Walking outdoors is my exercise of choice. It seems to refresh my spirit. I used to run and walk, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve slowed down. I now am relegated to looking wistfully at couples, friends or even groups of people who run by me in the neighborhood or park. I’ve noticed several things about those who run. One, they are not dressed in baggy pants and shirts. Two, they run at the same pace. And three, they run in the same direction. I’ve also noticed they look where they are going! Many of them are talking together as they run, as they seem to enjoy each other’s company.

The writer of Hebrews describes what it means to run with Jesus.

Read Hebrews 12:1-4

I. RUN FREELY  

A.  Free of Hindrances

• Read 2 Timothy 1:7-8; 2 Timothy 2:16; 2 Timothy 2:23; 2 Timothy 4:10; Matthew 6:24; Matthew 6:25-27; 1 John 1:6; 1 John 2:15-16; Revelation 3:15-17.
• What specific things do you need to be free of in order to run with Jesus? Excessive TV watching? Internet surfing? Mall shopping? Fill in the blank: _______________.
• What will you do today to “throw off everything that hinders” you from running with Jesus?

B. FREE OF ENTANGLEMENTS

• What sins are “tripping” you up now and will continue to do so unless you free yourself from them? List the sins named in Galatians 5:19-21; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; Revelation 2:4; Ephesians 4:25, 31; Ephesians 5:3-4. Which of these sins is entangling you?
• What similar command to run free of entanglements is given in Ephesians 4:22? Colossians 3:5? Colossians 3:8-10? Describe practically how you will obey this command.
• Ask God to reveal any other sin that is preventing you from running freely, then with His help, shed the baggy clothes.

II. RUN FOCUSED

A.  ON HIS PURPOSE 

• Will this run be a sprint or a marathon? Give the phrase in Hebrews 12:1 that indicates which it will be.
• In order to stay focused, what do you need to build into your life?
• What phrase in Hebrews 12:1 indicates that God has a specific, unique purpose for your life?
• How does Ephesians 2:10 confirm He has a purpose for you?
• What is God’s ultimate purpose for your life, according to Ephesians 1:5? Romans 8:29?
• What do you believe is the specific race God has marked out for you to enable you to fulfill His ultimate purpose?

B.  ON HIS PERSON

• What evidence do we have that Jesus lived by faith when He was on earth? See John 1:1, 14; Philippians 2:6-7; Hebrews 2:10; Hebrews 4:15; Matthew 4:1-4.
• How does Jesus’ own experience of living by faith give Him credibility in your eyes as you seek to run your race?
• How does Philippians 1:6 encourage you that He is not only the author, but also the perfecter of your faith?
• What/Who was the promise the Old Testament saints did not receive? Hebrews 11:39.
• What phrase in Hebrews 12:2 reveals the advantage we have over the Old Testament saints?
• What disciplines or habits will you incorporate into your daily life that will help you stay focused on Jesus?

C. ON HIS PERSEVERANCE

• What was the ultimate purpose for Jesus’ life, according to John 17:1, 4?  
• What was His specific purpose, according to Matthew 1:21? John 3:16? 14:6? 17:2-3?  
• Was His purpose easily accomplished, according to Hebrews 12:3-4?
• What are some of the obstacles Jesus faced as He ran His “race,” according to Matthew 4:1-2; 8:20; 11:2-3; 12:22-24; John 8:56-59; Matthew 16:21-23; 26:1-5, 26:14-16; John 18:12; Matthew 27:26, 27-31; John 19:16-18?
• What are some of the obstacles you face as you seek to run with Jesus? How many obstacles do you face before you slow down? Give up? 
• What was Jesus’ attitude that helped Him to persevere? Compare Hebrews 12:2 with Hebrews 1:9.
• What/Who do you think His joy was? See Zephaniah 3:17; Matthew 13:44; Luke 15:7.
• Could your lack of joy be because you have lost your focus on His person, His purpose and His perseverance?

While I may no longer have the physical strength and stamina to run with a friend, I am so grateful God has given me spiritual strength to run with Jesus. If I lose my joy in running and want to slow down or even quit, then I may not be running freely and therefore need to check any hindrances or entanglements that have crept into my life. And if I’m stumbling as I run, I may need to refocus, choosing to look straight ahead as I fix my eyes on Jesus … His person, His purpose and His perseverance. So … join me as we run together with Jesus! ©2025 Anne Graham Lotz

Anne Graham Lotz has proclaimed God’s Word worldwide for more than 40 years. Her newest book, which she co-authored with her daughter Rachel-Ruth Wright, is Preparing to Meet Jesus—Moving From Salvation to Transformation. It can be ordered from major booksellers online.