Lean In
- Have you ever participated in something that required “cathedral-thinking”? Something that you contributed to, but may not have seen the “finished product”? If so, what kept you going?
- If you haven’t, can you think of other examples of undertakings that have required some cathedral thinking? What was the vision that pulled it forward?
Look Up
Read Hebrews 11 – Read the passage through slowly aloud. Feel free to take turns or let someone read through the entirety like a story.
Observation — What does the text say?
- What do you notice and what are you curious about?
- The author begins by defining or describing “faith”. What else can you learn about faith from this passage?
- Pick one or two of the people mentioned in Hebrews 11 and think through their experiences. What kind of “everyday faithfulness” may have been required to play their part in this story?
Interpretation — What does the text mean?
- What do you learn about God?
- What do you learn about humanity?
- If all these people are heroes of faith and experienced miraculous things with God, why is Hebrews 11:36-38 included?
- What do you make of Hebrews 11:39-40? Why was the full significance of their lives somewhat incomplete?
Application — How should we respond?
- How are you encouraged, challenged, or convicted by this passage?
- What “everyday faithfulness” are you wrestling with? How might some of the people from Hebrews 11 speak to your situation? How would they encourage you?
- If God’s long-range “cathedral building project” is to overwhelm evil with good under the leadership of King Jesus, using everyday faithfulness, “giving what you’ve got,” and raising up the next generation – what action step is on your heart to take in response?
- Can you list out names of 3-5 people who you could be investing in and take time to pray for them, specifically asking God for the opportunities to connect with them in the near future?
Step Out
- Give What You’ve Got: Ask God to help you discern and act on at least 1 opportunity per week to share something he’s taught you with someone else.
- Raise Up The Next Generation: Is there someone younger than you (family, friend, neighbor) that you can pray for and seek to lift up through your words & actions?
Watch/listen to “Impact Sunday” to be reinspired to partner with God in his work of reaching people here and around the world.