish line is the day we see Jesus face to face. On that day, all the faith will turn to sight.

All the promises we hoped for will be realized. The struggles and questions will fade in the light of His glory.

• Hebrews 11:13 talks about the ancient heroes, “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them.”

They were looking ahead to something. Likewise, our faith is forward-looking. We press on, knowing that at the end of the age or end of our lives (whichever comes first), there is rest and reward.

• Paul said, “I have kept the faith… henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness” (2 Timothy 4:7-8). Jesus promised, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).

It’s worth it, dear friend! Every trial where we chose trust over despair, every sacrifice we made out of faithfulness, every time we said “no” to sin because we trusted God’s way is better – it’s all noted by God.

Not one act of faith is wasted. Even if nobody else sees it, He does, and He’s the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

Conclusion:

Walking by faith is the adventure of a lifetime. It has mountaintop moments (when you see prayers answered dramatically) and valley moments (when you’re not sure if you can take another step).

But through it all, God is by your side, just as He was with the saints of old. When you stumble, He’s there like Jesus grabbing sinking Peter, saying “Don’t doubt, I’ve got you.”

When you triumph, He’s there cheering louder than anyone, “Well done!” Faith is essentially a relationship of trust with God – and relationships, as we know, are dynamic and grow over time.

So be patient with yourself in this journey. “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2) is the key – keep your eyes on Him, for He initiates our faith and will bring it to completion. He’s the reason we believe at all, and He’ll keep holding us until our faith turns to sight.

So, whether you’re feeling like a faith warrior today or more like a faith weakling, take heart. God honors even the smallest step of faith. As you continue to read His Word, pray, and obey His voice, your faith will continue to mature. And you’ll have your own stories to add to that “scrapbook” of faith – stories you can share to encourage someone else.

To sum it up: Faith in the Bible (even in the King James’s eloquent language) boils down to trusting a trustworthy God. It’s believing He means what He says – and living like it.

It’s loyalty to Jesus because He first loved us. It’s the hand that receives all God’s gifts, from salvation to daily bread. It’s sometimes daring and sometimes just downright stubborn (in a good way) in holding on to God’s promises. And yes, it’s worth it.

Keep the faith, my friend – and may your faith keep you, grounded in the One who is forever faithful.

References (KJV and Scholarly Sources)

