dear students, · 2017-05-30 · advice to help you get the most out of your time: be consistent...

Dear Students,

Congratulations! Do you know how rare it is for a high school student to find and commit to a Small Group like this one? The fact that you’re holding this booklet represents the reality that God has given you an incredible gift. In this group, you have a community of Christian friends that want to help you grow in your faith. You also have one or more adult leaders who care about you and want to guide you through their teaching and example. You also have this study guide as a tool to help you grow in your understanding and application of God’s word!

As you journey through Small Group this semester, here are three points of advice to help you get the most out of your time:

Be consistent – Make a commitment to yourself and the group to attend as consistently as possible. If you have to miss a meeting, do the lesson on your own and try to catch up with what you missed by checking in with a leader or a friend from group.

Be real – High school can be hard. Be as honest as possible with God, with your leaders, and with your group about what’s going on in your life. Don’t bury your hurts, failures, questions, or doubts. Pretending everything is always amazing is not the path to growth.

Be open – Your small group might not always meet your expectations. Group members might be shallow, hypocritical, annoying, awkward, or fake. New people might join in the middle of the year and change the dynamic of the room. Remind yourself regularly that God is in control and that He can use anything to produce a positive result. Everyone deserves the gift of small group and God desires to bless each person in wonderful and unique ways.

Have a great semester studying the book of Hebrews!

In Christ,

David Penuel Anne Marie Mason Jermaine HarrisonWatermark High School Ministry Staff

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Small Group Spring 2016 ScheduleJanuary 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .First Small Group

January 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hebrews 1

January 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hebrews 2

January 27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shoreline

February 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hebrews 3

February 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hebrews 4

February 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hebrews 5

February 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shoreline

March 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hebrews 6

March 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Spring Break

March 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hebrews 7

March 23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shoreline

March 30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hebrews 8

April 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hebrews 9

April 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hebrews 10

April 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hebrews 11

April 27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shoreline

May 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hebrews 12

May 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hebrews 13

May 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Last Small Group

Special EventsFebruary 5-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DTown

May 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Senior Dessert

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Before you begin…Bring a Bible (Cell Phone Policy)Cell phones are awesome! They are incredible tools that help us connect with others and discover endless amounts of information. However, our mobile devices can also easily become a huge distraction. For this reason, we highly encourage our small groups to bring a print version of the bible and to put away phones, tablets, etc. during the actual bible study portion of your time together.

About Bible Translations: The best translation of the bible is…the one you actually read! Although there are many great translations, we like the translation called the New Living Translation (NLT). Editors for the NLT have done a great job making God’s Word accurate and understandable.

Suggested ResourcesMany Christians fall away from faith because of difficult questions. This is a tragedy because, for most of these challenging questions, there are helpful and clear answers just a few clicks away! A Christian who desires to remain unshaken in their faith, should familiarize themselves with the following resources so they can be ready for the difficult questions that are sure to come.

www.lumina.bible.orgThis is your go-to online Bible study resource complete with commentary notes, articles, sermons, maps and name explanations. Perfect for going deeper.

www.openbible.info/topicsThis website is perfect for finding bible verses related to almost any topic you can think of. What does the bible say about ________? This website has the answer!

www.gotquestions.orgHere you can find discussions and explanations relating to almost any question you may have in mind. Just type in a question and get ready to learn!

www.realtruthrealquick.comA series of short videos from Watermark’s Senior Pastor, Todd Wagner, that addresses common questions with direct answers from God’s Word.

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The GospelThe gospel is the epicenter of the Christian faith, the theme of the whole bible, and the only hope of every human soul. Understanding and being able to share the gospel are foundational skills for every follower of Jesus Christ. “What is the gospel?” This is a question that we have challenged our leaders to ask you at the start of each and every Small Group meeting, so be prepared. To learn more, check out http://www.watermark.org/about/gospel.

Community and Accountability“Accountability” is not a word that you will find in the Bible but it is a concept that ties together many biblical principles and gives us the opportunity to put them into practice. Accountability allows us to deepen our Christ-centered relationships with others and enhance our personal growth in Christ.

Below are some key questions (and follow up questions) you can use to promote the community and accountability of your Small Group. Remember, every discussion is an opportunity to point each other to Jesus Christ and the truth of God’s word.

