FOR THE LEADER

Continue to GrowHebrews 12–13

Hebrews 12–13 help believers grow in their understanding of who God is and how God wants us to live. Remember, the Book of Hebrews is all about Jesus. As our example, Jesus showed what living for God is all about. Hebrews 12 opens by reminding the reader that those who came before, namely those mentioned in chapter 11, were also witnesses of God’s goodness. Since those people showed through their faith a belief in God, we can also set aside the sins by which we are enslaved and run the race of the Christian life with perseverance. We should keep our eyes on Jesus, the “perfecter” of our faith. Jesus makes our faith completely expressible because of His death on the cross.

God disciplines His people to bring about holiness. The writer of Hebrews told the church that discipline comes as God desires to shape His people into what He needs them to be. When Christians try to flee God’s discipline, we are not honoring God and His desire to build us into spiritually mature people. Once again, the solution to living an honoring life for God is our obedience to Him in all He says to do.

The remainder of the Book of Hebrews focuses on practical applications to the teaching that came before. How can one walk a straight path? Live in peace with all men and be holy. Live lives of peacemaking, love, and have an appreciation of the grace God showed to us when Jesus died on the cross. Complete obedience to the Word of God brings peace. Rejection of the Word of God brings death.

Breaking from the traditional greeting of other letters, the Book of Hebrews offers the customary closing remarks. The writer of Hebrews offers greetings and shares a closing charge to faithfulness. The writer summarizes the letter he has written by encouraging the readers, once again, to continue to grow in love, hospitality, and prayer. Also reminding those who are placed in leadership, to faithfully share God’s message to shape believers’ identities in Christ.

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OVERVIEW

GET STARTED TOOLS (10 MINUTES)

¨ Bible Skills: “Bible Books” (Books of the Bible Posters), Books of the Bible Cards, “Christ in Context: Hebrews” (Poster Pack), dry erase marker

To order a set of Books of the Bible Cards (Item No. 005797312) call LifeWay Customer Service at 1.800.458.2772 or order online at www.lifeway.com

BIBLE STUDY TOOLS (35 MINUTES)

¨ Jump In: “Famous Statues” (Poster Pack), “Statue of Nero” (Slide)

¨ Examine the Text: Bibles, “Text Truth Strips” (Poster Pack)

¨ Play the Video: Explore the Bible on Location video

¨ Memory Verse: ”Hebrews 13:20-21” (Poster Pack)

¨ Prayer: Family Cards

SMALL GROUP TOOLS (30 MINUTES)

¨ Explorer Guides: Bibles, Explorer Guides, pens

¨ Move: bandanas, tape ¨ Make: “Glasses” (Printables), heavyweight paper, scissors, markers, wiggle eyes, glue

¨ Explore: play dough, dry erase board, dry erase marker, “Statue of Nero” (Slide)

SESSION FOCUSBIBLE PASSAGE: Hebrews 12–13MEMORY VERSE: Hebrews 13:20-21TEXT TRUTH: We should focus on following Jesus.CHRIST IN CONTEXT: The Book of Hebrews describes how Jesus fulfilled the promises

and prophecies of the Old Testament as the Son of God and the Son of man. Jesus gave His life as the final sacrifice for sin, establishing a new covenant between God and His people. He is our mediator, creator, high priest, and rescuer. He is perfect and reigns over all.

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BIBLE STORY

EXPLORE THE BIBLE AT HOMESee the Printables for additional family resources.

CONTINUE TO GROWHebrews 12–13

The writer of Hebrews ended his letter with some encouragement for the believers.

“Put aside anything that is stopping you from following Jesus. Run the race with endurance.

Keep your eyes on Jesus! He is the source of your faith. He endured the cross to save you from your sin.

Remember what Jesus did for you. This will help you not to grow tired while you follow Him.

Pursue peace and holiness. Look out for one another and help one another understand God’s grace. Help each other avoid sin.

Always be kind and continue to love each other. Care for those less fortunate and be happy with what you have, not chasing after money.

God will always be with you and care for you. Jesus never changes. He is always the same—yesterday, today, forever.”

Then the writer ended his letter by saying, “Glory to Jesus forever and ever! Amen.”

KEY POINTS • When we remember what Jesus did to save us from our sin, we will be

encouraged to keep living for Him.• God will never leave us in good times or bad times.

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GET STARTED

BIBLE SKILLS SPOTLIGHT• Begins to use the Bible for daily reading.• Knows the Bible teaches people how God wants them to live.

