RUN THE RACE

Hard to believe that SCHOOL starts for most you in less than three weeks! Like this weekend, tons of people will be back to school shopping, and things will be crazy!

In just a few days, yall will be getting your things together, looking over your courses - talking to your friends about the year, and doing everything to get ready.

Tonight, I want us to talk about how you are going to live out your faith through the school year and why that matters.

Hebrews 12:1-2 says the following:

Hebrews 12:1–2 CSB

1 Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

What do you think the writer of Hebrews means when He says to lay aside every hinderance and the sin that so easily ensnares us?

What are some things that can be a hinderance to you as you live out your faith this year?

What are some practical ways we can 'lay aside every hindrance' as we start this school year?

How can we draw strength from Jesus' endurance when facing challenges at school?

In what ways can you actively live out your faith among your peers this school year?

What does it mean to 'keep our eyes on Jesus' in the context of our daily lives?The writer of Hebrews, who we don’t know by the way, is writing to a group of Jewish Christians, which is why the book is called Hebrews, to encourage them to stay strong in their faith. To not give up, but to press on.

I love the idea of running. The writer is not literally telling them to run some sort of a race (Have fun with this). He is telling to keep on. To push forward. The devil wants you to look back - at the past, at your mistakes. He wants you to trip up through temptations, doubts, and discouragements. The writer is saying “DON’T!” He is telling us to not give up, but to keep on. And do you know why?

Because of Jesus. What does he say about Jesus in verse 2? He says that Jesus is the pioneer and perfector of our faith.

7. What is a pioneer?

It is someone who goes before a group or party to make a pathway. Whether it is to navigate the unknown or to create a path for people to follow. That’s what Jesus does. He goes with us and He creates that path that we are to go. And Jesus knows about hardship.

8. What does the rest of it say about Jesus in verse 2?

9. What does the phrase 'endured the cross, despising the shame' teach us about facing our own struggles?

10 . Reflecting on Jesus as the pioneer of our faith, how can you actively trust Him to help you navigate difficult situations this upcoming year?

So as you get ready for School, keep your faith in mind. Make it the number 1 priority. That you are going to keep living for Christ no matter what, because you know that Christ is with you. No matter how challenging it will be, no matter how difficult, Christ is with you.