Key Community and Accountability Questions1. How has your time with God been this week? What have you learned

about God and yourself?2. What has inspired or encouraged you this week? 3. What has been weighing on you this week? 4. How have you struggled with sin or temptation this week?5. How have you shared Christ with and/or shown God’s love to others this

week?6. How can we pray for you or serve you (advice, encouragement, support)

this week?7. What are your hopes or goals for next week?

Follow Up Questions1. What does God’s word say about that?2. What do you think God is trying to teach you through that?3. What do you think God wants you to do next?

Key Passages about Community and AccountabilityProverbs 27:17, Proverbs 28:13, Proverbs 20:5, Proverbs 25:12, Ecclesiastes 4:8-12, Romans 14: 13-23, 2 Corinthians 12:19-13:6, Galatians 6: 1-6, Colossians 3:16, Ephesians 4:9-13,1 Thessalonians 5:14, James 5:15-16, Hebrews 3:13, Hebrews 10:23-25

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MoreShoreline.com

Fourth Wednesdays.

DTown16.com

February 5-7, 2016

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Why Study Hebrews?Sometimes when you go shopping for a new pair of shoes, new jeans, a new shirt, or a new dress, you know exactly what you’re looking for. But most times, you try on several different options before you decide on the one that you absolutely must have. Your goal is to make an informed decision to purchase an item of clothing that you look good in and feel confident wearing. Sometimes, you just don’t care and you grab the first thing that catches your eye and later on you regret buying it because you don’t like it or you don’t think you look good wearing it. A far more important decision than choosing your wardrobe is choosing the kind of faith that you will embrace. We want you to be unshaken in the faith you call your own!

There are many religions and world views available to choose from today. Some high school students embrace a certain faith (even Christianity) without adequate examination. Some students pick and choose aspects from different religions and basically make up their own. Some students are thoroughly confused. And still other students reject any type of religion all together. Our hope is that every person that ever reads through this curriculum will make an informed decision to embrace Christianity and be unshaken in their conviction that Christianity is true & trustworthy.

Every world religion and world view has an answer to these four questions: How did it all begin? What is the problem? What is the solution? What does the future hold? The goal of the book of Hebrews is to prove to anyone that reads it that Christ and Christianity are superior to every other religion or world view. The author of Hebrews challenges us to evaluate Christianity knowing that it will stand up to any test. The author of Hebrews wants us to walk away from this book knowing that whatever or whoever we may consider as the focus of our lives, Jesus is better! The abundant life He offers is better! He wants you be unshaken in the belief that Christ and Christianity is worth buying into with the hope that you will give yourself unreservedly and completely to Christ! Let’s dive in!

Suggested Memory VersesHebrews 1:3Hebrews 4:12Hebrews 6:10Hebrews 10:24-25Hebrews 11:6Hebrews 13:7

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January 13

Hebrews 1Key PointsThe author of the book of Hebrews is unknown. Some traditions hold that the author is Paul, others that it’s Barnabas, but in reality, we have no idea who the author is. What we do know is that the author was well acquainted with Christianity, the Old Testament Law and Israel’s history.

(v. 1) Before the incarnation of Christ (Him being born into this world) God revealed himself through visions, dreams, prophets and His people Israel. In Jesus Christ we find God’s ultimate revelation of Himself to humanity. In Christ we have all that we need to be saved from our sin and to live a life pleasing to God.

(v. 2) Jesus is given the designation “heir of all things”. In other words, literally everything belongs to Him and will ultimately be under His rule in the reign of Christ for all eternity. The sweet part of the deal is that all who place their faith in Christ are adopted into His family and become co-heirs with Him (see Romans 8:14-17)

(v. 2) The phrase “through whom also he made the universe” isn’t just a throw away point. The author of Hebrews wants us to know that the same power that brought the universe into existence, and continues to sustain it today, is the same power that saves us, sustains us and preserves us.

(v. 3) Not only is Jesus the exact representation of God, but He is God Himself! If you were to ask the question, “I wonder what God is like?” you would find your answer in the record of Jesus’ life recorded in the 4 gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John).

(v. 4) Certain false teachers taught that God could only be approached through angels. The writer of Hebrews wanted to point out that this is not true (1:14, Colossians 2:18) and that we approach God through His son Jesus. Other false teachers promoted the idea that Jesus was just the highest created angel. The author of Hebrews makes it clear that Jesus is not some angel but the Son of God.

