RUNNING the RACE with PERSEVERANCE a Study of Hebrews 10:19–12:3

RUNNING THE RACE WITH PERSEVERANCE A Study of Hebrews 10:19–12:3

Written by Amy M. Donaldson

St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Beaverton, OR

This study guide was written for use at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Beaverton, OR. You may print or reproduce this guide for individual or group study. This material should not be reproduced for profit or sold in any form without written permission by the author.

Amy Donaldson Minister of Adult Faith Formation St. Matthew Lutheran Church 10390 SW Canyon Rd. Beaverton, OR 97005 https://www.smlcfamily.org

All Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), unless otherwise noted.

Gloria Dei

About the author: Amy M. Donaldson serves as the Minister of Adult Faith Formation at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Beaverton, Oregon. Amy grew up in the suburbs of Portland, Oregon, then she left to earn a B.A. at Wheaton College (IL) and M.A. at the University of Notre Dame, both in Biblical Studies with an emphasis on Biblical Languages. After a year at Duke Divinity School, she returned to the University of Notre Dame to earn a Ph.D. in Christianity and Judaism in Antiquity, with an emphasis on New Testament and Early Christianity (specializing in New Testament Textual Criticism). She is the co-editor of New Testament Greek and Exegesis: Essays in Honor of Gerald F. Hawthorne (Eerdmans, 2003) and author of We Want to Believe: Faith and Gospel in “The X-Files” (Wipf & Stock, 2011). As a staff member at St. Matthew, Amy teaches, preaches, writes devotions, facilitates small groups, and strives to aid the spiritual growth of the congregation.

Running the Race with Perseverance Amy M. Donaldson

RUNNING THE RACE WITH PERSEVERANCE A Study of Hebrews 10:19–12:3

Lessons

1. Hold Fast to the Confession of our Hope—Introduction and Hebrews 10:19-39 2. Faith: Hoped for, Not Seen—Hebrews 11:1-3 3. Faith before the Flood—Hebrews 11:4-7 4. Abraham and Sarah—Hebrews 11:8-19 5. Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph—Hebrews 11:20-22 6. Moses and the Exodus—Hebrews 11:23-29 7. Faith to Enter the Land—Hebrews 11:30-31 8. Faithful Judges—Hebrews 11:32a 9. Flawed Judges—Hebrews 11:32b 10. The Monarchy: Samuel and David—Hebrews 11:32c 11. The Prophets: Elijah, Jeremiah, and Daniel—Hebrews 11:32d-38 12. The Finish Line: Jesus, Our Pioneer and Perfecter—Hebrews 12:1-3

Schedule for Summer 2020 Study Group

Week of Lesson June 1-6 Intro We will go through lesson 1, part 1, together. Prepare parts 2 and 3 for the next week. June 8-13 1 June 15-20 2 June 22-27 3 June 29-July 4 4 July 6-11 5 July 13-18 6 July 20-25 7 July 27-Aug. 1 8 August 3-8 9 August 10-15 10 August 17-22 11 August 24-29 12

Running the Race with Perseverance Amy M. Donaldson

Foreword

Beginning in March of 2020, with the arrival of a global pandemic in our own country, we found ourselves heading down an uncomfortable road of closing our church building, staying at home, and sending the majority of our church experience to the internet and phone lines. Early in this time, we were adjusting to the rapid changes and learning how to be a community in a new context. As the weeks dragged on, with the sense that returning to “normal” would be a long way off, the newness faded and we were challenged to persevere through this long and undefined period of socially distancing, for the good and health of one another. If the pandemic weren’t enough, this has plummeted our nation into a recession and economic uncertainty, along with heightened tensions and frayed nerves that were gasoline waiting to erupt into a conflagration when they were sparked by racial tensions. As we head into the summer, our entry into severe weather season and fire season probably will bring another set of complications. In times like this especially, we need to look to God for answers, and we need to look to Scripture for perspective on what the world has endured in the past and the promises of God that have stood through flood and fire, war and famine, plague and pestilence. One place to find such perspective is in the book of Hebrews, especially chapter 11, often called the “Hall of Faith.” Here, the author lays out a long list of our forerunners in the faith who endured life challenges but stood fast in their faith and relationship with God, even though the promises they held on to ultimately stood a long way off. But they have run the race of faith ahead of us, and by looking to their examples, of both success and failure, we can learn what it means to endure through the long march of history. More than any of them, though, stands the example of the one who came to blaze the trail, Jesus himself. Jesus is the promise that all the faithful figures of the past truly awaited, and Jesus has come as the example to show us that in the long race we’re running, we can indeed reach the finish line, if we follow his lead. Since our church community cannot meet in person together now or for the near future, this study is offered to St. Matthew as a way to learn from the cloud of witnesses in the past, and to learn virtually or from a distance from the cloud of witnesses today. May these examples of faith inspire us to persevere, to run the good race, and to look to the finish line where Jesus stands, urging us on.

Amy M. Donaldson Pentecost, 2020

Using This Study

• This guide can be used for individual study or for small group discussion. • For the sake of space, for printing, extra room was not provided to answer the discussion questions. It is recommended either that you write out your answers separately (such as in a journal or notebook) or that you use this guide in a word processing program (such as Word) so that you can fill in the answers in the file itself. • Each lesson is broken into three parts. You may find it helpful to do each part on a different day of the week, to spread out the study. Each part is broken into three sets of questions on different verses or ideas. Generally, questions are in italics, while other information is not. The bullet points help to highlight separate questions. • The reflection/discussion questions are a mixture of questions to help you better understand or process the meaning of the text itself and questions on life application or connecting our personal experience to the text. • “Bringing It Home” is a final question in each lesson, focusing on life application, to help you or your small group consider ways to live out these Scriptures. If you do not get through all of the questions in the lesson, skip down and think through or discuss this question before you finish. • “For Further Reading” is optional, to provide background on related ideas, for those who want to dig deeper. • If you are unable to complete the entire study, please do the last lesson before you are done. The last lesson is on Jesus, which is the ultimate point of the study, so complete the race by crossing the finish line! • If you are meeting with a small group, you are encouraged to begin and/or end each meeting in prayer. Do not feel obligated to discuss all of the questions from each lesson. Choose which questions will lead to the most fruitful discussion for your group within the time allotted.

Running the Race with Perseverance Amy M. Donaldson

LESSON 1: HOLD FAST TO THE CONFESSION OF OUR HOPE INTRODUCTION AND HEBREWS 10:19-39

1. Introduction to This Study Hebrews 11 is often called the “Hall of Faith,” but while the figures in this list are famous, they are far from infallible. At some points, even their great acts of faith are questionable. But they are not held up as “perfect” examples. In fact, while “perfection” (referring to maturity or completion, with the idea of reaching an end point or goal) is a major theme in Hebrews, there is only one who is perfect and who makes us perfect: Jesus Christ. The very point of this list is that these fallen, fallible heroes, who didn’t yet have Jesus to perfect their faith, did the best they could to run the race toward the finish line of God’s promises. Their examples show us what faith is, in all its messiness and complexity. They show us the human side of faith. But our finish line lies on the other side of chapter 11, as we turn to chapter 12 and look to the ultimate example of faith: Jesus himself. Our focus in this study is on chapter 11 of Hebrews, but in order to fully understand this list of human heroes, we need to get a running start in chapter 10, to pick up the themes of the overall book. And we will conclude in chapter 12, since the list is not complete until we arrive at Jesus Christ. The letter of Hebrews is more of a treatise than a letter, and the author remains anonymous, despite centuries of speculation about the author’s identity. The book was likely written to Jews who became Christians but then faced persecution, and in light of this, some of them were renouncing Jesus and turning back to their Jewish roots. The purpose of the book is twofold: (1) to show the audience that Jesus is the fulfillment of all the promises of the Jewish Scriptures, so that Jesus the high priest and the new covenant he inaugurated are better than anything that came before; (2) building on this, the other purpose is to exhort the audience not to turn away from Jesus and return to what is lesser, which the author does through both positive encouragement and warnings about God’s judgment. In the texts that bookend chapter 11, in chapters 10 and 12, we will see all of these themes play a part. a. If you haven’t read Hebrews before, or haven’t read it recently, you are encouraged to read through the entire book. Or, you could watch the overview video by the Bible Project. b. What do you understand to be the relationship between what we read about in the Old Testament and Jesus Christ? (Consider especially angels, Moses and the exodus, the priesthood, sacrifices, the tabernacle, and the covenant, which are all significant themes in Hebrews.) c. What do you think of the people we read about in the Old Testament (such as Abraham and Sarah, Moses, Rahab, David, and Isaiah)? Do you identify with their stories? Why or why not?

2. Read Hebrews 10:19-25. In this part of the chapter, the author is transitioning from the theme of Jesus (and the sacrifice and new covenant he brings) as the better fulfillment of the sacrifices and covenants from Israel’s past to the theme of exhortation and warning not to fall away from faith in Christ. Verses 19-25 give the positive encouragement, while the following verses offer the negative warning, both for the same purpose. a. Verses 19-21 summarize what the author has been saying about Jesus. The “sanctuary” (NIV: “Most Holy Place”) refers to the holy of holies (the innermost room) in the tabernacle; the “curtain” is the veil that separates this inner portion of the tabernacle from the outer areas. • For the Israelites, what was the significance of sacrifices, especially in their daily lives and worship?

• How has the sacrifice of Jesus himself (once for all) and the role of Jesus as our “great priest” changed Christian worship and our relationship with God?

Running the Race with Perseverance Amy M. Donaldson b. Verses 22-23 build on this foundation of who Jesus is and what he has done, in order to consider how this impacts us. “Let us approach” (v. 22) refers to our approach to the throne of God (the ark of the covenant, inside the holy of holies, was thought of as the footstool of God’s throne). “Sprinkled” alludes to the sprinkling of blood on the altar (cf. 9:18-22; 1 Pet. 1:2), and the reference to the water points back to the washings in the tabernacle while also pointing forward to baptism (another “once for all” event in Christ). • In light of what Jesus has done through his death and his ascension to the right hand of God, how does this allow us to approach God “in full assurance of faith”?

