Hebrews 12:1-17
1. Keep Your Eyes on Jesus and Run with Endurance
The Christian life is a race that requires perseverance. We must lay aside the sin and even the good things that hinder us, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. Jesus endured the cross because of the joy set before him. As we consider his suffering and victory, we find strength to endure our own struggles.
- What sin, distraction, or even good thing might be hindering your faithfulness right now?
- How does looking to Jesus and the joy set before him help you endure what is difficult today?
Read: Hebrews 12:1–3
2. Receive Discipline as an Expression of Your Father’s Love
God’s discipline is not a sign of his anger or rejection, but of his love and acceptance. Through the hardships we experience, he works to produce the peaceful fruit of righteousness in us. We may not always understand the purpose of our pain, but we can trust the character of our Father and surrender to his formative work.
- When you experience pain or suffering, are you more likely to assume God is punishing you or to trust that he is lovingly shaping you?
- What might it look like to surrender to God’s formative work in a difficult circumstance rather than allowing it to harden you?
Read: Hebrews 12:5–11
3. Don’t Trade Your Eternal Inheritance for Temporary Comfort
Esau exchanged something sacred and lasting for the immediate relief of his hunger. Hebrews uses his example to warn us against doing the same—turning away from Jesus to escape temporary discomfort and forfeiting the eternal inheritance we have in him. We need one another to persevere, pursue peace and holiness, and remain rooted in God’s grace.
- Where are you most tempted to trade faithfulness to Jesus for temporary comfort or relief?
- Who can help you persevere when suffering or temptation makes turning away seem appealing?
Read: Hebrews 12:14–17
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