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This Week’s Assignments

___________________________ will share the gospel.

___________________________ will share a 3-minute personal testimony.

___________________________ will lead the discussion.

DiscussQuestions I want to ask at Small Group about this chapter:

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Know and DoIn your opinion, what’s the most important idea that you will take away from this chapter?

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How does this chapter move you to action? After reading this chapter, what would God have you start doing, stop doing, or keep doing?

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January 20

Hebrews 2Key Points(v. 1) The author makes the point here that because Jesus is the final revelation of God to man, we should pay special attention to His life, ministry and the life He calls believers to live. It is way easier to see Christ as just a ticket to heaven as opposed to actively, daily, and consistently seeking Him. How can you be more disciplined about actively pursuing Christ?

(v. 2-4) The point being made here is that since the Old Testament Law was delivered to Moses by angels (Galatians 3:19), and that Law was binding with consequences attached for disobeying it, how much more important is it for us to seek to obey the demands of the New Covenant ushered in by the work of Christ who is far superior to angels and the message they delivered?

(v.3) It is highly unlikely that the author is referencing hell when he asks the question “how shall we escape?” This is for a couple reasons. First, if he was indeed talking about hell, he would not have used the pronoun “we” in making this point since he is clearly a believer. Second he uses the word “neglect” or “ignore”. Notice he does not use the word “reject”. There is a huge difference between neglecting and rejecting.

(v. 3) There is some sort of consequence for not actively choosing to pursue a relationship with Christ. The consequence is NOT losing your salvation or going to hell. What are some consequences for not cultivating your walk with Christ daily?

(v. 5-8) There will come a day when the entire world, with no sign of sin, will be under the rule of Christ and those who place their faith in Him. But for now there is still pain, disease, death and suffering in our world. One day, all of these sad things will become untrue, but when that day comes, there will be no more opportunity for repentance. And so God is willing to allow pain and suffering to continue if it gives man more time and chances to turn to Him (see 2 Peter 3:9).

(v. 14-18) The reason Christ had to become human was that He had to become like the creation He was going to die for. He had to experience everything they experience while still being sinless and perfect. No other kind of sacrifice would be sufficient; no other person would be sufficient.

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February 3

Hebrews 3Key Points(v. 1) What Christ has done for us should cause us to stop, thank Him and purpose to live for Him always. As best as you can imagine it, picture the Creator of the universe becoming a tiny human being for the purpose of providing salvation for humans that rejected His way in the first place.

(v. 2-5) Moses is one of the greatest heroes in Israel’s history. He was the one that led the nation out of bondage, led them through the wilderness, gave them the Law and wrote the first five books of the Old Testament. Here the author makes the point that Moses was a faithful servant in the “house” which is made up of all believers, while Christ is the faithful Son that even makes the house possible. Because of this, Jesus deserves greater honor than Moses.

(v. 6) Every day that you stay faithful and confident in Christ, you are not working to earn or keep your salvation, but rather you are continuing to prove that your faith in Him is genuine. Faith that is true faith is faith that works and endures.

(v. 7-11) The generation of Israelites that escaped Egypt doubted God time and time again in the wilderness and eventually did not trust that He would give them victory to claim the Promised Land. As a result, that generation wandered in the wilderness until they all died. They never experienced the amazing reward. The author’s point to us is that when we lack trust in God, it always leads to awful consequences. What are ways that you aren’t trusting God right now?

(v. 12-14) The author makes the profound point here that the antidote to drifting in our faith and doubting our God is being held accountable in community. It is your responsibility to help other believers stay focused on pursuing Christ. Who can you encourage today?

(v. 15-19) When you see the word “unbelief” in the book of Hebrews, it is the translation of a Hebrew word that means “unwillingness to commit oneself to another or respond positively to the other’s words or actions”. In other words, it is NOT unbelief in the sense of rejecting Christ and the gospel, but rather unbelief in the sense of not trusting God and living a life that proves that you really don’t trust God.

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February 10

Hebrews 4Key Points(v. 1) The Jewish Christian readers were in a tough situation. They were being persecuted socially by Jews who wanted them to return to Judaism. They were being persecuted physically by the Romans who despised their religion. In a certain respect, it made sense for them to just return to Judaism, the Law and the Sacrificial system, and avoid persecution. But the author challenges them not to make this choice. How are you being tempted to “go with the flow” and avoid persecution?

(v. 1) The author uses the Exodus generation (Israelites who rejected God’s promise of provision and protection) as a warning to his readers. He wanted them to see that because that generation didn’t trust God, they did not experience His “rest” by entering the Promised Land.

