Dandelion Bible in a Year | Seekers & New Believers Reading Plan

Does God Exist? How Can I Begin to Believe in God? | Bible Reading Plan for Seekers | January 20

Today's Bible Reading: Hebrews 11:1–6

Today's Topic: Getting to Know God Is the Beginning of the Journey

Does God exist? How can I begin to believe in God? What is faith, and does believing in God mean following blindly? Explore Hebrews 11:1–6, including the meaning of “faith is the substance of things hoped for,” the examples of Abel and Enoch, and why God rewards those who seek Him. Day 20 of the Dandelion 365-Day Bible Reading Plan for Seekers includes Bible background, Scripture explanation, personal reflection, questions, and a simple prayer. Designed for beginners, spiritual seekers, and anyone exploring Christianity.

🌱 A Warm Welcome

Welcome to our 365-Day Journey to Discover God!

When you're learning about something unfamiliar, do you prefer to have all your questions answered before deciding whether to believe it?

Think about getting to know someone new. You can't fully understand a person after just one conversation. You spend time talking, listening, and observing. Little by little, you begin to understand who they are and whether you can trust them.

Exploring faith can feel similar.

Perhaps you've been following this reading plan for a while. You've read passages about the Creator and begun learning how the Bible describes God. But you may still have an important question: If I've never seen God and still have so many unanswered questions, how could I possibly begin to believe in Him?

Today, we're turning to Hebrews 11, a chapter that introduces one of the most important ideas in Christianity: faith.

Let's explore what the Bible means by faith and how someone who still has questions can begin seeking God.

📖 Bible Background | What Is the Book of Hebrews?

Hebrews is a book in the New Testament. Its author is not identified in the text, so we cannot say with certainty who wrote it.

The book addresses Christians who were familiar with the Old Testament and the religious traditions of Israel. It helps them understand who Jesus Christ is and why they should continue trusting Him.

Some of these believers were facing hardship and pressure. Others may have been growing tired or uncertain in their faith. Throughout the book, the author encourages them not to give up but to keep trusting God.

In chapter 11, the author turns specifically to faith and introduces people from the Old Testament, including Abel, Enoch, Noah, and Abraham.

These individuals lived in different times and faced different circumstances, but they shared something important: they believed God, and that belief shaped their decisions and actions.

Today, we'll read the first six verses of this chapter.

If you're unfamiliar with these biblical figures, don't worry. We'll begin with the basics and explore their stories gradually.

🌿 A Look Back | What Comes After Learning About the Creator?

Throughout this month's journey, we've been exploring one central question: Does God really exist?

Genesis introduced the God whom the Bible describes as the Creator of heaven and earth. Psalms invited us to consider the greatness of the Creator through the sky, the natural world, and our own lives.

We've also begun learning how the Bible describes God's character, including His knowledge of our thoughts, words, and everyday experiences.

But there's a difference between learning what the Bible says about God and actually believing in Him.

We may understand the Bible's descriptions of God while still feeling uncertain. We may find some passages meaningful yet continue to have many questions.

So where does faith begin?

Today's reading from Hebrews helps us think more deeply about that question.

🔎 Today's Introduction | Does Believing Mean You Can No Longer Have Doubts?

When some people hear the word "faith," they imagine believing something without any reason.

They may think religion means accepting whatever they're told, even when they have questions, or that asking difficult questions is somehow wrong.

But do we really have to stop thinking in order to believe in God?

In everyday life, we often make decisions without knowing exactly how everything will turn out.

When we choose to trust a friend, accept a new job, or begin a new journey, we can't know the future with complete certainty.

We consider what we already know, make a judgment, and decide whether we're willing to move forward.

Of course, faith in God isn't exactly the same as these everyday decisions. In Christianity, faith involves more than believing something might be true. It means believing that God exists and placing our trust in Him.

But does that mean faith leaves no room for questions or careful thought?

Let's see what Hebrews says.

🎯 Today's Reflection Focus | Faith Is Not Blind Acceptance, but Turning Toward God and Seeking Him

1. What Is Faith? — Trusting What We Cannot See

Hebrews 11:1 says:

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

The words "substance" and "evidence" may sound unusual, especially in this older English translation.

In simple terms, the author is describing the confidence that faith brings. A person may not yet see everything they hope for, but because they trust God, they have confidence in His promises.

This doesn't mean believing anything we happen to wish were true. Nor does it mean that if we believe strongly enough, everything will happen exactly as we want.

The faith described here is specifically about trusting God.

For someone who already believes in God, faith means continuing to trust Him even when the outcome isn't fully visible.

But if you're still exploring whether God exists, you don't need to pretend you already have that kind of confidence.

You can keep asking questions, learning what the Bible teaches, considering reasons for belief, and deciding whether its message is trustworthy.

Faith doesn't require us to abandon thoughtful questions. It invites us to consider whether the God described in Scripture is worthy of our trust.

2. Faith Is More Than an Idea — It Shapes the Way People Live

Verses 4–5 introduce two people: Abel and Enoch.

Abel was a son of Adam and Eve. Genesis 4 tells us that he and his brother Cain both brought offerings to God. Hebrews emphasizes that Abel offered his sacrifice by faith and received a testimony that he was righteous.

Enoch appears in Genesis 5. The Bible describes his life with a remarkable expression: "Enoch walked with God" (Genesis 5:24, KJV). Hebrews tells us that before he was taken away, he had a testimony that he pleased God.

Their stories are different, but the author emphasizes the faith of both men.

Abel's faith was expressed through his offering to God. Enoch's faith was reflected in his life of walking with God.

These examples show that biblical faith isn't simply agreeing with an idea in our minds. It can gradually shape how someone lives.

