“Help to Run Home: The Example, Training, and Enablement for Endurance” — Pastor Daniel Viezbicke
Kernel
God shows that he’s able to help Christians run the race of endurance – by example, by training, and by power to actually run. In this we see our Trinitarian God: Christ is our example, the Father is our trainer in his disciplinary work, and the Spirit as enabler to shape our desires and actions. All of his work propels us joyfully and enduringly toward home.
Sermon Outline
Help to Run Home: The Example, Training, and Enablement for Endurance
Hebrews 12:3-17
Introduction: Runners Who Run Well
1. The Son as Our Example of Endurance (vv. 3–4)
2. The Father as Our Trainer for Endurance (vv. 5–11)
3. The Spirit-Enabled Call to Endurance (vv. 12–17)
Conclusion: The Destination in the Distance
SCC Kids
1. Read Hebrews 12:1–4. Do you have someone you want to be like when you grow up? Answers will vary. Teacher can then explain that Jesus is our example of who were supposed to "grow up" to be like.
2. What was Jesus like? Answers will vary but teacher can lean into the descriptions in this passage.
3. Read Hebrews 12:5–11. Do you know what a trainer is? Who is someone who has trained you? Explain that the Father is like our trainer... he disciplines us like a good Father to help us be trained for the race ahead.
4. Read Hebrews 12:12–17. Running a race means we have to make sure we're healthy. God helps us be healthy by pursuing peace with people and holiness towards God. Teacher can explain what each of those mean.
5. Esau is a bad example in our passage of someone who didn't run the race well. Teacher can talk a little about this. What does someone's life look like when they're not following Jesus? Answers will vary.
