Jesus and Me, Part 5: You Run Different When You’re Racing

Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor

Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

How do we run ?

Philippians 3:13-14
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

How do we run ?

Psalm 63:1-7 New Living Translation (NLT)
O God, you are my God;
      I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you;
      my whole body longs for you
in this parched and weary land
      where there is no water.
I have seen you in your sanctuary
      and gazed upon your power and glory.
Your unfailing love is better than life itself;
      how I praise you!
I will praise you as long as I live,
      lifting up my hands to you in prayer.
You satisfy me more than the richest feast.
      I will praise you with songs of joy.
I lie awake thinking of you,
      meditating on you through the night.

If you want to go fast, go alone.
If you want to go far, go together.
– African Proverb

How do we ?

Deuteronomy 6:5-9
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Small Group Questions

1. What’s the hungriest you’ve ever been?
2. Have you ever experienced a season where you were genuinely hungry for more of God? What was different about that season and what did you do to satisfy that hunger?
3. If running after Jesus is the goal, what’s currently hindering your ability to race after him? What’s one step you could take to change that?
4. Do you personally know someone who has followed Jesus faithfully over time? What stands out about their life and what’s one way you could follow their example?
5. What’s holding you back from investing spiritually in others, and what would it take to move past it?
6. Who’s one person you could intentionally encourage or invest in this week?
7. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?