A Bible Study for Students on Hebrews 12
Are You Equipped?
As golfers, we should never attempt to try out a new swing thought in the middle of an important round of golf.
Instead, we should work with a good golf instructor who will first help us perfect our swing change on the driving range before throwing us out on the golf course.
Get Spiritually Equipped
The author of the Book of Hebrews closes his letter with this prayer asking that God would equip his readers with everything necessary to do His will and please Him. Hebrews 13:20-21 says:
“May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
The word translated “equip” in the above passage could have also been translated “perfected” or “completed.” Ancient Greeks used the word in many different ways. Doctors used the word to mean “to set a broken bone”. To fishermen, it meant “to mend a broken net”. Sailors used it mean “to outfit a ship for a voyage”. And to soldiers, it meant “to equip an army for battle.”
Run the Race
Unfortunately, when we read this passage in English, we do not get the full meaning of this power word. We must understand, that when our God in heaven “equips” or “perfects” us to live a life that pleases Him, He wants to repair and set our “broken bones” so that we can run the race of faith unimpaired. He wants to fix the holes in our “nets” so that we can become accomplished “fishers of men”, who are able to share effectively the hope that is within us.
God wants to “outfit” us as a ship for voyage by preparing us to undergo the difficult storms this life will bring. Remember, Scripture often calls us “aliens and strangers” in this world just passing through, and we must be outfitted with the necessary supplies for our journey to our home in heaven. God also wants to equip us as soldiers who are able to go to battle against physical and spiritual enemies that awaits us during our journey.
Perfected by the Perfect Instructor
In summary, God is the perfect instructor. He is perfect, and He is perfecting us. He does not sit up in heaven and passively watch us while barking out commands. Instead, he actively comes into our lives and works in us and through us, so that we are able to accomplish all that He has set out for us to do.
Remember, God will never call us to do something that He will not in fact prepare and equip us for. Therefore, fix your eyes on Jesus—the author and perfecter of our faith (Heb. 12:2)—and know that God promises to complete the work He has started in each of us (Phil. 1:6).
