Hebrews

Introduction - Hebrews

Hebrews was a much needed wake up call for some Christians. Apathy can overtake us, sin that we used to battle against can creep in and taking up residence. The message of Hebrews is to not drift; hold on tight; fight; run the race hard and steady; go to war each day; strive for the things of God each day. As human beings, we often find ourselves looking for something better. We spend our lives searching for the next thing that might leave us satisfied and fulfilled. Yet the moment we find it within our grasp, we are once again left longing for something better. Every generation looks to the past and the future, certain that anything but what is in the present must be better; yet we find that the longing for something better has always plagued us.

Thankfully, the Bible offers another way; something better that meets our every need and satisfies the longings of our souls. This is the thread woven throughout the book of Hebrews. At a surface level Hebrews can be confusing and a little unclear in its practical application. Yet the resounding message throughout its thirteen chapters is that Jesus is the something better our hearts long for. Hebrews makes it abundantly clear that Jesus is superior to all we might long for, hope for, and seek out for the fulfillment of our souls—superior to everything else. Whatever we might pursue to satisfy our minds and hearts, Jesus is better.

Neither the author nor the audience of this book is specifically named, but the book itself reveals its nature and purpose. The recipients are Jesus-believing Jews who are in danger of falling away from the faith. They are likely in Italy, since the author passes on greetings to them from those who are from Italy—probably their friends who are traveling elsewhere. The goal of the whole book is to show the superiority of the final realities God has revealed in the new covenant to the temporary ones of the first covenant. Its readers are encouraged to respond to the threat of persecution by recommitting to the new reality brought by Jesus.

The book alternates between teachings—reviews of Israel’s history or the temple worship arrangements—and challenges based on these teachings. There are four teaching-challenge pairs:

> Jesus and the salvation he brings are greater than the angels and the salvation they announced (the law of Moses).

> Jesus is our “apostle” (someone sent by God on a specific mission), and he brings us into a greater rest and promised land than Moses and Joshua brought Israel into.

> Jesus is a more effective high priest than the priests appointed by the law of Moses.

> As God’s faithful people have done throughout the ages, we must continue living in light of God’s unseen heavenly realities and stepping out in faith. Through the Messiah we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken.

Paul the Apostle is thought to be the author. The purpose of the book of Hebrews is to present Jesus in light of the Old Testament. While the exact location of the intended readers is unknown, we know the recipients of this letter were facing persecution of some sort. The letter is written to encourage and exhort its readers to stand firm in the face of it all (see 3:6, 14; 4:14; 10:23). Hebrews encourages us to consider our own perseverance in the faith in the midst of difficult times.

SESSION 1: The majesty of God's splendor is fully revealed in Jesus - Hebrews 1
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Alistair Begg — God Has Spoken & The Superiority of Christ

Focus: The Supremacy and Glory of Christ

Purpose Statement: The writer of Hebrews intends to communicate that Jesus Christ is the ultimate revelation of God’s glory, superior to angels, prophets, and all creation. Through Him, God's majesty is fully revealed, establishing His authority and role as the eternal Son.

READ: Hebrews 1 (NLT)

Jesus Christ Is God’s Son

1 Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. 2 And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. 3 The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. 4 This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names.

The Son Is Greater Than the Angels

5 For God never said to any angel what he said to Jesus:

“You are my Son.
    Today I have become your Father.”

God also said,

“I will be his Father,
    and he will be my Son.”

6 And when he brought his supreme Son into the world, God said,

“Let all of God’s angels worship him.”

7 Regarding the angels, he says,

“He sends his angels like the winds,
    his servants like flames of fire.”

8 But to the Son he says,

“Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever.
    You rule with a scepter of justice.
9 You love justice and hate evil.
    Therefore, O God, your God has anointed you,
    pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.”

10 He also says to the Son,

“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth
    and made the heavens with your hands.
11 They will perish, but you remain forever.
    They will wear out like old clothing.
12 You will fold them up like a cloak
    and discard them like old clothing.
But you are always the same;
    you will live forever.”

13 And God never said to any of the angels,

“Sit in the place of honor at my right hand
    until I humble your enemies,
    making them a footstool under your feet.”

14 Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.

Opening Question: "How does understanding Jesus as the full revelation of God’s glory impact your relationship with Him and your view of His authority?"

OVERVIEW

Chapters 1 and 2 are mostly made up of a list of Old Testament quotations. These are used to provide several points of evidence that Jesus is above and beyond any angel. Verses 1–4– of chapter 1 summarize this idea.

Verse 5 cites Psalm 2:7 and 2 Samuel 7:14. These verses highlight the fact that the Promised One is not the same as an angel, but is labeled as the "Son of God."

Verses 6 and 7 portray angels as servant beings. These creatures worship God and serve God. They have a shifting, changing nature, depending on the tasks they are assigned by God. In contrast, according to verses 8 through 14, Jesus is given ultimate authority, and has a nature which is unchanging and eternal. He is not worshiping, but He is worshiped. The distinction between Jesus and these angels is clear.

THINK ABOUT THIS
Who doesn’t love a good bargain? There’s nothing quite like the thrill of realizing you’ve scored a good deal. We can so love the status that owning nice things gives us that we’ll even settle for a good knock-off if the price is right.

Not so with God and His redemptive plan. This is no faux savior, hastily thrown together, perhaps looking the part but ultimately unable to stand the test of time. He paid the highest price in full to secure our salvation, choosing to send not just anyone but His very Son. For some of us, familiarity with this phrase can cause it to lose some of its intended weight. Consider the following: who do you love the most? Who would you move heaven and earth to save? Now think of someone you don’t like very much. Yes, we know, that’s not very Christlike, but for the sake of the analogy, call to mind someone who drives you crazy or gets your blood boiling; someone you can hardly stand. Now imagine sacrificing the one you love most to save them. Could you, do it? Could you move heaven and earth for them, trading the one you love most to save your enemy?

When God sent Jesus, He sent Him to save those who hated Him. God didn’t send an angel, or some other created being. He sent His Son. Yet Jesus didn’t consider the price too high to pay. Instead, for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross and all its shame to do the work of reconciling us to God.

QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT

• Why would God choose to speak to people differently in different ways?
• In what different ways has God chosen to communicate to people?
• What does it mean that Christ is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature?
• What does it mean that He upholds all things?
• What impact should it have on our lives knowing that Jesus actually upholds everything by His power?
• What does it mean that He has “become” better than the angels? Was He ever ranked lower than the angels?

THIS MAY SURPRISE YOU: Clarifying a Difficult Teaching

In Hebrews 1:3, the author describes Jesus as "the exact representation of [God's] being." This phrase can be challenging because it suggests that Jesus is not just a messenger or a prophet but fully embodies God's essence. This means that when we look at Jesus, we see God Himself. This teaching emphasizes that Jesus is not merely a reflection of God but is God in human form, making Him the ultimate revelation of God's nature and will.

SERIOUSLY THINKING- Growing Traits in the Person Who Takes Seriously The majesty of God's splendor is fully revealed in Jesus - Hebrews 1

Trait→Description→Scripture Reference

1. Reverence for God→Recognizes and honors the divine majesty and glory fully revealed in Jesus.→Hebrews 1:3

2. Confidence in Christ→Develops unwavering trust in Jesus as the exact representation of God’s nature.→Hebrews 1:3

3. Spiritual Insight→Gains deeper understanding of God's nature and divine truth through Christ.→Hebrews 1:1-2

4. Worshipful Heart→Responds with heartfelt worship and praise for God's supreme greatness.→Hebrews 1:6

5. Submission to Authority→Acknowledges Jesus’ supremacy over all creation and willingly submits to His lordship.→Hebrews 1:4-5

6. Hope in Eternal Life→Embraces the hope of eternal inheritance secured through the Son’s divine nature.→Hebrews 1:14

TAKE-HOME THOUGHT: Seeing the Bigger Picture

Understanding that Jesus is the full revelation of God's glory helps us see God's plan for humanity. Throughout history, God communicated with people through prophets and various means. However, in Jesus, God chose to reveal Himself completely. This means that to know God, we look to Jesus. His life, teachings, death, and resurrection show us who God is and how much He loves us. By focusing on Jesus, we can better understand God's character and His desires for our lives.

CROSS-REFERENCE: Similar Scriptures in the New Testament

Here are some New Testament verses that echo the message of Hebrews 1:

John 14:9: Jesus answered, "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?"

Colossians 1:15: The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

2 Corinthians 4:4: The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Philippians 2:6-7: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

Colossians 2:9: For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.

These verses highlight that Jesus is the perfect representation of God, showing us His nature and will.

SESSION 2: Apathy and Drifting - Hebrews 2:1-10
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Alistair Begg — The Danger of Drifting

Focus: Warning Against Spiritual Drift

Purpose Statement: The writer of Hebrews warns believers about the danger of neglecting their salvation, urging them to stay attentive to the message of Christ. By reflecting on Christ’s sacrifice and the salvation He offers, the passage calls believers to hold firmly to their faith and avoid drifting away.

READ: Hebrews 2:1-10 (NLT)

A Warning against Drifting Away

1 So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. 2 For the message God delivered through angels has always stood firm, and every violation of the law and every act of disobedience was punished. 3 So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak? 4 And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose.

Jesus, the Man

5 And furthermore, it is not angels who will control the future world we are talking about. 6 For in one place the Scriptures say,

“What are mere mortals that you should think about them,
    or a son of man that you should care for him?
7 Yet for a little while you made them a little lower than the angels
    and crowned them with glory and honor.
8 You gave them authority over all things.”

Now when it says “all things,” it means nothing is left out. But we have not yet seen all things put under their authority. 9 What we do see is Jesus, who for a little while was given a position “a little lower than the angels”; and because he suffered death for us, he is now “crowned with glory and honor.” Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone. 10 God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation.

Opening Question: "What are some ways we can unintentionally drift away from our faith, and how can we stay focused on the truth of Christ’s message in our everyday lives?"

OVERVIEW

According to the Scriptures, when God delivers a message and it is ignored, there are consequences. This applies to more than just a take-it-or-leave-it approach to God's message; "drifting" from His truth also results in problems. The Greek of this passage includes terms related both to deliberate sin as well as to mistakes (Hebrews 2:1–2). Regardless of how it happens, moving from truth to error never ends well. In the case of this particular message, God has gone to great lengths to provide proof (Hebrews 2:3–4), so there are no good excuses for "drifting."

After that caution, the writer of Hebrews returns to the Old Testament. The purpose is to continue proving that Jesus, the Messiah, is not an angel. He is superior to angels both in His divine nature and as a Savior for mankind. The quotations and arguments used in this passage emphasize the humanity of the Messiah (Hebrews 2:5–18). An angel could not experience true humanity—they cannot call mankind "brothers" (Hebrews 2:5–13).

THINK ABOUT THIS

If you've ever found yourself floating in the middle of a body of water, you know just how quickly and easy it is to be carried away by the wind and tide. Without being properly anchored, we can easily drift from where we need to be. Throughout the book of Hebrews, we find stern warnings against spiritual drift. The first warning found in this week’s passage addresses the influence and impact that other sources can have on our lives; do the voices we listen to and the worldviews we adhere to come from the irrefutable source of Scripture? We are reminded here that the Gospel message comes from the most reliable source of all—the Lord himself. Not only does this good news come from Him but it originated in Him and continues to be sustained by Him to this day. Comfort and confidence are available to us through the storms of life when we place our anchor and hope in Jesus.

The Old Testament is filled with preemptive warnings of the consequences of not abiding The Law, but consider the seriousness of ignoring God Himself; the consequences of ignoring the warning signs given to us via the Gospel are far more severe. God is so patient and kind to us to give us His word to warn us and keep us safe. He knows our hearts are prone to wander and seeks to protect us from our own tendencies toward self-destruction.

QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT

Examine 2:10 carefully. What does it say about Christ? We know that Christ lived a perfect life—one without sin—so how can He have been made perfect through suffering? Skip ahead to Hebrews 5:7–9 for a hint. If you are still unsure how to answer this question, start with what you know it CAN’T mean based on the truths you know.

God has blessed us with a reliable message of instruction from the most trustworthy source and He desires that we listen to it! The Bible can be challenging to understand but we have the gift of the Holy Spirit, who gives us the mind of Christ, and are blessed with endless resources to help us dive in. How do we need to change the way, we approach God’s word?

THIS MAY SURPRISE YOU: Clarifying a Difficult Teaching

In Hebrews 2:1, the writer issues a warning: "We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away." This may surprise some because it suggests that even believers who have heard the gospel can drift away from it. This doesn't mean they lose their salvation, but it does highlight a very real danger of spiritual apathy or neglect. Drifting away can happen when we fail to actively nurture our relationship with God, allowing distractions or complacency to take over. The writer stresses the need for intentional focus on Christ and His message to prevent spiritual drift, urging believers to remain vigilant in their faith and remember the importance of their salvation. This teaching reminds us that we must not take our salvation for granted but must actively engage with it each day.

SERIOUSLY THINKING- Growing Traits in the Person Who Takes Seriously Apathy and Drifting - Hebrews 2:1-10

Trait→Description→Scripture Reference

1. Alertness→Maintains awareness of spiritual truths and dangers to avoid drifting.→Hebrews 2:1

2. Diligence→Actively pays attention and holds firmly to the message of salvation.→Hebrews 2:1-2

3. Gratitude→Appreciates the salvation offered through Jesus, preventing neglect.→Hebrews 2:3

4. Humility→Recognizes Jesus’ humanity and suffering as part of God’s redemptive plan.→Hebrews 2:9-10

5. Faithfulness→Perseveres in faith, refusing to drift away despite challenges.→Hebrews 2:1, 3

6. Dependence on Christ→Relies on Jesus, who was made perfect through suffering to save humanity.→Hebrews 2:10

TAKE-HOME THOUGHT: Seeing the Bigger Picture

Understanding the warning in Hebrews 2 helps us see that God's plan for us is not a one-time decision but an ongoing relationship. Salvation is a gift, but maintaining that relationship requires attention. Just like any other relationship, our connection with God needs care and time spent with Him. If we don’t remain focused on Christ’s sacrifice and the message of salvation, we risk drifting away from the purpose God has for our lives. Holding firmly to our faith and staying attentive to God’s Word helps us grow spiritually and keeps us aligned with His plans for us. Spiritual drift isn’t always obvious; it happens slowly over time. But when we stay rooted in the truth of the gospel, we are reminded of God's constant presence and His call to live out our faith in everyday life.

