Lesson 11 Review: Jesus, Author and Perfecter of Our Faith

Introduction

Memory Text: “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2, NKJV).

We are running a race with Jesus seated at the goal line at the right hand of God. Jesus is our inspiration and ultimate example of how the race is run, He is also the ultimate witness that the reward is true. This week’s lesson will open our minds to what Faith in Jesus is like.

What is the character without which the promises cannot be received according to Hebrews 10:35-39?

Endurance is a characteristic of God’s end-time people without which they will not be able to receive the promises. Endures require that we hold fast our faith until the appointed time for the fulfillment of the promise.

Why did Abraham seem to be the most important character in Hebrews 11?

Abraham’s exercise of faith in his deeds shows the true nature of faith. He was promised to be made Father of many nations and later He was asked to offer up His only son. It is said that Abraham believed that God would resurrect Isaac again, if He did believe so, then Abraham must have had great faith. In God’s leading in the past, Abraham had seen an intimation of what God would do in the future.

What did Moses do that made him the second major example in Hebrews 10?

He refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter thus denying the position that would have been accorded him as the Son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He preferred to be the Leader of refugees rather than the Leader of the greatest nation at that time. He partook in the Passover and other ceremonies of the Jews.

What is the similarity between the situation of the original recipients of the Hebrews 10:32-35 and the experience of Moses?

The Hebrews endured affliction because of the love of Christ, in the same way, Moses chose to be mistreated along with God’s people. The similarity here is that they looked to the reward, they considered the reproach for Christ greater reward that enjoyment of the passing pleasures of sin.

How did Rahab show faith and what lesson can we draw from what she did?

Rahab heard about all what the Lord did for the Israelites, how he parted the sea for them, stroke the Egyptians with plagues for their sake, made water come from a rock for their sake and so on. Rahab however did not see any of these things happen but she believed what she heard and hid the spies. Because of her faith, her life and her family were spared. Rahab’s faith shows us how crucial it is for us to believe even when we have not seen it yet happen.

What does it mean that Jesus is the “author and perfecter of faith”?

This means that Jesus is the One who makes faith possible and He is the example who embodies what a life of faith is all about. With Jesus, faith has reached its ultimate perfection.

What three senses can we see Jesus as the Author of our faith as the lesson puts it?

1.       He is the only One who has finished the race in its fullest sense.

2.       It is actually Jesus’ perfect life that has made it possible for others to run their race. Without Jesus, the race of others will be futile.

3.       Jesus is the reason we have faith.

In Conclusion,

Faith does not rule out the possibility of doubt however, we must first believe and then there will be provided for us many evidences on which we can rest our faith on. Jesus is the perfect example on how we should run our race of faith, He is the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Jesus is at the goal line waiting for us to run the race to the finish and at the end we will win the crown of life, I pray that we live a life of faith so hat these promises can be ours in Jesus’ name.