"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).

IDEA: There is a difference between pleasing God and satisfying Him.

PURPOSE: To help listeners understand that pleasing God doesn't mean that we completely satisfy Him.

The writer to the Hebrews says, "Without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe . . . that He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."

One person who came to words like these in the Bible lost her faith. She could not please her father and she felt that she would not have enough faith to please God.

I. Is there a difference between pleasing God and satisfying Him?

When you were bringing up your children, did they ever please you?

Were your children perfect?

What was it that they did that "pleased" you?

Is there a difference between being pleased with your children and being satisfied with them?

II. How would you evaluate the statement, "God is easy to please but difficult to satisfy"?

Do you think that parents sometimes get these two terms confused, or that their children do?

Do you think God was satisfied with the men and women listed in Hebrews 11? Do you think He was pleased with them?