CROSS-REFERENCE: Similar Scriptures in the New Testament

Here are a few New Testament passages that echo the message in Hebrews 2 about spiritual drift:

Matthew 7:24-27: "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock."

Luke 8:18: "Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them."

James 1:22: "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."

2 Peter 1:10: "Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble."

Revelation 3:11: "I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown."

These verses all emphasize the importance of remaining attentive to God's Word, staying grounded in faith, and avoiding the danger of drifting away from what God has called us to.

SESSION 3: Able to Sympathize - Hebrews 2:11-18
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Alistair Begg — Christ-Centered Worship

Focus: Jesus' Compassion and Shared Humanity

Purpose Statement: The writer of Hebrews emphasizes that Jesus, fully God and fully human, can sympathize with our weaknesses and struggles because He shared in our humanity. Through His suffering and obedience, He became the perfect High Priest who understands our pain and is able to help those who are tempted and suffering.

READ: Hebrews 2:11-18 (NLT)

11 So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters. 12 For he said to God,

“I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters.
    I will praise you among your assembled people.”

13 He also said,

“I will put my trust in him,”
    that is, “I and the children God has given me.”

14 Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. 15 Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.

16 We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham. 17 Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. 18 Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.

Opening Question: "How does knowing that Jesus can truly sympathize with our struggles change the way you approach Him in times of need or difficulty?"

OVERVIEW

This passage of Hebrews not only explains that Jesus was truly and fully human, it refutes the idea that this would be shameful for God. In fact, the way Jesus suffered makes Him a fully perfect substitute for mankind. And, it allows Him to comfort us with legitimate compassion (Hebrews 4:15), as one who has experienced all of the struggles we do as limited people (Hebrews 2:18).

QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT

Have you ever received news—good or bad—that changed your life in an instant? If so, what was it?

Look at Hebrews 2:11–18 and mark all the words that communicate family (take note that sons/brothers in this context includes both sons and daughters or brothers and sisters). Why do you think the author is talking about family?

Why did Christ have to become like His brothers and sisters in every respect?

THINK ABOUT THIS

One of the greatest mysteries of the Christian faith is the fact that God became man; when we look at Jesus, we find someone who is 100% God and 100% man. The unity of the God-Man is one topic that has been highly debated, studied, and examined since the formation of the early church.

We can often find ourselves in error when we over emphasize either His deity—status as God—or overemphasize His humanity—status as man. While it is appropriate to take time and energy to understand all this entails, the author of Hebrews appeals to this truth as a source of comfort and encouragement to a group of believers who needed it. For we have a Savior who has experienced all that it is to be human—everything we experience. As a result, Jesus is able to serve as a perfect high priest, deeply attuned to the need of His adopted brothers and sisters.

This is the greatest news of all time! Jesus died for our sins! His sinless life is our perfect sacrifice because He was like us in every way. His death set us free from our slavery to sin and gives us new life as children of God. This is such good news and it should change everything we do. Just as turning on a light in a dark room gives us freedom to move about freely, so

THIS MAY SURPRISE YOU: Clarifying a Difficult Teaching

In Hebrews 2:17, we are told that Jesus "had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God." This may surprise some because it suggests that Jesus, the eternal Son of God, needed to experience humanity fully to accomplish God's plan for salvation. It can be difficult to understand why an all-powerful God would need to become fully human. However, Hebrews makes it clear that this was necessary so Jesus could truly understand our struggles, offer the perfect sacrifice, and serve as the compassionate High Priest who intercedes for us. His shared humanity means He knows exactly what it's like to face temptation, pain, and suffering—making Him the perfect person to help us in our weakness.

SERIOUSLY THINKING- Growing Traits in the Person Who Takes Seriously Able to Sympathize - Hebrews 2:11-18

Trait→Description→Scripture Reference

1. Empathy→Identifies with others’ struggles because Jesus shared in humanity’s weaknesses.→Hebrews 2:11

2. Unity in Christ→Understands that believers are all brothers and sisters through the shared redemption.→Hebrews 2:11-12

3. Compassion→Shows kindness and care, reflecting Jesus’ compassionate work in delivering from fear and sin.→Hebrews 2:14-15

4. Courage→Gains confidence to face temptation and suffering, knowing Jesus has conquered death.→Hebrews 2:14-15

5. Intercession→Acts as a mediator for others, following Jesus’ role as high priest who sympathizes with weakness.→Hebrews 2:17

6. Commitment to Deliverance→Embraces Jesus’ mission to free believers from the fear of death and sin’s power.→Hebrews 2:14-15, 18

TAKE-HOME THOUGHT: Seeing the Bigger Picture

When we understand that Jesus sympathizes with us because He shared our humanity, it changes the way we view our relationship with Him. We often think of Jesus as being "above" the difficulties we face, but the truth is, He entered into our world with all its trials and suffering. He knows the weight of temptation, the pain of loss, and the struggle with sin. Because of this, He can truly empathize with us. When we face challenges or are tempted to give up, we don't have a distant God who doesn't understand, but a Savior who has walked through it all. This makes Jesus not only relatable but incredibly compassionate—He doesn't just know what we go through; He cares deeply and offers His help. His role as High Priest means He is actively working on our behalf, always interceding and providing the comfort we need. We can confidently bring our struggles to Him, knowing that He understands and is there to help us.

CROSS-REFERENCE: Similar Scriptures in the New Testament

Here are some New Testament verses that echo the message in Hebrews 2 about Jesus' compassion and shared humanity:

Matthew 11:28-30: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
This passage shows Jesus' compassionate nature, inviting those who are struggling to come to Him for rest and comfort.

Luke 4:18: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free."
Jesus came to serve and help those in need, demonstrating His deep empathy for human suffering.

Hebrews 4:15: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin."
This verse further reinforces that Jesus fully understands our struggles, having faced the same temptations we face.

Romans 8:34: "Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us."
Jesus, in His compassion, continues to intercede on our behalf, understanding our needs and offering His support.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."
This passage highlights how God, through Jesus, offers comfort to those who suffer, and in turn, we can offer that comfort to others.

These verses highlight how Jesus, in His compassion, identifies with our pain and suffering, providing us with the comfort, strength, and intercession we need to persevere.

SESSION 4: Rest for His People - Hebrews 3-4:13
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Alistair Begg — Rest for Your Souls

Focus: The Promise of God’s Rest

Purpose Statement: The writer of Hebrews urges believers to enter into God’s rest, a rest that comes through faith and obedience. He warns against hardening hearts like the Israelites did, emphasizing that true rest is found in trusting Christ and remaining faithful to God’s promises, avoiding spiritual complacency.

READ: Hebrews 3-4:13 (NLT)

Jesus Is Greater Than Moses

1 And so, dear brothers and sisters who belong to God and are partners with those called to heaven, think carefully about this Jesus whom we declare to be God’s messenger and High Priest. 2 For he was faithful to God, who appointed him, just as Moses served faithfully when he was entrusted with God’s entire house.

3 But Jesus deserves far more glory than Moses, just as a person who builds a house deserves more praise than the house itself. 4 For every house has a builder, but the one who built everything is God.

5 Moses was certainly faithful in God’s house as a servant. His work was an illustration of the truths God would reveal later. 6 But Christ, as the Son, is in charge of God’s entire house. And we are God’s house, if we keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ.

7 That is why the Holy Spirit says,

“Today when you hear his voice,
8     don’t harden your hearts
as Israel did when they rebelled,
    when they tested me in the wilderness.
9 There your ancestors tested and tried my patience,
    even though they saw my miracles for forty years.
10 So I was angry with them, and I said,
‘Their hearts always turn away from me.
    They refuse to do what I tell them.’
11 So in my anger I took an oath:
    ‘They will never enter my place of rest.’”

12 Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. 13 You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. 14 For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. 15 Remember what it says:

“Today when you hear his voice,
    don’t harden your hearts
    as Israel did when they rebelled.”

16 And who was it who rebelled against God, even though they heard his voice? Wasn’t it the people Moses led out of Egypt? 17 And who made God angry for forty years? Wasn’t it the people who sinned, whose corpses lay in the wilderness? 18 And to whom was God speaking when he took an oath that they would never enter his rest? Wasn’t it the people who disobeyed him? 19 So we see that because of their unbelief they were not able to enter his rest.

Hebrews 4

Promised Rest for God’s People

1 God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it. 2 For this good news—that God has prepared this rest—has been announced to us just as it was to them. But it did them no good because they didn’t share the faith of those who listened to God. 3 For only we who believe can enter his rest. As for the others, God said,

“In my anger I took an oath:
    ‘They will never enter my place of rest,’”

even though this rest has been ready since he made the world. 4 We know it is ready because of the place in the Scriptures where it mentions the seventh day: “On the seventh day God rested from all his work.” 5 But in the other passage God said, “They will never enter my place of rest.”

6 So God’s rest is there for people to enter, but those who first heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed God. 7 So God set another time for entering his rest, and that time is today. God announced this through David much later in the words already quoted:

“Today when you hear his voice,
    don’t harden your hearts.”

8 Now if Joshua had succeeded in giving them this rest, God would not have spoken about another day of rest still to come. 9 So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. 10 For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. 11 So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.

12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.

Opening Question: "What does it mean to you to experience God's rest, and what are some ways we might be resisting or missing that rest in our own lives?"

OVERVIEW

The author of Hebrews captivates its readers as it draws from the history and stories of the Old Testament, illustrating their foreshadowing of Jesus. We see this greater overarching narrative culminating in the person of Jesus, greater than all that preceded Him. In this week’s passage, we are drawn to a connection between Moses, God’s chosen leader for His people of old, and Jesus, the ultimate and final leader to which God’s people look. While Moses led the Israelites in a physical exodus out of Egypt, Jesus leads us to a spiritual exodus out of death into life. Moses was tasked with leading the Israelites into the Promise Land, but Jesus came to bring us into a place of rest for our souls. As the Israelites wrestled with the temptation to distrust the heart of God, we face the same temptation to harden our hearts, and much like the Israelites, often reject His commands, rationalizing our disobedience. The writer of Hebrews pleads with us to enter God's rest, but will we listen to his words?

QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT

How do you feel when you're compared to someone else? When is it encouraging? When is it discouraging?

Read Hebrews 3:1–6. Who is the author comparing here? What specific trait does he highlight? Considering the audience, why do you think this contrast is so important for them to understand?

What two roles are ascribed to Jesus in verse 1? What about verses 3 and 6?

The author is helping us understand what it means to be part of God’s family, or house. Look for all the uses of the word house in this passage. How many times is it used?

Read Hebrews 3:7–11. This quote taken from Psalm 95 and retelling of part of the Israelites’ journey in the wilderness is used here as a warning for us today. What is the warning? What are the consequences for disregarding this warning?

THINK ABOUT THIS

In 1958 the first Tchaikovsky Piano Competition was held in Moscow. A 23-year-old participant from the United States, Van Cliburn, played so masterfully that he received an eight-minute standing ovation. He won first prize, received a hero's welcome back in the U.S., and enjoyed coverage in the worldwide press.

Few people, however, know what Van Cliburn did with his prize, an expensive car. To the dismay of Soviet authorities, he donated it to the only evangelical church permitted in Moscow at that time. Van Cliburn had visited that church for Sunday worship and was so moved by the stories of persecuted believers there that he decided to encourage them in this unexpected way.

Encouraging one another is an important part of our daily walk with Christ. We live in a world corrupted by unbelief, sin, and, at times, persecution. How can we stay firm in our faith? Scripture gives us this recipe: love, encourage, and pray for one another. In God's grace, the Holy Spirit uses these acts of mutual care to see us through the most trying of times.

When fellow believers are struggling, be quick to extend your helpful, sharing hand. Be graceful and generous. Offer words of comfort and prayer, as well as tangible acts of help. Encourage people around you, and be surprised by how much you are encouraged yourself!

THIS MAY SURPRISE YOU: Clarifying a Difficult Teaching

In Hebrews 4:3, the writer says, "Now we who have believed enter that rest." This may surprise you because the idea of "rest" might seem like a physical break or a moment of relaxation, but it is actually a deeper, spiritual rest. The "rest" the writer refers to is the peace, security, and fulfillment that comes from fully trusting in God's promises. This rest is not about avoiding work or hardship, but about finding peace in God's sovereignty and faithfulness, even in the midst of life's challenges. It’s easy to think that "rest" means just taking a break from life, but Hebrews teaches that true rest is a result of surrendering to God and trusting in His plan for our lives. It’s a rest that only comes when we place our faith in Christ, remain obedient to God’s Word, and avoid the hardening of our hearts.

SERIOUSLY THINKING- Growing Traits in the Person Who Takes Seriously Rest for His People - Hebrews 3-4:13

Trait→Description→Scripture Reference

1. Faithful Perseverance→Continues steadfastly in faith, avoiding unbelief and rebellion as in Israel’s wilderness journey.→Hebrews 3:12-14

2. Encouragement of Others→Actively encourages fellow believers to remain strong and united in faith to enter God’s rest.→Hebrews 3:13

3. Resting in God’s Promises→Trusts fully in God’s provision of spiritual rest through Jesus, ceasing from self-effort.→Hebrews 4:1-3

4. Obedience→Obeys God’s Word sincerely, recognizing its power to discern thoughts and intentions.→Hebrews 4:12-13

5. Spiritual Awareness→Lives with an awareness of God’s penetrating Word that judges the heart.→Hebrews 4:12-13

6. Hopeful Expectation→Looks forward confidently to entering the eternal rest prepared by God for His people.→Hebrews 4:9-11

TAKE-HOME THOUGHT: Seeing the Bigger Picture

The concept of "rest" in Hebrews helps us understand that God's plan for us is not just about a future promise but about how we live today. Spiritual rest is an ongoing experience that comes from trusting God fully—trusting His promises, His timing, and His faithfulness. Just like the Israelites in the Old Testament, we can miss out on this rest if we allow our hearts to become hardened through unbelief or disobedience. God is inviting us into a deeper relationship with Him, where we find peace and rest through faith. This doesn’t mean life will be without challenges, but it does mean that we can face those challenges with a sense of peace and confidence, knowing that God is in control. True rest is found not in avoiding struggle, but in remaining faithful to God, trusting in His promises, and relying on Him in every circumstance.