(v. 1-3) The “rest” the author speaks of to his readers and all believers is multifaceted. It involves rest from trying to earn salvation (Matthew 11:28). It involves rest in terms of trusting that God is good, sovereign and just on a daily basis. It involves ultimate rest as it relates to enjoying, God, heaven and His rewards for all eternity.

(v. 4-11) Since the creation of the earth, God has been resting. He rested on the 7th day of creation because His work was complete and perfect; He was satisfied with it. It was good. And even though sin has entered the story and tarnished His perfection, there will come a day when He will re-perfect His creation. But until then, He calls anyone who wills to join Him in resting through His son Jesus.

(v. 12) The inner life of a Christian is often a mixture of motivations that are genuinely spiritually and some that are completely fleshly, broken and sinful. It takes a supernatural discerning agent (God’s word) to sort these out. How are you building a habit of spending time in God’s word?

(v. 14-16) As the greatest high priest ever, Jesus represents man to God and God to man. As humanity’s representative, he intercedes before God for us. As God’s representative, He assures us of forgiveness and right relationship with God. This is His full time job! This is why we can have confidence in prayer, Jesus has been praying for us long before we even think of praying!

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February 17

Hebrews 5Key Points(v. 1-6) These verses highlight what qualified someone to be the high priest or the chief representative of the people to God. The high priest was chosen from among the people, he understood what they went through, because he himself endured the same hardships, and no one could decide to become the high priest, this was a choice made by God. Based on these criteria, Jesus, the incarnate Son of God, chosen by God, is our great representative!

(v. 3) The difference between Jesus and every other high priest was that they sinned, but He never did. This is what makes Jesus the end of the sacrificial system. His offering of His life dealt with the sin that no other offering by any other human high priest could adequately deal with!

(v. 7) While Jesus was 100% God, He was also 100% man. This reality is most plainly seen in our recollection of Him suffering through excruciating pain and torture and crying out to God for help on the cross. The resurrection of Christ was an answer to His prayers before and on the cross. The resurrection of Jesus is resounding proof that God accepted His sacrifice and heard his prayer. What is something that you have been praying for that God has recently answered?

(v. 8-9) Because Jesus endured the cross and all the pain that comes with suffering, He is uniquely qualified to be the representative to God (High Priest) on behalf of all His followers (past, present, and future) who would also endure much suffering in this life. In other words, Jesus uniquely understands whatever you are going through right now because He experienced it in His life and death.

(v. 11-14) It can be easy when growing up in the church or around a Christian culture to become lazy and not actively seek to learn more through God’s word. The truth is that if you’ve been a believer for a few years, those who are newer in the faith should be learning from you! They should be seeing a desire to get into God’s word, they should see a life marked by special effort to serve God and reject evil, they should see a life marked by confession and authenticity in community. How would you say you are currently doing in your walk?

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An unforgettable Christ-centered adventure!

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March 2

Hebrews 6Key Points(v. 1-3) The author makes the point that since his readers had been believers for a while (Hebrews 5:12), it was high time for them to move past the basics of Christianity. He wasn’t devaluing foundational truths, he was saying that if builders spent all their time admiring the foundation and not continuing to build, the beauty of a finished home would never be realized. How can you be proactively building upon the foundation of your faith?

(v. 4-6) There has been much debate about these 3 verses as it relates to the possibility of a Christian losing their salvation. But because of internal evidence (Hebrews 9:26-28, 10:11-14) and external evidence (John 10:27-28, 1 John 5:10-13), it is unlikely that the author is talking about a believer potentially losing their salvation. It is most likely that he is warning his Christian readers about the danger and consequences of apostasy (rejecting the faith you once held close). The discipline for someone who has fallen away (apostasy) isn’t the loss eternal salvation but rather loss of opportunity to go on to maturity in the Christian life, loss of effective service for Christ in this life, loss of the blessings of God that come from an obedient life, and in some cases perhaps premature physical death.

(v. 4-6) Rejecting the faith we once held dear is a real possibility and danger for anyone of us who is a believer but does not stay connected to the body of Christ through His word and through His people. This is why daily devotion to Christ and being held accountable in community are so important. What can you do today to be more connected to Christ’s body the church?

(v. 7-12) The author does not want his readers to be a part of number that will “fall away” and reject the faith they once held dear. He wants them to imitate those who have gone before and are now experiencing the fullness of God’s promises. We are called to persevere, to mature, to understand that God sees our faithfulness to Him. Did you catch that? God sees your faithfulness!