• In verse 23, how does the fact that “he who has promised is faithful” (cf. 6:13-20) encourage us to “hold fast in the confession of our hope without wavering”? c. Verses 24-25 shift from the individual implications to the impact on the community of faith. The “Day” is the last day or end times, when Christ will return. • How are meeting together and encouraging one another an important part of holding on to the confession of faith?

• What are ways that we can “provoke one another to love and good deeds”?

• How have other Christians encouraged you or supported your faith, at church or individually?

3. Read Hebrews 10:35-39. After the warnings of God’s judgment for those who turn away from Christ (vv. 26-31) and a reminder about the persecution that they and their fellow Christians have already endured (vv. 32-34), the author concludes this section with more words of encouragement, punctuated by a Scripture (see Habakkuk 2:3-4). a. How does endurance (v. 36) relate to holding fast to their confession of hope (v. 23) and the suffering and persecution they have already experienced (vv. 32-34)?

• What promises of God do we continue to look forward to, as the “great reward” (v. 35) that motivates us to endure suffering and hardship? b. Habakkuk 2:4 is a familiar verse, quoted by Paul (Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11) to emphasize that God’s people are to live by faith rather than by works of the law. Here in Hebrews this same passage from Habakkuk is quoted more extensively, with a focus more on the coming Day of the Lord (cf. v. 25) and the sense of enduring until that day. • What does it mean to “live by faith”?

• What does this look like in our daily lives? c. Verse 39 builds on the Habakkuk quotation and sets up the list of “those who have faith” in the next chapter. • Given what the author has just said in this section, and the set-up in verse 39 (“those who have faith and so are saved”), what expectations does that build for the “Hall of Faith” in the next chapter?

• What are the lessons from chapter 10 that you think we should keep in mind as we read chapter 11?

Bringing It Home: What are ways this week that you can encourage others to hold fast to their hope and faith?

For Further Reading: holy of holies and veil/curtain (Exodus 26:31-35; Leviticus 16:2-10; Mark 15:37-38); sacrifices (Leviticus 4); God’s throne (Isaiah 6:1-8); sprinkling and washing (Exodus 30:17-21; Ezekiel 36:22-32); Day of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11); living by faith (Habakkuk 2:1-5, Romans 1:16-17, Galatians 3:10-14)

Running the Race with Perseverance Amy M. Donaldson

LESSON 2: FAITH: HOPED FOR, NOT SEEN HEBREWS 11:1-3

1. Read Hebrews 11:1. This notable chapter starts out with a quotable statement about the nature of faith. This provides a lens through which we can understand how the author perceives the faith of the figures on the list, and the faith that the audience is being encouraged so strongly not to abandon. a. Look back at the texts in Lesson 1, from Hebrews 10:19-39. • What has the author already said about faith?

• How might the idea of “conviction of things not seen” relate to the heavenly temple and the throne of God that the author has described in previous chapters? b. “Hope” is another theme that has played a part in the previous section and other parts of the letter (see 6:11-12, 19-20; 7:19; 10:23). • What are the things we hope for, as part of our Christian life, and how are they related to God’s promises?

• What is the relationship between faith and hope? c. How does faith offer us “assurance” and “conviction” of what we can’t see or is yet to happen?

• How does your own faith offer you assurance in your daily life and in your prayers (see 10:22)?

2. Read Hebrews 11:2, 13-16, 39-40. The majority of chapter 11 is names and references to their lives and events. A few verses at the beginning, middle, and end, however, sum up the examples and how the author is using them— to underline the larger point about our endurance in the faith as we await God’s better promises fulfilled in Christ. a. Verse 2 calls back to the quotation from Habakkuk at the end of chapter 10. Those who lived by faith “received approval.” While Hebrews doesn’t quote Genesis 15:6 (Abraham “believed the Lord; and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness”), its use by both James (2:23) and Paul (Rom. 4:3, 9, 22; Gal. 3:6) suggests it was often quoted in the early church and may also be in mind here. Thus, the ancestors received approval, or were considered righteous, because they lived by faith. • Before Jesus came, what kinds of “approval” (or rewards for righteousness) did God offer to people?

• How has the sacrifice of Jesus once for all changed how God sees us and “approves” of us? b. Verses 13-16 show what aspect of faith the author is most focusing on, especially in terms of the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) and their families. • What are the two main promises that God made to Abraham? (Hint: see Gen. 12:1-3, 7)

• How were these promises fulfilled, and not yet fulfilled, during the lifetimes of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?

• While Abraham and his descendants looked toward an earthly homeland (Canaan, or the promised land), the author continues the “better than” theme of Hebrews by pointing beyond this land to “a better country, that is, a heavenly one.” How does the Bible describe the “better,” “heavenly” country that we look forward to?

• In what ways are we also “strangers and foreigners on the earth” while we await this homeland?

Running the Race with Perseverance Amy M. Donaldson c. Verses 39-40 conclude the chapter by summarizing that even though all of these people lived by faith and were commended for it, what they believed in—the better homeland and better promises—remained hoped for and unseen throughout their lives. The reason is so that we would be able to receive the promises together with them, in Christ. The idea of being “made perfect” continues the theme of completion/fulfillment (see Lesson 1). • How does this affect how you understand the faith of these people, if they never fully received during their lifetime what they ultimately hoped for?

• How does this affect your understanding of the nature of faith itself, especially as described in verse 1?

3. Read Hebrews 11:3; then read Genesis 1 (take note of “the word of God” theme in creation). The list in chapter 11 moves chronologically through the history of Israel, beginning with creation, and by implication, with Adam and Eve (who do not make the list—unfortunately, they remain better examples of disobedience than of faith!). The “word of God” refers to God speaking creation into existence in Genesis 1. “What is seen” versus “things that are not visible” harks back to verse 1 and “things not seen.” a. The author of Hebrews understands our reading of the creation narrative as a matter of faith. Although it is not specified, the lack of names in this part of the list underlines the fact that during the first five and a half days of creation, no humans were present to witness or “see” God preparing the worlds by his word. • Regardless of how you understand the technicalities and details of creation, how does faith play a role in accepting the very assertion that God is the Creator?

• How is faith involved when you observe the intricacies and beauty of nature?

• Why do you think the author of Hebrews started the list of faith with creation, rather than with people? b. The idea that God created from “things that are not visible” is described in theology as creation ex nihilo, or out of nothing. This is the notion that if God created everything in our material world, then before God created, nothing yet existed—and so God made something out of nothing. • How does faith give us assurance (v. 1) that God is able to create new things where nothing existed before?

• What does God’s role as Creator tell us about God’s character and our relationship with God?

• How does God’s creative ability give us hope for our own lives and God’s power to do new and amazing things? c. God’s ability to create and act through the spoken word did not end with Genesis 1. In fact, Jesus himself was able to heal and do miracles through only his words. And the Holy Spirit, who empowered Jesus, is still present and active in our lives today. • What are some examples of Jesus making things happen through the power of his words, and what role did the faith of others play in prompting or accepting those works?

• How does the Holy Spirit still bring new works into people’s lives, empowering us to be more like Christ?

Bringing It Home: What are practical ways that we can make use of the creation we can see to inspire and bolster our faith in the things that we can’t see?

For Further Reading: hope (Psalm 42; Romans 5:1-5; 1 Peter 1:3-9); promises to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-9; 15:1- 21); faith counted as righteousness (Romans 4); kingdom of heaven (Matthew 13:1-53; Revelation 21:1-22:7); creation (Psalm 104; Proverbs 8:22-31); Jesus speaks healing (Matthew 8:5-13; Mark 7:24-30; John 4:46-54)

Running the Race with Perseverance Amy M. Donaldson

LESSON 3: FAITH BEFORE THE FLOOD HEBREWS 11:4-7

1. Read Hebrews 11:4 and Genesis 4:1-16. As the author proceeds through the “Hall of Faith,” the names are grouped generally by historical categories. The first trio, starting with Abel, comes before Abraham (in Gen. 1-11). Abel also is referenced later, in Hebrews 12:24. In our modern readings of Cain and Abel, we often struggle with why Cain’s sacrifice was not sufficient, but the real point of the story is about Cain’s reaction. a. When you read Genesis 4:2-8, what role do you see faith playing in Abel’s actions?

• How does Hebrews describe this story and Abel’s faith? What do you think it means that “he received approval as righteous” (see Heb. 11:2 and Lesson 2)? b. Hebrews 11:4 says that Abel still speaks, through faith, although 12:24 picks up the idea of Abel’s blood “crying out” (Gen. 4:10) and refers to Abel’s blood “speaking” (here the comparison is to the blood of Jesus). (See also Matt. 23:35//Luke 11:51, where Abel is listed among the righteous who have been persecuted and martyred.) • What does this idea of “blood crying out” to God tell us about God’s justice?

• How does the blood of Abel, and others who have been killed unjustly, continue to cry out to God and to us?

• What does the fact that God spares, and even protects, Cain tell us about God’s mercy? c. We often think of “faith” simply as belief, but in the Bible it is closely connected with both trust and faithfulness. Not only does Abel have faith, but he is faithful. • How does Cain serve as a contrast to Abel, especially in reaction to what the Lord says in verses 6 and 7?

• What can we learn from this statement (vv. 6-7) about anger, disobedience, and temptation? How can we live out these lessons in our own lives?

