Unit 3: Faith Gives Us Hope
A Persevering Faith | Bible Background • HEBREWS 10:19–39 | Printed Text • HEBREWS 10:23–36 | Devotional Reading • PSALM 40:1–13
AIM FOR CHANGE
By the end of this lesson, we will EXPLORE the stories of early believers who suffered for the sake of their faith, LONG for the courage to endure suffering as a result of our faithful witness, and SHARE in the suffering of Christians around the world.
IN FOCUS
Anthony and Sharita had dated for one year and been friends for eight. They had had their ups and downs in their relationship. Some bad decisions from Sharita’s past kept coming back to bite her, it seemed. But with prayer and heartfelt changes, they would work through the troubles as they came.
One Saturday, Anthony met with Mr. Williams, Sharita’s father. Anthony said to him, “May I have your permission to ask Sharita to marry me? I love and respect your daughter and want to make her my partner for life. She is my blessing from God!”
Mr. Williams thought for a moment and smiled. “You have my permission, Anthony,” he said. “Let’s pray for you and Sharita’s life together.”
One evening as Anthony and Sharita walked through the park, Anthony knelt on one knee and proposed. Sharita was speechless. As tears ran down her cheeks, she said, “I have made too many mistakes in my life. You can’t truly love me, because I have not forgiven myself. I don’t deserve a life with you. I love you, but I can’t marry you!”
As Sharita started to leave, Anthony said, “We all make mistakes, but God forgives us when we sincerely come to Him. I know you have a sincere heart. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have made it this far. We can’t let another little struggle stop us from the beautiful relationship we’ve been working toward.”
Through faith in Christ, our sins are forgiven and we have a new life. In today’s lesson, we can develop a personal relationship with Jesus by faith and enter into the presence of God.
FOCAL VERSES
KJV Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.
34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.