Suffering Glory—Shadows of the Good to Come

Hebrews 12:1-13

Trish Haq

June 9, 2024

With a friend, your family or in your small group, discuss the following questions:

1. Reflect together on the meaning of the word “discipline”. What thoughts, images, and ideas come to mind as you think about this word?
2. Hebrews 12 talks about discipline in the context of a parent-child relationship. Take some time to reflect on how you were parented, and if applicable, how you parent your own children. What did discipline look like in your family growing up? If applicable, what has it looked like in the way you are or have raised your own children?
3. Read Hebrews 12:1-13. What thoughts, words, or ideas stand out to you? What do you find meaningful? What questions do you have?
4. What do you think about the idea presented in verse 4, to ‘endure hardship as discipline’. What meaning do you make of the connection between hardship and God’s discipline? What challenges or questions does this raise for you?
5. Discuss verses 4-11, and what it means that the Lord disciplines those he loves.
6. Reflect together on challenging seasons that you each have been through (or are going through). Are there ways that you can see God has used (or is using) that painful season to shape and form you towards greater maturity and holiness?
7. Hebrews instructs readers: “ run with perseverance the race marked out for us” and “strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees”. In what ways is it difficult to persevere through hardship? What can help to deepen our commitment and strengthen our ability to follow Jesus through difficult times?
8. Hebrews 12:3 says to “consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lost heart” How can looking to Jesus and remembering the cross (both his suffering and his triumph) help us not to lose heart?
9. Is there a struggle, hardship, or painful reality in your life right now that you are persevering through? Is there anything your community (family, friends, or small group) can do to help you strengthen your ability to endure?

Pray for each other out of the points discussed. Give thanks together for the ways that you have experienced the formational work of God’s discipline through seasons of suffering in your lives. Pray for one another especially for the hardships that you are currently facing, that you would have the strength to persevere, and to cooperate and participate in the training that God desires for you in this season.