2. Read Hebrews 11:5-6 and Genesis 5:21-24. Enoch is a mysterious figure in the Bible that we know very little about, other than the fact that he walked with God and was “translated” (taken directly into heaven without dying first), one of only two figures in the Bible to have this honor. In Genesis, Enoch’s story is merely an extended description in a genealogy. But because he was such a mysterious, and yet seemingly important, figure, he sparked the imaginations of the Jews, who wrote elaborate stories about him (see, e.g., Jude 14-15). The original audience of Hebrews would have been familiar with these stories, and so Enoch was a much larger character in their minds. But Hebrews sticks to the meager biblical facts in describing Enoch as a pillar of faith. a. What do Genesis and Hebrews tell us about Enoch?

• How is Enoch an example of faith, in light of this description? b. What do you think Enoch’s relationship with God might have been like, compared to some of the other Old Testament figures, such as Adam and Eve or Noah?

• How do you think the story of Genesis might have been different if Enoch (and his wife) had been in the garden of Eden rather than Adam and Eve?

Running the Race with Perseverance Amy M. Donaldson c. Although we don’t have any details about Enoch’s life, Hebrews says that he “pleased God” (cf. “walked with God” in Genesis). Enoch’s example sparks this quotable quote: “without faith it is impossible to please God.” • Why do you think our faith is so important to God and pleases him so much?

• What do the two parts of the second half of this statement (“must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him”) tell us about how we should approach God in prayer?

3. Read Hebrews 11:7 and Genesis 6:5-22. In contrast to Enoch’s blip on the screen, Noah gets an extended story as the star character in the flood narrative. Although Noah doesn’t get all the way through his story without any faults or blemishes (see Gen. 9:20-25), he stands out at the beginning as a shining example in a corrupt world. In fact, we can be grateful to him as the reason why we’re still here! It was Noah who “found favor in the sight of the LORD” (Gen. 6:8), but as a result of that favor (or grace), Noah’s family was spared, along with all species of animals, as well as humanity itself. In this sense, Noah points us toward another man who would find favor in God’s sight for his blamelessness, and because of this one man’s righteousness all humanity would be spared (Jesus!). a. How is Noah described in Genesis (esp. vv. 8-9, 22)?

• In practical terms, what do you think Noah was really like, in contrast to the people of his generation?

• When God looks at our own generation, what do we hope that God will say about each of us, in contrast to the world around us? b. Hebrews again refers to what is “unseen” (cf. 11:1, 3). How was Noah’s obedience to God an act of faith, especially considering that the events God told him about were “yet unseen”?

• What challenges do you think that Noah faced during the building of the ark and the gathering of the animals that might have given him reason to doubt or not to follow through?

• What encouragement can Noah’s story give us about following God’s calling in the face of opposition or when stepping out in faith leads us in the directions that other people can’t understand? c. With Noah, we again see the theme of “righteousness” connected to faith (see 11:4 and Lesson 2). What is “the righteousness that is in accordance with faith,” and what does it mean to become an heir of it? (It might be helpful to compare different translations of this verse. Then try rephrasing this in your own words.)

• Although it may sound harsh that Noah “condemned” the world, what we see is that Noah made a choice: he chose to accept God’s salvation, and in doing so he left the world to its fate (that is, he left the world in God’s hands); by turning away from the world, Noah found his identity instead with the family of righteousness. What are examples of the kind of choices that we face today, when we must turn away from the world to instead find our identity with the community marked by God’s righteousness?

Bringing It Home: Both Enoch and Noah were known for “walking with God.” What are practical ways that we can “walk with God” in our daily lives or even make this our way of life?

For Further Reading: blood of the righteous (2 Chron. 24:20-22; Matt. 23:29-39; Mark 12:1-12); resisting temptation (James 4:7-8; 1 Peter 5:6-10); walking with God (Deut. 10:12-13; Josh. 22:5; Jer. 7:22-23; Micah 6:6-8); Noah and the flood (Gen. 7-8; Ezek. 14:12-23); God’s covenant with Noah (Gen. 9:1-17; Isa. 54:1-10); our relationship with the world (John 15:18-19; 1 John 2:15-17; James 4:1-6)

Running the Race with Perseverance Amy M. Donaldson

LESSON 4: ABRAHAM AND SARAH HEBREWS 11:8-19

1. Read Hebrews 11:8-10 and Genesis 12:1-10. The next section of the list covers, more extensively, the patriarchs of Genesis 12-50: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as well as Sarah and Joseph. The calling of Abraham in Genesis 12 changes the fortunes of his (not-yet-existent) descendants and sets the stage for the narrative to come. a. How was faith was involved for Abraham to leave his homeland and his people, to “set out, not knowing where he was going” (Heb. 11:8), and to follow a God that was not the God of his people?

• What gives us the faith to step out into the unknown and keep moving forward when our future path is uncertain? b. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob lived in tents, “as in a foreign land” (Heb. 11:9)—what do you think this lifestyle was like for their households? How would it had been different if they had lived in a city with foundations (11:10)?

• Hebrews 11:13-14 describes the ancestors as “strangers and foreigners on the earth ... seeking a homeland” (see Lesson 2). What are ways in which we sometimes feel like nomads on this earth, looking for something to give us a sense of belonging or security?

c. In Hebrews 11:9-10, the author is describing literal tents and land from Genesis, but in verse 10, the imagery becomes more figurative, moving beyond an earthly city to a godly, heavenly one. Hebrews returns to this image of the heavenly city in 12:22-24 and 13:14, describing it specifically as the “heavenly Jerusalem.” • How does our connection to the city of God, a city “with foundations,” give us a sense of identity and security? (Compare the idea of citizenship in God’s kingdom; see Eph. 2:19-22; Phil. 3:18-20.)

• What are ways that we experience a taste of heaven on earth, through worship, through community, and through our relationship with God?

2. Read Hebrews 11:11-12 and Genesis 15:1-6; 16:1-6; 18:1-15; 21:1-7. The matriarchs do not play a major role in Hebrews 11, but Sarah is mentioned with relation to God’s promise of a child, from whom will come descendants “as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore” (see Gen. 22:17). a. Like Romans (4:18-22), Hebrews seems to gloss over some of the details of Abraham and Sarah’s story, remembering them only as paragons of faith. But the incident with Hagar, Ishmael’s existence, and Abraham and Sarah’s laughter are glaring reminders that the faith of Abraham and Sarah in God’s promise hit a few speed bumps. • How would you describe Abraham and Sarah’s reaction to the promise of descendants in Genesis? What do you think your own reaction would be to God’s promise of a child, if you were Abraham or Sarah’s age?

• How does it offer encouragement to us that Abraham and Sarah could have doubts and missteps and still be remembered as examples of faith? b. Once God has told Abraham that his heir will be his own child (Gen. 15:4), Sarah and Abraham try to help God along by providing an heir through her slave Hagar (16:1-16). Although they succeed in producing a son, the plan is otherwise a disaster (21:8-14). But even though Ishmael is not the son of promise, Hagar receives angelic visits, and the boy is blessed by God’s promise to Abraham (16:7-13; 17:20-21; 21:12-21). • What do these special blessings for Hagar and Ishmael tell us about God’s mercy and grace, in spite of how Ishmael’s birth did not fulfill God’s original plan?

Running the Race with Perseverance Amy M. Donaldson

• What lessons can we learn from the story of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar about trusting in God’s promises versus trying to make things happen our own way? c. In spite of any problems along the way, God was true to his original promise to provide an heir for Abraham (15:3-6), through his wife, Sarah (17:15-21; 18:9-15). • When we look at the overall story (from God’s original promise to the final result of Sarah giving birth to a son) what does this tell us about God’s promises and timing and how that compares to human expectations?

• Abraham is celebrated for his faith (Gen. 15:6; Rom. 4). Do you think the fulfillment of God’s promise was dependent on Abraham and Sarah’s faith? Why or why not?

3. Read Hebrews 11:17-19 and Genesis 22:1-19. This story is often referred to as the “binding of Isaac.” It’s a story that challenges not only Abraham’s faith but also our own. What did Abraham really think God had called him to do, and why didn’t Abraham question it? What did Abraham think was going to happen? But we know the end result, and as Christians we can’t help but see in this story the sacrifice of another son, the Son of God. This is not a tale about child sacrifice but a lesson about trusting God with endangered promises. a. We’re skipping over verses 13-16 (see Lesson 2), but it’s important to note how they fit into the story of both Abraham and his offspring. Verses 8-12 lay out the main promises that God made to Abraham, and then the next thing we hear is that they “died in faith without having received the promises.” • What does it tell us about the faith of Abraham and Sarah that they died without having received the promises, and yet, from a distance, they “greeted them”?

• What promises or blessings in our own lives seem distant to us, and yet we still look forward to them? b. Hebrews 11:17-18 emphasizes several important points about Isaac: he was the fulfillment of a long-awaited promise, he was the “only son,” and through him God promised to bring descendants. It would be hard enough for Abraham to sacrifice any son, but there are even more reasons why he would struggle to give up this son. • What do you think Abraham was thinking and feeling as he went through the motions to prepare for the sacrifice?

• What do you think Abraham learned through this experience, once it was all over? c. Hebrews emphasizes the parallel with Jesus by connecting Isaac’s restoration to life with resurrection (11:19). • What are the similarities and differences between the near-sacrifice of Isaac by Abraham and the sacrifice of God’s only Son?

• In Genesis 22, we see this story through Abraham’s eyes. When we compare this story to God the Father giving up his only Son for us, what does this show us about what it cost the Father and how much God loves us?

Bringing It Home: The name Isaac (“He Laughs”) commemorates both Sarah’s joy at his birth and her earlier skepticism at God’s promise. List out gifts or blessings from God that have brought you joy (even laughter). Keep these close to you as reminders of the joy that God can bring (and will bring again).

