1. Hebrews 12:3-11 …………………………The Father's Discipline 1 2. Hebrews 12:12-17 ……………………… Holiness in Affliction 3 3. Hebrews 12:18-24 …………We Have Come to Something Better 5 4. Hebrews 13:1–6 …………………………………A Holy Life Pt 1 7 5. Hebrews 13:7-16 ………………………………..A Holy Life Pt 2 9 6. Hebrews 13:17-19 …………………………Leaders in the Church 11 7. Hebrews 13:20-24 …………….Benediction and Final Remarks 13 1. Hebrews 12:3-11 …………………………The Father's Discipline Read: Hebrews 12:3-11 Observe: 1. Why does the author want the Hebrews to to consider Christ? What did Christ suffer? _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ 2. How are believers addressed, according to v.4? _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. For what reason are believers called to endure? What does this produce, according to v.11? _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ 4. For what reason does God discipline His children, according to v. 10? _____________________________________________________________________________________________ 5. What does the presence or absence of God's discipline reveal about a person? _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Learn: • The word “discipline" can often have negative connotations, bringing to mind punishment. However, the word that the author of Hebrews uses (paideia) is referring to training or instruction. This is a positive word describing God's training up of His children, not a harsh and heavy punishment. Though the Lord may use affliction to teach us and sanctify us, He never does so in a way that goes beyond what is needed, nor is their sinful anger in Him like there might be in our earthly fathers. • The phrase found in v.3, “weary or fainthearted” has been found in ancient Greek writings to describe rulers who collapse after crossing the finish line; however, the author of Hebrews hopes to "inspire his listeners to run with endurance so that they do not collapse before reaching their goal. There seems to have been ‘a weakening of resolve and a failure of nerve’ on the part of at least some within the congregation.”1 1 Peter T. O’Brien, The Letter to the Hebrews, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2010), 461. 1 Think: 1. What are the difference between the suffering of the Hebrews and Christ? What is the similarity (cf Hebrews 5:8)? _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ 2. What is the discipline that the Hebrews are currently undergoing? Why is it necessary that they endure? _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ 3. Why, in one sense, is it a good thing that a Christian might find themselves enduring hardship, according to this passage? _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ 4. Take a few minutes to use your cross references to find other passages on how God uses suffering and hardship in the life of the believer (e.g., James 1:2-4, etc). What is the ultimate result that God produces from suffering, and how can the believer find something good in the midst of their affliction? _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ 5. Based on this passage, and the passages you read above, what is God's ultimate plan for your life? _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ Apply: 1. How have you responded to God’s discipline in the past? Did you realize that it was discipline at the time? What did God produce from that experience? Take a moment to thank Him for His work in your life! _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ 2 2. Hebrews 12:12-17 ……………………… Holiness in Affliction Read: Hebrews 12:12-17 Observe: 1. What is the connection between v.12 and 12:1-11? _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ 2. What kind of language do we find predominately in this passage (e.g. questions, commands, etc)? _____________________________________________________________________________________ 3. What is the church to strive for? _____________________________________________________________________________________ 4. What does the church need to keep watch against, according to v.15-16? _____________________________________________________________________________________ 5. What Old Testament figure is referenced in v.16-17? _____________________________________________________________________________________ Learn: • The list of commands in this section are all second person plural verbs (“y’all”). This means that the author of Hebrews is not addressing individuals, but the Christian community as a whole. Think: 1. What is the significance of these commands being directed to the church as a whole? How does this affect the way that they should be obeyed? _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ 3 2. Read Isaiah 35:3-4. Why do you think the author of Hebrews might quote these verses here? What is the author of Hebrews seeking to communicate to his hearers? _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ 3. The author of Hebrews writes that there is a “holiness without which no one will see the Lord” (12:14). Is the author of Hebrews teaching works based salvation? Reading Romans 8:29-30, Philippians 1:6, and 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, explain the role of practical, progressive holiness in the Christian life in light of our election and justification. _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ 4. What passage is the author of Hebrews referencing when he mentions the “root of bitterness”? What is the context of the original passage? Based on the context of the passage being quoted, what do you think the author of Hebrews is referring to? Has this been mentioned elsewhere in Hebrews? _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ 5. Esau is described as “sexually immoral” and “unholy.” It could be that Esau’s sexual immorality is referenced, or that his spiritual unfaithfulness is in view. Either way, what is illustrated by the reference to Esau selling his birthright? _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ 6. What does v.17 communicate about those who would “sell” their inheritance in Christ for worldly things? _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________