Main Thought
The Christian life can be compared to a race marked out for us by God. At the starting line, we need to prepare ourselves to run. We do this by throwing off sin that entangles us and other weights or burdens that hinder our pursuit of Christ. Then, we fix our eyes on Jesus and run toward Him. God’s grace gives us the ability to stay on course and start again when we stumble, like a checkpoint. We will experience hardship along the way. But God can use these difficult seasons like training or discipline that brings out the best in us. Hardship reveals areas where we need to grow. At the same time, making hard, holy choices over time helps us grow.
The road is long, Where do we find the strength to continue? Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before Him - a joy that included redeeming us. In Christ, we are fully known and fully loved. We find the strength to continue when the right joy is set before us. Because of what Jesus has done, we have a finish line worth running toward.
Main Passages
'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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.'
- Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV
'And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? '
- Hebrews 12:5-7 NIV
'But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. ' -
Hebrews 12:22-24 NIV
Discussion Questions
The race of the Christian life begins when we “fix our eyes on Jesus.” Why does Jesus tell us to focus on Him?
Hardship can reveal areas where we need to grow. Think about a recent difficult situation. What did your response reveal about your character, faith, or dependence on God?
Hebrews tells us to “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.” What hinders your pursuit of Jesus? How is God calling you to pursue Him more freely?