For Further Reading: Abraham (Acts 7:2-8; Rom. 4:1-25; James 2:21-24); new Jerusalem (Isa. 65:17-25; Ezek. 47:1-12; Rev. 21:1-22:7); laughter/joy (Ps. 126); Sarah and Hagar (Gal. 4:21-31); God’s abhorrence of child sacrifice (Lev. 18:21; 20:1-5; Deut. 12:29-32; 18:9-13); God’s only son (John 1:14-18; 3:16-18; 1 John 4:9-10)

Running the Race with Perseverance Amy M. Donaldson

LESSON 5: ISAAC, JACOB, AND JOSEPH HEBREWS 11:20-22

1. Read Hebrews 11:20 and Genesis 27:1-28:5. The list of patriarchs in Hebrews 11 continues with the descendants of Abraham. But the focus on their stories is narrow, because the promise remains the overriding concern. God’s blessings on Abraham are introduced in verses 8-12, and the role of his sons and grandsons here is to continue that line of blessing until the promises of numerous descendants and land are fulfilled. Isaac has a limited role in this list, even as he has a limited role in Genesis. In fact, his only real significance seems to be as a conduit for God’s promises: he is the promised son, and his own son will carry on the family blessing. a. As with Abraham and Sarah, we might wonder with this description of Isaac giving a blessing “by faith” whether the author of Hebrews is reading the same Bible that we are. But the faith in the story isn’t related to the deception of Jacob and Rebekah. The faith is that the God of Abraham is also the God of Isaac, and that the promises Abraham didn’t see fulfilled in his lifetime would carry over as an inheritance to Isaac and his children. • How is it an act of faith for Isaac to pronounce a blessing over his sons and trust God to bring those blessings to pass?

•How is it also an act of faith for us to say a benediction (or blessing) over someone and trust that God will indeed bless them? (For example, think of the benediction we hear at the end of most of our worship services.) b. The blessing by the father serves as both a statement of inheritance and a prophecy of the child’s fate. We see this here with Isaac’s sons but also with future blessings, such as Jacob’s over his children (Gen. 49). • What blessing does Jacob receive that was due for Esau? What blessing does Esau end up receiving? How does that affect the destiny, and relationships, of each? c. For Jacob, we see this blessing early in his life. He has a lot of life left to live, and a lot left to learn. Both for his youth and his reputation for deception, it is clear that God’s blessings to Jacob are not because he has earned them. If anything, God’s blessings are in spite of Jacob’s character flaws. • Why do you think God blesses and protects Jacob over the course of his life? How do you think this affects Jacob’s choices and his faith?

• What does God’s faithfulness to Jacob tell us about God and our relationship with him?

2. Read Hebrews 11:21 and Genesis 48:1-22. The channel of blessing continues with Jacob. For someone who is known as a trickster, perhaps there aren’t as many examples of great faith in Jacob’s life. But the fact that Hebrews hones in on one event, the blessing of his grandsons Ephraim and Manasseh, shows the specific focus in this part of the list of the faithful. a. In what ways does Genesis 48 connect back to the promises to Abraham and the lineage of blessing? (See vv. 3-4, 15-16.) What aspects of these promises have already been fulfilled for Jacob, and what aspects have not? b. How is the blessing of Ephraim over Manasseh similar to and different from Isaac’s blessing of Jacob over Esau? (See vv. 17-20.) What is the significance that Jacob is now the one making this blessing?

• What other examples are there in the Bible of God picking the youngest, or the unexpected, over the oldest or preferred? What does this theme tell us about how God does not always stick to human expectations?

Running the Race with Perseverance Amy M. Donaldson c. The blessing of Joseph’s sons skips ahead to the end of Joseph’s story, overlooking the significance of how it is even possible that Joseph had sons or that Jacob was able to be present to bless them. • What were some of the obstacles in Joseph’s life that might have prevented this moment from happening?

• Over the course of Jacob’s and Joseph’s lives, the blessings to Abraham stayed on course despite all the events and choices that could have potentially derailed them. What are some examples of how God steered the blessings back on track? (For instance, times when lives were endangered or the people left Canaan.) What does this tell us about God’s faithfulness to his promises?

3. Read Hebrews 11:22 and Genesis 50:12-26. Joseph, also, has a much larger story, and perhaps better examples of his faith. But here, he represents the continuation of God’s promises to Abraham’s descendants. The reference to his burial and the exodus (Heb. 11:22) points forward to the fulfillment of God’s promise of land. When the Israelites finally return there, the promises that Abraham didn’t live to see will be fulfilled. a. Hebrews skips over the details of where Joseph is and how he got there. Where are Joseph and his extended family by the end of Genesis, and why are they there?

• Where is Jacob buried (Gen. 50:13), and why is it important for Joseph to be buried there too?

• How does it show faith in God’s promises that Joseph makes his family swear to carry up his bones, and that Moses later honors this commitment? b. By focusing in on the promises to Abraham, Hebrews overlooks other aspects of Joseph’s story, and perhaps his greatest statement of faith: “Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today” (Gen. 50:20). • What harm did Joseph’s brothers intend? What consequences did that have for the course of Joseph’s life?

• In what ways did God bring good things out of their harmful intentions, and what were the final results for Joseph and his brothers? c. Joseph endured many hardships and challenges before he finally came to a place of prominence and prosperity. And yet here he is able to look back over it all and see God’s hand at work. • How do you think Joseph’s faith in God’s promises and relationship with God sustained him during the dark times of his life?

• What lessons do you think Joseph learned through all the twists and turns of his life to help him see God’s hand at work?

• In what ways can Joseph’s story, and his declaration in Genesis 50:20, provide hope and inspiration for us?

Bringing It Home: We frequently hear blessings as part of worship, especially after communion and at the end of a service (For example, “The Lord bless you and keep you...”). What do the words of those blessings mean to you? What are ways that we can hold on to that meaning throughout the week?

For Further Reading: promises repeated to Isaac and Jacob (Gen. 26:1-5, 23-25; 28:10-15; 35:6-12); the bones and burial of Joseph (Exod. 13:19; Josh. 24:32); God’s unchanging promises (Heb. 6:13-20; 2 Sam. 7:12-17); God’s faithfulness (1 Cor. 10:12-13; 1 Thess. 5:23-24; 1 John 1:9); God’s good intentions (Rom. 8:28-30)

Running the Race with Perseverance Amy M. Donaldson

LESSON 6: MOSES AND THE EXODUS HEBREWS 11:23-29

1. Read Hebrews 11:23 and Exodus 1:22-2:10. As the mention of the exodus anticipated (Heb. 11:22), we turn the page to Moses and the generation of Israelites who have become as numerous as the sand and the stars, yet they’re living in Egypt as slaves. But the story of Moses begins with the endangerment of his life as an infant and his miraculous deliverance. The child whose life was delivered will grow up to become the deliverer of Israel. a. For each of these faithful figures, the author of Hebrews makes choices about which events to list as what they did “by faith.” For Moses, if you made your own list, which aspects of his life would you say he did “by faith”?

• How did the role of Moses as leader and lawgiver put unique demands on his faith and his relationship with God? b. Although Moses is named in Hebrews 11:23, it is his parents whose faith is highlighted here. In Exodus 2:1-10, Moses’s mother and sister are seen as the figures of faith. • Here, for the first time in the list, fear is mentioned in opposition to faith (see also v. 27). In general, what is the relationship between faith and courage? How does faith help to counteract fear?

• How is placing the baby in a basket on the water an act of faith, by Moses’s mother? What do you think she hoped or expected the outcome would be?

• How do you see God’s providence, and perhaps a little irony, at work in how Moses is rescued and raised? What does this tell us about trusting God with our life circumstances and our future? c. What details does, and doesn’t, Exodus tell us about Moses’s childhood and upbringing? (See also Acts 7:20- 22.) How does this compare to the image you have in your head about the early years of Moses (an image that probably features Charlton Heston and Yul Brynner!)?

• What do you think it was like for Moses to grow up in Pharaoh’s family and yet realize at some point that his lineage was from the Israelite slaves? Why do you think Moses made the choice to identify with the Israelites?

2. Read Hebrews 11:24-28 and Exodus 2:11-15; 12:21-32 (see also 3:1-12). In Exodus 2:11, Moses’s story jumps from his infancy or childhood to the brief but memorable account of when Moses rescues an Israelite by killing an Egyptian. Hebrews adds a lot of interpretation into this text, including a reference to the Messiah. a. In Hebrews 11:24-27, what elements does the author seem to read into the story that aren’t directly explicit in the Exodus text? How does the author of Hebrews connect this to Jesus?

• Based on Hebrews’ depiction of Moses here, how does he set an example for us? What are some of the “fleeting pleasures” and “treasures” of this world that we should be willing to set aside for godly rewards? b. Hebrews 11:27 describes how and why Moses left for Midian. How would you describe Moses’s situation and motives when he left Egypt (Exod. 2:14-15)? How do you think God was at work during this part of Moses’s life?

• Why do you think Hebrews puts such weight on Moses’s flight to Midian and yet spends no time discussing other important parts of his life, such as the burning bush and the giving of the law?

Running the Race with Perseverance Amy M. Donaldson c. Hebrews skips over the first nine plagues to focus on the tenth, and with it the institution of Passover and the launching point for the exodus (Heb. 11:28). • Why did God ask the Israelites to paint a lamb’s blood on their doorposts, and how was it an act of faith to do so?

• The Israelites were to eat this meal with their “loins girded” and using unleavened bread (which didn’t require time to rise), so that they would be ready to go. How was it an act of faith for them to be ready to go on short notice?

• The reference to “the sprinkling of blood” shows the author’s continued interest in sacrifice, with Christ as the ultimate sacrifice (see Heb. 9:19-21; 12:24; also 10:22). The Passover also connects the exodus to the crucifixion, since Christ himself became the ultimate Passover lamb. What are some parallels between the meaning of the lamb at the first Passover and the meaning of Christ (and his blood) for Christians, as our Passover lamb?

