CHAPTER 14

Unbreakable Promises, Unshakable Hope

  1.   This chapter talks about hope as an anchor. How is hope an anchor for the soul?

  2.   Hebrews 6:19–20 says, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.” The inner sanctuary is the Holy of Holies. Before Christ’s death on the cross, only high priests could enter this part of the temple, and they could enter only once a year to offer a sacrifice to God on behalf of the people.

       •   What is the significance of Jesus’ entering the Holy of Holies on our behalf?

       •   What does this have to do with hope? Ultimately what is our hope rooted in?

  3.   Review the promises given in this book:

              God has given you his very great and precious promises.

              You are stamped with God’s image.

              The devil’s days are numbered.

              You are an heir of God.

              Your prayers have power.

              There is grace for the humble.

              God gets you.

              Christ is praying for you.

              There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

              This tomb is temporary.

              Joy is soon coming.

              You will have power through the Holy Spirit.

              Justice will prevail.

       •   How does Jesus make each of these promises possible? Or how does he fulfill each promise?

       •   What kind of hope do we have apart from Christ?

  4.   Fill in the blanks: “Since no one can take your [Your Notes], no one can take your [Your Notes].”

  5.   Max shares the tragic story of Jonathan McComb, a man who lost his wife and two children in a flood. How did you react to the words Jonathan spoke at his family’s funeral?

  6.   Have you ever felt hope in the midst of tragedy? What did it feel like? Why did you have hope even though the situation appeared hopeless?

  7.   Think about what your hope is anchored to right now.

       •   Is it anchored to the promises of God through Christ, or if you’re honest, is it anchored to something else?

       •   A good way to test this is to ask yourself, “What is something, or someone, I cannot live without?” Whatever or whoever that is, that is where your hope is anchored.

       •   What keeps us from anchoring our hope in God’s promises?

  8.   Isaiah 40:31 offers a beautiful promise: “But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (NKJV, emphasis mine). The New International Version translates this verse as “but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength” (emphasis mine). The Hebrew word translated here both as “wait” and “hope” is qavah. It means both to wait and to hope.⁷ How do we wait on the Lord with hope?

  9.   Go back and read the list of promises in question 3.

       •   Which one of these promises do you need the most right now? Why?

       •   How could you stand on that promise today?

10.   This book does not include every promise made by God, because the Bible is full of God’s promises. Make a list of other promises God has made that are special to you.

11.   You are a Person of the Promise. After reading this book, what does that mean to you?

       •   How can believing that you are a Person of the Promise change the way you interact with God, with others, and with yourself?

       •   How can being a Person of the Promise give you unshakable hope?

12.   Declare these words over your life: I will build my life on the promises of God. Since his promises are unbreakable, my hope will be unshakable. The winds will still blow. The rain will still fall. But in the end I will be standing—standing on the promises of God.