CROSS-REFERENCE: Similar Scriptures in the New Testament

Here are a few New Testament passages that echo the message of Hebrews 3-4 about God’s rest:

Matthew 11:28-30: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
This passage shows that Jesus offers the true rest that our hearts long for—rest from the weight of sin, anxiety, and striving.

John 14:1-3: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."
Jesus offers rest through His promise of eternal life with Him, showing that our ultimate rest is found in Him.

Romans 5:1: "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
This peace is part of the rest that we find when we trust in Christ—it's peace with God and freedom from the anxiety and struggles that come from living outside of His will.

Philippians 4:6-7: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
This passage echoes the rest that God provides through trust and faith—peace that guards our hearts when we trust Him with our worries.

1 Peter 5:7: "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
This verse invites us to rest in God’s care, letting go of the burden of our worries and finding peace in His love.

These verses remind us that true rest is not found in escaping life's challenges, but in trusting God with our lives, knowing He will provide peace and fulfillment in every circumstance.

SESSION 5: Draw Near to Find Grace - Hebrews 4:14-5:10
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Alistair Begg — Jesus, the Great High Priest

Focus: Christ, Our Compassionate High Priest

Purpose Statement: The writer of Hebrews highlights Jesus as the compassionate High Priest who, because He has been tempted in every way as we are, can sympathize with our weaknesses. Believers are encouraged to draw near to Him with confidence, knowing that He offers grace and mercy in times of need, and He is the perfect mediator between humanity and God.

READ: Hebrews 4:14-5:10 (NLT)

Rest in the finished work of Christ to secure our salvation but do not rest from doing good works in response to this radical grace. Christ worked and then rested. We rest in Him; work for Him and then enter His rest (Heaven). We can approach Him with confidence to receive His grace daily as we strive to live for Him. Hebrews 4:16, "Let us draw near to the throne of grace with confidence, that we may receive mercy and find grace in the time of need."

Christ Is Our High Priest

14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

Hebrews 5

1 Every high priest is a man chosen to represent other people in their dealings with God. He presents their gifts to God and offers sacrifices for their sins. 2 And he is able to deal gently with ignorant and wayward people because he himself is subject to the same weaknesses. 3 That is why he must offer sacrifices for his own sins as well as theirs.

4 And no one can become a high priest simply because he wants such an honor. He must be called by God for this work, just as Aaron was. 5 That is why Christ did not honor himself by assuming he could become High Priest. No, he was chosen by God, who said to him,

“You are my Son.
    Today I have become your Father.”

6 And in another passage God said to him,

“You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”

7 While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God. 8 Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. 9 In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him. 10 And God designated him to be a High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.

Opening Question: "How does knowing that Jesus is a High Priest who understands our struggles help you approach Him for grace and help in your own life?"

OVERVIEW

Rest in the finished work of Christ to secure our salvation but do not rest from doing good works in response to this radical grace. Christ worked and then rested. We rest in Him; work for Him and then enter His rest (Heaven). We can approach Him with confidence to receive His grace daily as we strive to live for Him. Hebrews 4:16, "Let us draw near to the throne of grace with confidence, that we may receive mercy and find grace in the time of need."

Chapter 4 closed with a description of Jesus' connection to mankind. His full humanity allows Him to understand what human temptation is like. So, as this verse continues to explain, He is able to act as a proper high priest. This role requires the priest to communicate between God and men. This includes making offerings for sin.

Earlier portions of Hebrews explained that Messiah had to be human, not merely some angelic being (Hebrews 2:17). One reason for this is the issue explored between the end of chapter 4 and the beginning of chapter 5. In order for Messiah to truly represent humanity, as a priest, He had to be human. Without humanity, He would not be able to sympathize with human weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15), would not be able to act as a mediator between God and men (1 Timothy 2:5), and would not be someone we could approach in confidence (Hebrews 4:16).

The idea of being "appointed" in this verse is important. A true priest is not someone who simply decides to take on the task. They have to be selected for that role by God. One cannot simply declare, "I'm a priest" and make it so. This is even more critical for a high priest, who acts on behalf of all people. Jesus' appointment to the role of our ultimate High Priest will be further explained using examples from the Old Testament, such as Aaron and Melchizedek. This verse summarizes the details seen in verses 4, 5, and 6.

Embracing suffering as the path to obedience is the normal Christian life. Through many trials and hardships, we will enter the kingdom of Heaven. Hebrews 5:8-9,

QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT

Define the word sympathize. Why is it important that Christ was tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin? How does this help you understand Jesus as fully God and fully human?

Read Hebrews 5:1–6. What is the role of a priest? Can you think of another way to say, “on behalf of”? a. How does the priest interact with people?

Look at 5:7. Describe in your own words what Jesus did. Be sure to include how He acted, being as descriptive as you can while staying true to the text.

Read Hebrews 5:7. How are we to follow Jesus’ example to “offer up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears”?

What a great high priest we have in Christ! While our sin separates us from God, Christ became fully human, complete with all the gritty difficulties you and I face on a daily basis. Because He knows our experience intimately, He is sympathetic to us. He is also our great encourager. Because Christ was tempted but never caved into sin, we can look to Him as we are tempted, cry out for His help, and find comfort remembering He resisted. How can you take this truth and apply it this week?

THINK ABOUT THIS

It’s not uncommon at various points in life to hear someone describe a feeling of detachment and disconnection. It can feel as if there is a large distance, a great gulf in which we are shouting across in hopes to be heard, seen, or even acknowledged. This feeling can present itself within our earthy relationships, but more often these emotions are used to describe our connection, or lack thereof, with God. What’s miraculous about the Gospel is that we are invited and called to freely run to God in the midst of it all. What waits for us is not a cranky or uninterested being, but a God who eagerly seeks to greet us with grace and mercy. Whatever state we may find ourselves in, whatever temptations, trials, or difficulties bog us down, we have a great High Priest who is able to sympathize with us in our time of need and give us what we need most.

THIS MAY SURPRISE YOU: Clarifying a Difficult Teaching

In Hebrews 4:15-16, we read, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." This might surprise you because it shows that Jesus, though fully divine, experienced the full range of human temptations and struggles. You might think that because Jesus is perfect and sinless, He could not relate to our weaknesses, but the writer of Hebrews tells us that He understands exactly what we go through. Jesus was tempted, tested, and tried just like us, yet He remained sinless. This unique qualification as our High Priest allows us to approach Him with confidence, knowing that He does not stand in judgment but offers grace and mercy when we need it most.

SERIOUSLY THINKING- Growing Traits in the Person Who Takes Seriously Draw Near to Find Grace - Hebrews 4:14-5:10

Trait→Description→Scripture Reference

1. Boldness to Approach God→Gains confidence to come directly to God through Jesus, the great high priest.→Hebrews 4:14-16

2. Dependence on Jesus’ Sympathy→Relies on Jesus’ understanding of human weakness to receive grace and help in times of need.→Hebrews 4:15-16

3. Spiritual Maturity→Progresses beyond elementary teachings toward deeper understanding and obedience.→Hebrews 5:11-14

4. Obedient Heart→Submits to God’s will, following Jesus who learned obedience through suffering.→Hebrews 5:8

5. Recognition of God’s Appointment→Honors Jesus’ divine appointment as high priest, interceding for believers.→Hebrews 5:5-6

6. Perseverance in Growth→Commits to ongoing spiritual growth despite struggles, nurtured by God’s grace.→Hebrews 5:10

TAKE-HOME THOUGHT: Seeing the Bigger Picture

Jesus' role as our High Priest shows us the depth of God's love and compassion. He isn't a distant God who doesn’t understand what we face in life. Jesus has walked through the same temptations and struggles that we face, and because of this, He can offer us the grace and mercy we need in our times of difficulty. When we are facing temptation, doubt, or suffering, we can draw near to Him without fear or shame. Jesus understands our weaknesses, and instead of condemning us, He offers us the grace to overcome and the mercy to be forgiven. His perfect mediation between us and God means that we don't have to work our way to God—we can confidently approach His throne, knowing that Jesus is the one who makes us acceptable to God. This truth encourages us to come to Him not as strangers but as beloved children, trusting that He will always offer the help we need in our time of need.

CROSS-REFERENCE: Similar Scriptures in the New Testament

Here are a few New Testament passages that echo the message in Hebrews 4:14-5:10 about Jesus as our compassionate High Priest:

Matthew 11:28-30: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
This passage echoes the compassion and invitation of Jesus to draw near to Him for rest and mercy.

John 14:6: "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"
This verse emphasizes Jesus as the mediator who allows us to come to God, reinforcing the idea that Jesus is the one who makes a way for us to approach God.

Romans 8:34: "Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us."
Jesus is the perfect mediator between God and humanity, interceding on our behalf with mercy and grace.

1 Timothy 2:5: "For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus."
This directly affirms that Jesus is the sole mediator who bridges the gap between humanity and God, offering His compassion and grace.

Hebrews 7:25: "Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them."
This verse speaks to Jesus' ongoing role as our High Priest, interceding for us and offering us grace and mercy.

These passages reinforce the incredible role Jesus plays as our High Priest—one who understands, empathizes with, and offers grace to us in our times of need. Through Him, we can confidently approach God's throne and find the mercy and help we need.

SESSION 6: Invitation to Depth - Hebrews - 5:11-6:8
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Alistair Begg — Much to Learn & The Peril of Spiritual Apostasy

Focus: Growing in Maturity and Warning Against Apostasy

Purpose Statement: The writer of Hebrews calls believers to move beyond spiritual immaturity and grow in deeper understanding of God’s Word. He warns against the danger of falling away from the faith, urging them to press on to maturity, embracing the hope and promises found in Christ.

READ: Hebrews - 5:11-6:8 (NLT)

A Call to Spiritual Growth

11 There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. 12 You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. 13 For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. 14 Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.

Hebrews 6

1 So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. 2 You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding.

4 For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come— 6 and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame.

7 When the ground soaks up the falling rain and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has God’s blessing. 8 But if a field bears thorns and thistles, it is useless. The farmer will soon condemn that field and burn it.

Opening Question: "What are some signs of spiritual immaturity, and how can we actively pursue deeper growth in our relationship with God?"

OVERVIEW

The writer of Hebrews wants to give a detailed explanation of how the High Priesthood of Jesus Christ is superior to any other. And, he will do just that, in chapters 7 through 10. For now, though, he pauses to point out that some of this deeper meaning will be lost on his intended audience. In the previous verse, this was blamed on being "dull," which was not a reference to intelligence. Rather, the term nōthroi infers someone who is slow-moving or lazy. The Jewish Christians the writer speaks to have become sluggish and apathetic in their spiritual growth.

In these verses, the writer explains their flaw through the analogy of a child's development. Infants have to survive on milk, because they are not mature enough to process solid food. Over time, however, the child's body grows and they need to move on to something other than just milk. In the same way, a Christian's spiritual growth has to begin with the simpler things (1 Peter 2:2). Over time, spiritual growth should lead a believer to understand ideas with greater substance (1 Corinthians 3:1).

As the writer says, the Christians to whom he is writing have more than enough time invested. They should be able to teach others by now, but instead they are still spiritual infants. Why? Because they have been slow-moving and lazy in their approach to the faith: "dull of hearing." Instead of teaching, they still need to be taught, as if they were only new converts to the faith!

QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT

Why is maturing in our faith so important? Why can’t we just stay where we are? For help, what did Jesus command His followers to do in Matthew 28:19-20? How are these connected?

Where do you need to progress beyond consuming “spiritual milk”? Where are you content to stay comfortable and avoid growth? What does verse 13 say about that?

Read 6:1. At first glance this may seem startling. If you’re able, look up this verse in multiple translations. What differences do you notice?

What is the “elementary doctrine” of Christ? We encourage you not to think of elementary as unnecessary. We go to elementary school, middle school, and then high school; each building on the one before; no one stays in elementary school. Why do we need to move beyond it to maturity?

God created us with lives that bear fruit for his kingdom; that’s really breathtaking if you stop to think about it. He has invited his creatures—you and me—into His plan and He wants us to partner with him! He entrusts us with His blessings so that we can bless others! This truth should create a desire in us to grow so we can share more and more. Whether you have the gift of teaching or not, God desires that we all teach others about His good news (5:12).

What are some things you think will be different as you grow up? Is there a difference between “growing up” and “being mature”?

Verse 14 talks about discernment that is trained. This word for trained is where we get our English word gymnasium. Gymnasts work hard to train for their sport with effort and repetition. In verse 14, the point is to distinguish—tell apart—good from evil.

Progress or growth in any area of life can be difficult to achieve. It doesn’t happen by chance but takes intentional devotion. In the same way, our pursuit of spiritual maturity requires an intentional decision, to seek the transformation that comes from the desire to be more like Jesus. For it is in our maturation that we see and experience more of God’s goodness, love, and wisdom and are empowered to embody His love for others. Throughout the early chapters of Hebrews, we are met with a glorious revelation of the person of Jesus: who He is and what He has done for us. As we consider the original readers, we might expect to see such transformation taking place in their lives when faced with these truths, yet that is not what we find in this week’s passage. In fact, quite the opposite! We find the author of Hebrews pleading with and confronting his readers in light of their reluctance to pursue maturity. The text soberly warns its readers that staying in spiritual infancy is problematic in its own right, but also cautions that this lack of development could potentially lead to a point of leaving the faith all together. This brings the question to us: are we lazy in our faith or are we pursuing all that God has for us?

When believers feel discouraged or tempted to give up on following God, what are some ways that we can encourage ourselves and others to continue living for Him?

THINK ABOUT THIS

Pavel, a listener to our Russian programming, first wrote to us about five years ago. We mailed him a Bible and referred him to a local church that he started attending. Just lately we received an email from him saying that he decided to quit his church because “it’s boring.” He still knows very little about Christianity. What a disappointment!

Every pastor or missionary could probably tell a similar story. In today’s verses the author of Hebrews expresses his disappointment with the slow spiritual progress in converts to Christianity. He wants to share an important teaching with them, but he can’t. His readers are not ready to hear this teaching—it will just go over their heads.

Dismayed, the author says that they still need milk instead of solid food. Many years have passed since they first expressed their commitment to Christ, and yet they’re still babies in their faith.