3. Read Hebrews 11:29 and Exodus 14:5-31. The example of faith shifts from Moses to the Israelites. But we know this example isn’t without reservations, since earlier Hebrews described the Israelites as the disobedient ones of Psalm 95, who were rebellious and sinned and therefore angered God and died in the wilderness. But the point there, as here in chapter 11, is that they didn’t see the fulfillment of their promise so that it would remain open for us, to be fulfilled in Christ (3:7-4:11). In fact, in Exodus 14:10-12, the Israelites’ first response at the Red Sea is not faith but fear and complaining. Yet they’re remembered for putting aside their fear to step out in faith onto dry land. a. By the time the Israelites head out of Egypt, what do you think they already know or understand about God and his relationship with them? What do they still need to learn?

• Later on, God is often referred to as the God who brought them out of Egypt (e.g., Deut. 5:6). Why is this act such an important part of God’s identity in relationship with Israel? What does this act tell us about God’s nature?

• What are ways that God continues to be a Deliverer for his people? How can stories such as God turning the sea into dry land continue to inspire our faith today? b. In Exodus 14:11-12, the Israelites haven’t escaped from Egypt yet, and already they’re complaining. Why do you think the Israelites would prefer slavery? What does this tell us about human nature, and about ourselves?

• Exodus 14:31 ends the story on a great note (but it’s only the end of Act 1). For the Israelites, what is the result of their rescue from the Egyptians? What do you think they have, or haven’t, learned through this experience? c. As with Abraham earlier in Hebrews 11, we see that the Israelites are remembered for their faith rather than their doubts. What inspiration does it offer for us that the Israelites did indeed cross the Red Sea (and finally made it to the promised land), despite all their hesitation and complaints?

• What lessons can we learn from the Israelites, both in their fear and complaining, and in their acts of faith?

Bringing It Home: One purpose of the annual Passover is to continually teach the story of the exodus and remember what God has done. What rituals or traditions in your own life or family help you to remember who God is and what God has done? (Consider ways you can participate in those reminders this week.)

For Further Reading: courage (Josh. 1:1-9; Ps. 27; John 16:31-33); faith and fear (Ps. 46:1-3; Isa. 35); Passover (Exod. 12; Matt. 26:1-30); Christ as Passover lamb (1 Cor. 5:7; 1 Pet. 1:18-19; Rev. 5:12); the God who brought you out of Egypt (Deut. 6:12; 8:14; Jer. 16:14; 23:7); Israelites’ complaining (Exod. 15:22-17:7; Ps. 106:1-27)

Running the Race with Perseverance Amy M. Donaldson

LESSON 7: FAITH TO ENTER THE LAND HEBREWS 11:30-31

1. Read Numbers 13:25-14:25. Although Joshua isn’t named in Hebrews 11, his presence is implied by his leadership in the march around Jericho (11:30). The disobedience in the wilderness is skipped here (see Heb. 3-4), but it is the hinge that stands between the first five books of the Bible and the continuing narrative in the book of Joshua. Abraham and his descendants may have been tent-dwelling sojourners, but Joshua will lead the twelve tribes to claim this land as their inheritance. But to understand Joshua’s role in leading the people into the land, it’s important to know what happened the first time he set foot there, as one of twelve sent to spy out the land. a. Originally, God sent his people on a fairly direct route to the promised land. Once they arrived outside the land, Moses sent one person from each tribe to spy out the land. Among the twelve were Caleb and Joshua. Numbers 13:25 picks up the story with their return after forty days. (If that number seems familiar, see Num. 14:33-34.) • What report did the spies bring back? What disagreement was there among them, and who fell on which side of their division? (See esp. Num. 13:25-33; 14:6-9.)

• What roles do faith and fear play in the spies’ report and the reaction of the people?

• Why do you think God wanted Moses to send spies into the land (see Num. 13:1-2, 17-20), and how do you think God and Moses wanted the people to react to what the spies saw there? b. Although the Israelites have been complaining their way through the wilderness from the Red Sea to Sinai to their camp outside the promised land, this is the first time their complaining has turned into a flat-out mutiny. Why do the people want to head back to Egypt, and how do Moses and Aaron respond? How does God respond to this decision by the people?

• Similar to the golden calf incident, Moses intercedes with God on the people’s behalf. What does Moses argue to God, to persuade him to spare the Israelites? (See Num. 14:13-19; compare Exod. 33:12-17; 34:4-9.)

• God’s response to Moses is “I do forgive, just as you have asked; nevertheless...” (Num. 14:20-21). Even though God does punish the current generation, how is God’s decision also an act of mercy and forgiveness?

• In our own lives, what is the relationship between the consequences of our actions and God’s forgiveness? What are some of the results we experience in our lives when God forgives our actions (or thoughts or inactions)? c. Although God will punish the generation that rebelled in the wilderness, God does spare two people for their faithfulness: Caleb and Joshua (Num. 14:30, 38). Joshua in particular earns the role as Moses’s successor. • How did Caleb and Joshua display faith and leadership in their report to the people and their response to the rebellion? (See esp. Num. 13:30-31; 14:6-9, 24.)

• What can we learn from Caleb and Joshua about how to respond to “giants” or insurmountable odds in our lives?

2. Read Hebrews 11:30 and Joshua 6:1-21. With verses 30 and 31, Hebrews 11 wraps up the focus on God’s promises to Abraham as the Israelites finally take possession of the promised land. Jericho is known as the first great success during the period of conquest. a. The march on Jericho is an unusual battle plan. What are the Israelites told to do for the first six days, and how is the seventh day different?

Running the Race with Perseverance Amy M. Donaldson

• What do you think the people inside Jericho were thinking during the first six days? What do you think the Israelites were thinking as they marched around the city for six days?

• How was it an act of faith by the Israelites and their leaders to follow this approach to conquering Jericho? b. The priests and the ark of the covenant play a key role in the instructions to march around the city. What did the ark of the covenant represent, and what is the significance of including it in the marching plan?

• In what ways did God show the Israelites that the battle belonged to the Lord rather than to their own might? Why do you think God wants us to rely on him instead of on our own strength? c. The conquest of Jericho includes the challenging concept of “the ban” (Hb. herem), or devoting things to destruction in dedication to the Lord (Josh. 6:18-19, 21). While this is a more complex topic than we can discuss fully here, it is important to know a couple things: (1) the conquest of the land was God’s judgment on the people who lived there (compare this to the flood), and it was not an opportunity for personal gain by the Israelites; and (2) the complete obedience of the Israelites was key (when they didn’t obey, they were punished; see Josh. 7). • A regular part of warfare was plundering the defeated and taking their people as slaves. Why do you think God wanted the Israelites to behave differently, by not taking spoil or slaves from the people they conquered?

• Why do you think obedience to God in this matter was so important? What did God want his people to learn as he used them to bring judgment against the people living in Canaan, who had not been faithful to Yahweh?

• What does God want us to learn through our obedience to him rather than pursuing our own personal gain?

3. Read Hebrews 11:31 and Joshua 6:22-25 (see also Josh. 2). Rahab is an interesting figure in the Bible. As a non-Israelite and a prostitute, you’d think she would get more negative press than positive. Instead, Rahab is celebrated in both the Old Testament and the New. She is among the few women named here in the Hall of Faith (Heb. 11) and in the genealogy of Jesus (Matt. 1). Rahab stands out as an early convert to the God of Israel, and so she is remembered with favor for her act of courage, even though she is also remembered by her profession. a. What role did Rahab play in helping the Israelite spies when they came to scout out Jericho? What risks did Rahab take in helping them? Why did her actions mean so much to the Israelites? b. Why do you think Rahab was so willing to help the Israelite spies?

• What can we learn from Rahab’s courage and willingness to trust in God? c. Why do you think Rahab continues to be such a revered example of faith in the New Testament?

• What encouragement does it offer us that even though Rahab was remembered for her (less-than-godly) past, she was also remembered as such a great example of faithfulness to God and to God’s people?

Bringing It Home: Moses asked the twelve spies to bring back some fruit of the land, as a down payment on the good things God had in store. What are some things in our own lives that serve as a sampling of God’s future promises and a reminder of God’s goodness? (For example, the Holy Spirit, worship music, beauty of creation)

For Further Reading: Anakim/Anakites and Nephilim (Gen. 6:4; Deut. 2:10-12, 20-21; 9:1-3; Josh. 11:21-22); sin of the Amorites (Gen. 15:13-16); Joshua (Num. 27:12-23; Deut. 31:1-8, 14-23; 34:9; Josh. 1:1-9); the ban/devoted to destruction (Lev. 27:28-29; Deut. 7:17-26; 13:12-18; 1 Sam. 15); Rahab (Matt. 1:5; James 2:25)

Running the Race with Perseverance Amy M. Donaldson

LESSON 8: FAITHFUL JUDGES HEBREWS 11:32A

1. Read Hebrews 11:32 and Judges 6:11-40. The narrative of Hebrews 11 now picks up pace, as the detailed descriptions give way to abbreviated ones, and now they are shortened into mere names and phrases. The sequence continues by listing four of the judges, from the book of Judges. The judges are not necessarily named in order, so Gideon is placed first (although chronologically he came after Barak). Judges 6:1-10 sets the scene for Gideon, in a familiar formula for Judges: the Israelites disobey God, God gives them over to their enemies, then the people cry out to God and he sends a deliverer. In this case, it is the Midianites who are oppressing the Israelites, and Gideon is called to deliver them. a. Not all of the judges have a call narrative, but here (Judg. 6:11-27) Gideon is called in a format that is familiar for other figures, such as Moses and Jeremiah: God calls Gideon; then Gideon responds by recognizing the reasons why he is not the best choice, and he looks for affirmation that God has indeed called him. • What questions and doubts does Gideon express, and what is the response to his questions? (See 6:13-16.)