TOOLS:• Bible Skills: “Bible Books”

(Books of the Bible Posters), Books of the Bible Cards, “Christ in Context: Hebrews” (Poster Pack), dry erase marker

Tip: If your church does not have access to a laminator, write the Books of the Bible on a large piece of paper.

GET STARTED (10 MINUTES)

BIBLE SKILLS ¨ Laminate the “Bible Book” poster. ¨ Set aside the “Hebrews” Book of the Bible Card. Stack the remaining cards.

• Invite a child to select a Books of the Bible Card.• Display the “Bible Book” poster.• Reveal the card that was selected and instruct children to find it on the

Bible Book poster.• Allow the child who selected the card to choose a way to mark that book

on the poster. If Acts was the card that was selected, he may circle Acts, put a star over it, put a dot beside it, add an exclamation point to it, and so on.

• After the book is marked, turn the Bible Card over and read some of the interesting facts about that book.

• Continue playing as time allows.• Finish the game by pulling out the Hebrews card. Ask someone to draw

a flower beside the Book of Hebrews because our story from Hebrews today is going to give us lots of ways that we can continue to grow in our relationship with Jesus. Share the facts on the back of the card about Hebrews.

• Display the “Christ in Context: Hebrews” poster.• Share it with the group to show how Hebrews points us to Jesus.• Dismiss to Bible Study.

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BIBLE STUDY

TOOLS:• Jump In: “Famous Statues”

(Poster Pack), “Statue of Nero” (Slide)

• Examine the Text: Bibles, “Text Truth Strips” (Poster Pack)

• Play the Video: Explore the Bible on Location video

• Memory Verse: “Hebrews 13:20-21” (Poster Pack)

• Prayer: Family Cards

BIBLE STUDY (35 MINUTES)

JUMP IN• Welcome kids and tell them how glad you are that they are here today.• Call attention to the “Famous Statues” poster and ask if anyone

recognizes any of these statues. Allow children to discuss what they know about them.

• Display the “Statue of Nero” visual. Share that Nero was a Roman Emperor who was not known for his kindness towards Christians.

• Say: “The Book of Hebrews was most likely written while Nero was in power, and the author of Hebrews wanted to encourage Christians. People who followed Jesus were being treated cruelly and harshly simply because of their faith, so this letter was written to encourage them to keep growing in their faith.”

• Conclude: “Let’s jump in and see how we can be encouraged, too.”

EXAMINE THE TEXT• Say: “Let’s look in the Book of Hebrews. It should be getting easier to find

Hebrews in our Bibles, but you may use the table of contents if you need it.”

• Continue: “As I tell the Bible story, please listen for the answer to this question: What’s the best way for us to continue to follow Jesus?”

• Share the Bible story in your own words. Reference the Bible story page provided as a guide.

• Say: “Wow! The writer of Hebrews sure had a lot of good encouragement for the believers.”

• Ask: “Did you hear what the writer suggested that we do to help us keep following Jesus? In case you didn’t catch it, we’re going to read it straight out of the Bible.”

• Invite a volunteer to read Hebrews 12:1-2.• Explain: “We must keep our eyes on Jesus! When the writer talks about

us running a race, he does not mean a 5k or a fun run. He means that life is like a race that we have to keep running, and when we keep our eyes, our focus, and our thoughts on Jesus, we won’t become so tired in the race.”

• Allow another volunteer to read verse 3.• Connect: “Another way that we can keep running the race is to remember

all Jesus went through for us, so we could have eternal life.”• Ask: “Can somebody give me an example of a time when someone might

become really tired in life? Not just tired like they need a nap, but a time when things in his life might be really hard?” (a lot of school work, arguments at home, losing a loved one, kids in class being mean)

• Display the “Text Truth Strip” and ask for a volunteer to read it. Invite a second person to read it, and a third.

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BIBLE STUDY

• Conclude: “When it’s hard to keep running the race, we should focus on following Jesus. That doesn’t mean that we have to ignore our problems, though. If someone in school is being mean to you, talk to an adult about it. If something or someone is hurting you, find someone you trust and tell them. If you are sad about something, you can talk to someone about it. The writer of Hebrews also said that God will always be with you and take care of you! And that should definitely be encouraging to us!”