Many of us also “shared in the Holy Spirit” and “tasted the goodness of the word of God” some time ago. But we must ask ourselves, “Am I advancing in God’s grace and righteousness?” Studying God’s Word, praying, attending a local church—these are steps that help us mature in Christ and enable us to switch from spiritual milk to spiritual solid food. Sergei Sosedkin

THIS MAY SURPRISE YOU: Clarifying a Difficult Teaching

In Hebrews 6:4-6, the writer warns about the danger of apostasy, saying, "It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance." This can be a difficult passage to understand because it seems to suggest that once someone falls away from the faith, there is no hope of returning. But it's important to recognize that the writer is emphasizing the seriousness of rejecting the faith after having fully experienced God’s goodness and truth. While it may be challenging to return to repentance after intentionally turning away from God, this passage is meant to be a warning. It does not imply that someone who struggles or falls temporarily is beyond hope, but rather that believers should press on toward spiritual maturity and avoid the dangers of neglecting their faith and drifting away from God.

SERIOUSLY THINKING- Growing Traits in the Person Who Takes Seriously Invitation to Depth - Hebrews - 5:11-6:8

Trait→Description→Scripture Reference

1. Self-Examination→Recognizes spiritual immaturity and the need for growth beyond elementary teachings.→Hebrews 5:11-12

2. Desire for Deeper Understanding→Longs to move beyond basic doctrines toward solid spiritual food and maturity.→Hebrews 5:12-14

3. Perseverance→Holds firmly to hope and faith, even in the face of challenges or discouragement.→Hebrews 6:11-12

4. Steadfastness→Commits to growing in grace and knowledge, not falling back or turning away.→Hebrews 6:6-8

5. Faithfulness in Action→Demonstrates faith by deeds, showing that faith produces fruit and perseverance.→Hebrews 6:10

6. Hope in God’s Promise→Clings to the assurance of God’s unchangeable promise, encouraging confident expectation.→Hebrews 6:13-18

TAKE-HOME THOUGHT: Seeing the Bigger Picture

The warning in Hebrews 6 is meant to encourage us to stay committed to growing in our faith and understanding of God. Spiritual immaturity can leave us vulnerable to drifting away from the truth, so the writer urges believers to press on toward maturity in Christ. Maturity doesn’t mean just knowing more; it means applying what we know, living out the truth of God’s Word, and continuing to grow in our relationship with Him. God desires for us to be strong in our faith, rooted in the hope we have in Christ, and constantly progressing in spiritual growth. The passage also reminds us of the incredible importance of persevering in our faith and not taking God’s grace and truth for granted. There’s a real danger in neglecting the spiritual discipline of growth, but the good news is that God gives us everything we need to mature. We are called to embrace the hope and promises found in Christ and to continue growing deeper in our relationship with Him.

CROSS-REFERENCE: Similar Scriptures in the New Testament

Here are a few New Testament passages that echo the message of Hebrews 5:11-6:8 about growing in maturity and the danger of falling away:

Matthew 13:5-6: "Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root."
This parable of the sower speaks to those who receive the message of the gospel with joy but fall away when faced with difficulty, showing the importance of deepening our roots in Christ to withstand challenges.

Matthew 7:24-27: "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock... But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand."
This passage emphasizes that maturity comes from not just hearing God’s Word, but applying it in our lives, making our faith strong and secure.

Philippians 3:12-14: "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
Paul encourages believers to continue pursuing spiritual maturity and the goal of growing more like Christ, not resting on past accomplishments but pressing forward.

1 Peter 2:2: "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation."
Peter also emphasizes the importance of growing in spiritual maturity, desiring the nourishment of God’s Word to deepen our faith.

2 Peter 3:17-18: "Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
Peter’s letter encourages believers to remain firm in their faith and to continue growing in grace and knowledge, which is a constant theme in Hebrews as well.

These passages highlight the need for spiritual growth, the danger of stagnation or falling away, and the call to press on toward maturity in Christ. As we grow deeper in our understanding of God’s Word and His promises, we are better equipped to endure challenges and stay faithful to Him.

SESSION 7: To the Very End - Hebrews 6:9-20
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Alistair Begg — Confident of Better Things

Focus: The Assurance of Hope and Perseverance

Purpose Statement: The writer of Hebrews encourages believers to hold fast to the hope set before them, reminding them that God’s promises are certain and unchangeable. He urges them to continue in faith and perseverance, looking to Jesus as the anchor for their souls, steadfast through all trials and circumstances.

READ: Hebrews 6:9-20 (NLT)

9 Dear friends, even though we are talking this way, we really don’t believe it applies to you. We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation. 10 For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. 11 Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. 12 Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.

God’s Promises Bring Hope

13 For example, there was God’s promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name, saying:

14 “I will certainly bless you,
    and I will multiply your descendants beyond number.”

15 Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised.

16 Now when people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question that oath is binding. 17 God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. 18 So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. 19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. 20 Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.

Opening Question: "What does it mean to have our hope anchored in Jesus, and how can we remain steadfast in our faith, especially when facing challenges?"

OVERVIEW

We have a strong encouragement to hold fast to the promise of God- His guarantee of an oath and the unchangeable nature of His character. Our hope in Christ is a steadfast anchor for the soul. Hebrews 6:12, "Do not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises."

Trust is necessary in nearly all areas of our lives. You and I exhibit trust in someone—or something—every single day. From relying on map apps in our phones for directions, to the recipe we follow to cook dinner, we place a certain level of trust in a person or object to deliver an expected outcome. For a relationship to thrive, trust must be given. However, trust is hard to define, easy to lose, and not easily earned. It requires long-term faithfulness, reliability, and steadfastness to ensure trust is kept and maintained. In this section of Hebrews, the author appeals to the trustworthiness of God to inspire perseverance. God’s trustworthy character alone should elicit our trust, but when we doubt, we can look to the stories of His faithfulness—the countless times in His Word we find Him delivering His people. The promises of God’s Word offer a stable foundation for our lives.

QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT

Who did you want to imitate or be like when you were a child?

In verse 10, the author takes a moment to encourage the readers that God sees what they’ve been doing. Why do you think he does this?

After encouraging the audience to imitate the example set for faith and enduring patience, the writer provides an example. What is it?

Read verses 13-17. What is the significance of an oath? Why can the readers place their faith in it?

Does making an oath or signing a contract help you keep your promise? Why or why not? How is it different when God makes an oath? 6. What are the two unchangeable things? (See verses 17-18).

What do you think he wants the readers to know? See verse 20. Who went before us?

In times of uncertainty, we tend to cling to what is sure or steadfast. Where have you turned when life flips upside down? The writer of Hebrews wants you to know that God is the only certainty we have. He is unchanging in both His purpose and character. Because of this, we can run to Him for refuge, knowing He is faithful to do what He said He would. Where do you need to step out in faith, trusting the promises of God? What steps will you take this week? If you’re not sure, we encourage you to ask a couple of people who know you well to give you honest feedback regarding who they see you imitating—are they godly examples, or do they stir up fear, anxiety, and anger in your heart?

THINK ABOUT THIS

The writer of Hebrews uses the image of an anchor to describe the confident hope we can have in God. When a boat is in open water, away from a dock, nothing can keep it in place but an anchor. The anchor keeps the boat from drifting off in any direction. No wonder Hebrews calls hope “an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” That is what an anchor is for a boat, and that is what hope is for our souls.

Hebrews 6 tells us about two people who assure us that hope in God is an anchor for the soul. The first is Abraham. God promised Abraham land and descendants. Even though those promises were threatened many times during Abraham’s life, Abraham hoped in the anchor of God’s promises, and those promises eventually were fulfilled. The second person is Jesus, “our forerunner.” Jesus ran ahead of us. He ran the race of human life. He ran through death, and he returned victorious to life, rising from the dead. Following in his footsteps gives us an ­anchor for our souls. Because he lived, died, and rose, we have hope that God will also give us new life after death.

When the waters of life get rough, or when we can’t see the shore, let our hope in Jesus be the anchor for our souls.

THIS MAY SURPRISE YOU: Clarifying a Difficult Teaching

In Hebrews 6:18-19, we read, "God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." This may surprise you because it describes God's promises as being so unshakable and dependable that they can act as an "anchor" for our souls. In a world where everything can feel uncertain and unstable, the writer of Hebrews emphasizes that God's promises are the one thing we can rely on completely. The idea that God cannot lie and that His promises are "unchangeable" might be difficult to grasp, especially when we experience personal trials and challenges that make us question if things will ever improve. However, this truth assures us that, no matter what happens, the hope we have in Christ is firm, secure, and immovable—just like an anchor that holds a ship steady in a storm.

SERIOUSLY THINKING- Growing Traits in the Person Who Takes Seriously To the Very End - Hebrews 6:9-20

Trait→Description→Scripture Reference

1. Assurance of Salvation→Holds confident assurance of God’s goodness and promises despite past warnings.→Hebrews 6:9

2. Encouragement of Others→Is motivated to encourage fellow believers toward love and good deeds.→Hebrews 6:10

3. Patience in Waiting→Waits faithfully for God’s timing, trusting in His promises and faithfulness.→Hebrews 6:15-16

4. Hope Anchored in Christ→Maintains a firm and steady hope anchored in the character and promises of God.→Hebrews 6:17-19

5. Reliance on God’s Oath→Trusts in God’s unchangeable oath as a guarantee of His faithfulness.→Hebrews 6:17-18

6. Perseverance→Presses forward with endurance toward the promised rest, not turning back or growing weary.→Hebrews 6:11-12, 19-20

TAKE-HOME THOUGHT: Seeing the Bigger Picture

This passage in Hebrews reminds us that our hope in Christ is not just a wish or a fleeting feeling—it is a secure, unchanging certainty grounded in God’s promises. The challenges and trials we face in life may make us feel like we are being tossed around, but the hope we have in Jesus acts as an anchor, keeping us grounded even in the most difficult circumstances. This hope is not based on our own strength or ability to persevere but on God’s faithfulness and His promises to never leave us or forsake us. When we look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, we are reminded that His love and purpose for our lives are unwavering. In the midst of trials, we can hold fast to the hope that He has gone before us, secured our salvation, and will bring us to the end, no matter what comes our way. Our perseverance is rooted in His faithfulness, not our own.

CROSS-REFERENCE: Similar Scriptures in the New Testament

Here are a few New Testament passages that echo the message of Hebrews 6:9-20 about hope, perseverance, and God's unchanging promises:

Romans 8:24-25: "For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."
This passage speaks to the confident hope we have in Christ, even though we don’t yet fully experience the promises God has made.

Romans 5:3-5: "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."
Paul reminds us that our perseverance through trials strengthens our hope and brings us closer to God.

2 Timothy 4:7-8: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."
Paul encourages believers to persevere in faith, keeping their eyes fixed on the reward of eternal life with Christ.

Titus 1:2: "In the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time."
This verse reinforces the unchanging nature of God's promises, echoing the assurance we have in the hope of eternal life.

1 Peter 1:3-5: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time."
Peter emphasizes the secure hope we have in Christ, an inheritance that is kept for us by God’s power and will never fade away.

These verses highlight the steadfastness of our hope in Christ, which is anchored in His unchanging promises and secured by His work on the cross. We are encouraged to persevere, looking to Jesus as the source and strength of our faith, knowing that He is faithful to complete the work He has started in us.

SESSION 8: A Permanent Priest - Hebrews 7
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Alistair Begg — The Mystery of Melchizedek — Part One & The Mystery of Melchizedek — Part Two

Focus: The Eternal Priesthood of Jesus

Purpose Statement: The writer of Hebrews emphasizes that Jesus is the ultimate and eternal High Priest, in the order of Melchizedek, whose priesthood is permanent and unchangeable. Unlike the Levitical priests, Jesus' sacrifice is once for all, and He lives forever to intercede for believers. This truth offers assurance and confidence that our salvation and access to God are secure.

READ: Hebrews 7 (NLT)

Melchizedek Is Greater Than Abraham

1 This Melchizedek was king of the city of Salem and also a priest of God Most High. When Abraham was returning home after winning a great battle against the kings, Melchizedek met him and blessed him. 2 Then Abraham took a tenth of all he had captured in battle and gave it to Melchizedek. The name Melchizedek means “king of justice,” and king of Salem means “king of peace.” 3 There is no record of his father or mother or any of his ancestors—no beginning or end to his life. He remains a priest forever, resembling the Son of God.

4 Consider then how great this Melchizedek was. Even Abraham, the great patriarch of Israel, recognized this by giving him a tenth of what he had taken in battle. 5 Now the law of Moses required that the priests, who are descendants of Levi, must collect a tithe from the rest of the people of Israel, who are also descendants of Abraham. 6 But Melchizedek, who was not a descendant of Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham. And Melchizedek placed a blessing upon Abraham, the one who had already received the promises of God. 7 And without question, the person who has the power to give a blessing is greater than the one who is blessed.

8 The priests who collect tithes are men who die, so Melchizedek is greater than they are, because we are told that he lives on. 9 In addition, we might even say that these Levites—the ones who collect the tithe—paid a tithe to Melchizedek when their ancestor Abraham paid a tithe to him. 10 For although Levi wasn’t born yet, the seed from which he came was in Abraham’s body when Melchizedek collected the tithe from him.

11 So if the priesthood of Levi, on which the law was based, could have achieved the perfection God intended, why did God need to establish a different priesthood, with a priest in the order of Melchizedek instead of the order of Levi and Aaron?

12 And if the priesthood is changed, the law must also be changed to permit it. 13 For the priest we are talking about belongs to a different tribe, whose members have never served at the altar as priests. 14 What I mean is, our Lord came from the tribe of Judah, and Moses never mentioned priests coming from that tribe.

Jesus Is like Melchizedek

15 This change has been made very clear since a different priest, who is like Melchizedek, has appeared. 16 Jesus became a priest, not by meeting the physical requirement of belonging to the tribe of Levi, but by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed. 17 And the psalmist pointed this out when he prophesied,

“You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”

18 Yes, the old requirement about the priesthood was set aside because it was weak and useless. 19 For the law never made anything perfect. But now we have confidence in a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

20 This new system was established with a solemn oath. Aaron’s descendants became priests without such an oath, 21 but there was an oath regarding Jesus. For God said to him,

“The Lord has taken an oath and will not break his vow:
    ‘You are a priest forever.’”

