Date: July 14, 2024
Key Scriptures: Hebrews 12:1-4, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Facilitator Questions:
Themes:  Running the Race
 
Start thinking:  Ask a question to get your group thinking.

• Hebrews 12:1 says, “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” How can the life God chooses for us be compared to a race?
• Paul also used the metaphor of life being like a race. Read 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. What did he say about the race and how he approached it?
• What does Hebrews 12:2-4 tell us about how Jesus ran His race? What enabled Him to endure the cross, the shame and the hostility of sinners?
• What is the prize at the end of the race?

Start sharing:  Choose a question to create openness.

• What is your reaction to these verses? How is the Holy Spirit speaking to you?
• How do you approach the race set before you? How intentional and disciplined are you? What daily spiritual exercises strengthen you in the Lord?
• Verse 1 exhorts believers to “lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us”, so we can run with endurance. What weighs you down? What sins easily entangle you? What is the proper perspective that will help you deal with them?
• In what ways is the active, empowering grace of God working in your heart to transform you into an elite athlete? What encouraging signs have you noticed lately?
• How can verse 2, “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” help you to run your race with endurance?

Start praying:  Be bold and pray with power.

• Praise Jesus for His almighty power, love, commitment and example of running His race, so humanity can be restored to right relationship with God.
• Thank Him for his grace to save His people and transform us into His likeness, so we can be made acceptable and holy and glorify Him forever.
• Confess any entangling sin that trips you up or slows you down while you run your race.
• Pray for yourself and for the whole Church to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and draw on His strength to run our race well.
• Pray that your race will faithfully witness the reality of God to those around you and that they will see His workmanship in you.

Start doing:  Commit to a step and live it out this week.

• Memorize any or all of Hebrews 12:1-4. Read it every day, and pray for deep revelation of its truth.
• Every day this week, pray that the Holy Spirit will help you fix your eyes on Jesus. Find a way to remind yourself, like setting a timer or creating a new habit.
• Set your mind on daily encouraging another believer to run his/her race well.