(v. 13-20) The promise of future blessing is both encouraging and motivating because of who it comes from. Our promise comes from God whose nature and word is unchanging. He will remain faithful and make good on His promises made to those who embrace His Son Jesus!

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March 16

Hebrews 7 Key Points(v. 1-28) The main argument of this chapter is that Jesus’ priesthood and New Covenant are better than the Levitical priesthood and the Old Covenant. In both priesthoods and covenants, sin costs someone something. In the Levitical priesthood and Old Covenant, finite, sinful men continuously offered insufficient sacrifices for sin. In Christ’s priesthood and New Covenant, the infinite, perfect Jesus offered the only sufficient sacrifice: Himself!

(v. 1-10) To prove that Jesus’s priesthood and covenant are better, the author points out the story of Melchizedek which is recorded in Genesis 14. Take some time to read that amazing story! The mysterious Melchizedek was a priest in Jerusalem long before the nation of Israel was even established. He has no family record, nor is there a record of the beginning or end of his priesthood. In that sense, his priesthood continues ‘forever’.

(v. 4-10) When Abraham met Melchizedek, he was blessed by his superior and then decided to give him a tenth of all the spoils of victory. In the act of tithing to Melchizedek, Abraham acknowledged that this king and priest was his superior. And in that very act, the Levitical priesthood acknowledged that the priesthood of Melchizedek was superior because Levi and his sons are descendants of Abraham (see v. 10).

(v. 11-17) Jesus and Melchizedek are similar because they did not become priests because they came from the Jewish tribe of Levi but because their lives their lives are “unending”. Because there is no record of Melchizedek’s birth or death his life is symbolically said to be “unending”. Because Jesus is the Son of God, risen from the dead, His life is actually unending.

(v. 18-28) Because Jesus originates from a different tribe (Judah), He established a newer and better priesthood. What the old priesthood and covenant could not do (permanently deal with sin), has been accomplished in the work of Christ on our behalf! Christ is our eternal priest, as long as he continues to live, our salvation continues to be secure (v. 24-25)! What is a thought or image that helps you to stand in awe of what Jesus did for you on the cross?

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March 30

Hebrews 8Key Points(v. 1-4) These verses refer back to Hebrews 7:26-28 where Jesus is described is the sinless, perfect, eternal high priest forever interceding on our behalf and guaranteeing our salvation. He gained this position by humbling Himself and offering His life to usher in a new and better way of right relationship with God.

(v. 5) If you’ve ever read parts of Exodus and Leviticus and were confused by the painstaking detail given about building the tabernacle and other places of worship and sacrifice, this verse gives you the reason for all that detail. The earthly tabernacle that God instructed Moses to build served as a physical example of the spiritual reality in heaven. Sinful priests offered animals on behalf of the sins of the Israelites, but this was only a shadow, a preview, a peak into the work of Christ on our behalf. Every aspect of the earthly tabernacle reminds us of something that is true about Christ Himself. God’s instructions had to be carefully followed so that Christ would be clearly and correctly depicted.

(v. 6-7) The Old Covenant was never meant to be permanent, it was supposed to show us our flaws and lead us to Christ (Galatians 3:24). The Old Covenant is based on our obedience to a set of rules which sinful humans cannot keep. The New Covenant is based on the faithfulness of Christ to endure the cross.

(v. 8-9) The nation of Israel failed to keep the Old Covenant over and over again. They worshipped false gods, sacrificed their children, took on the other evil practices of nations around them and failed to serve God in the way He intended for them to. The nation through which all the earth was supposed to be blessed was a disgrace because of their own hard hearts.

(v. 10-13) The New Covenant was instituted through the death and resurrection of Christ. The New Covenant is better because it is based on Christ’s faithfulness instead of our ability to perform. With the New Covenant, we are given an inner inclination to obey God, a unique and special relationship with God, knowledge of God, and the forgiveness of sins. The New Covenant frees us from the pressures and obligations of religious performance!

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April 6

Hebrews 9Key Points(v. 1-5) When God gave instruction for the construction of this worship center, every detail was intentional and pointed to the true source of right relationship with God. For example, the lampstand represents Christ as the light of the world, the consecrated bread represents Christ as the bread of life, and the jar of manna represented God’s provision.