22 Because of this oath, Jesus is the one who guarantees this better covenant with God.

23 There were many priests under the old system, for death prevented them from remaining in office. 24 But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. 25 Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.

26 He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven. 27 Unlike those other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices every day. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people. But Jesus did this once for all when he offered himself as the sacrifice for the people’s sins. 28 The law appointed high priests who were limited by human weakness. But after the law was given, God appointed his Son with an oath, and his Son has been made the perfect High Priest forever.

Opening Question: "What does it mean to you that Jesus is a permanent High Priest, and how does this change the way you view His role in your life today?"

OVERVIEW

Throughout Hebrews the author makes the argument that Jesus is superior to all who preceded Him—from the angels, to Moses, Aaron, The Law, Joshua, and the entire priesthood. This emphasis was due in part to a rise of Christian believers—formerly Jewish in faith—wrestling with the temptation to return to old patterns and traditions. The author attempts to reveal to readers Jesus’ superiority in every aspect to the old covenant; that it would be foolish to turn back, for the former things were there in anticipation of a greater thing to come. The author continues his demonstration by drawing the reader’s attention to Melchizedek, a priest mentioned in the Old Testament. To many, Melchizedek, whose name means “king of righteousness,” is a mysterious biblical figure. Despite what little is captured in writing, this priest-king serves as a poignant foreshadow, pointing us to an integral part of Jesus’ eternal priestly ministry.

QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT

Abraham was highly regarded as the father of the Israelites, if he, who was so great in their minds was blessed by someone else, what does this tell us about Melchizedek’s priesthood?

Why do you and I need to understand that Melchizedek is superior to Levi? What connection is the author trying to help us see between the Levitical priesthood and our own need?

This is a hard passage filled with strange customs and a guy with a weird name surrounded by mystery. Yet his life served a beautiful purpose—to point to something better. God promised Israel to give them a priest like Melchizedek—a King of Righteousness and Peace to be great comfort to them. A new, better priesthood with a new, better promise, leading to a better hope. How does the knowledge that Jesus is “something better” encourage you in your faith?

THINK ABOUT THIS

In New Testament times, Psalm 110 was understood as spoken by David. Jesus used this assumption to show that the Messiah at God’s right hand is superior to David and is even the Lord of David (see Mark 12:35-37).

The New Testament explains that Jesus is superior to every hero in Israel. Jesus is not like any Israelite high priest but is more like Melchizedek, who was both king and priest, and is described in Hebrews 7:3 as being “without beginning of days or end of life.” Whereas Adam was made from dust, Jesus is from heaven. “Before Abraham was born, I am!” said Jesus (John 8:58). The gospels describe Jesus as greater than David, Solomon, and Jonah; greater than the temple; and Lord of the Sabbath.

Jesus offers us much more than we can think or imagine. Not only is he our example and teacher; he is our creator God in our flesh. Not only does he forgive our sins; he also buries them in the deepest sea, remembering them no more. Not only does Jesus help us fight temptation; we also are crucified with him and dead to temptation’s power. Not only are we going to heaven; we are also already seated in the heavenly realms with Christ (Ephesians 2:6). Because of his unconditional love, we no longer have to carry our guilt. Because Jesus sits at God’s right hand, every enemy of his and ours is under his feet. Praise Jesus for his countless blessings!

THIS MAY SURPRISE YOU: Clarifying a Difficult Teaching

In Hebrews 7:24-25, we read, "But because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them." This might surprise you because it shows that Jesus’ priesthood is not just a temporary or earthly role like the Levitical priests, but a permanent, eternal one. Jesus’ ability to intercede on our behalf doesn’t stop after His death—He continues to intercede for us in heaven. This means that unlike the priests in the Old Testament, who had to offer sacrifices over and over because they themselves were imperfect and eventually died, Jesus’ sacrifice was once for all and is eternal. His ongoing role as our High Priest assures us that our salvation is secure, and we can confidently approach God, knowing that Jesus is always there to mediate for us.

SERIOUSLY THINKING- Growing Traits in the Person Who Takes Seriously A Permanent Priest - Hebrews 7

Trait→Description→Scripture Reference

1. Recognition of Jesus’ Eternal Priesthood→Understands Jesus’ unique, everlasting priesthood that surpasses the Levitical order.→Hebrews 7:23-24

2. Confidence in Christ’s Intercession→Trusts fully in Jesus as the eternal mediator who continually intercedes for believers.→Hebrews 7:25

3. Appreciation of God’s Unchanging Nature→Finds security in God’s unchangeable priesthood and covenant established by Jesus.→Hebrews 7:21-22

4. Faith in a Superior Covenant→Believes in the new covenant Jesus mediates, which is better than the old one.→Hebrews 7:18-19

5. Spiritual Maturity→Moves beyond basic teachings to embrace the deeper implications of Jesus’ priesthood.→Hebrews 7:11-12

6. Boldness to Approach God→Comes boldly before God, assured by Jesus’ permanent priestly role and perfect sacrifice.→Hebrews 7:25-26

TAKE-HOME THOUGHT: Seeing the Bigger Picture

Jesus’ eternal priesthood is a powerful reminder of the stability and security we have in our relationship with God. In the Old Testament, priests were mortal and had to repeatedly offer sacrifices because they were imperfect. But Jesus, as the perfect and eternal High Priest, offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice, which means that we no longer need to fear that our access to God will ever be lost or interrupted. His priesthood is permanent, and His work is finished. This is incredibly encouraging because it assures us that God’s grace and mercy are unchanging, and we can always come to Him through Jesus. As we face challenges or struggles in life, we can rest in the fact that Jesus is always interceding for us, representing us before God, and ensuring that our salvation is secure. His eternal priesthood is a source of unshakable hope, reminding us that we are forever accepted by God through the work of Christ.

CROSS-REFERENCE: Similar Scriptures in the New Testament

Here are a few New Testament passages that echo the message of Hebrews 7 about Jesus' eternal priesthood:

Romans 8:34: "Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us."
This verse highlights that Jesus is actively interceding for us, just as Hebrews teaches, emphasizing His ongoing role as our High Priest.

1 Timothy 2:5: "For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus."
Jesus is the unique and eternal mediator, unlike the temporary and imperfect Levitical priests, standing between us and God, offering us access to the Father.

Hebrews 9:24: "For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence."
This verse reinforces the idea that Jesus’ priesthood is heavenly and eternal, as opposed to the earthly and temporary priesthoods of the Old Testament.

Hebrews 10:12: "But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God."
Jesus’ sacrifice was once for all, and because of His eternal priesthood, He sits at God’s right hand, securing our salvation for eternity.

Revelation 1:13-16: "And among the lampstands was someone 'like a son of man,' dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest... his voice was like the sound of rushing waters... his face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance."
This passage presents a vision of Jesus in His eternal, glorified state—reminding us that He is forever reigning as our eternal High Priest.

These scriptures reinforce the theme of Hebrews 7, showing us that Jesus’ priesthood is unchanging and eternal, providing us with unshakable confidence in our salvation and constant access to God. We are forever secure because of His completed work, which He continues to apply on our behalf.

SESSION 9: The New Has Come - Hebrews 8
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Alistair Begg — A Superior Covenant

Focus: The Superiority of the New Covenant in Christ

Purpose Statement: The writer of Hebrews shows that Jesus is the mediator of a new and better covenant, one that is based on better promises. Unlike the old covenant, which was temporary and flawed, the new covenant is eternal and written on believers' hearts, ensuring a closer and more intimate relationship with God. Through Christ, the old is replaced, and the new has come, offering full forgiveness and renewed fellowship with God.

READ: Hebrews 8 (NLT)

Christ Is Our High Priest

1 Here is the main point: We have a High Priest who sat down in the place of honor beside the throne of the majestic God in heaven. 2 There he ministers in the heavenly Tabernacle, the true place of worship that was built by the Lord and not by human hands.

3 And since every high priest is required to offer gifts and sacrifices, our High Priest must make an offering, too. 4 If he were here on earth, he would not even be a priest, since there already are priests who offer the gifts required by the law. 5 They serve in a system of worship that is only a copy, a shadow of the real one in heaven. For when Moses was getting ready to build the Tabernacle, God gave him this warning: “Be sure that you make everything according to the pattern I have shown you here on the mountain.”

6 But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises.

7 If the first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need for a second covenant to replace it. 8 But when God found fault with the people, he said:

“The day is coming, says the Lord,
    when I will make a new covenant
    with the people of Israel and Judah.
9 This covenant will not be like the one
    I made with their ancestors
when I took them by the hand
    and led them out of the land of Egypt.
They did not remain faithful to my covenant,
    so I turned my back on them, says the Lord.
10 But this is the new covenant I will make
    with the people of Israel on that day, says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their minds,
    and I will write them on their hearts.
I will be their God,
    and they will be my people.
11 And they will not need to teach their neighbors,
    nor will they need to teach their relatives,
    saying, ‘You should know the Lord.’
For everyone, from the least to the greatest,
    will know me already.
12 And I will forgive their wickedness,
    and I will never again remember their sins.”

13 When God speaks of a “new” covenant, it means he has made the first one obsolete. It is now out of date and will soon disappear.

Opening Question: "What are the differences between the old covenant and the new covenant, and how does the new covenant bring us closer to God?"

OVERVIEW

A covenant, not a term frequenting conversation today, is a legally binding agreement between individuals. Despite its infrequent use, understanding the definition, what covenants are and are not is vital to grasping the over-arching story of the Bible. Unlike covenants made between humans, when God enters into a covenant relationship with humans, it is one-sided. Only God can initiate and establish a covenant with Himself. All throughout the Old Testament, we find God choosing people—Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, etc.— for covenant relationship, each established with the promise of blessing for the faithful, and curses for those who failed. Time and time again we see humans fail to keep their side of the covenant, experiencing hardships and consequences for their choices. Yet God is merciful and to the reader, it is clear that the covenants offered by God throughout history still far outweigh the alternative, an existence apart from God. And yet God had more for us. This week’s passage in Hebrews illustrates a better covenant between God and humanity, one that is mediated and fulfilled perfectly by Jesus on our behalf.

QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT

Read verses 1-7. Depending on your translation, you may see words like “tent”, “holy place”, “tabernacle”, or “sanctuary”. What is the author referring to? Who serves in the earthy tent? Who serves in the heavenly tent? What are they doing?

Looking at verses 3-7, what is being compared? Why do you think the author uses the word “copy”? What does that tell you?

You may have come across the idiom “every promise finds its yes in Christ”, which is a nice sentiment, but can be challenging to understand when in reality we don’t always get what we want from God. This week’s passage serves as a reminder that Christ Himself is the promised answer—the answer we desperately need! God’s promises to the children of Israel were always meant to find their completion in Christ and meet our deepest need. Do you think of Christ as your ultimate need? Set aside some time this week to prayerfully consider the practical implications of Christ being the fulfillment of your most significant needs and salvation. Thank Him for this amazing gift!

Read verses 8-12. Why does the old covenant fail? Use the text for your answer. What does this tell you about God and about humanity?

Who does God make this New Covenant with? Does this New Covenant apply to us? How do you know? Use any scripture that comes to mind to help you answer.

THINK ABOUT THIS

If you walk along a city street on a bright, sunny day, you will come across shadows. The shadows won’t really affect your walk. For example, you can walk through the shadow of a light pole because you know it is just a shadow of the pole. But it does make you aware that there is a light pole near you.

The priests that God ordained under the old covenant served in a tabernacle (and later a temple), that was like a shadow, or a copy, of what is in heaven, says Hebrews. That tabernacle and those priests were there in order to point to the real tabernacle in heaven and the real High Priest, Jesus Christ, who works on our behalf to save us from our sin and gives us new life forever with God.

Jesus represents the new covenant, and his work is far superior to that of the priests of the old covenant. Jesus is the real deal. Unfortunately, people got lost looking only at the shadow instead of looking to the real work of God in their lives and worshiping him as the only true God.

Jesus Christ came into the world so that we would no longer need the temple priests to intercede for us; he himself intercedes for us.

And he has made the perfect sacrifice, providing forgiveness of sins once and for all. Instead of looking at shadows, we are called to look to Jesus. Brian Kuyper

THIS MAY SURPRISE YOU: Clarifying a Difficult Teaching

In Hebrews 8:13, we read, "By calling this covenant 'new,' he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear." This verse can be surprising because it teaches that the old covenant, which was foundational to the Israelites' relationship with God, is now "obsolete." Many people think of the Old Testament covenant and its laws as something permanent, but the writer of Hebrews emphasizes that it was never meant to be the final or complete solution. The old covenant was a shadow, pointing forward to the perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. When Jesus established the new covenant through His sacrifice, it replaced the old one and brought something far better—direct access to God, forgiveness of sins, and a new, intimate relationship with Him. This doesn’t mean that the Old Testament is irrelevant, but it highlights that Jesus is the fulfillment and completion of God’s plan, offering a better way.

SERIOUSLY THINKING- Growing Traits in the Person Who Takes Seriously The New Has Come - Hebrews 8

Trait→Description→Scripture Reference

1. Appreciation of the New Covenant→Embraces the superior and complete covenant established by Jesus, replacing the old.→Hebrews 8:6

2. Confidence in Christ’s Ministry→Trusts Jesus as the perfect high priest who ministers in the heavenly sanctuary.→Hebrews 8:1-2

3. Hope in God’s Promises→Holds firm hope in God’s promise to write His laws on hearts and minds.→Hebrews 8:10

4. Gratitude for Divine Forgiveness→Values the forgiveness and intimate knowledge of God made possible through the new covenant.→Hebrews 8:12

5. Spiritual Renewal→Experiences inward transformation through God’s Spirit as part of the new covenant relationship.→Hebrews 8:10-11

6. Obedience Rooted in Relationship→Responds to God’s law from the heart, not merely out of obligation, but from love and gratitude.→Hebrews 8:10-11

TAKE-HOME THOUGHT: Seeing the Bigger Picture

The new covenant in Christ brings an incredible sense of freedom and closeness with God that the old covenant could never provide. Under the old covenant, the people were bound by external laws and rituals that could never fully cleanse their hearts. But through Christ, the new covenant offers forgiveness, renewal, and an internal transformation. The promises of the new covenant are not just written on stone tablets but are written on our hearts, ensuring a personal, intimate relationship with God. This covenant is not dependent on our ability to keep the law perfectly, but on Jesus’ perfect sacrifice and His ongoing intercession for us. As believers, we are invited into a deeper fellowship with God, where we can experience His grace, mercy, and love in ways that the Israelites could only long for. Through Christ, the old way has passed away, and the new has come, bringing us into the fullness of God's promise and presence.

