Sample Lesson

What the Bible Says about Hope

What This Lesson Will Accomplish (For the Teacher)

By the end of this lesson, students will:

Understand the biblical definition of hope and how it differs from wishful thinking
Identify three key characteristics of biblical hope from Scripture
Apply practical principles for maintaining hope during difficult circumstances
Recognize hope as both a gift from God and a choice we make daily
Leave with specific biblical promises they can cling to when hope seems distant

Introduction

In our world today, the word "hope" has become almost meaningless. We say we "hope" it doesn't rain, we "hope" our team wins, or we "hope" things work out. But biblical hope is entirely different from wishful thinking or positive optimism.

The Greek word for hope in the New Testament is "elpis," which means a confident expectation based on reliable evidence. Biblical hope isn't crossing our fingers and wishing for the best—it's an anchor for our souls, grounded in the unchanging character and promises of God.

Today we'll discover what Scripture teaches about true hope and how it can transform our daily lives, especially during seasons of difficulty and uncertainty.

Main Teaching: The Power of Biblical Hope

I. Hope is PLANTED in God's Promises

For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through perseverance and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope (Romans 15:4).

Biblical hope begins with God's Word. Unlike human optimism that fluctuates with circumstances, biblical hope is rooted in the eternal, unchanging promises of God. The Scriptures serve as the soil in which hope grows and flourishes.

When the apostle Paul wrote to the Romans, he emphasized that the Old Testament Scriptures weren't just historical records—they were written for our learning and encouragement. Every promise God made and kept in the past becomes a foundation for our hope today.

Consider Abraham, who "in hope believed against hope" (Romans 4:18). God promised him descendants as numerous as the stars, yet Abraham and Sarah were well beyond childbearing years. Abraham's hope wasn't based on his circumstances or physical capabilities—it was planted firmly in God's promise. And God proved faithful.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says Yahweh, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). God's plans for us are good, and this knowledge becomes the fertile ground where hope takes root.

The beauty of hope planted in God's promises is its stability. Circumstances change, emotions fluctuate, and people disappoint us, but God's Word remains the same yesterday, today, and forever. When we plant our hope in His promises, we're building on an unshakeable foundation.

Word Study Box 1: The Hebrew Word "Tikvah"
The Hebrew word for hope, "tikvah," literally means "cord" or "rope." This word picture is beautiful—hope is like a lifeline thrown to us by God. Just as a rope provides security for a mountain climber, biblical hope provides security for our souls. This word appears in several key passages: Joshua 2:18 (the scarlet cord), Job 14:7 (hope for a tree), Psalm 31:24 (hope in the Lord), Jeremiah 31:17 (hope for your future), and Lamentations 3:29 (putting one's mouth in the dust, if perhaps there may be hope).

Discussion Question: How does knowing that your hope is based on God's unchanging promises rather than changing circumstances affect the way you face difficulties?

II. Hope is PERSISTENT Through Trials

Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope doesn't disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us (Romans 5:3-5).

This passage reveals a profound truth: biblical hope actually grows stronger through trials rather than being diminished by them. Paul presents a divine progression—suffering leads to perseverance, perseverance builds character, and proven character produces hope.

This seems counterintuitive to our natural thinking. We might expect trials to crush hope, but God's economy works differently. When we persevere through difficulty with faith, we discover God's faithfulness in new and deeper ways. Each trial we overcome with God's help becomes evidence of His reliability, strengthening our hope for future challenges.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:2-4).

The persistence of hope is illustrated beautifully in the life of Job. Despite losing everything—his wealth, his children, his health—Job declared in his darkest moment: But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives. In the end, he will stand upon the earth. After my skin is destroyed, then I will see God in my flesh (Job 19:25-26).

Job's hope wasn't based on his current circumstances but on his knowledge of God's character. Even when he couldn't understand God's purposes, he maintained hope in God's ultimate goodness and justice.

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved in various trials, that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:6-7).

The persistence of hope through trials is possible because our hope is not in our circumstances but in our God who works all things together for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

Discussion Question: Can you think of a time when going through a difficult situation actually strengthened your faith and hope in God? What did you learn about God's character through that experience?

III. Hope is POWERFUL in Its Effects

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and entering into that which is within the veil, where as a forerunner Jesus entered for us, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 6:19-20).

Biblical hope is not passive—it's powerfully transformative. The writer of Hebrews uses the metaphor of an anchor to describe hope's effect on our souls. Just as an anchor keeps a ship secure during storms, hope keeps our souls steady when life's storms rage around us.

But notice this anchor is not just thrown down into the shifting sand of earthly circumstances. This anchor goes "within the veil"—into the very presence of God where Jesus serves as our High Priest. Our hope is secured in heaven itself, making it absolutely reliable.

The power of hope is evident in its practical effects on our lives:

Hope produces joy: Rejoicing in hope, enduring in troubles, continuing steadfastly in prayer (Romans 12:12).

Hope motivates holiness: Everyone who has this hope set on him purifies himself, even as he is pure (1 John 3:3).

Hope provides comfort: But we don't want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you don't grieve like the rest, who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13).

Hope enables endurance: Looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).

The power of hope is perhaps most clearly seen in how it changes our response to suffering. Therefore we don't faint, but though our outward person is decaying, yet our inward person is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory, while we don't look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

Word Study Box 2: The Greek Word "Elpis"
The Greek word "elpis" (hope) in the New Testament carries the meaning of confident expectation or trust. Unlike the English word "hope" which can imply uncertainty, "elpis" suggests certainty based on reliable evidence. This word appears throughout the New Testament: Romans 8:24 (saved in hope), 1 Corinthians 13:13 (faith, hope, love), Ephesians 4:4 (one hope of your calling), Colossians 1:27 (Christ in you, the hope of glory), and Titus 2:13 (the blessed hope).

Discussion Question: In what specific ways has biblical hope changed how you approach daily challenges or long-term concerns?

Conclusion

Biblical hope is far more than positive thinking or wishful optimism. It's a confident expectation based on the solid foundation of God's character and promises. We've seen that hope is planted in God's unchanging Word, persistent through life's trials, and powerful in its transformative effects on our lives.

Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in Yahweh (Psalm 31:24).

In a world filled with uncertainty, disappointment, and fear, we have access to an unshakeable hope. This hope doesn't depend on our circumstances, our performance, or other people's actions. It depends entirely on God—His love, His faithfulness, His power, and His promises.

Whatever you're facing today, remember that your hope is anchored not in the shifting sands of this world but in the eternal, unchanging God who has proven His faithfulness throughout history and will continue to do so throughout eternity.

As we close, let's remember the beautiful promise: Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).

Closing Prayer

"Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of hope that comes through Your Word and Your promises. Help us to plant our hope deeply in Your unchanging character rather than in our changing circumstances. When trials come, remind us that You are using them to strengthen our hope and prove Your faithfulness.

Fill us with the powerful hope that anchors our souls and transforms our daily lives. May our hope in You be evident to others, drawing them to the source of true and lasting hope. We pray this in the name of Jesus, our living hope. Amen."

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain.

Lesson provided by MidWeekBibleStudies.com