It’s All About Book of Hebrews A Hope of Glory study Table of Contents Introduction .......................................................................................5 Lesson One ........................................................................................6 Lesson Two ........................................................................................8 Lesson Three ....................................................................................10 Lesson Four ......................................................................................12 Lesson Five.......................................................................................14 Lesson Six ........................................................................................16 Lesson Seven ...................................................................................18 Lesson Eight .....................................................................................20 Lesson Nine .....................................................................................22 4 It’s All About Faith: The Book of Hebrews I remember when my children were newborns. I would awaken every four hours to feed them milk formula. In their early days, they could drink only a few ounces. As time went by, the amount of milk increased, until finally mushy cereal was introduced and sleeping the night became a reality. Gradually, the infants became toddlers and food was introduced. Starting with soft food, then finally meat. The child was maturing. The book of Hebrews is a call for us to mature in our faith from milk to the meat of the gospel. There are various views as to who wrote Hebrews. Some theologians believe it was the evangelist Paul, others think possibly a man named Apollos. What we do know is that it was written to Jews (Hebrews) who had adopted the teachings of Jesus. In the early church, there was conflict as to how this newfound religion, called “The Way”, meshed with ancient Judaism. Even the original disciples were in a quandary as to whether the age old Jewish traditions were still important when compared to the new covenant established by Jesus at the Last Supper. Many theologians believe the book of Hebrews is the best explanation of who Jesus is. It answers the questions of why Jesus had to die, why bad things happen to good people, and how we should live as followers of Christ in an evil world. The first 8 chapters reveal the majesty and power of Jesus, His incomparable person and what that means in our everyday life. Some theologians think this book is the answer to guilt, shame, anxiety and fear. By having faith in the resurrection power that is available to us today; we are able to conquer our fears. We are also freed from the shame of our sins. Jesus said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” Jesus is “the way, the truth and the life”. Hebrews sets forth the reality of the cross and the truth of His power that is available to each of us. However, the maturing of our faith is critical to gleaning the benefits of a Christian life. Hebrews invites each of us to go deeper into our faith. Our circumstances may not change, but we change. We find freedom to live our lives in service to a Heavenly Father who “so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have life everlasting”. Don’t we want all there is in life for us? Don’t we want to live a life in freedom? Then let’s journey together through Hebrews. Let’s leave the milk and Pablum of our faith and start to chew on the meat of the gospel. When we taste the mature faith, we’ll be enthralled with the person of Jesus, and our lives will never be the same. —Meg Rice 5 Lesson One Hebrews 1 & 2 For a Jew living in the time of Jesus, the thought of dispensing with 2,000 years of tradition was traumatic. The prophets of the Old Testament were the life blood of Jewish knowledge. The life, death and resurrection of Jesus spawned a new religion that seemed to be threatening their age-old values. 1. Read Hebrews 1:1-4. Underline the words that describe Jesus. What phrases show the power of Jesus? (Remember the song, “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”). How do you reconcile Jesus’ actions at creation with our Heavenly Father’s work at creation? See Colossians 1:15-17. 2. The first argument the author of Hebrews makes is that Jesus Christ is superior to the angels. The Old Testament is full of angelic visitations, so the Ancient Jews held angels in high esteem. Read Psalm 2 that is quoted in Hebrews 1:5. In this Psalm the one speaking is God the Father. Can you discern the purpose of this Psalm? Next, read 2 Samuel 7:11-16. These verses speak of God’s promise to King David, but like many Old Testament prophecies, they have double meanings. How does Jesus fit into these verses? 3. In Hebrews 1:6-13, the author is making an argument that Jesus is greater than angels. List 4 reasons why this is so according to these verses. 4. According to verse 14, what is the purpose of angels? How does this differ from the purpose of Jesus Christ? 5. Hebrews 2:1 is an important verse. What can cause us to “drift away” from a true faith? 6. In chapter 2, the author makes the argument that the angels spoke the “message” of the commandments to Moses. How is Jesus more powerful than those commandments and the angels that delivered them? 7. According to the rest of chapter 2, what did the suffering death of Jesus do for us? Why did Jesus need to take on human flesh according to these verses? Prayer Almighty Father, Creator God, it was your good pleasure to create the world through the work of your Son. We praise you that from the beginning of time, you ordained the world and knew it would need a Savior without blemish. Thank you, Jesus, for your mercy and faith as our perfect High Priest. May we live a life worthy of your sacrifice. Give us hearts to understand the sacrifice Jesus made when he took off the robes of glory and became man for each of us. Amen 6 Notes & Thoughts _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ 7 Lesson Two Hebrews 3 & 4 The next hurdle for the author of Hebrews is to convince the Jews who profess Jesus as their Christ that he is better than Moses. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day continually confronted Jesus with the teachings of Moses to show Jesus was not who he said he was. In chapter 3, the author compares Moses and Jesus to show Jesus is far superior. This is revolutionary thought for a Jew of Jesus’ day. This takes us back to our study of Exodus and the consequences of the ancient Hebrews when they did not believe the promises of the Living God. 1. Read Hebrews 3:1-6. Compare Moses and Jesus. Why is Jesus superior? 2. Read Hebrews 3:7-19. Verses 7-11 quote Psalm 95. Read Numbers 13:26-14:4. What did the people do to not enter the Promised Land? Read Numbers 14:20-24. What was the consequence of the people’s disobedience and disbelief? 3. If unbelief keeps us from entering God’s rest, how do we “cure” unbelief? See Hebrews 4:11-16. In what areas are you needing a booster shot of “cure”? 4. What did Jesus promise in Matthew 11:28-30? 5. God rested on the seventh day of creation, and He desires to give that same “rest” to His people. What does the term “rest” mean to you in your life? How do the circumstances of our lives keep us from the perfect rest promised to those who believe? If possible, share a story of how, during trials, you found perfect rest. 6. Read 2 Timothy 1:7 and Hebrews 4:16. How are we to approach the majestic throne room of God? What does that look like in your prayer life? Prayer Heavenly Father, we come to you in need of rest and peace. Give us the tools to believe in the power of your sovereignty over the troubled circumstances of our lives. Help us to see past the here and now and into eternity. Because all things are possible for those who believe, help our unbelief. Lord Jesus, give us the faith to boldly come before your throne. Beckon us to come not in fear but in confidence and love. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. 8 Notes & Thoughts _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________