Lesson 10: The Daily Walk (Hebrews 12—13)
Lesson 10
The Daily Walk
(Hebrews 12—13)
Before you begin …
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and wisdom as you go through this lesson.
• Read Hebrews 12—13. This lesson references chapters 11 and 12 in Be Confident. It will be helpful for you to have your Bible and a copy of the commentary available as you work through this lesson.
Getting Started
From the Commentary
The one theme that runs through this chapter is endurance.… The Jewish believers who received this letter were getting weary and wanted to give up; but the writer encouraged them to keep moving forward in their Christian lives, like runners on a track (see Phil. 3:12–14).
—Be Confident, pages 157–58
1. Circle or list all the places in Hebrews 12 that offer encouragement to endure. Why do you think the author chooses to focus on endurance after having just explored the role of faith?
More to Consider: Read Philippians 3:12–14. How does this passage compare to the message in Hebrews 12?
2. Choose one verse or phrase from Hebrews 12—13 that stands out to you. This could be something you’re intrigued by, something that makes you uncomfortable, something that puzzles you, something that resonates with you, or just something you want to examine further. Write that here. What strikes you about this verse?
Going Deeper
From the Commentary
Athletes used to wear training weights to help them prepare for the events. No athlete would actually participate wearing the weights because they would slow him down. (The modern analogy is a baseball player who swings a bat with a heavy metal collar on it before he steps to the plate.) Too much weight would tax one’s endurance.
—Be Confident, page 159
3. What are the weights Christians should remove so they can win the race? What are some of the things that hinder a believer’s progress?
From the Commentary
Throughout this epistle, the writer emphasized the importance of the future hope. His readers were prone to look back and want to go back, but he encouraged them to follow Christ’s example and look ahead by faith. The heroes of faith named in the previous chapter lived for the future, and this enabled them to endure (Heb. 11:10, 14–16, 24–27).
—Be Confident, page 161
4. What are ways today’s church looks backward instead of forward? How can Christians follow the example of the heroes of faith and look ahead to the joy that awaits us? What role does faith play in the ability to look ahead?
From Today’s World
If you’ve spent any time at all in the gym or playing a sport, you’re probably familiar with the “no pain, no gain” philosophy of exercise. While working out to the point of actual pain may be unwise and potentially unhealthy, the truth that it takes work to accomplish athletic goals is almost universally accepted. Especially in a culture where people try to take shortcuts through steroid use and other methods, the idea that healthy growth takes effort is worth underlining.
5. How does the message in Hebrews 12 speak to the “no pain, no gain” philosophy of training? What sorts of “hardship” will believers endure as they grow their faith?
From the Commentary
As we run the Christian race, what is our goal? The writer explains the goal in Hebrews 12:14: peace with all men, and holiness before the Lord.
—Be Confident, page 164
6. How does the writer of Hebrews explain how to reach the goal of peace with all men and holiness before the Lord? Underline the key concepts for this as written in Hebrews 12:14–19.
From the Commentary
The basis for this fellowship is brotherly love. As Christians, these Hebrew people no doubt had been rejected by their friends and families. But the deepest kind of fellowship is not based on race or family relationship; it is based on the spiritual life we have in Christ.
—Be Confident, pages 171–72
7. What are some examples of today’s believers being rejected by friends and family? What happens when a church or community is based on anything other than a love for Christ?
From the Commentary
Contentment cannot come from material things, for they can never satisfy the heart. Only God can do that. “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15 NIV). When we have God, we have all that we need.
—Be Confident, page 174
8. What are some of the ways people seek contentment from material things? How is this like the temptation the Hebrew Christians had to go back to the old covenant? Practically speaking, how do we learn to trust that when we have God, we have all that we need? What does that look like in day-to-day living?
More to Consider: Have you ever experienced a church split or significant disagreement within a church? What prompted that situation? In what ways was the spiritual foundation of the church involved or not involved in the dispute or conflict? Based on this experience, what are some reasonable cautions for churches that are beginning to face similar turmoil?
From the Commentary
While it is true that each member of a local body has an important ministry to perform, it is also true that God has ordained spiritual leaders in the church. I have been privileged to preach in many churches in America, and I have noticed that where the people permit the pastors (elders) to lead, there is usually blessing and growth.
—Be Confident, page 177
9. What happens to a church where the leader isn’t given the latitude to lead? What are the risks of giving too much deference to a leader? How does a church find the right balance between lay leadership and the role of the elders or pastors? What advice would the writer of Hebrews offer in this regard?
From the Commentary
The readers of this epistle were looking for a way to continue as Christians while escaping the persecution that would come from unbelieving Jews. “It cannot be done,” the writer states in so many words. “Jerusalem is doomed. Get out of the Jewish religious system and identify with the Savior who died for you.” There can be no room for compromise.
—Be Confident, page 179
10. What do you know about the situation of Christians in countries where Christianity is either outlawed or disdained? How can Christians discover confidence even in the midst of persecution? What role does a growing faith play in dealing with difficult situations?
Looking Inward
Take a moment to reflect on all that you’ve explored thus far in this study of Hebrews 12—13. Review your notes and answers and think about how each of these things matters in your life today.
Tips for Small Groups: To get the most out of this section, form pairs or trios and have group members take turns answering these questions. Be honest and as open as you can in this discussion, but most of all, be encouraging and supportive of others. Be sensitive to those who are going through particularly difficult times and don’t press people to speak if they’re uncomfortable doing so.
11. What events or circumstances in your life make it difficult for you to endure? How does the message in Hebrews 12 speak to you about that difficulty?
12. Think about when you’ve experienced the greatest growth as a believer. What role did hardship play in that growth? What does this teach you about the importance of endurance?
13. What are some of the ways you express what the author of Hebrews refers to as “brotherly love” toward others? How does that love play out in church? In your family? At work? When among strangers?
Going Forward
14. Think of one or two things that you have learned that you’d like to work on in the coming week. Remember that this is all about quality, not quantity. It’s better to work on one specific area of life and do it well than to work on many and do poorly (or to be so overwhelmed that you simply don’t try).
Do you need to develop a greater endurance for difficult times? Act more lovingly toward others? Be specific. Go back through Hebrews 12—13 and put a star next to the phrase or verse that is most encouraging to you. Consider memorizing this verse.
Real-Life Application Ideas: Think about how content you feel in your life today. How much of that contentment comes from material things or the lack of them? What would it take to put your trust in God more than “stuff”? Consider making some lifestyle changes that will help put your focus back on being confident in God’s role for you. What are those practical things you can do that will cause you to grow more in faith? Do them!
Seeking Help
15. Write a prayer below (or simply pray one in silence), inviting God to work on your mind and heart in those areas you’ve previously noted. Be honest about your desires and fears.
Notes for Small Groups:
• Look for ways to put into practice the things you wrote in the Going Forward section. Talk with other group members about your ideas and commit to being accountable to one another.
• During the coming week, ask the Holy Spirit to continue to reveal truth to you from what you’ve read and studied.