CROSS-REFERENCE: Similar Scriptures in the New Testament

Here are a few New Testament passages that echo the message of Hebrews 8 about the superiority of the new covenant:

Matthew 26:28: "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."
In this verse, Jesus refers to His sacrifice as establishing the new covenant, where His blood is the means of forgiveness, unlike the sacrifices of the old covenant that could never truly cleanse sin.

Luke 22:20: "In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.'"
This highlights the inauguration of the new covenant through Jesus' sacrifice, which guarantees forgiveness and a personal relationship with God.

2 Corinthians 3:6: "He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."
Paul contrasts the old covenant (the letter of the law) with the new covenant (the Spirit), emphasizing that the new covenant brings life and transformation, not just external compliance.

Romans 8:3-4: "For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."
Paul emphasizes that the old covenant was powerless to fully transform the human heart, but through Christ, the requirements of the law are met, and believers are empowered by the Spirit to live in a new way.

Jeremiah 31:33-34 (quoted in Hebrews 8:10-12): "This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."
This prophecy from the Old Testament is quoted in Hebrews and underscores the transformation that the new covenant brings—God’s law is written on our hearts, and forgiveness of sins is complete.

Hebrews 10:16-17: "'This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.' Then he adds: 'Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.'"
This passage reaffirms the truth of the new covenant, highlighting that God’s forgiveness and the internal transformation through Christ are key to the new way of relating to God.

These scriptures together highlight the radical shift from the old covenant, which required external compliance and sacrifice, to the new covenant in Christ, which offers internal transformation, forgiveness, and a personal relationship with God through the Holy Spirit. The new covenant provides something far superior—complete access to God, a new heart, and a sure hope for eternity.

SESSION 10: Nothing but the Blood - Hebrews 9
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Alistair Begg — The Cleansing of Conscience & When Jesus Came...

Focus: The Power of Christ’s Sacrifice

Purpose Statement: The writer of Hebrews emphasizes the necessity of Christ’s sacrificial blood for the redemption of humanity. Through His perfect and once-for-all sacrifice, Jesus has secured eternal salvation for believers, cleansing them from sin and granting them direct access to God. This passage highlights the importance of the blood of Christ, which is the foundation of the new covenant and the only means of purification and forgiveness.

READ: Hebrews 9 (NLT)

Old Rules about Worship

1 That first covenant between God and Israel had regulations for worship and a place of worship here on earth. 2 There were two rooms in that Tabernacle. In the first room were a lampstand, a table, and sacred loaves of bread on the table. This room was called the Holy Place. 3 Then there was a curtain, and behind the curtain was the second room called the Most Holy Place. 4 In that room were a gold incense altar and a wooden chest called the Ark of the Covenant, which was covered with gold on all sides. Inside the Ark were a gold jar containing manna, Aaron’s staff that sprouted leaves, and the stone tablets of the covenant. 5 Above the Ark were the cherubim of divine glory, whose wings stretched out over the Ark’s cover, the place of atonement. But we cannot explain these things in detail now.

6 When these things were all in place, the priests regularly entered the first room as they performed their religious duties. 7 But only the high priest ever entered the Most Holy Place, and only once a year. And he always offered blood for his own sins and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. 8 By these regulations the Holy Spirit revealed that the entrance to the Most Holy Place was not freely open as long as the Tabernacle and the system it represented were still in use.

9 This is an illustration pointing to the present time. For the gifts and sacrifices that the priests offer are not able to cleanse the consciences of the people who bring them. 10 For that old system deals only with food and drink and various cleansing ceremonies—physical regulations that were in effect only until a better system could be established.

Christ Is the Perfect Sacrifice

11 So Christ has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that greater, more perfect Tabernacle in heaven, which was not made by human hands and is not part of this created world. 12 With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever.

13 Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer could cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity. 14 Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. 15 That is why he is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant.

16 Now when someone leaves a will, it is necessary to prove that the person who made it is dead. 17 The will goes into effect only after the person’s death. While the person who made it is still alive, the will cannot be put into effect.

18 That is why even the first covenant was put into effect with the blood of an animal. 19 For after Moses had read each of God’s commandments to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, along with water, and sprinkled both the book of God’s law and all the people, using hyssop branches and scarlet wool. 20 Then he said, “This blood confirms the covenant God has made with you.” 21 And in the same way, he sprinkled blood on the Tabernacle and on everything used for worship. 22 In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.

23 That is why the Tabernacle and everything in it, which were copies of things in heaven, had to be purified by the blood of animals. But the real things in heaven had to be purified with far better sacrifices than the blood of animals.

24 For Christ did not enter into a holy place made with human hands, which was only a copy of the true one in heaven. He entered into heaven itself to appear now before God on our behalf. 25 And he did not enter heaven to offer himself again and again, like the high priest here on earth who enters the Most Holy Place year after year with the blood of an animal. 26 If that had been necessary, Christ would have had to die again and again, ever since the world began. But now, once for all time, he has appeared at the end of the age to remove sin by his own death as a sacrifice.

27 And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, 28 so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.

Opening Question: "Why is the blood of Christ so central to our salvation, and how does understanding the significance of His sacrifice deepen our gratitude and worship?"

OVERVIEW

This life is our opportunity. There is no reincarnation; no second chances to respond to the purposes of God. He appeared once to deal with sin. He will appear a second time to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him. 

At times, The Bible may use language or imagery that cause discomfort for the squeamish or faint of heart. Even those less sensitive might find the sacrifices and blood of the Old Covenant to be uncomfortable—or perhaps simply irrelevant—and therefore warranting exclusion from the text. Whether it causes discomfort, confusion, or is simply deemed archaic, it can be easy to avoid a deeper engagement with these passages of Scripture. In the Old Testament, blood was recognized as a symbol of life and death and served as a sacred substance in various sacrificial rituals for purification (cleansing), consecration (setting aside), and atonement (reconciliation). In this week’s passage, the writer of Hebrews seeks to clarify that, beyond symbolism, there is no comparison between the blood of Jesus and the blood of sacrificial animals. Only Jesus' blood can remove sin and guilt. Only His blood can cleanse our conscience and empower us to serve God. The sacrificial system for God's people in the Old Testament, including its location, all served to point us to the coming better way for man to be purified, consecrated, and atoned for: through the blood of Jesus.

THINK ABOUT THIS

You and I may dislike monotony, but consider these words from G.K. Chesterton in Orthodoxy on the topic of the life we can gain from such rhythms: A child kicks its legs rhythmically through excess, not absence, of life. Because children have abounding vitality, because they are in spirit fierce and free, therefore they want things repeated and unchanged. They always say, “Do it again,” and the grown-up person does it again until he is nearly dead. For grown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony. But perhaps God is strong enough. It is possible that God says every morning, “Do it again” to the sun; and every evening, “Do it again” to the moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that He has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and have grown old, and our Father is younger than we are. Consider what it might look like to cultivate the practice of mindfully recognizing God in your day to day "mundane monotony"; for in it, you may hear His voice speaking as Chesterton suggests: "again...do it again…"

QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT

Throughout the book of Hebrews, we find the contrasting of the old and the new, the before and the now. We find everything that preceded Jesus to be simply a shadow of something greater to come.

In verses 1-10, what place does the author turn their attention to? Consider briefly reviewing Exodus 25; 26:1-31; 30 & 37.

What deeper realities does the tabernacle point us to? What does the most holy place tell us about the character and nature of God? Why would this matter for believers today to understand?

When we think about the forgiveness of sins found in Jesus, it’s easy to understand its implications for our intentional acts of rebellion. Yet verse 7 speaks to atonement made for the “unintentional sins” of the people.

Hebrews 9 speaks at length to Jesus’ superiority to the Tabernacle and temple—the place where sacrifices were completed. But it also makes a point to demonstrate Jesus to also be a far better sacrifice itself. We’re told in verse 12 that Jesus entered the heavenly holy place by means of His own blood and that the blood of the animal sacrifices of the Old Testament were insufficient to provide what you and I need most. What does Jesus’ blood accomplish that these animals cannot?

THIS MAY SURPRISE YOU: Clarifying a Difficult Teaching

In Hebrews 9:22, we read, "In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." This may surprise you because the idea of blood being necessary for forgiveness can feel foreign and even unsettling. In the Old Testament, blood sacrifices were a regular part of worship, and they symbolized the cost of sin—death. However, the writer of Hebrews explains that these sacrifices were temporary and only pointed forward to something greater. Jesus, through His perfect and once-for-all sacrifice, became the fulfillment of these rituals. His blood was the final and complete payment for sin, offering forgiveness and cleansing once and for all. The shedding of Christ's blood is the means by which believers are made right with God. This does not mean that blood itself is magical, but rather that it represents the great cost of redemption—Jesus’ life given for our salvation. His sacrifice opens the door for us to have a direct, unmediated relationship with God, which was not possible before.

SERIOUSLY THINKING- Growing Traits in the Person Who Takes Seriously Nothing but the Blood - Hebrews 9

Trait→Description→Scripture Reference

1. Reverence for Christ’s Sacrifice→Honors the supreme sacrifice of Jesus’ blood that cleanses and redeems fully.→Hebrews 9:12-14

2. Awareness of Sin’s Seriousness→Understands the need for atonement because of sin’s weight and consequences.→Hebrews 9:13-14

3. Faith in Christ’s Eternal Efficacy→Believes Jesus’ sacrifice is once and for all, perfect and sufficient for salvation.→Hebrews 9:25-26

4. Gratitude for Forgiveness→Responds with thankfulness for the cleansing power of Christ’s blood.→Hebrews 9:14

5. Commitment to Holiness→Lives a life set apart, acknowledging the power of Christ’s sacrifice to purify believers.→Hebrews 9:13-14

6. Hope in Eternal Redemption→Trusts in the promised eternal redemption and inheritance through Christ’s blood.→Hebrews 9:15

TAKE-HOME THOUGHT: Seeing the Bigger Picture

The blood of Christ is not just a historical event—it is the foundation of the entire Christian faith. Jesus’ sacrifice was not an accident, but a purposeful act of love to redeem humanity. When we understand the power of His blood, we recognize that Christ’s death on the cross was the ultimate act of God’s mercy and grace. Before Jesus, people had to go through repeated rituals, sacrificing animals in hopes that their sins would be forgiven, but those sacrifices were temporary and could never truly cleanse the heart. Through Christ's sacrifice, the need for repeated sacrifices ended. His blood was the once-for-all payment for sin, a permanent solution. Because of His sacrifice, believers are forgiven, cleansed, and granted access to God. It is through His blood that the new covenant has been established, offering not only forgiveness but a transformed heart and a restored relationship with God. Jesus’ sacrifice gives us peace, assurance, and hope because it means that nothing can separate us from the love of God.

CROSS-REFERENCE: Similar Scriptures in the New Testament

Here are a few New Testament passages that echo the message of Hebrews 9 about the power of Christ’s sacrifice:

Matthew 26:28: "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."
Jesus directly connects His blood to the forgiveness of sins, emphasizing that His sacrifice is the means by which humanity can be reconciled to God.

1 Peter 1:18-19: "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect."
Peter reminds believers that Christ’s blood is the ultimate price paid for their redemption, showing the precious and perfect nature of His sacrifice.

Ephesians 1:7: "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace."
This verse highlights that redemption and forgiveness are made possible only through the blood of Christ, underscoring the centrality of His sacrifice to our salvation.

Revelation 1:5: "To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood."
In Revelation, we see the acknowledgment of Christ’s love and His blood as the means by which we are freed from our sins, emphasizing the power of His sacrifice.

Colossians 1:19-20: "For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross."
This passage speaks to the reconciling power of Christ’s blood, showing that through His sacrifice, God brought peace between Himself and creation.

These scriptures together show that the blood of Christ is not a mere detail of the gospel but the very foundation of our salvation. It is through His perfect sacrifice that we are redeemed, forgiven, and reconciled to God, and it is by His blood that we are given the gift of eternal life. His sacrifice secures our access to God, removes the barrier of sin, and offers us peace and relationship with our Creator.

SESSION 11: It is Finished! - Hebrews 10:1-18
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Alistair Begg — It Is Finished!

Focus: The Finality and Sufficiency of Christ’s Sacrifice

Purpose Statement: The writer of Hebrews explains that Christ’s sacrifice was once and for all, unlike the repetitive sacrifices under the old covenant. Through His single offering, Jesus has perfected believers forever and completely dealt with sin. The old system is obsolete, and Christ’s work is finished, securing eternal redemption for all who believe. This passage calls believers to respond with faith, confidence, and gratitude, knowing that Christ’s sacrifice is complete and sufficient for all time.

READ: Hebrews 10:1-18 (NLT)

Christ’s Sacrifice Once for All

1 The old system under the law of Moses was only a shadow, a dim preview of the good things to come, not the good things themselves. The sacrifices under that system were repeated again and again, year after year, but they were never able to provide perfect cleansing for those who came to worship. 2 If they could have provided perfect cleansing, the sacrifices would have stopped, for the worshipers would have been purified once for all time, and their feelings of guilt would have disappeared.

3 But instead, those sacrifices actually reminded them of their sins year after year. 4 For it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5 That is why, when Christ came into the world, he said to God,

“You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings.
    But you have given me a body to offer.
6 You were not pleased with burnt offerings
    or other offerings for sin.
7 Then I said, ‘Look, I have come to do your will, O God—
    as is written about me in the Scriptures.’”

8 First, Christ said, “You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings or burnt offerings or other offerings for sin, nor were you pleased with them” (though they are required by the law of Moses). 9 Then he said, “Look, I have come to do your will.” He cancels the first covenant in order to put the second into effect. 10 For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.

11 Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins. 12 But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 13 There he waits until his enemies are humbled and made a footstool under his feet. 14 For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy.

15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so. For he says,

16 “This is the new covenant I will make
    with my people on that day, says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their hearts,
    and I will write them on their minds.”

17 Then he says,

“I will never again remember
    their sins and lawless deeds.”