• What are similar questions and doubts that we might have in our relationship with God? b. Gideon is celebrated in Hebrews for his faith, but he is also infamous for his need for signs. What signs does Gideon ask for, and why? (See 6:17-24, 36-40.)

• What do you think this says about Gideon’s faith and his relationship with God?

• What does this need for signs tell us about the nature of faith, and our own faith? c. Gideon is also known for obediently, and defiantly, tearing down the altar of Baal (6:25-32). The Israelites had turned away from the God who had delivered them from Egypt, and with whom they had made a covenant, to worship other gods. Gideon obeys God’s instruction to tear down the altar, although he does it under cover of darkness. • Why does Gideon operate at night (6:27)? What does his obedience to God, and yet his action at night, say about his faith and his anxieties?

• What do you think we might have in common with Gideon here?

2. Read Judges 7:1-25. Gideon’s first victory is to bring down worship of Baal, but he is called to a greater feat: bringing down the Midianites. a. God takes an interesting approach to this battle, explained in 7:2-3. Why does God reduce the numbers of the Israelite soldiers? How does he do this, and who is sent home?

• God’s strategy of intentionally reducing the numbers of the Israelite army, before heading into battle, is the exact opposite of what might seem logical to us. What does this example tell us about how God sometimes prepares us for the “battles” we face in life? b. Gideon has already asked God for signs and shown his own hesitation. Now, God offers the sign to ease Gideon’s fear (7:9-15). What does God’s willingness to offer Gideon another sign tell us about God and how he interacts with Gideon?

Running the Race with Perseverance Amy M. Donaldson

• What does this tell us about God’s willingness to meet us where we’re at and accommodate our weaknesses and fears? c. Gideon’s story is not all positive, as his success and prosperity become temptations for him (see Judg. 8). Like other judges, he is a hero with flaws, but God still uses him to bring deliverance and peace for the Israelites. Why do you think power and prosperity are such stumbling blocks for humans, often causing us to turn away from our faith or from complete obedience to God?

• What can we learn from Gideon, in spite of his fears and flaws, about God’s ability to use flawed heroes and the role that faith plays in obeying God’s call?

3. Read Judges 4:1-24. In Hebrews 11, Barak alone is listed among the named judges, but in Judges, Barak and Deborah operate as a pair. Deborah is unique as the only female judge in the book of Judges, but her judgeship is also unique in that she is not a military leader. During her term, Barak operates in that position, and so the two of them together fill the role of other individual judges, and both get credit for their military triumph. Chapter 4 presents the prose version of their account, while chapter 5 celebrates this in song. a. How are Deborah and her term as judge described in Judges 4:4-5 (see also 5:7)? How is Deborah similar to or different from Gideon (or other judges)?

• How do you think Deborah’s identity as a prophet affected her service as a judge?

• In what ways is Deborah a positive example for us, in her leadership and in her relationship with God? b. Compare Judges 4:6-9 to the call of Gideon (see above). Here, Barak’s call comes through Deborah. What impression do you get of Barak, and the relationship between Barak and Deborah, in these verses?

• What roles do Deborah, Barak, and God play in the battle that follows (4:12-16)? c. From the context of Judges 4:9, it would seem most likely that the woman who will conquer Sisera is Deborah. However, another woman will claim this final victory: Jael (4:17-22). How does Jael conquer Sisera? What is the result for Barak?

• In light of this conclusion to his battle with Sisera, how does Barak come across in this chapter?

• What does Barak’s example tell us about obedience and humility?

Bringing It Home: Even without us asking for them, God sometimes provides signs for us, to reinforce his word or to show us that he is real or is involved. What are some signs that you have seen as evidence of God’s presence or plan? What are ways that we can keep our eyes and ears open to pay attention to God’s signs?

For Further Reading: cycle of sin and deliverance in Judges (Judges 2:11-23); call narratives (Exodus 3:1-4:17; Isaiah 6:1-13; Jeremiah 1:4-19); signs and faith (Mark 8:11-12; Luke 11:29-32; John 2:23; 4:46-54; 12:37-43); worship of Baal (1 Samuel 7:3-4; 1 Kings 18:17-18; Jeremiah 7:4-11); strength and weakness (1 Corinthians 1:20-31; 2 Corinthians 12:8-10); dangers of power and prosperity (Psalm 62:9-10; Proverbs 11:28; 1 Timothy 6:6-11); judge as adjudicator (Exodus 18:13-23; Deuteronomy 16:18-20); humility (James 4:6-10; 1 Peter 5:5-6)

Running the Race with Perseverance Amy M. Donaldson

LESSON 9: FLAWED JUDGES HEBREWS 11:32B

1. Read Judges 11:1-11, 29-40. The quick list of judges and other faith heroes continues with two more judges: Jephthah and Samson. While the latter is well known, Jephthah is less familiar to most of us. Again, Hebrews 11 lists the pair in reverse order of their appearance in Judges, but we will look at them in their canonical order. a. Jephthah’s story begins with a mixed message: he is a mighty warrior, but his mother is a prostitute (Judg. 11:1). Although the inclusion of Rahab in Hebrews 11 shows that prostitutes could also serve as examples of faith, in this case his parentage puts him at odds with the legitimate children of his father, born to Gilead’s wife. • What kind of relationship did Jephthah have with his half-brothers? How do you think Jephthah might have felt about how they treated him?

• What result does this relationship with his half-brothers have for Jephthah’s life? b. Compared to some other judges, Jephthah is chosen by the people (Judg. 11:5-6) rather than called by God. Yet, Jephthah’s leadership is empowered by God’s Spirit (11:29), and God gives him the victory (11:32). • Why do you think the elders of Gilead wanted Jephthah to return to lead them?

• What does God’s anointing of Jephthah, given his origins and history, tell us about God’s willingness to use anyone for the sake of his purposes? c. It is curious that Jephthah is included in the list in Hebrews 11, given his claim to fame (or infamy). What well-intentioned mistake does Jephthah make in verses 30-31, and what are the results of this (vv. 34-35)?

• How does this vow show his misunderstanding of God’s will and God’s law (for example, see Deut. 18:10)?

• Why do you think that Hebrews 11 includes Jephthah as an example of faith, considering how this story ends?

• What lessons can we learn from Jephthah and his story?

2. Read Judges 13:1-14:20. The way that Samson’s story begins should inspire hope for the reader, since he is a miracle child, to be set apart for God from before birth. But we should also recognize, at this point in the narrative, that things are spiraling downhill. Given the downward progression, we might expect that where Samson ends up will not be as hopeful as where he begins. a. Samson’s birth occurs in a manner that is familiar from other stories, in both the Old and New Testaments. What other mothers are you reminded of when you read the message that Samson’s mother receives (13:2-7)?

• What expectations does this set up for how special this child will be and what God has called him to do?

• What does this experience of an angelic visitation and special pregnancy suggest about Samson’s mother and her faith (see also 13:8-23)? b. Based on the experience of Samson’s parents in chapter 13 and the description of his upbringing in 13:24-25, what do we think Samson will be like as he reaches adulthood?

Running the Race with Perseverance Amy M. Donaldson

• How do Samson’s request and his behavior in 14:1-3, as well as 14:5-9 (see Num. 6:6), seem to contradict our expectations for the young Samson? c. The role of God’s Spirit in Samson’s life is an excellent example of the difference we often see between the Spirit in the Old Testament (which is often a source of raw power that fills and enables people on select occasions) and the Spirit in the New Testament (which is known specifically as holy and as an ongoing companion who empowers healing and preaching and bears fruit such as love, joy, and peace). • How is the Spirit at work in Samson’s life (see 14:6, 19; 15:14; also 13:25)?

• How does this compare to the work that the Holy Spirit does, for example, in the book of Acts (such as Acts 2:4; 4:8; 5:32; 7:55)?

3. Read Judges 16:4-31. Samson begins well but ends in disgrace, his own story following the same pattern as that of the larger book. He also falls into the same trap as the Israelites: doing things his own way, and seeing his success as reason for pride and arrogance rather than humility before God. a. Back in 13:1, the stage is set for Samson’s judgeship, following a familiar pattern: Israel sinned, and God handed them over to the Philistines. We should expect, then, that Samson’s primary role will be to deliver Israel from them. This is what he accomplishes in chapter 15, although his motive has devolved into a personal vendetta. • Verse 20 summarizes that Samson “judged Israel” for twenty years, but Samson was a much different judge than some others before him (such as Deborah). What did Samson accomplish for God’s people, and what (compared to other judges) did he not do for them?

• What does it say about God and his relationship with his people that he continued to send “judges” to liberate the people, despite their repeated sin and despite the imperfect character of the judges? b. Samson is best remembered for his encounters with Delilah. We wonder at his wisdom of continuing to go to her after two ambushes, but this is perhaps another example of his arrogance at believing that he can’t be defeated. • Samson eventually divulges that he is a nazirite (see 13:4-5, 7, 14). What aspects of this vow has he already violated during his life?

• What does it say about Samson’s downward spiral and his character when he loses this last part of his vow? c. Despite Samson’s downward trend, he goes out in a blaze of glory (16:23-31). Although verse 20 says that the Lord left Samson, it is clear from verse 28 that God did not abandon him entirely. Why do you think God honors this final request?

• Despite his personal failings, what successes does Samson have in his life? How is he an example of faith?

Bringing It Home: For Christians, the Holy Spirit is our comforter, encourager, and advocate, who dwells in us as a down payment of God’s presence and our future glory. What fruit of the Spirit (see Gal. 5:22-23) have you most seen evidence of in your own life? How can you bless other people with this fruit?

