During the weekend message, we were reminded that Hebrews 12 describes the Christian life as the race of faith. Whether we realize it or not, if we have placed our faith in Christ, we have qualified to run the race. The question is, how are we participating in the race? Are we on the sidelines, or are we running the race with full abandon, doing everything we can to know Christ and to make Him known, committed to being fully devoted followers of Christ?
When did you last run a race? What was the result?
WATCH SERMON RECAP HERE
1. Read Hebrews 12:1. How can we run the race of faith well, according to this passage of Scripture?
Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
2. Read Revelation 3:15-20, a warning to a church in Laodicea from Jesus. What was the church of Laodicea’s biggest hindrance to running the race of faith well, according to this passage of Scripture? Was there still hope for them as they ran the race of faith? Why or why not?
Revelation 3:15-20
“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! 17 You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 18 So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. 19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. 20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.
3. Read Hebrews 12:2-3. How does keeping our eyes on Jesus help us persevere as we run the race of faith?
Hebrews 12:2-3
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.
4. Why did Jesus, our ultimate example as we run the race of faith, persevere?
1. What common obstacles hold people back from running their race of faith well?
2. How do we today keep our eyes on Jesus as we run the race of faith?
3. When it comes to running your race of faith, how are you running? (Have you been on the sidelines, are you walking, are you running?)
What is one way you can focus on keeping your eyes on Jesus this week? Maybe you commit to spending time with Him through prayer or Scripture reading. Maybe you can focus on memorizing Scripture. Maybe you can share your faith with someone who needs the hope of Christ. Whatever it looks like to you, share that step with your group and commit to taking that step this week.
Every good athlete prepares for and runs their race strategically. During the weekend message, we were reminded of three strategies to focus on as we run the race of faith: Run, throw off the weight of sin, and have the end in mind. For the next few minutes, dive into Scripture to see what it teaches us about these key strategies, and discuss them with your group.
The first key strategy that comes straight from Scripture is “Run!” Of course, if we want to run the race of faith well, we have to run! We cannot sit on the sidelines, walk, or even jog. We have to run, and we have to run as best as we can, holding nothing back. We have to run our races with excellence, doing our best to honor God in all that we do.
1. Read Colossians 3:23-24.
Colossians 3:23-24
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 24 Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.
2. How does this passage of Scripture call us to run our races?
3. What is our motivation for running our race of faith with excellence?
4. Who do you know who is running their race of faith excellently, and how can you learn from their example?
When it comes to running the race of faith well, we have to think about what slows us down as we do our best to run it. At the top of the list of things that slow us down and weigh us down is sin. You see, sin keeps us distracted, slows our pace, and even takes us off course if we let it. If we want to run the race of faith well, we have to, as Hebrews 12:1 says, “strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.”
1. Read Proverbs 28:13.
Proverbs 28:13
People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.
2. Compare the two different people described in this passage of Scripture.
3. How might sin impact the race of faith that we are on?
4. How has sin specifically impacted your race, whether in the past or the present?
In any race, we grow more tired and weary with each mile we cover. In the moments when we feel weary, we have to remember our goal, whether our goal is to win the prize at the finish line or simply to prove to ourselves that we are capable of running the race. The same is true in our race of faith. We will, at times, feel weary and tired as we run the race. Like any athlete, we have to focus on our goal, the prize at the end of the finish line, for motivation to keep going.
1. Read Philippians 3:13-14.
Philippians 3:13-14
No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
2. What is the “eternal prize” that Paul focused on in this passage of Scripture?
3. What is distracting you today from focusing on the “eternal prize?”
4. How does focusing on the end, or the “eternal prize,” motivate you to keep going as you run the race of faith?
Based on the three key strategies to running the race of faith, what is one step you can take this week to run your race well? Share that step with your group and commit to taking it this week. After everyone has shared, pray together. Ask God to help each one of you as you commit to running the race of faith well.
©2026 Sagebrush Church
