RUN WITH PERSEVERANCE

Hebrews 11:32-12:3

Key Verse 12:1

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

1. Look at 11:32-35a. Why does the author state that they do not have “time to tell about” all the other heroes of the faith? What verbs are used to describe these servants as they lived by faith; what common theme do their lives share? What do these verses teach us about the life of faith?

2. Look at 11:35b-38. These verses begin with “There were others…”. What do these servants have in common? How are they different from the servants mentioned in verses 32-35a? What does this teach us about the life of faith?

3. Look at 11:39-40. What had God “promised” these servants? God commended all these servants for their faith in His promise, yet why did they not receive Christ? What had God planned? What was the goal of His plan?

4. Look at 12:1. How does knowing that we are surrounded by such a “great cloud of witnesses” help us as fellow believers? What is the difference between things that “hinder” and “the sin that so easily entangles”? What does it mean to “run with perseverance”? What is “the race marked out for us”? What does this analogy reveal about our life of faith?

5. Look at 12:2-3. What does the author insist we do while we “run”? Why is “fixing our eyes on Jesus” so critical? As the “pioneer and perfecter of faith”, what can we learn about Jesus’ role in our life? What does it mean to “grow weary and lose heart”? What solution does the author advocate so we might avoid this danger?

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