(v. 6-10) The Most Holy Place was a room in the Jewish Tabernacle that represented the dwelling place of God. Only the high priest could enter this room, once a year (on a day known as the Day of Atonement, where he would offer a sacrifice for the sins of the entire nation) and he had to offer an animal sacrifice for his own sin so that he could enter this room without dying. In fact, the high priest wore bells attached to his feet and a rope around his waist when he entered this room. If he were to die because he had not dealt with some sin, the bells would stop sounding and the people would be able to pull him out of this room. Entering God’s presence was and is a big deal!

(v. 11-14) There is a world of difference between every other high priest and Jesus the great High Priest. The other high priests offered the blood of some animal that made them temporarily clean, Christ offered his own blood which makes us eternally clean and right with God. The other high priests had to make this offering once a year every year, Christ offered Himself once and for all. Christ’s sacrifice not only frees us from sin but empowers us to live surrendered to God in daily service. What a deal!

(v. 15-22) Why does forgiveness require the shedding of blood? Blood is the sign of the sealing of a deal; blood symbolizes that a promise will be kept and not broken; blood symbolizes cleansing; blood is the ultimate symbol of life. For all these reasons and more, animal sacrifices had to be offered in faith by the nation of Israel that an even better sacrifice will one day be offered on behalf of their sins, namely in the person of Jesus Christ.

(v. 23-28) In dying for our sins and rising from the dead, Christ dealt with the sin problem permanently. The Israelites had to offer sacrifices continually in faith that one day they would no longer have to. They looked forward to the first appearing of Christ to put an end to the Old Covenant. We look back at the work of Christ for us and look forward to His second coming!

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April 13

Hebrews 10 Key Points(v. 1-4) The Old Covenant and sacrificial system were never meant to solve the problem of sin. Instead, these things were meant to demonstrate man’s need for a Savior and point to Jesus Christ as God’s only ultimate solution.

(v. 5-8) It is possible to perform external acts that do not reflect an inward change. For God, inward change is infinitely more important. Inward change always leads to a change in external acts, but external acts without an inward change are empty, worthless and fake. By faith, seek the kind of inward change that is pleasing to God!

(v. 9-18) Christ’s decision to enter history in obedience to His Father changed our eternity and our security forever! While priests of the Old Covenant had to continually offer sacrifices, Christ’s sacrifice of Himself was enough to pay for every sin in every moment of history. The imagery of former priests standing and working versus Jesus sitting and resting after His work is a great picture of the two options we have today. Working to earn salvation and God’s favor leads to exhaustion and insecurity. Trusting in the work of Christ leads to rest and eternal security.

(v. 19-25) Before the cross, those who trusted in God couldn’t just come to Him whenever they wanted. They had to approach God through a demanding system of sacrifices and priests. After the resurrection of Jesus, there is a new access to the God of the universe. He invites us to pray about anything, pray as often as we want, and encourage each other to walk like Jesus would. We live in a blessed time in human history!

(v. 26-39) If we have claimed to believe in Jesus, but then decide to deliberately live in sin, away from Christ and Christianity, we are standing in agreement with everyone who has ever opposed the cross and standing in agreement that Jesus deserved to die a criminal’s death. Consider these warnings of God’s holiness and wrath and repent if you have been taking God’s mercy for granted.

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April 20

Hebrews 11Key Points(v. 1) Faith can be defined as active trust based on evidence. In other words, because of God’s character, grace and goodness, He can be trusted to be faithful and sovereign in our lives, just as He was in the lives of others who have gone before us.

(v. 2-6) We can’t please God by working hard enough to gain His approval. We please God when we know, believe and act like we can do nothing without Him.

(v. 7-16) Faith is more than just a mental agreement with certain facts. Faith is more than a magic prayer in an emotional moment. True faith, faith that pleases God is a faith that changes everything about a person’s life. Noah, Abraham and Sarah prove that faith is a way of life and a lens through which believers should view and interact with the world. Faith is proven to be true not by internally believing the right facts. Faith is proven by trusting God so much so that it affects the way we live.

(v. 17-31) Faith sometimes leads us to go against conventional wisdom and trust God even when it doesn’t make sense (see Abraham). Faith sometimes leads us to mistreatment and solitude (see Moses). Faith also leads to protection, provision, deliverance, victory and to be a part of something bigger than yourself (see Israel and Rahab). What are some ways that you have lived by faith and experienced mistreatment or God’s protection and provision?

