You didn't say what kind of furnace you have. If you do have electronic ignition or hot surface ignition then they got rid of your standing pilot light which saves on gas. But now you have a flame sensor and if that is dirty or fails the furnace stops (better than blowing up the house). Old furnaces are easy to troubleshoot, electronic igniton a bit harder. Condensing furnaces have actually gotten easier again since they set codes which can help you find out what the furnace is complaining about.