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Jesus and Our Perseverance

1. CONNECT

   10min
   In our previous sessions, we've seen two themes that are repeated in every major portion of the book of Hebrews: how Jesus brings the last days and how Jesus fulfills the Old Testament. Now we turn to a third theme that is repeated throughout the book: the author's exhortations to persevere. We'll see the various ways this book motivates followers of Christ to remain faithful during difficult times.

2. Reflection

   The call to persevere in the Christian faith is a crucial theme of Hebrews. For example, in Hebrews 12:12 the author wrote, "Lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees." Christians often go to extremes when it comes to our need to persevere in following Christ. Some sincere believers say that we never need to put any effort into remaining faithful because salvation is all by God's grace. Other sincere Christians say that we must work to remain faithful because we can lose our salvation if we don't. The exhortations to perseverance that appear throughout the book of Hebrews help us avoid these extremes.

3. Guiding Question

   What kinds of exhortations have helped you persevere in your service to Christ during difficult times?

4. WATCH

   15min

5. DISCUSS

   15min
   1. Look at the exhortations from Hebrews in the following chart, and determine if they focus more on our emotional (How should we feel?), conceptual (What should we believe?) or behavioral (How should we act?) perseverance in the Christian faith. What does this range of exhortations tell you about the breadth and depth of a true believer's devotion to Christ?

   Exhortation	Emotional (feelings)	Conceptual (beliefs)	Behavioral (actions)
   3:8,15 "do not harden your hearts"
   10:35 "do not throw away your confidence"
   3:13 "let us encourage one another"
   2:1 "we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard"
   6:1 "leave the elementary teachings about Christ"
   13:4 "let the marriage bed be undefiled"
   13:1 "show hospitality to strangers"

   2. Look at the exhortations in the following chart and classify them as positive (offering God's blessings) or negative (threatening God's judgment). Why are both kinds of motivations important in the Christian life?

   Exhortation	Positive (blessings)	Negative (judgment)
   10:35 "Do not throw away your confidence, it will be richly rewarded."
   2:3 "How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?"
   13:16 "Share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."
   10:30 "The Lord will judge his people."

6. APPLY

   15min
   1. Before today's session, what was your response to the warnings against apostasy in the book of Hebrews (see Hebrews 6:4-6)? 2. True believers cannot lose their salvation. Yet, there is a crucial difference between those who profess faith in Christ (the "visible church") and true believers who have saving faith in Christ (the "invisible church"). How does this distinction help us understand why the book of Hebrews warns against apostasy? How does 1 John 2:19 help us understand the true spiritual condition of those who only profess faith in Christ and later turn away from him? 3. How does knowing that true believers cannot lose their salvation motivate you to remain faithful to Christ?

7. CHALLENGE

   Recommended reading: Heb 6:1-12; 1 John 2 This week, pay special attention to how your perseverance in the Christian faith needs to include your emotions, concepts and behaviors. Also, consider what impact the offers of God's blessings and the threats of God's judgments in the Scriptures have had on you. Finish with a time of prayer.