18 And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices.

Opening Question: "How does knowing that Jesus’ sacrifice is complete and sufficient for all time impact the way you live out your faith today?"

OVERVIEW

Truly believing that God has forgiven all our sins can be one of the biggest struggles we face as believers. Deep down inside each of us fear, doubt, and uncertainty plague us, challenging our confidence that God has truly forgiven all our faults and failures. It is so easy to find ourselves picturing God as sitting in wait, just looking for the opportunity to pounce on our long list of wrongs and unfulfilled rights. Yet this could not be further from the truth! As we delve into this week’s passage of Hebrews, we are reminded of the final words of Jesus on the cross: "It is finished." Our salvation is secure, and our relationship with God restored! We have been gently guided back to the good graces of God. And there is nothing that you or I can do to negate that. How can we be so sure? We're told upon the completion of His work, Jesus sat down; there is no more work to be done. We're reminded that God will remember our sins no more. Do you believe this?

THINK ABOUT THIS

The book of Hebrews looks at Jesus’ life from the perspective of the Old Testament system of sacrifices. Today we will reflect on Jesus as the one and only sacrifice for sin.

In ancient Israel, God commanded that sacrifices be made to cover the sins of the people. These sacrifices were symbolic, representing the sinner. By making a sacrifice, the sinner was saying, “I have done wrong and deserve punishment, but please accept this offering in my place.” The Israelites were required to make sacrifices for many things. If they touched a dead animal—make a sacrifice. If they harmed their neighbor—make a sacrifice. If they accidentally hurt someone—make a sacrifice. Making sacrifices was a part of everyday life. Why were there so many sacrifices? Because there were so many sins, and each sacrifice only (symbolically) covered one sin.When Jesus came, however, he gave up his life as a sacrifice. Though he was pure and perfect, he gave up his body in place of all our bodies. And his sacrifice did not symbolize just one man dying for his sin; Jesus, the perfect Son of God, offered himself as a sacrifice for all human sin. And because he committed no sin, Jesus’ sacrifice covered all the sins of all people, including you and me.

QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT

Read verse 1. What does the author mean when he says the old covenant was just a shadow of good things to come?

How would you explain the main differences between the old and new covenants?

In verse 3, the author tells us that the sacrificial system of the old covenant was there to serve as a reminder of sin, not bringing forgiveness of sins, why do you think that is?

In verse 5-7, the author cites Psalm 40. Read Psalm 40:6-8 and compare it with Hebrews 10:5-7. What are the similarities and what are the differences between the two passages?

According to verse 13, Jesus is currently waiting on something, what is it?

Why is it important for us to remember today that Jesus’ saving work is not entirely complete until a future date?

Within these verses (1-18) the author speaks of Jesus’ completed work, His continuous work in sanctifying us, and His work that is yet to come. Have you ever been confused by the different “tenses” of Jesus’ work—past, present, future? What are the mistakes we can make if we only focus on one at the expense of the others?

“Once and for all” is a pretty powerful statement. There’s a level of certainty, security, and comfort found in these words. Very little in our lives can be said to be done “once and for all.” Yet we can rest assured of this: the salvation offered by Jesus is more than sufficient to save; it is eternal in its effect, and perfect in every way. Do you believe this? Do you struggle to believe this? How might your life be transformed if you truly knew that your sins were forgiven once and for all?

THIS MAY SURPRISE YOU: Clarifying a Difficult Teaching

In Hebrews 10:12-14, we read, "But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy." This might surprise you because it tells us that Jesus, through His one sacrifice, has "made perfect forever" those who believe. It may seem strange to think of believers as "perfect," especially when we know we still struggle with sin. However, this doesn't mean that we no longer sin, but that Jesus’ sacrifice covers all our sins—past, present, and future. His offering was so complete that it doesn’t need to be repeated. When God looks at us, He sees us as perfectly forgiven in Christ. We are declared righteous because of Jesus’ completed work, even though we are still in the process of being made holy. This passage emphasizes that Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient and final, meaning that we are completely forgiven and fully accepted by God through His finished work.

SERIOUSLY THINKING- Growing Traits in the Person Who Takes Seriously It is Finished! - Hebrews 10:1-18

Trait→Description→Scripture Reference

1. Faith in Christ’s Complete Sacrifice→Believes that Jesus’ one perfect offering has fully atoned for sin, ending the need for repeated sacrifices.→Hebrews 10:10-12

2. Gratitude for God’s Will→Gives thanks that Jesus accomplished God’s will perfectly through His sacrifice.→Hebrews 10:7-9

3. Confidence to Approach God→Comes boldly before God, assured by the perfect cleansing through Christ’s sacrifice.→Hebrews 10:19-22 (contextual)

4. Desire for Holiness→Pursues a life set apart, sanctified by the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus.→Hebrews 10:10-14

5. Assurance of Forgiveness→Trusts that sins are remembered no more, based on Jesus’ finished work.→Hebrews 10:17-18

6. Motivation for Perseverance→Encouraged to continue faithfully because of the permanence of Christ’s sacrifice.→Hebrews 10:14

TAKE-HOME THOUGHT: Seeing the Bigger Picture

The finality and sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice is a truth that should deeply impact how we live as believers. Under the old covenant, sacrifices had to be repeated year after year, never truly taking away sin. But through Jesus, one perfect sacrifice ended all of that. This means we no longer need to fear that our sin can separate us from God in an ultimate sense, because Jesus' work is finished and complete. His sacrifice is the foundation of our hope, confidence, and peace with God. We are freed from the cycle of guilt and striving to earn God’s favor. Instead, we can live in the joy and freedom of knowing that, through Christ, our sins are completely dealt with. The call to respond with faith, confidence, and gratitude is an invitation to live in the truth of what Jesus has accomplished for us. Our response should be to trust in His finished work, resting in the assurance that nothing can separate us from the love of God.

CROSS-REFERENCE: Similar Scriptures in the New Testament

Here are a few New Testament passages that echo the message of Hebrews 10 about the finality and sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice:

John 19:30: "When he had received the drink, Jesus said, 'It is finished.' With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit."
This verse directly ties in with the message of Hebrews 10, where Jesus declares that His work is completed—there is nothing more to add to what He has accomplished for our salvation.

Romans 6:10: "The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God."
Paul explains that Jesus’ death was a once-for-all event, highlighting that His sacrifice is complete and does not need to be repeated.

1 Peter 3:18: "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit."
This verse emphasizes that Christ’s sacrifice was sufficient for all sins, and His death was the means of reconciling us to God once and for all.

Hebrews 9:26: "Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself."
This verse reinforces the idea that Jesus’ sacrifice was a once-for-all event, fulfilling what the repetitive sacrifices of the old covenant could never do.

Colossians 2:13-14: "When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross."
Paul explains that Jesus’ sacrifice completely dealt with our sin, canceling our debt once and for all, offering forgiveness and complete reconciliation with God.

These passages all confirm that Jesus’ sacrifice is both final and sufficient for the forgiveness of our sins. His work is complete, and there is no need for further sacrifices or efforts on our part to be made right with God. We can rest in the truth that His sacrifice covers it all, offering us perfect forgiveness, eternal redemption, and peace with God.

SESSION 12: Hold Fast - Hebrews 10:19-39
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Alistair Begg — Faith, Hope, and Love

Focus: Perseverance in Faith and Confidence in God’s Promises

Purpose Statement: The writer of Hebrews encourages believers to hold fast to their faith, drawing near to God with confidence because of Christ's sacrifice. He urges them to endure in faith, even in the face of trials and persecution, knowing that God is faithful to fulfill His promises. This passage emphasizes the importance of encouraging one another, remaining steadfast, and not shrinking back from the hope we have in Christ.

READ: Hebrews 10:19-39 (NLT)

A Call to Persevere

19 And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. 20 By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. 21 And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, 22 let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.

23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

26 Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. 27 There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies. 28 For anyone who refused to obey the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us. 30 For we know the one who said,

“I will take revenge.
    I will pay them back.”

He also said,

“The Lord will judge his own people.”

31 It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

32 Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. 33 Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. 34 You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.

35 So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! 36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

37 “For in just a little while,
    the Coming One will come and not delay.
38 And my righteous ones will live by faith.
    But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.”

39 But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved.

Opening Question: "What are some practical ways we can hold fast to our faith and encourage others to do the same, especially during difficult times?"

OVERVIEW

God will remember our sins no more. We can never be more justified in God's eyes than we are now. God has dealt with the consequences of sin through the sinless death of Christ. In response, we are called to hold to Christ unswervingly. We are to encourage each other in fellowship and spur each other on to do good deeds. Hebrews 10:36, "For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised."

We almost always express care and concern for the well-being of others. Sometimes this care will come across in a word of encouragement or exhortation. Other times it may appear in a word of warning. For a Christian nothing is more exciting than seeing someone step fully into what God has for them, and nothing can be more heart breaking than watching someone stray. In this section of Hebrews, the author provides all of the above. The writer desires for us to have great confidence in our salvation and ability to connect with God. We are encouraged to use that access to remain faithful, avoid rebellion, and to not take advantage of what great privilege that rests in our possession. While the world around us may guide us towards immediacy and things that are temporal, followers of Jesus will continually look forward to the day of His return, all the while living as if each day may be the last.

THINK ABOUT THIS

Some years ago, during an unhappy conflict at work, a wise coworker told me that having things go my way was not the point. Working together to do good things for others was more important. Doing it my way might be better, but not at the cost of accomplishing nothing. Those were hard but encouraging words to hear.

God has great plans for our lives that are beyond our imagining. How surprised we can be to discover gifts we have within us! God seems to use us best in areas where we might think we do not have strengths. That irony helps us see that the work God does through us is his, not ours. Those can also be areas in which doors close and windows open—and we step out on a new path to serve him.

Christ is already the victor over all that is wrong with the world. He invites us to follow him and to challenge each other to leave comfortable habits for new forms of ministry. As parents, we might use the image of holding out our children’s crowns and challenging our children to grow into them. As a church, we can help others see gifts and talents of which they may not yet be aware.

Tell someone how excited you are to see how God is planning to use their gifts and talents in his kingdom. Point out how God is equipping them for service. Encourage those around you in their spiritual growth and ministry! Steven and Deb Koster

QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT

In Hebrews 10:19-22, the author uses imagery of a curtain being opened to give us access to God. What is this imagery intended to lead the reader to think of? (Consider reviewing Hebrews 9:3; Exodus 26, 36; and Matthew 27:51)

In verses 22-23 we are encouraged to draw near and hold fast to God. In your own words, what does that mean?

What are some of the ways God has instructed us to draw near and hold fast (Hint: consider your spiritual disciplines)?

What are some of the things that prevent us from drawing near to God on a daily basis?

Hebrews 10:24-25 are verses many believers are familiar with for the sheer practical instruction it gives on community life for the church. In your own words, what does it mean to stir one another up?

How do these verses confront those of us who think we can be a Christian while not in fellowship with the church and other believers?

One key truth that can be taken away from our passage is the role and importance of community within our lives. Not merely for the sake of establishing close connections and relationships, but living a life in community provides guardrails for us. When we long to stray, the community is there to keep us close. When we begin to disbelieve, the community is there to remind us of the truth. When we feel weak, the community is there to strengthen us. Dietrich Bonhoeffer in his book Life Together says "The physical presence of other Christians is a source of incomparable joy and strength to the believer". Have you experienced this? Have you given yourself to this? Have you committed to belong in community so that you may experience the joys, protection, and strength of belonging?

THIS MAY SURPRISE YOU: Clarifying a Difficult Teaching

In Hebrews 10:38, we read, "But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back." This can be surprising because it seems to present a stark choice: either live by faith or face God’s displeasure. What does it mean to "shrink back"? It refers to those who turn away from their faith in times of hardship, fear, or temptation, instead of holding fast to their hope in Christ. The writer of Hebrews is emphasizing that true faith is not just something we hold when things are easy but a deep trust in God that endures through trials. While this warning may sound harsh, it is meant to encourage believers to remain steadfast and not lose heart when challenges arise. It’s important to understand that God’s call to perseverance is not about earning salvation or perfection, but about holding on to the hope and promises of Christ, even when it’s difficult. God's displeasure is not a threat of losing salvation, but a reminder that genuine faith produces perseverance and that He is faithful to those who endure.

SERIOUSLY THINKING- Growing Traits in the Person Who Takes Seriously Hold Fast - Hebrews 10:19-39

Trait→Description→Scripture Reference

1. Boldness in Faith→Approaches God with confidence through Jesus’ blood, unashamed to draw near.→Hebrews 10:19-22

2. Perseverance→Endures steadfastly, refusing to shrink back despite trials and challenges.→Hebrews 10:23, 35-36

3. Community Encouragement→Actively encourages and strengthens fellow believers regularly to prevent falling away.→Hebrews 10:24-25

4. Purity of Heart→Maintains a sincere and pure heart, free from guilt and sin.→Hebrews 10:22

5. Hope Anchored in God’s Promise→Holds firm to the hope promised by God, confident He will fulfill His word.→Hebrews 10:23

6. Readiness for Judgment→Lives with awareness of God’s righteous judgment and accountability, motivating holy living.→Hebrews 10:26-31

TAKE-HOME THOUGHT: Seeing the Bigger Picture

The call to "hold fast" to our faith is not just a command to survive through trials, but an invitation to deeply trust in God’s promises. Life’s struggles—whether trials, persecution, or personal hardship—can make us feel like giving up. But Hebrews 10 reminds us that our confidence is rooted in Christ’s finished work, which has opened the way for us to draw near to God. When we endure, we are not doing so in our own strength but in the strength of God’s promises. This passage also emphasizes the importance of community—encouraging one another and spurring each other on in faith. We are not meant to walk this journey alone. Our faith grows stronger as we remind each other of God’s faithfulness, especially when life gets tough. The bigger picture is that our perseverance in faith brings glory to God, and as we hold fast to the hope we have in Christ, we participate in the unshakable kingdom of God. When we are faithful, God is faithful to fulfill His promises, and our hope in Him is secure.

CROSS-REFERENCE: Similar Scriptures in the New Testament

Here are a few New Testament passages that echo the message of Hebrews 10 about perseverance and confidence in God’s promises:

Romans 5:3-4: "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."
Paul speaks to the refining power of trials, emphasizing that through suffering, our faith and hope in God are deepened.

