Have you had a hard life? Are you facing struggles now? The faithful of old all faced their trials,
but by faith they were able to overcome and bring glory to God. Like them, accept God's
discipline as weight training and let us run the race with perseverance. The reward at the finish
line will be worth it.
From last week's lesson, whose example of faith has most often returned to your mind?
What are the weights and sin to be removed so that we might win the race?
How is the race to be run? See also Philippians 3:14; II Timothy 2:5; 4:7.
Several times in scripture (Hebrews 12:2; Hebrews 3:1; II Corinthians 4:18) we are
instructed how and where to focus our attention. How does focusing affect the outcome of
a race and of life?
Share an experience in your life when you were frustrated and/or discouraged and you
purposefully "fixed your eyes on Jesus." What was the outcome of the experience?
How is Jesus the pioneer and perfecter (author & finisher) of our faith?
Much of chapter 12 talks of discipline. What is discipline?
How are we to view the trials and sufferings of our Christian life?
Why does God discipline us? What are the benefits?
When we are suffering, it is easy to think that God has left us or does not love us. From the
following scriptures, what other reasons are there for our sufferings here on earth?
Genesis 50:20
John 5:5, 14
II Samuel 4:4
II Samuel 12:1-23
Acts 27:13-44
How do verses 12-14 tell us to be proactive to make us ready for God's discipline?
What things will be avoided by those whose faith endures through struggles?
From Exodus 19:10 - 20:20, to what event is the author referring? What was the mood of
the people?
How does the author contrast coming to God now with the event at Mount Sinai?
Salvation, which cost Jesus much suffering and even His life, is not to be taken lightly, as
verses 14-28 admonish. Contrast these instructions with the current world-view of life.
At the end of this section, what encouragement and directions does the author leave with
us?
PERSONAL CHALLENGES FOR THE WEEK
Evaluating your spiritual maturity, how difficult is it for you to accept discipline and hardship
as beneficial?
Think back on a particular hardship in your life. The worldly way is to be resentful. Can
you see now how God used that struggle for your spiritual growth?
Determine now to be dependent on God in your next struggle and not to be bitter, angry or
resentful.
Women IN God's Service
The Study of Hebrews - "Enduring Faith" (lesson 11)
Ladies Bible Class Lesson, 20 March 2001
West-Ark Church of Christ, Fort Smith, Arkansas
Lesson 11