For Further Reading: vows to God (Deut. 23:21-23; 2 Sam. 15:7-8; Eccl. 5:4-5); miraculous births (1 Sam. 1; Luke 1); nazirites (Num. 6:1-21; 1 Sam. 1:11, 22; Amos 2:11-12; Luke 1:11-17); Philistines (Gen. 10:6-14; Josh. 13:1- 7; Judg. 10:6-9); Spirit in the OT (Exod. 31:1-5; Judg. 3:10; 6:34; 11:29; 1 Sam. 10:6, 9-13; Isa. 11:2; 61:1); gifts of the Spirit (Rom. 12:3-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-11, 27-31); fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23)

Running the Race with Perseverance Amy M. Donaldson

LESSON 10: THE MONARCHY: SAMUEL AND DAVID HEBREWS 11:32C

1. Read 1 Samuel 3:1-21. Samuel represents both a high point and the end of the period of the judges. He was a faithful man, God’s choice to replace Eli and his corrupt household. But Samuel and his sons served as the last judges (1 Sam. 7:3-8:3), because Israel was clamoring for a king. Samuel anointed first Saul and then David to kingship (10:1; 16:13), marking the transition to a new form of leadership—now God would no longer reign over his people directly, but they would reign over themselves, like the other nations (8:4-22). a. Chapter 3 presents Samuel’s call narrative. Like Samson, Samuel had a special calling since birth. His mother, Hannah, was barren, so Samuel was an answer to her prayers (1:19-20). In thanks, she devoted her son to God (1:11, 21-28), so Samuel has been raised in the house of the Lord under the guidance of the priest Eli (2:18-21). • What does verse 1 tell us about the spiritual condition of Israel and its leaders at this time? (See also 2:11-36.)

• We know that Eli’s sons are not obeying God, but what impression do you get of Eli (in chaps. 1-3)? b. The first part of Samuel’s name is related to the verb for “hear.” God has heard Hannah (1:13) and her request (1:20) by answering prayer; now the answer to that prayer hears from God. • What role does hearing or listening (as well as speaking) play in chapter 3? (See also 2:22-25.)

• What does all of this tell us about God, Samuel, and Eli? c. What faith and courage are required of Samuel in this scene?

• How is the end of the chapter (vv. 19-21) different from the beginning (v. 1), and what does that tell us about Samuel’s relationship with God?

• What do you think Samuel learned from his mentor Eli?

• What can we, in turn, learn from Samuel and his relationship with God?

2. Read 1 Samuel 17:12-51. When Israel calls for a king, God fulfills their request by selecting Saul. But when he loses God’s favor due to his disobedience, God chooses another king: David. One of the young David’s classic moments of triumph is his defeat of Goliath. Long before he came to the throne and built up his kingdom, David was a humble young man with the courage and bravado to believe that with God’s help he could take down giants. a. David’s feat stands out, and is celebrated, because of his contrast to the mighty Goliath and the fear of the Israelite mighty men. Goliath is described in verses 4-7 as really big and really well outfitted for battle. • How do the Israelites respond to Goliath and his challenge? (See vv. 11, 24-25.) Why do you think David has a different response? (See vv. 26, 32-37.)

• Another point of contrast in the story is between David and his brothers. How does David fit into the family, and how do his brothers and father treat him? How does David come across differently than his brothers? b. Another layer to this story is David’s interaction with Saul. The contrast between the present and future kings is illustrated when David puts on Saul’s armor (vv. 38-40). How does David come across as different from Saul in this story? What traits does David show here, and what experiences does he gain, that will benefit him as king?

Running the Race with Perseverance Amy M. Donaldson

• When David takes off the armor (v. 39), his contrast with Goliath is complete: Goliath is huge and well-girded; David is humble and bare. David vocalizes their contrast with his brazen words to Goliath (vv. 45-47). What is the basis of the confidence that David voices? Why do you think David is so confident that God will give him the victory over Goliath in this way? c. In our culture, “David vs. Goliath” has become a catch phrase for any showdown between an underdog and a dominant opponent. Why do you think this story has such a wide and lasting appeal, even to people unfamiliar with the Bible? What lessons does this story teach about strength and might?

• What can we learn from David’s courage and faith in this story?

3. Read 2 Samuel 12:1-25. If David’s triumph over Goliath is one of his high points, David’s defeat by his own impulses and power is one of his lowest points. David abuses the power of his position to take Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba, and then David sends Uriah to his death to cover David’s sin. God sends the prophet Nathan to call out David, and David repents (see Ps. 51), but there are still consequences for his sin, as well as redemption and blessing for his repentance. Although David remains the exemplar for all Israelite kings and God remains faithful to his covenant with David’s house, David’s sin is the turning point that marks the downward spiral of his household. a. Nathan’s parable (vv. 1-6) highlights the contrast between the young David as we met him in his encounter with Goliath and David as he is now. How does King David of this chapter compare with David the shepherd boy?

• How does this parable parallel David’s current situation? Why is this strategy such an effective way for Nathan to call out David’s sin?

• What does David learn about God’s anger (vv. 7-12) by first feeling his own anger (vv. 5-6) at Nathan’s account? b. Nathan’s words against David contain both mercy and judgment: God will not kill David or take the throne from him (see 2 Sam. 7), but there will be lasting consequences for David and his entire household. • What examples of humility and repentance do we see in David’s response? (See vv. 16-19.)

• How is God’s provision of another child (vv. 24-25) both an act of forgiveness and a blessing? c. David is celebrated as Israel’s greatest king, and the model for the king that the Messiah was expected to be. • What lessons can we learn from David, both his successes and his failures? What are ways that we can identify with David’s shortcomings and his humanity?

• What does David’s story tell us about God’s faithfulness and God’s forgiveness?

Bringing It Home: Samuel heard from God in an audible way, but this is not the way in which we always experience “hearing from” God. What are ways in which God speaks to you, or has spoken to you in the past? How can we listen attentively to what God is trying to communicate to us?

For Further Reading: cautions about monarchy (Deut. 17:14-20; 1 Sam. 8:10-18); hearing God’s voice (1 Kings 19:1-14; Ps. 95); Saul’s disobedience (1 Sam. 13:2-15; 15:1-35); David’s anointing (1 Sam. 16:1-13); God’s covenant with David (2 Sam. 7:1-17; Ps. 132); confession & repentance (Ps. 51; Joel 2:12-17; 1 John 1:8-9); David and the Messiah (Isa. 9:2-7; 16:1-5; 55:1-5; Matt. 21:1-11; Acts 2:22-36)

Running the Race with Perseverance Amy M. Donaldson

LESSON 11: THE PROPHETS: ELIJAH, JEREMIAH, AND DANIEL HEBREWS 11:32D-38

1. Read Hebrews 11:32-38; 1 Kings 17. After a list of names in Hebrews 11:32, the author mentions “the prophets” and then launches into a list of examples through verse 38. Many of these are general and could apply to multiple people, including some of those already named (such as David, who “through faith conquered kingdoms,” and the judges, who “put foreign armies to flight”). But several of these examples refer to the prophets, and some of the references are specifically identifiable (although not all of the phrases are easily tied to just one person). Here we will look at three prophets who likely are intended in the list or represent the type of things included in the list. a. Elijah was no stranger to the type of persecution in Hebrews 11, since he faced his share of opposition from King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, as well as the priests of Baal. Elijah spent a good deal of time in hiding or on the run, wandering “in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground” (Heb. 11:38; cf. 1 Kings 17:2-6). But Elijah’s faith is best illustrated in his miracles, such as when he provided food for the widow of Zarephath and then restored her son to life (1 Kings 17:8-24; “Women received their dead by resurrection” [Heb. 11:35]). • There are echoes of Elijah’s miracles in both the miracles of his successor Elisha and the later miracles by Jesus. What similarities and differences do you see here between the miracles of Elijah and the miracles of Jesus (for example, feeding the five thousand, turning water into wine, raising Jairus’s daughter)?

• Not all prophets were miracle workers, although prophets were often called to act out “signs” to illustrate God’s word to the people (such as Jeremiah or Ezekiel). For prophets like Elijah and Jesus, what is the relationship between their spoken message and the signs or miracles they perform? What impact do the miracles have on how people receive their message? b. In what ways are Elijah’s miracles here a source of provision not only for the woman but also for Elijah, as part of God’s greater plan? (For example, compare 1 Kings 17:14 to 17:1, 7.)

• How does faith, and trust in God, play a part for Elijah throughout the chapter, including from the beginning, when he declares a drought? c. Why do you think God chooses the widow of Zarephath as the one to host and house Elijah?

• How does the widow show faith and obedience to God by taking in this homeless prophet? How does God reward her faithful obedience?

• What can we learn from both Elijah and the widow in this story, especially about trusting in God’s provision?

2. Read Jeremiah 38:1-28; 39:11-18. Jeremiah was another prophet who knew his share of hardship. Serving much later in Judah’s history, Jeremiah lived and prophesied during the time leading into the Babylonian exile. Not surprisingly, his message (that the Jews were sinning and would suffer the consequences by being defeated by their enemies) was not a popular one, so Jeremiah found himself at odds with the leadership. Jeremiah is a good example of the prophets who “suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment” (Heb. 11:36). a. Jeremiah’s message and the reaction of the officials (38:1-4) highlights what a difficult job the prophets often had, speaking an unpopular message to the people or the leaders. • What kind of faith and fortitude do you think it took for a prophet to fulfill their calling?

• What are some roles or tasks that God calls us to today that require similar faith and fortitude?

Running the Race with Perseverance Amy M. Donaldson

b. Many biblical prophets had a specific relationship with the king (or other leaders); sometimes the prophet was a trusted adviser, and sometimes the prophet was a vocal and abhorred opponent. What is the relationship like here between Jeremiah and King Zedekiah? (See esp. 38:5-6, 14-26.)