1. King James Version Bible – All Scripture quotations are from the KJV (public domain). Key passages referenced include Hebrews 11:1, 6; 2 Corinthians 5:7; Habakkuk 2:4; Ephesians 2:8–9; James 2:19; Genesis 15:6; Hebrews 11; and many others for illustrating points about faith. These verses collectively show the biblical definition of faith, examples of faith in action, and doctrinal teachings on faith.
2. Blue Letter Bible – “Faith” (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia) – This Bible encyclopedia entry provides an in-depth theological definition of faith, noting that in Scripture “with rarest exceptions, the words ‘reliance, trust’ precisely fit the context as alternatives to ‘faith’”​blueletterbible.org. It explains the nuance between faith as trust vs. faithfulness, and clarifies that Hebrews 11:1’s description of faith aligns with the idea of trusting God’s promises​blueletterbible.org. It also emphasizes faith’s role in uniting us to Christ and receiving all His benefits​blueletterbible.org.
3. Biblical Prospector Blog – “Faith and Faithfulness (Part 6)” – This source analyzes the Hebrew word emunah and its translation in the KJV. It shows that emunah is most frequently translated as “faithfulness,” “truth,” or similar, and only once as “faith”​biblicalprospector.blogspot.com. It notes that in those Old Testament contexts, emunah/pistis is never used in the sense of mere belief, but rather steadiness or trustworthiness​biblicalprospector.blogspot.com. This supports the study’s point that Hebrew faith carries the idea of faithfulness and reliability.
4. Israel Bible Center – Pinchas Shir, “Abiding in Faith, Hope, and Love” (2020) – Explains the Hebrew concept of emunah as “steadiness, stability, and reliability” more than just belief​weekly.israelbiblecenter.com. It highlights how the Hebrew and Greek terms for faith correspond, giving cultural context. This information is used to show the richer meaning of faith in Hebrew thought (faith as faithfulness) compared to the more belief-oriented notion in Greek – yet how both aspects are biblical.
5. GotQuestions.org – “What does the Bible say about faith?” – An article summarizing biblical teaching on faith. It affirms that “faith is and always has been the only means of salvation” in both Old and New Testaments​gotquestions.org, using examples like Abraham’s faith and Habakkuk 2:4. It also lists blessings that come through faith (salvation, justification, peace, etc.) and emphasizes that true faith results in action (referencing James 2)​gotquestions.org. This source helped in enumerating the benefits of faith and the importance of active, living faith.
6. Strong’s Concordance and HELPS Word-studies (Bible Hub – Greek #4102 “pistis”) – Provides the definition and root of pistis, noting it comes from peithō (“to persuade”) and can mean faith, belief, trust, confidence, fidelity​biblehub.com. It also describes faith as “God’s divine persuasion”, a gift from God​biblehub.com, and notes the connection to Hebrew emunah​biblehub.com. This supports the section on Greek word study, showing that faith involves being persuaded of truth and is closely tied to trust and God’s work in the heart.
7. The Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments (Biblical Examples) – Numerous biblical narratives were referenced to illustrate faith:
   • Abraham’s story (Genesis 12, 15, 22; Romans 4; Galatians 3) – for stepping out in faith and being justified by faith.
   • Moses and the Exodus (Book of Exodus; Hebrews 11:23-29) – for faith in God’s deliverance.
   • David’s life (1 Samuel 17; Psalms) – for trusting God in trials.
   • Hebrews 11 – the “Hall of Faith” listing Abel, Enoch, Noah, Sarah, Rahab, etc., which provided multiple example stories.
   • Gospel accounts of Jesus and the disciples (e.g., Matthew 8:26, 14:29-31; Mark 5:34; Luke 8:48) – for examples like Peter walking on water and Jesus healing by faith.
   • These biblical references were used throughout the study to ground each point in Scripture.
8. Biblical Metaphors of Faith – Ephesians 6:16, Matthew 17:20, Hebrews 12:1-2, etc. – Specific verses that provide imagery:
   • Shield of faith (Eph. 6:16) illustrating faith as protection​gotquestions.org.
   • Mustard seed (Matt. 17:20) for faith’s potential despite small size.
   • Running the race (Heb. 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 9:24-26) and fighting the good fight (1 Tim. 6:12; 2 Tim. 4:7) for perseverance in faith.
   • These were cited in concept (with references given in the text) to show the Bible’s own illustrations of faith.
9. Habakkuk 2:4 in New Testament context – The study noted how Habakkuk’s statement “the just shall live by his faith” is used in Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, and Hebrews 10:38. This connection was supported by scholarly insight that the Hebrew emunah in Habakkuk can be rendered “faithfulness”​blueletterbible.org, and by understanding through commentaries how the NT writers applied it to the doctrine of justification by faith.
10. Various Theological Insights – Incorporated from trusted biblical commentaries and teachings (implicit references):
    • The relationship between faith and works (drawn from James 2 and Pauline epistles).
    • The concept of Jesus as the “author and finisher of our faith” uniting the story of faith (Hebrews 12:2).
    • The idea that faith is only as good as its object – emphasized using common Christian teaching (supported by the consistent biblical portrayal of God’s faithfulness as the basis for our faith).
    • These insights are consistent with mainstream evangelical theology, reflected in works like Handley C.G. Moule’s commentary on faith​blueletterbible.org which underscores faith as simply receiving from God, and in devotional literature on trusting God.

Each reference above undergirds the points made in the study, ensuring that this exploration of faith is rooted in Scripture (particularly the King James Version text) and enriched by sound theological understanding. The goal was to stay true to the Bible’s teachings on faith while explaining them in a warm, accessible manner.