As people begin to trust God, they may reconsider their choices, priorities, values, and the way they treat others.

Of course, if you're just beginning to explore Christianity, you don't need to rush into changing everything about your life.

For now, we can start by learning who God is and why trusting Him might make a difference.

3. God Rewards Those Who Seek Him — Faith Involves a Willingness to Draw Near

Hebrews 11:6 says:

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

This is an especially important verse for today's reading.

The author explains that coming to God involves believing that He exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him.

Seeking God isn't simply asking one question and moving on. It involves a genuine desire to discover who He is and a willingness to continue exploring.

The word "rewarder" doesn't mean that believing in God guarantees wealth, perfect health, or everything we want. The verse emphasizes that God values faith and sincere seeking.

But it also raises a practical question: If I'm not even sure God exists, how can I come to Him?

For someone exploring Christianity, a reasonable starting point may be an honest willingness to search.

You can acknowledge that you don't yet have faith while continuing to read, reflect, ask questions, and learn why the Bible invites people to trust God.

You don't have to pretend you already believe in order to begin searching. But as you search, you can seriously consider whether you're becoming willing to trust the God you're learning about.

📖 Today's Bible Reading | Hebrews 11:1–6

Hebrews 11:1–6 (King James Version)

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.

3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

✨ Today's Key Verse

"For he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." — Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)

This verse reminds us that faith involves more than learning facts about God. It includes a willingness to come to Him and sincerely seek Him.

If you're still uncertain whether God exists, perhaps today's question can be simple: Am I willing to keep searching for answers and seriously explore the God described in the Bible?

💭 Life Reflection | Do I Have to Believe Completely Before I Can Begin?

Sometimes we place high expectations on ourselves.

Before trying something new, we want to feel fully prepared. When facing something unfamiliar, we may want every question answered before taking the first step.

We can approach faith in the same way.

Maybe you've wondered: If I'm not sure God exists, how can I say I have faith? If I haven't even finished reading the Bible, how can I know whether to believe it? If something makes sense to me today but I have doubts again tomorrow, does that mean faith isn't for me?

These are worthwhile questions.

The faith described in Hebrews 11 isn't presented as a guarantee that people will never face uncertainty. As the chapter continues, it introduces individuals who faced unknown futures and difficult choices.

They didn't always know what would happen next, yet they chose to trust God.

At the same time, we should recognize an important distinction: Exploring faith and already having faith in God are not exactly the same thing.

You may still be gathering information, reading Scripture, and thinking through difficult questions. That's where you are right now, and you don't need to rush to call yourself a believer.

But as you explore, you may begin to discover that faith involves more than asking, "Does God exist?"

It also raises another question: "If God exists, what kind of God is He? And is He someone I can trust?"

Think again about getting to know another person. We don't usually trust someone completely after our first conversation. But if we're willing to keep learning about them, a relationship may gradually develop.

Could getting to know God begin in a similar way?

Maybe today you aren't ready to say, "I believe in God."

But perhaps you can honestly say:

"I don't have all the answers yet, but I'm willing to keep learning about You."

That isn't pretending to have faith you don't yet possess. It's simply giving yourself the opportunity to explore sincerely.

And perhaps that's where the journey of getting to know God begins.

✍️ Questions & Small Action | Give Yourself Permission to Keep Searching

Questions to Think About

When you hear the word "faith," what comes to mind first? How do you think faith differs from blind acceptance?
As you explore whether God exists, what question is hardest for you to resolve? What kind of answer are you hoping to find?
If faith involves not only accepting an idea but also getting to know and trusting God, would you be willing to continue learning about Him? Why or why not?

Today's Small Action

Take three to five minutes today to write down your most honest thoughts about faith.

You might complete these two sentences:

"The question about God I most want to understand is..."

"If I continue exploring, I hope to discover..."

You don't need to come up with the right answer or force yourself to express faith you don't yet have.

If you'd like, keep these questions somewhere you can return to them. As your 365-day journey continues, you may find answers to some of them, while new questions arise.

That's a natural part of exploring something meaningful.

🙏 Closing Prayer | I'm Willing to Keep Seeking You

Today, we read what Hebrews teaches about faith and how the Bible invites people to come to God and sincerely seek Him. If you'd like, you can bring your questions and hopes about faith into this prayer. There's no need to pretend you already have all the answers.

Let's pray together:

God, Creator of heaven and earth, thank You for giving me the opportunity to read Hebrews 11:1–6 today. The passage describes faith as confidence in things we hope for, even when we cannot see them. I'm still trying to understand what that kind of faith really means, and I have many questions about whether You exist. Sometimes I wish I could find clear answers, but I'm not always sure where to begin.

Today, I read that You reward those who sincerely seek You. If You truly exist and want people to know You, I hope I can continue searching with an honest heart. I don't want to force myself to believe simply because others do, but I also don't want to give up exploring just because I don't understand everything yet. Please help me stay open, think carefully, and gradually understand who the Bible says You are.

I don't know where this journey will lead, but I'm willing to keep going. If You truly know me, care about me, and want me to know You, please guide me one step at a time. Help me understand what genuine faith means and whether I can learn to place my trust in You.

In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

🌱 Tomorrow, We'll Keep Exploring

Today, Hebrews 11 introduced us to the Bible's understanding of faith and invited us to think about the relationship between believing in God and sincerely seeking Him.

We may still have many questions and may not yet have made a decision about faith. But as long as we're willing to keep learning, we can continue exploring the Bible's story one step at a time.

Getting to know God doesn't have to begin with pretending we already believe. It can begin with honest questions and a willingness to keep searching.

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