• What courage and obedience to God (and to God’s chosen leader) does Jeremiah show in his interaction with Zedekiah? c. In a final note to this story, Ebed-melech (the Ethiopian eunuch) is honored, reminiscent of Rahab long before him. She too was a non-Israelite whose life was spared because of her faithfulness to Israel’s God (Josh. 6:22- 25). Here, Ebed-melech is remembered for his kindness to Jeremiah and his trust in God (Jer. 39:15-18). • How does Ebed-melech display trust in God in his actions toward Jeremiah? (See 38:7-13.)

• What do we learn about God’s justice and mercy in God’s words to the Jews, to Zedekiah, and to Ebed-melech?

3. Read Daniel 6. During the exile arose another prophet, Daniel, who was a respected outsider in a foreign court. The opposition that Daniel and his friends faced was from non-Jewish leaders and officials. By chapter 6, Daniel’s friends have already survived the fiery furnace (Dan. 3). Now Daniel undergoes another trial, where he is left as fodder for hungry lions, but God sends an angel to “shut the mouths of lions” (Heb. 11:33; see Dan. 6:22). a. How is Daniel perceived by both the leadership and his opponents, and why?

• What plot do his opponents devise against Daniel? How does the plot eventually backfire? b. In what ways does Daniel remain faithful to God and his own Jewish identity, regardless of the consequences? How does this earn him further respect?

• In our own lives, how does our commitment to God sometimes earn us the respect of non-Christians? c. God does a miracle in saving Daniel from the lions, but perhaps the greater miracle is the witness to the king and the decree he sends out, praising Daniel’s God. Daniel’s faithfulness to God ultimately becomes an opportunity for God to testify to his own faithfulness to Daniel. • Why do you think the king was so deeply impacted by Daniel and by this miracle? How do you think the people around the kingdom would have reacted to his decree (6:25-27)?

• What can we learn from Daniel’s example of staying true to God even in the face of opposition?

Bringing It Home: Although God’s protection of Daniel from the lions makes for a great story, God doesn’t promise to always protect us from every harm. The fact that the word “martyr” literally means “witness” shows that even when God does not prevent our physical suffering or harm, our faithfulness to God is still a testimony to others. How can even our suffering and weakness be a testimony to others of God’s goodness and grace?

For Further Reading: miracles of Elijah (1 Kings 17-18; 2 Kings 1), Elisha (2 Kings 2-6), and Jesus (Mark 5:21-43; 6:30-44; Luke 7:11-17; John 2:1-11); prophetic signs (Jer. 32; Ezek. 4; Hosea 1-4); Jeremiah’s calling and complaints (Jer. 1:4-19; 12:1-4; 15:10-21); prophet and king (2 Sam. 7; 12; 2 Kings 18-20; Amos 7:10-17); foreign eunuchs (Isa. 56:3-8; Acts 8:26-40); persecution (Matt. 5:10-12; 24:9-14; John 15:18-27)

Running the Race with Perseverance Amy M. Donaldson

LESSON 12: THE FINISH LINE: JESUS, OUR PIONEER AND PERFECTER HEBREWS 12:1-3

1. Read Hebrews 12:1-3. The list of the faithful in chapter 11 culminates in the ultimate example of faith: Jesus himself. Jesus has gone before us to show the way, and he brings us to the finish line. The goal for all the saints, as chapter 11 has concluded, is to arrive at the finish line together, to receive the prize that Jesus has prepared for us. a. Chapter 12 continues from the final verses of chapter 11, which says that although all the figures of faith “were commended for their faith,” they still awaited the ultimate promise, “something better” (11:39-40). • What aspects or examples of faith from chapter 11 are the most commendable? What overall lessons should we take with us about what faith is and how to live by faith?

• Hebrews 12:1 describes the saints listed in the previous chapter as a “cloud of witnesses.” In what ways were these examples of faith “witnesses” to God? How can we also be witnesses to Christ through our faith? b. The author of Hebrews encourages us, based on this mass testimony, to set aside every weight that burdens us and every sin that entangles us. The imagery then moves into that of a race. • How would a weight or a snare hold back a runner from running well? How does sin function as a weight and snare or stumbling block for us in our faith journey?

• Besides sin, what other weights or obstacles can make it difficult for us to succeed in living by faith? What are ways that we can lay aside these burdens? c. Verse 1 continues with the exhortation to perseverance that was voiced in 10:36, before the list of the faithful. Here, the perseverance, or endurance, is in the context of a race. • How is endurance required for a long-distance race? How does a runner build up that endurance?

• What are ways that we build up our endurance for the long-distance race of our faith life?

• The word for “race” here is actually most commonly translated “contest” or “struggle” (see 1 Tim. 6:12; 2 Tim. 4:7). This term suggests that this race is more than just a nice jog. It is a challenge, with opposition. In what ways is the spiritual life a struggle or wrestling match? If it is a competitive race, who or what are we competing against, and what is the prize we strive for?

• How can competition bring out the best in us or provide a source of motivation, both in sports/games and in life?

2. The image of the race carries us into the example of Jesus, our “pioneer” (or “author”) and “perfecter” (12:2). The idea of Jesus as our pioneer was introduced earlier, in chapter 2. Through his humanity, Jesus became our brother to share in all things with us. As Jesus died to free us from slavery to death, he became “the pioneer of [our] salvation,” and he was made perfect through his sufferings (2:10; see also 5:9; 7:28). We are also made perfect (or “complete/mature”) through the sacrifice of Jesus himself (10:14; 12:23; see also 11:40). a. What are ways in which Jesus has pioneered the way for us, running the race ahead of us and leading the way?

• What does it mean (here or elsewhere in Hebrews) that Jesus “perfects” us?

• Instead of telling us to fix our attention on the finish line or the prize, the author of Hebrews says to fix our eyes on Jesus. How will fixing our attention on Jesus help us to endure and run the race well?

Running the Race with Perseverance Amy M. Donaldson b. The second half of verse 2 tells us why and how Jesus ran the race of this life, and the reward he received for finishing the race. • What is the “joy” that was set before Jesus? How was this a motivation for him to endure crucifixion?

• Just as we are called to endure (v. 1), Jesus also endured: he endured the cross, dying the death of a prisoner and convicted rebel, yet disregarding the shame of this death. How is Jesus’s suffering, and his crucifixion, an example and inspiration for us as we endure our own challenges? c. Hebrews makes several mentions of God’s throne, reminding us throughout the book that the same Jesus who became our brother and suffered in every way we do, who served as our High Priest and our sacrifice, is also currently seated at God’s right hand (1:3; 8:1; 10:12; see also 1:8, 13; 2:17; 4:16; 5:8-10). • What does this tell us about Jesus, that he is seated at the right hand of God’s throne?

• How does this reminder that Jesus is seated next to God’s throne help us in our prayer life? (See 4:14-16.)

3. The theme of endurance continues in verse 3: Jesus has endured the hostility (or opposition) of sinners. But endurance appears again in the next section, in verse 7, where we are called to endure God’s discipline, which is a mark that we are children of God. Thus, the challenges that must be endured come from various sources: sometimes from other people, in their mistakes or ill intentions, and sometimes from God as a corrective or lesson. a. What is the “hostility of sinners” that Jesus endured? What are some ways that we encounter hostility or opposition as Christians?

• How can Jesus’s example and teachings help us endure the opposition that we face because of our faith in him? b. Hebrews says that based on Jesus’s example, we should “not grow weary or lose heart.” In the context of running a race, “grow weary” describes fatigue or growing faint, while “lose heart” describes growing weak in one’s soul or spirit. We could therefore phrase this as “grow faint in body or soul.” • What are ways in which the long course of our faith journey can take its toll on us physically or spiritually, especially if we face opposition along the way?

• What are sources of strength and inspiration to help us when we’re feeling weary or losing heart? c. After discussing God’s discipline, this section wraps up with an encouragement to “lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet” (12:12-13)—good advice for a runner. • What kind of training should we go through as Christians to prepare us for the long race we’re running?

• How does God’s guidance, and sometimes correction, strengthen us for the challenges that lie ahead?

Bringing It Home: Marathon runners often have a support team who help them train, cheer them on, or provide water and aid along their route. Who do you consider to be your support team, those who build up your faith, encourage you, and refresh or help you? How can you also be a support to others in their faith journey?

For Further Reading: witnesses (Matt. 24:14; Luke 21:12-15; Acts 1:6-8); stumbling blocks (Matt. 18:1-7; Rom. 14:10-13); running a race (1 Cor. 9:24-27; Phil. 2:16; 2 Tim. 4:7-8); Jesus as pioneer/author (Acts 3:15; 5:31); joy (John 16:16-24; Gal. 5:22-23; James 1:2-4; 1 Pet. 1:3-9); Jesus at God’s right hand (Acts 2:33; 7:55-56; Rom. 8:34; Eph. 1:20; Col. 3:1; 1 Pet. 3:22); God’s throne (Ps. 9:7; 11:4; Isa. 6:1-3; Matt. 25:31-33; Rev. 4); weariness (Isa. 40:28-31; Matt. 11:28-30); discipline (Deut. 8:5-6; Prov. 3:11-12; Heb. 12:5-11; Rev. 3:15-20)

Running the Race with Perseverance Amy M. Donaldson

Epilogue

Congratulations! You’ve made it to the finish line! (Of this study, anyway.) As we complete this study but continue to run the race of life, and our faith, with perseverance, I encourage you to consider that Hebrews 11 is an open-ended list. As the author runs out of space and begins to compile simply names and situations, the list essentially ends in an ellipsis—an ellipsis that we live in today. Like the heroes of Hebrews 11, we too await “something better,” that heavenly city, that final prize, which we will all receive together. And like the heroes of Hebrews 11, we too are flawed in our faith: we try our best to be faithful to God, but we stumble at times over our own doubts and fears. In this sense, our own names could be added to this list, as people who cling to God’s unseen promises and rely on God’s faithfulness to get us through our own imperfectly run race. As your name is added to this list of the faithful, how will your verse read?

“By faith, ... ”