PLAY THE VIDEO• Play the “Session 12” video.• Ask: “Who did Joel visit today? Who also worked out with Joel? Why

do we want to be healthy?” (So we can do all the things God wants us to do.) “How can we be healthy in our faith?”

MEMORY VERSE• Display the “Hebrews 13:20-21” poster.• Guide kids to read it aloud with you.• Read it again. This time prompt the girls to echo you, one phrase at a

time. Read it a second time, leading the boys to echo each phrase.

PRAYER• Give out a Family Card to each child.• Say: “When you take this card home today, show the statue of Nero to a

sibling or family member. Test their knowledge of history and see if they know who Nero was. If not, you can tell them.”

• Ask: “Who was Nero?” (Roman Emperor) “When did he rule?” (probably at the time Hebrews was written) “How did he treat Christians?” (not very kindly)

• Ask boys and girls to picture Jesus in their heads and focus their eyes on Him as you pray.

• Pray, asking God to help us keep our eyes on Jesus all the time—not only when we are sad and discouraged, but also when we are happy and joyful.

• Dismiss to Small Group.

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SMALL GROUP

RACE TOGETHERTools: bandanas, tape

¨ Tape two lines on the floor to designate a starting line and a turn around line.

• Help each child find a partner.

• Direct children to stand side by side and assist them in using the bandana to tie their inside legs together.

• Share that their task is to work together to walk to the turn around line and back.

• Once one set of partners has returned to the start line, the next set will begin.

• Players should not see it as a race against one another but a race that the entire team wants to finish

successfully. Guide children in cheering for and encouraging each set of kids.

• For an extra challenge, allow one child to walk forward and one child to walk backwards.

• You can play multiple times, keeping track of how long it takes the entire team to complete the task.

• Say: “The writer of Hebrews told the people that they should keep running the race. Just like in this race, the

race of life is not something that you do alone. Let people around you help and encourage you, but you should

do the same for them, as well. Most importantly, though, God will always be with you and will never leave you

to make you run alone. While we’re running the race of life, let’s remember that we should focus on following

Jesus.”

TOOLS:• Explorer Guides: Bibles,

Explorer Guides, pens

SMALL GROUP (30 MINUTES)

EXPLORER GUIDES• Distribute Explorer Guides and help girls and boys find today’s pages,

“Continue to Grow.”• Lead kids to think about what they have learned today as they examine

the prompts in “Continuing to Grow.”• Ask a volunteer to read about “Tracks Through Time.”• Review today’s Bible story by completing the “Hebrews Word Search.”• Invite a volunteer to read about today’s object, the statue of “Nero.”• Select a volunteer to read “Running World Records.”

TECH CONNECT (OPTIONAL)• Prior to Small Group, download the LifeWay Kids app. Use the activity

labeled “Explorer Plus” in the Explore the Bible: Kids section of the app.

ACTIVITIES• Select one or more of the activities to complete as time allows.

MOVE

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SMALL GROUP

FOCUS GLASSESTools: “Glasses” (Printables), heavyweight paper, scissors, markers, wiggle eyes, glue

¨ Print “Glasses” on heavyweight paper.

• Each child will need to cut out the frame and

two arms for her glasses. • Kids may color their glasses if they choose, or

they may add wiggle eyes all over their frames

for an extra focusing visual.• Connect: “Sometimes we need glasses to help

us focus in on things around us and help us

see more clearly. We should focus on Jesus,

so when you wear these focus glasses, let them help you remember to keep your eyes on

Him!”• Conclude by saying the Text Truth: we should

focus on following Jesus.

MAKE STATUESTools: play dough, dry erase board, dry erase marker, “Statue of Nero” (Slide)

• Display the “Statue of Nero.” Explain that you are going to make statues similar to today’s object, the statue of Nero. The good thing about your statues, though, is that you can tear them down and make lots of different statues.

• Allow kids to build statues while you continue the activity.

• On the board, write a word bank of words that appeared in the story that kids can turn into statues—runner, eyes, cross, heart.

• Ask boys and girls to name items that help us see and focus more clearly, too. Glasses, cameras, binoculars, microscopes, and telescopes are all additional statue options, as well.

• Say: “Christians experienced a lot of horrible things while Nero was in power. The writer of Hebrews wanted to encourage them and remind them to keep their eyes on Jesus. Just like the Christians who originally read this letter, we should focus on Jesus, too.

• Conclude by saying the Text Truth: we should focus on following Jesus.

SMALL GROUP

EXPLORE

MAKE

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