A Faithful Life
August 10
Think About It …
• What kinds of things would make you say or
think, “I cannot continue this another day”?
• Today we look at how God enables us to hold
on!
• God gives us resources that help us stay strong
Listen for reasons why Jesus is able to
help us.
Hebrews 2:14-18 (NIV) Since the children have
flesh and blood, he too shared in their
humanity so that by his death he might
destroy him who holds the power of death-that is, the devil-- [15] and free those who all
their lives were held in slavery by their fear of
death. [16] For surely it is not angels he helps,
but Abraham's descendants.
Listen for reasons why Jesus is able to
help us.
[17] For this reason he had to be made like his
brothers in every way, in order that he might
become a merciful and faithful high priest in
service to God, and that he might make
atonement for the sins of the people. [18]
Because he himself suffered when he was
tempted, he is able to help those who are
being tempted.
My Helper
• What facts to you learn about Jesus that
assure you of His help?
• Why is someone who’s “been there and done
that” better able to help you get through a
struggle?
• In what sense was Jesus “being there and
doing that,” facing the same struggles we do?
My Helper
• Note: Jesus did not face exactly the same
temptations (i.e. internet porno)
– But He would have been tempted for the same
type of temptation – indulging physical desires
• Consider various kinds of struggles and fears –
how can talking to Jesus (who’s been there
and done that) make a difference in your life?
My Helper
• Why do people in general have a fear of
death?
• How might that fear enslave someone?
• How does Jesus provide freedom from this
kind of enslaving fear?
Listen for a contrast between Moses
and Christ.
Hebrews 3:1 (NIV) Therefore, holy brothers, who
share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts
on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom
we confess … [5] Moses was faithful as a
servant in all God's house, testifying to what
would be said in the future. [6] But Christ is
faithful as a son over God's house. And we are
his house, if we hold on to our courage and
the hope of which we boast.
My Calling
• What additional facts do we learn about Jesus
in this passage?
• The writer speaks of a “heavenly calling” …
how would you describe a heavenly calling?
• In a practical sense, how does having a
“heavenly calling” impact the way you live on
earth?
My Calling
• What about being part of God’s household …
how do we demonstrate that we are members
of God’s household?
• What are some of the distractions that keep
you from fixing your thoughts on Christ?
• Why is it important for us to “consider” or fix
our thoughts on Jesus, our apostle and high
priest?
Listen for things that can happen when we
don’t pay attention to what God says.
Hebrews 3:7-11 (NIV) So, as the Holy Spirit says:
"Today, if you hear his voice, [8] do not harden
your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the
time of testing in the desert, [9] where your
fathers tested and tried me and for forty years
saw what I did. [10] That is why I was angry with
that generation, and I said, 'Their hearts are
always going astray, and they have not known my
ways.' [11] So I declared on oath in my anger,
'They shall never enter my rest.' "
My Bible
• What mistakes did the people in these verses
make?
• What happened to the Children of Israel when
they hardened their hearts to God’s direction?
• Why do you think Scripture tells us about
failures of God’s people, not just victories?
• One of the ways God speaks to us today is
through His Word. How can you avoid
hardening your heart against God’s voice?
Listen for warnings and exhortations in
this passage.
Hebrews 3:12-14 (NIV) See to it, brothers, that
none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart
that turns away from the living God. [13] But
encourage one another daily, as long as it is
called Today, so that none of you may be
hardened by sin's deceitfulness. [14] We have
come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till
the end the confidence we had at first.
My Church
• What instructions does the writer give to
believers here?
• Why do we need other Christians as we live
out our faith ?
• In what ways can we encourage each other
daily?
• How do these things help us avoid sin’s
deception?
Application
• Be aware of the resources God provides for
our faithful living
– Jesus living within our hearts
– The knowledge of our calling
– God’s Word
Depend on these
– Fellow believers, the church resources, specifically
asking for God's
provision.
Application
• Remember that Jesus became flesh and blood,
a human so that He can help us
– He experienced the same kinds of struggles as we
do
– He overcame not only life’s problems, but sin and
death
– Thank Him today for liberation from sin, death,
and the Devil
Application
• The Bible is the Spirit inspired words from God
– Listen for God’s voice as you read God’s Truth daily
– Pay attention to what God is saying
– God’s Word addresses our hearts … be careful not
to resist God’s words
– Avoid hardening your heart when God speaks to
you
Application
• Determine this week fix your thoughts on
Jesus
– Talk to Him in prayer
– Tell Him your joys, your disappointments
– Set aside specific times to listen to and talk to God
A Faithful Life
August 10