1. F L E S H I NG O U T Y O U R FAITH A STUDY IN HEBREWS Practicing Courageous Endurance 10:19-36, 39

2. Marc Horowitz

3. F L E S H I NG O U T Y O U R FAITH Do you think that it is a basic need of everyone, to reach out and connect with somebody?

4. F L E S H I NG O U T Y O U R FAITH The total number of Americans who attend weekly worship services has declined from about 40 percent in the 1960s to around 25 percent now. U.S. News & World Report (4-19-04)

6. What impossible things has God done in your life? What impossible things has God done in or through your Adult Bible Fellowship? How do fellow Christians help you endure trials and tribulations? F L E S H I NG O U T Y O U R FAITH

8. DISCUSSION GUIDE 1.Outline (Hebrews 10:19-25) and list the examples of how believers can have confidence. a. (v. 19) We can come before God through the sacrifice of Christ b. (v. 20)Christ is the new and living way c. (v. 21) Christ is our great priest d. (v. 22)We can have full assurance of our faith

9. DISCUSSION GUIDE 1.Outline (Hebrews 10:19-25) and list the examples of how believers can have confidence. e. (v. 22)We have forgiveness of sin f. (v. 23)We do not have to doubt because Christ is faithful g. (v. 24)We can live in community with one another h. (v. 25)Encourage one another about the coming of Christ

10. DISCUSSION GUIDE 2.What is the 4-step process for “drawing near” to God in (v. 22)? a. We should be sincere b. We should believe and have assurance c. We should be without guilt d. We should come with the integrity we professed when we were baptized

11. DISCUSSION GUIDE 3.“Drawing near” is in the present tense and should be a continual daily occurrence. How near are you to God right now?

12. DISCUSSION GUIDE 4.When the trials and tribulations of life come at you how can you “hold fast” according to (v. 23)? Because God has promised to be with you and He is faithful no matter what

13. DISCUSSION GUIDE 5.In (v. 24) we are urged to help one another live lives of love and good deeds, how does this happen in the context of your Adult Bible Fellowship?

14. DISCUSSION GUIDE 6. According to (v. 25) is corporate worship optional for a Christian? Absolutely not! It is imperative

15. 7.Is participating in corporate worship all that is necessary? DISCUSSION GUIDE No. You cannot stimulate and encourage one another if you do not connect with others in a small group

16. 8. In (v. 26) the writer includes himself in the warning when he uses the word “we”, why? DISCUSSION GUIDE Because he is writing to Hebrew Christians and he is putting himself in the same boat

17. F L E S H I NG O U T Y O U R FAITH 9. What is the warning issued? To go on sinning deliberately even after knowing the truth results in one living with the consequences of his sin. The author was not concerned that they would lose their salvation but that they would lose their reward/inheritance

18. 10. The author’s use of the term “fire” did not refer to hell fire, it referred to the purifying fire that prepares a believer for holiness. Look up the following passages to identify similar examples. a. (John 15:6)Not abiding in Christ is compared to a branch cast into fire b. (1 Cor. 3:11-15)Works will be judged, some will stand, some will be consumed with fire c. (1 Peter 1:6-9)Tests will come but faithfulness will be rewarded

19. F L E S H I NG O U T Y O U R FAITH 11. What are the 3 actions to avoid as laid out in (v. 29)? a. To trample the Son of God underfoot. This means to spurn His right to govern your life. b. To treat as trivial the blood of Christ. This means to insist that religious practices aught to satisfy God. c. To insult the Spirit of Grace. To reject the work of the Holy Spirit.

20. F L E S H I NG O U T Y O U R FAITH 12. Why is it terrifying for a backsliding believer to “fall into the hands of the living God”? (v. 31) Because God is holy and just and will judge everyone

21. F L E S H I NG O U T Y O U R FAITH 13. The writer is not giving up on the Hebrew believers but encourages them to practice “courageous endurance”. How? (vs. 32-36, 39) a. (v. 32)Remembering when they first believed b. (v. 33)Remembering When they suffered for Christ c. (v. 34)Visited those in prison for their faith

22. F L E S H I NG O U T Y O U R FAITH 13. The writer is not giving up on the Hebrew believers but encourages them to practice “courageous endurance”. How? (vs. 32-36, 39) d. (v. 34)Felt joy for losing earthly possessions knowing of heavenly reward e. (v. 35)Not throwing away their confidence f. (v. 36)Keep doing the will of God g. (v. 39)Do not look back but press on in faith

23. PRACTICING COURAGEOUS ENDURANCE  Prayer  Promises  People  Profession  Persistence  Protection

25. F L E S H I NG O U T Y O U R FAITH “Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but to turn it into glory.” William Barclay