The discipline of children is a delicate thing. Too much discipline is a problem and too little discipline is a problem. Yet all children need the training of discipline, even God’s children. learning to receive and respond to proper discipline is a key factor in how we run the race of faith.

The author of Hebrews says we are in an amazing race. However we do not all run this race in the same way. This text gives us the rules of the race.

There are two sides to faith. There is a side that risks. This is the side that steps out in bold confidence in the power of God daring to do the seemingly impossible and such faith receives great victory. The other side of faith is the faith that rests. This is the side that patiently endures great hardship calmly trusting in God and such faith reckons that God’s grace will be sufficient to sustain them in the trial. In this text we see that the men and women listed needed one side of faith or the other depending on whether they were called to triumphs or tragedies.

Our lives are made up of decisions. Decisions often produce their own domino effect and the quality of our lives are often more related to our decisions about our circumstances rather than about the circumstances themselves. These verse contemplate the faith of Moses’ parents and Moses’ own faith and how the decisions they made impacted their lives.

The stories of Isaac, of Jacob and Joseph, who all died without receiving their earthly inheritance are discussed. In blessing their children it may not seem that these men of faith did all that much but in truth they understood their main responsibility was to create a legacy of faith for the next generation.

The faith of Abraham is discussed in terms of the obstacles he faced and overcame.