Nov. 21 | Discovery

Study Questions for Groups

By Michael C. Mack

1. How specifically did you step up in your faith or forward toward leading others last week?

2. Over the past week, how did God provide you with the faith and/or patience you needed?

Ask two people to read aloud Hebrews 10:19-39 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Then ask a third person to provide a summary of the passage.

3. How does this passage as a whole encourage you to persevere in your faith?

4. Let’s dig deeper:

• Why can we have confidence (boldness) to come into God’s presence?

• What reasons do you see in this passage to persevere in your faith?

• How can we as a community of Christ followers be involved in helping one another to keep going?

• How does baptism provide us with assurance and perseverance?

• Several sentences begin with the words “Let us” (in the New International Version). What do these imperative statements encourage us to do as we persevere in our faith?

• What warnings are given to believers for persevering in our faith?

• What challenges and encouragements are given to help us keep going?

• How can remembering times of suffering and persecution help us to persevere in our faith?

• How can maintaining a Christian worldview help us to persevere in the face of difficult circumstances? (See especially vv. 32-39.)

• What promises are given to those who believe and keep going in their faith?

5. What do you learn about God from this passage?

6. What do you learn about people?

7. Choose one of the following three imperatives from this passage that you will focus on obeying this week:

                  • Draw near to God

                  • Hold unswervingly to the hope you profess

                  • Spur on others toward love and good deeds, encouraging them

What specific actions will you take this week to obey this message to you from God’s Word?          

8. How might persevering in your faith provide opportunities for you to share the gospel (vv. 19-20) with others?

9. Based on our study and discussion, complete this sentence: “This week, I will . . .”

10. This week, as you reflect on the promises and encouragements (and even the warnings) from this passage, for what will you give God thanks?

For Next Week: Read and reflect on Hebrews 11:1-6, 30-40; 12:1-3 as we continue studying faith in the book of Hebrews. You can also read next week’s supplemental texts as well as the Study and Application sections as part of your personal study.