Main Point: Perspective fuels endurance.

Questions:

1. What impacted you from the message this weekend? What challenged you or encouraged you? What did you learn about perspective and endurance?

2. How does the example of a race help Christians to understand the way we live out our faith during the difficulties of life?

3. Read Hebrews 12:1. What is the “Therefore” there for? How the writer of Hebrews connect this verse to the previous section? What does it mean that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses?

4. What is the difference between getting rid of things in our lives that hinder faith, and sin that trips us up? Are there things that distract you from what is truly important in life?

5. Read Hebrews 12:2. Human examples are important, but Jesus is our ultimate example. What does it mean that He is the pioneer and perfecter of faith?

6. What does it mean that Jesus scorned the shame of the cross? What is the basis of Jesus’ joy that allowed him to endure the cross? How does this provide an example for Christ followers when we have trouble in life?

7. Read Hebrews 12:3. Can you think of time in your journey with Christ when you felt weary, or you lost heart? What did that feel like? How does the example of Jesus provide perspective and strength in dealing with opposition and difficulty?

8. What is one thing you can do this week to put into practice what you learned in this message?