Portraits of Faith - Week 3 Study Guide
“The Key to Living a Victorious Life of Faith”
Introduction
Weariness and losing heart are great dangers for everyone who seeks to follow Jesus. In fact, in several places in scripture, the Bible uses the illustration of a race to describe the Christian life. Since the New Testament was written in a Greek context, the race probably referred to was a marathon. Other references to the Christian journey as a race are found in 1 Corinthians 9:24; Philippians 3:14; and 2 Timothy 4:7. These verses in Hebrews 12:1-3 are actually a continuation or flow from chapter 11 of Hebrews. Note the word therefore, as well as the reference to a cloud of witnesses, clearly referring to the portraits of faith in chapter 11. These verses are the application of what we learn from the lives of those in chapter 11.
A great study is to take each vignette in chapter 11 and go back and read the whole story of that incident in the Old Testament. Key words are throw off, hindrances, sins, patience, run, fixing eyes, joy set before, weary, losing heart. The writer of Hebrews evidences a pastoral concern towards the people who are receiving the letter. The concern is finishing the race and not becoming weary and giving up. The verses are extremely practical. The key is to see the models presented in the Bible as examples for us who also desire to run the race.
Background Information
Runners in the Greek Olympic games removed all clothing so they would have no weight to hinder them when they were running. They ran as light as possible. The Phillips translation of verse 1 notes that sin is like a dog nipping at our ankles, seeking to trip us up. The example of Jesus is the greatest example that the author can think of for faith and perseverance. The examples in chapter 11 are excellent, but Jesus is the example that surpasses them all. Jesus set his face like flint (Luke 9:51) towards the cross because of the joy on the other side. He endured everything that any of us could ever face, and yet He did not give up but endured. Verses 1-3 are followed by verses that continue the theme of the need for and benefits of perseverance.
Message Outline
I. Faith Role Models
“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” — Romans 15:4
“The people in the Bible bear witness to the faithfulness of God in sustaining them.” —Guthrie
II. How to Run the Race of Faith — Hebrews 12:1
“The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.” — Luke 8:14
Eliminate hindrances that weigh you down.
Eliminate sins that entangle and trip you up.
Run with patience the race God has marked out for you.
III. Focus: The Key to Living a Life of Victorious Faith — Hebrews 12:3
“He persevered because he saw Him who is invisible.” — Hebrews 11:27
Fix your eyes upon Jesus, and He will give you the endurance to cross the finish line in victory.
IV. Faith's Greatest Danger — Hebrews 12:3
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9
Recognize when you are weary and losing heart, and take steps to refocus on Jesus.
Digging Deeper Questions
Discuss the difference between hindrances and sins. What are some hindrances (things that are not sins) that keep people back? What are some hindrances in your life of faith?
What are some sins that you have seen in other people's lives that trip them up? What are some that have tripped you up in your life? How did you deal with them?
Discuss the importance of perseverance in the life of a follower of Jesus. What are examples of perseverance you can think of from your own life or the lives of others?
What does it mean to fix your eyes on Jesus? How can you do that? How does Satan try to prevent that?
Why is Jesus a good example for us of perseverance? Discuss what we can learn from Jesus' example.
Have you ever grown weary? Have you ever lost heart? On a scale of 1-10, how weary are you now (10 being the most weary)? Discuss a strategy for how to deal with weariness.
What will you apply from this study?
This Week’s Challenge
Become a model or mentor to someone whom God puts into your life.
Additional Resources