(v. 32) The original audience was probably surprised to see people like Gideon, Barak, Samson, and Jephthah listed as examples of faith. If you read their stories in the Old Testament, these men are hardly examples worth following! They are mostly remembered for their failures, their stories told as warnings. Their inclusion in this chapter demonstrates the beautiful truth that God delights in using flawed humans to accomplish His purposes. Be comforted! Even in the midst of our failures and times when our faith feels weak, God will strengthen our faith and empower us to accomplish His purposes for His glory.

(v. 33-40) Believers that endure severe hardship, persecution and suffering in this life have an amazing inheritance and blessing to look forward to as their faith stands the test of time!

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May 4

Hebrews 12Key Points(v. 1-3) The believers in Hebrews 11 persevered against all odds. All throughout the corridors of history God’s people have chosen to follow Him over comfort, sin, ease and the pleasures of this life. If God empowered them to do it, He can do the same for us. Our greatest motivation to endure should be the perseverance of Christ. He endured the most shameful of deaths in spite being King of the universe so that we may have life!

(v. 4-13) There is some discipline that is punishment, but most discipline is instructive. In other words, the main purpose of discipline is to teach us something. The author tells us that discipline is a means through which God makes us more and more like Him (v. 10), discipline validates that we are God’s children (v. 7-8) and the result of walking through discipline is that our lives will bear fruit that serves as a witness to a lost and dying world (v. 11).

(v. 14-15) Peace with those we walk through life with doesn’t come naturally. It takes humility and work! Resolving conflict and asking for forgiveness should be a regular occurrence among God’s people. We are to be a people that are diligent to preserve our relationships and not let hurts or disappointment turn into resentment and bitterness. If someone has done or said something hurtful to you, address it. If you have been hurtful to someone else, ask their forgiveness, it’s what we are called to do.

(v. 16-17) Some sins have lasting consequences. As much as Esau wanted to reverse his actions and not have to endure the consequences of his actions, he couldn’t. It is said that we are free to choose our actions, but we are not free to choose our consequences. Therefore, we must choose actions wisely.

(18-29) Because of Christ, we no longer have to approach God terrified for our lives but rather joyful for the relationship we have with Him through His Son. Because of Christ, we are part of an unshakeable kingdom. In the end, the world as we know it will be judged, but those who share the faith of Abraham will remain to experience the new heaven earth for all eternity! Our response to these guarantees should be a life of worship! How can you enjoy a life of worship today?

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May 11

Hebrews 13Key Points(v. 1-6) In light of the relationship with God made available through Jesus Christ, the way we live our lives should be different from the rest of the world. Because believers genuinely loves others, we should be hospitable to strangers, show empathy for the imprisoned and the mistreated, respect, honor and keep marriage vows and let contentment rule our lives instead of a desire for money.

(v. 7) A healthy exercise to do on a consistent basis is to reflect on the individuals that have had an impact on our lives by the power of Christ working through them. The writer encourages us to remember them, consider how their lives have turned out (if they have continued to walk faithfully with the Lord), and imitate their way of life. Who is someone that you can thank for the impact they’ve had on your life?

(v. 8-10) The author reminds his readers one last time not to follow the Jewish sacrificial system as the avenue through which they could be in right relationship with God. That system and the Law as a whole was meant to point out the problem of sin and reveal how it was to be ultimately dealt with by Christ on the cross.

(v. 11-14) The author uses the imagery of animals whose bodies were burned outside the camp, but whose blood served to ritually cleanse the people. In a similar fashion, Jesus was crucified outside the safe confines of the city, but His blood served to genuinely cleanse humanity from their sin. The implication of all this for Jewish Christians (and all Christians) is that times may come in our lives when we have to go “outside the camp”. This means leaving what is safe and comfortable to declare our loyalty to Christ and to follow Him no matter the cost!

(v. 15-23) The author closes his letter by reminding believers to always be people who are known for the praise they offer to God, the good they do for neighbors, their submission to church leadership, the prayers they offer for others, and their dependence on God who has equipped them do His will. Here we see one reason why church membership is so important. Membership is not theoretical, it’s practical. Membership in a local body helps you identify the specific, actual leaders that God has called to watch over you. You can’t fully obey v. 17 if you aren’t a member of a church! Are you a member of a church? If not, what’s holding you back?

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dear students, · 2017-05-30 · advice to help you get the most out of your time: be consistent...

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