Hebrews
Week 6

Day 2

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READ Hebrews 12:1-2 “Persevering Faith”

QUESTIONS:

Read verses 1-2.  This passage is full of heart!  It’s full of passion!  At this point, the author has given a clear argument for how superior Christ is to everything else in existence.  He has warned us of a faulty faith that falls away from Christ and doesn’t persevere or endure.  He has shown us a beautiful description of what authentic saving faith is and how it trusts for a better and lasting possession that is Christ.  All of this in many ways was to get you to the starting blocks.  The author of Hebrews has warmed your heart up, stretched your faith, and is now escorting you to the beginning of your race.  Hebrews 12:1-2 in many ways is the starter’s gun that will encourage you to RUN!!!!  RUN THIS RACE OF LIFE AND FAITH!

But what any of us need more than anything when it comes to running is…..motivation!

Watch now how the author of Hebrews will command you to RUN, but gives you all the motivation you will need for the race of life!  Let’s look at some ways the author will motivate you to RUN!

  1. This passage begins with “Therefore”.  You know what that means.  We have to see what this word is there-for. What do you think this verse means when it says “we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses”?  What is the cloud of witnesses?  (Hint:  Figure out why it says therefore.)

  2. People in Hebrews 11 were no different than you.  They were living by faith.  How can a cloud of witnesses that have run this race of faith before you, serve as motivation for you in your run?

  3.  When it comes time to run, the author did not go through 11 chapters of explaining the awesomeness of Jesus, so you could trust in your own strength to run.  He says to LOOK!  Look at the one I’ve been talking about for 11 chapters!  He’s the one that creates faith in you and perfects it.  Why would you look anywhere else?  What does it mean that Jesus is the Author and Perfecter of faith?

  4. Why should we stare at Jesus as we run our race?

  5. If we want to run this race of faith we should want to run in a way to win.  With passion and love.  The cloud of witnesses is watching.  We want to run well.  Why would it make no sense to run with weights on or rope tied around our feet?

  6. What does verse 1 mean when it talks about weights and sin that clings closely?

  7. REFLECTION: Think closely.  What are the weights of sin that are hindering you from running the race with Christ?  What is clouding your vision of faith that should be focused solely on Christ?

  8. From v. 2, where did Jesus focus to run his race?

  9. How can this help us to know how to focus on our race?