Westside Bible Studies

What is the race we run, and how?

How will we endure the race?

The New and Living Way | Episode 40 | Hebrews 12:1-3

Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that hath endured such gainsaying of sinners against himself, that ye wax not weary, fainting in your souls.

Why is it important for Christians to identify with their heritage as the people of God, and to consider their spiritual ancestors as heroic?

What do Christians have that those who came before did not, and why?

How important is our role in the story of God's purposes?

The New and Living Way | Episode 39 | Hebrews 11:36-40

And others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tempted, they were slain with the sword: they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves, and the holes of the earth.

And these all, having had witness borne to them through their faith, received not the promise, God having provided some better thing concerning us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Who is the Hebrews author talking about with all of these activities?

Does the story of the people of God end with Malachi?

The New and Living Way | Episode 38 | Hebrews 11:32-35

And what shall I more say? For the time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah; of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, waxed mighty in war, turned to flight armies of aliens.

Women received their dead by a resurrection: and others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection.

Why does the Hebrews author speak of two events and a Canaanite prostitute who lied as exemplars of faith?

Why does he now shift from specific people and circumstances to more generalized exhortation?

The New and Living Way | Episode 37 | Hebrews 11:29-32

By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were swallowed up.

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days.

By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, having received the spies with peace.

And what shall I more say? for the time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah; of David and Samuel and the prophets.

Why does the Hebrews author focus on Moses before Exodus 3?

What significance does Passover have for the Christian?

The New and Living Way | Episode 36 | Hebrews 11:24-28

By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to share ill treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he looked unto the recompense of reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. By faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them.

How did Amram and Jochebed manifest their faith in God?

What part of Moses' story does the Hebrews author emphasize, and why?

The New and Living Way | Episode 35 | Hebrews 11:23-26

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw he was a goodly child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to share ill treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he looked unto the recompense of reward.

How did Abraham display great faith in his reasoning about God's commands to him regarding Isaac?

What faith stories would we tell about Jacob or Joseph? What stories does the Hebrews author tell? Why?

The New and Living Way | Episode 34 | Hebrews 11:17-22

By faith Abraham, being tried, offered up Isaac: yea, he that had gladly received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; even he to whom it was said, "In Isaac shall thy seed be called:" accounting that God is able to raise up, even from the dead; from whence he did also in a figure receive him back.

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come.

By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.

What are we to make of Abraham's faith in God's promises?

How do the examples of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob relate to the Christian life?

The New and Living Way | Episode 33 | Hebrews 11:11-16

By faith even Sarah herself received power to conceive seed when she was past age, since she counted him faithful who had promised: wherefore also there sprang of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand, which is by the sea-shore, innumerable.

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things make it manifest that they are seeking after a country of their own. And if indeed they had been mindful of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city.

Upon what details does the Hebrew author focus when speaking of Abraham?

What was his audience to gain from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob's experience? What can we learn from it as well?

The New and Living Way | Episode 32 | Hebrews 11:8-10

By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out unto a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he became a sojourner in the land of promise, as in a land not his own, dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for he looked for the city which hath the foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Why Enoch? Why is Hebrews 11:6 connected to his example?

How did Noah condemn the world? How should we do likewise?

The New and Living Way | Episode 31 | Hebrews 11:5-7

By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and he was not found, because God translated him: for he hath had witness borne to him that before his translation he had been well-pleasing unto God: and without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing unto him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him.

By faith Noah, being warned of God concerning things not seen as yet, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.