Run The Race Hebrews 12:1-17 Lesson 19 In our last lesson, we learned that we are not alone in our walk of faith. There were champions or a cloud of witnesses, as they are called in Hebrews 11, who preceded us. These faithful ones now stand permanently as examples of endurance. They call out to us with a message of hope to keep running our Christian race a race that is not a sprint, but a marathon that requires patience to stay in it for the long haul. In the time during which Hebrews was written, sports and athletics played a big role in people s lives. Athletes competed not only for the reward of a physical challenge, but also to bring recognition and honor to their countries. Hebrews 12 likens the Christian life to a race, and exhorts us to run the race and to run it well. It also encourages us to run in such a way that we endure and make sure we cross the finish line. Even though we may get weary with the cares of this life, that is not an excuse for us to quit. Instead, we must lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us (Hebrews 12:1). Both sin and the stuff of this life weigh us down and hinder us from running well. So, we must purposefully strip them from our lives if we want to run well and make it to the finish line. When we think we can t go any further in the race, all we have to do is look at the heroes of faith who we were introduced to in Hebrews 11. They bear witness to us that God can see us through anything. Even more encouraging is the example left for us by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! The course He ran wasn t easy, but He refused to let anything stop Him from completing the good work He had begun. On the cross, He endured more than any of these heroes and He is a perfect example for us to follow. As you read through this twelfth chapter, allow the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart about laying aside anything that s keeping you from running successfully today. Ask Him to help you not only to run this race, but to run it well. 1
Open your Bible and begin with a word of prayer This Week s Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-17 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives. 7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. 14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; 16 lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. 17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears. NKJV This Week s Memory Verse: Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1 2
1. This is not the first time a writer in the New Testament has referred to the Christian life as a race (Hebrews 12:1). Look up the following verses and note what they say about our race and the impact it has on us. a. Acts 20:22-24 NKJV: b. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27: c. 2 Timothy 4:7-8: d. Did you ever think of your Christian life as a race? Does this affect how you look at your Christian walk (run)? 2. Since we are running a race, what are some of the weights that can hinder us from running that race well? a. Look up Matthew 11:29-30 and note what it says about burdens. b. Does this truth lift a weight from your shoulders? Why or why not? 3
It is not the cares of today, but the cares of tomorrow, that weigh a man down. For the needs of today we have corresponding strength given. For the morrow we are told to trust. It is not ours yet. It is when tomorrow's burden is added to the burden of today that the weight is more than a man can bear. George MacDonald (1824-1905) 3. We are now going to turn our attention to God s chastening. According to verses 7-11 of this week s scripture, why are we chastened? a. What is the outcome of that chastening (v. 11)? b. How does Romans 8:14-18 encourage us when we are chastened? 4. Lastly, the writer speaks about living in peace with all people. Why is it important to do so, according to 2 Timothy 2:23? a. What further insights do the following verses give us about living in and achieving peace? Romans 12:10-21: Philippians 2:3-4: 4
Reflect What has touched your heart during this week s study? Respond How has this study encouraged your spiritual growth? Result In what practical ways can you apply what you have learned this week? 5
Thoughts & Prayers 6