Hebrews 12:5-11 - handout

Hebrews 12:5-11- And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Look at verse 5. You have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons and daughters of the Lord Jesus Christ.

In seasons of discipline or hardship, what truths about your identity in Christ are easiest to forget—and which ones are most helpful to keep running the race? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Why is it often difficult to interpret correction or hardship as love, and how does viewing God as a loving Father reshape the way we endure discipline? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DISCIPLINE is used to grow our maturity, to refine us, to develop us, to bring us into deeper holiness. The wide meaning of this word is to train, correct, cultivate and educate a child. In addition to discipline being repeated, son or sonship occurs six times. Let’s look through the nine uses of DISCIPLINE, include reprove and chastise.

Look at verses 7-8. It is impossible to be a son or daughter without discipline in our lives.

How have you seen God use discipline—training, correction, cultivation or education—to deepen your relationship with Him or mature your faith? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Look at verse 9. Discipline strengthens my submission to the Lord, reinforces the race set before me and unites my heart with God’s heart. When the Lord gives training, correction, cultivation or education, it is always in our best interest to run the race, how are we growing in holiness, and how do we give God more glory with our life.

What does submission to God look like for you in the middle of discipline, and how can recognizing His involvement in your life strengthen your trust in Him? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Look at verse 11. Discipline yields righteousness in my life. Progress always leads to more progress when we believe more progress is possible. We know our progress is the right type of progress when the peaceful fruit of righteousness is present.

Looking back, can you identify a season where God used difficulty to produce righteousness or growth in your life? How does that perspective give you hope in your current race? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________