James 1:2-4: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
James encourages believers to view trials as opportunities for growth, knowing that perseverance in faith leads to spiritual maturity and completeness.

Matthew 24:13: "But the one who stands firm to the end will be saved."
Jesus speaks of the importance of enduring in faith through trials, reinforcing the idea that those who hold fast to their faith to the end will experience salvation.

1 Peter 1:6-7: "In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."
Peter speaks about the trials of life refining our faith, and how enduring in faith results in eternal reward.

Philippians 3:14: "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
Paul highlights the perseverance required to continue in faith, pressing on toward the ultimate goal of eternal life with Christ.

Galatians 6:9: "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
This verse encourages believers to continue persevering in faith and good works, trusting that God will bring about the fruit of their efforts at the right time.

These passages further emphasize the importance of perseverance in faith and trusting in God’s promises, especially through trials. The writer of Hebrews encourages us to endure with confidence, knowing that God is faithful and will fulfill His promises. As we remain steadfast, we not only hold fast to our hope but also grow in faith and maturity, becoming more like Christ and participating in His eternal kingdom.

SESSION 13: Hall of Faith - Hebrews 11
Printable Download

Alistair Begg — Portrait Gallery of Faith — Part One & Portrait Gallery of Faith — Part Two & Every Picture Tells a Story

Focus: The Power of Faith in Action

Purpose Statement: Hebrews 11 highlights the faith of numerous Old Testament figures, demonstrating how faith in God’s promises empowered them to live boldly and obediently. The chapter teaches that faith is not just belief but active trust in God, leading to action. By looking at these examples, believers are encouraged to live by faith, trusting that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him and remain steadfast in His promises.

READ: Hebrews 11 (NLT)

Great Examples of Faith

1 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. 2 Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.

3 By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.

4 It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith.

5 It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“he disappeared, because God took him.” For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. 6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

7 It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith.

8 It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. 9 And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. 10 Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.

11 It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise. 12 And so a whole nation came from this one man who was as good as dead—a nation with so many people that, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them.

13 All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. 14 Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. 15 If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. 16 But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

17 It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, 18 even though God had told him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.” 19 Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead.

20 It was by faith that Isaac promised blessings for the future to his sons, Jacob and Esau.

21 It was by faith that Jacob, when he was old and dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and bowed in worship as he leaned on his staff.

22 It was by faith that Joseph, when he was about to die, said confidently that the people of Israel would leave Egypt. He even commanded them to take his bones with them when they left.

23 It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him for three months when he was born. They saw that God had given them an unusual child, and they were not afraid to disobey the king’s command.

24 It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward. 27 It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible. 28 It was by faith that Moses commanded the people of Israel to keep the Passover and to sprinkle blood on the doorposts so that the angel of death would not kill their firstborn sons.

29 It was by faith that the people of Israel went right through the Red Sea as though they were on dry ground. But when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were all drowned.

30 It was by faith that the people of Israel marched around Jericho for seven days, and the walls came crashing down.

31 It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed with the people in her city who refused to obey God. For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

32 How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. 33 By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. 35 Women received their loved ones back again from death.

But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. 36 Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. 37 Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. 38 They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.

39 All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. 40 For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.

Opening Question: "What does it look like for you to live by faith, and how can the examples of those in Hebrews 11 inspire and challenge you in your own journey with God?"

OVERVIEW

It is impossible to please God without faith. We have faith that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him. Faith does not guarantee a life of blessings. Some people receive blessings from God for faithfulness in this life. Others get killed; live in caves; are considered outcasts. God has purposes for each of us, but one thing is certain: He is just. He will right all wrongs in eternity. Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

THINK ABOUT THIS

As humans, we are captivated by a good story—even more so when it's a true one. At any given time in the year, at the top of the New York Times best-sellers list, there will be an autobiography of an important person telling their story. The Hollywood Box office will be dominated by a biopic documenting someone's triumph over tragedy and how it made them who they are today. These stories can give us a sense of hope, a source of motivation, and an example to follow. We've reached the point in Hebrews that many are familiar with, referred to as the Hall of Faith. Within this section, the author walks through example upon example of individuals from the Old Testament who exhibited a life of faith despite the obstacles they faced. By reminding us of these individuals, we are encouraged to hold tightly to Jesus. When we do so, we too will be able to persevere through whatever lies ahead. May this reminder of God's faithfulness encourage us to confidently hold on to God, just like the saints before us.

QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT

Hebrews 11:1-3 provides for us the clearest definition of faith that can be found throughout the entire Bible. How is faith defined? What is the object of faith in this definition

What is the difference between having faith in God versus simply hoping that something will happen?

Throughout the remainder of Hebrews 11, the author highlights how various individuals in the Old Testament exhibited faith by expressing persistent hope in God's promises. How is it that ancient stories such as these can motivate and encourage us in our faith today?

Consider taking time to reflect upon each of the individuals cited in the Hall of Faith. What action did they perform that exhibited their faith? What was the reason they did it (if given)? What were the obstacles they faced? What was the end result? (Note: Scripture references are there to assist! Not every explanation is given, not every obstacle is explicitly stated, nor is every result given.)

Abel (Gen 4)
Enoch (Gen 5:18-24)
Noah (Gen 5:29-10:32)
Abraham (Gen 12-25)
Sarah (Gen 12-23)
Isaac (Gen 17-35)
Jacob (Gen 25-50)
Joseph (Gen 37-50)
Moses (Ex 2:10)
Rahab (Josh 2; 6:17-25)
Gideon (Jud 6-8)
Barak (Jud 4-5)
Samson (Jud 13-16)
Jephthah (Jud 11-12)
David (Ruth 4; 1-2 Sam)

Samuel (1 Sam; 1 Chron 6)

ACTION

Hebrews 11 Review - A life of faith means trusting God’s promises, even when things get hard.

• Jesus is greater than the prophets, priests, kings, and angels. He is greater than Abraham, Melchizedek, Aaron, and Moses.

• Jesus is the better priest that serves with a better (new) covenant and in a better tabernacle (heaven).

• Jesus was the better and perfect sacrifice. The imperfect sacrifices under the old covenant do not compare.

• Jesus’ sacrifice takes away our sin. We can be forgiven; we no longer need to make sacrifices for our sins.

• Jesus’ death and rising again from the dead took away the old covenant and established the new covenant.

• In the new covenant we get a new heart, a new start, and a new part – all we have to do is trust and believe in Jesus.

THIS MAY SURPRISE YOU: Clarifying a Difficult Teaching

In Hebrews 11:1, we read, "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." This verse can be a bit tricky because it speaks of faith in things that are unseen, which can be hard for many of us to grasp. We often want concrete evidence, something tangible we can touch or see to help us believe. But this kind of faith doesn’t rely on what we can see or prove; it’s a deep trust in God's promises, even when the outcome is not immediately visible. What may surprise you is how faith in God’s promises often leads to action. The faith described in Hebrews 11 isn’t just about intellectual belief; it's about putting trust into practice, whether that means stepping out into the unknown, facing hardship, or obeying God’s call, even when it doesn't make sense. The heroes of faith in this chapter didn’t have all the answers, but they acted in faith, trusting that God was faithful to fulfill what He had promised. It shows that faith isn’t just an internal belief, but something that compels us to move, to act, and to live differently because we trust God.

SERIOUSLY THINKING- Growing Traits in the Person Who Takes Seriously Hall of Faith - Hebrews 11

Trait→Description→Scripture Reference

1. Faith in the Unseen→Trusts in what is hoped for and not seen, acting on God’s promises despite uncertainty.→Hebrews 11:1, 3

2. Obedience through Faith→Demonstrates trust by obeying God’s commands, even when the outcome is unclear.→Hebrews 11:8-9

3. Endurance→Perseveres faithfully through trials and challenges, maintaining hope in God’s promises.→Hebrews 11:17-19, 27

4. Courage to Act→Takes bold steps of faith, leaving comfort zones and following God’s leading.→Hebrews 11:24-26

5. Trust in God’s Rewards→Looks forward to the eternal rewards God has promised, beyond earthly life.→Hebrews 11:13-16

6. Faith that Inspires→Inspires others by example, showing how faith shapes a godly life and legacy.→Hebrews 11:32-40

TAKE-HOME THOUGHT: Seeing the Bigger Picture

Hebrews 11 paints a beautiful picture of what it looks like to live by faith. The people highlighted in this chapter didn’t always see the fulfillment of God's promises in their lifetimes, but they trusted Him anyway. Their lives demonstrate that true faith isn’t passive—it leads to bold actions, even in the face of uncertainty, challenges, and opposition. When we read their stories, we are reminded that faith in God isn’t about having all the answers, but about trusting God enough to move forward with obedience, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill His promises, even when we can’t see the outcome. The bigger picture of faith, as demonstrated in Hebrews 11, is that it shapes our lives, decisions, and actions. It’s not just about what we believe but how that belief leads us to act in a way that honors God. By looking at these examples of faith, we’re encouraged to persevere in our own journeys, knowing that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him, and that our faith has eternal value. Just as these men and women of faith trusted God with their lives, so we are called to trust Him with ours, confidently moving forward in faith.

CROSS-REFERENCE: Similar Scriptures in the New Testament

Here are a few New Testament passages that echo the message of Hebrews 11 about faith in action and trust in God’s promises:

James 2:17: "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
James reminds us that faith is more than just belief; it must lead to action. Faith without works is incomplete, as it’s through action that our faith is demonstrated and proven.

Matthew 17:20: "He replied, 'Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.'"
Jesus highlights that even the smallest amount of true faith has the power to accomplish great things, reinforcing that faith is the key to seeing God's power at work.

Luke 1:45: "Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!"
This is spoken of Mary, the mother of Jesus, who believed God’s promise even when it seemed impossible. Her faith in God's promises is an example of trusting God fully and faithfully.

Romans 4:18-21: "Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, 'So shall your offspring be.' Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised."
Paul speaks of Abraham as a model of faith, trusting in God’s promises even when the circumstances seemed impossible. His unwavering faith in God’s ability to fulfill His promises is a powerful reminder of the nature of true faith.

Romans 1:17: "For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.'"
This verse connects righteousness with living by faith, reminding us that faith is central to our relationship with God, guiding how we live and act.

2 Corinthians 5:7: "For we live by faith, not by sight."
Paul encourages believers to live with the conviction that faith is more important than what we can see or understand, calling us to trust God in all circumstances, just like the heroes in Hebrews 11.

These passages further reinforce the centrality of faith in the life of a believer. Faith is not just a concept but a way of living—one that leads to action, obedience, and confidence in God’s promises, just as we see in the examples in Hebrews 11. Living by faith means trusting God in every area of life, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill what He has promised.

SESSION 14: Endurance Training - Hebrews 12:1-17
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Alistair Begg — Running the Race & The Discipline of the Father

Focus: Endurance in the Race of Faith

Purpose Statement: The writer of Hebrews encourages believers to run the race of faith with endurance, keeping their eyes on Jesus, the ultimate example of perseverance. He reminds them that discipline and trials are part of God’s loving training to strengthen their faith and holiness. The passage calls believers to respond to challenges with perseverance, knowing that they are being shaped for God's greater purpose, and to encourage one another in this journey of faith.

READ: Hebrews 12:1-17 (NLT)

God’s Discipline Proves His Love

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.

5 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said,

“My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline,
    and don’t give up when he corrects you.
6 For the Lord disciplines those he loves,
    and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”

7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? 8 If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. 9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?

10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.

A Call to Listen to God

14 Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. 15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. 16 Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal. 17 You know that afterward, when he wanted his father’s blessing, he was rejected. It was too late for repentance, even though he begged with bitter tears.

Opening Question: "What role do trials and discipline play in our spiritual growth, and how can we endure in faith, especially when faced with difficulties?"

OVERVIEW

Embrace discipline as our friend. We have a race to run. Don't ask the question is it sinful? Ask- does it hinder my ability to run my best race? Sanctification is a process that is 100% the work of the Holy Spirit in us. And 100% our striving to be trained well for the race. Without holiness we will not see God. We receive an unshakable kingdom, we must be thankful and worship God with reverence and awe. Hebrews 12:1-2, "Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

THINK ABOUT THIS

Living a life with Jesus requires us to go through many things that, if we’re being honest, we'd rather skip. Following Jesus means we may be led to do things were never thought possible or places we never imagined we’d go. As Hebrews begins to make its way to a close, the author includes three different images about the experience of living as a Christian: walking a straight path in pursuit of righteousness, running a race that will require endurance, and accepting loving correction from our Heavenly Father when we stray or slow down. All of these provide an honest, fuller picture that tempers our expectations of what it will be like to be a Christian before Jesus returns or calls us home. We may not enjoy life’s difficulties, but when we look back, we will likely find that the seasons that kept us up or brought us to tears are often the seasons in which we experience great spiritual growth. We know this to be true anecdotally, but this truth is perfectly modelled in the example of our Savior, Jesus Christ. May we keep that in mind for whatever lies ahead.

QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT

The author of Hebrews equates the Christian life to a race. Do you think this is a fitting analogy? How does that impact the way you view your own relationship with God and spiritual formation?

In the first Hebrews 12:1-3, the author encourages us to keep three things in mind, what are they? How do they help us in running the race?.

In verses 2-4, we find an encouragement to look at our lives in light of something in particular, what is it? What are some practical steps we can take to look to Jesus every day?

What was the joy that was set before Jesus? How can that be said considering it had to come through the cross?

Turn your attention to verses 5-11. Here, the author turns their attention to discipline. That is not necessarily one of our favorite words, let alone our favorite thing to experience. However, according to these verses, what does the presence of God's discipline in our lives indicate about us? According to this passage, what does God's discipline accomplish?

Based upon verse 5-6, which quotes Proverbs 3:1-12, how should we respond to God's discipline?

One of the more comforting facts about the passage we studied this week is the fact that it acknowledges the various trials a believer will experience on this earth. Some of it is in form of discipline from a loving' Father's hands, some is simply due to the weariness of running the race of this life. Oswald Chambers in My Utmost for His Highest says the following: We say that there ought to be no sorrow, but there is sorrow, and we have to receive ourselves in its fires. If we try and evade sorrow, refuse to lay our account with it, we are foolish. Sorrow is one of the biggest facts in life; it is no use saying sorrow ought not to be. Sin and sorrow and suffering are, and it is not for us to say that God has made a mistake in allowing them.

THIS MAY SURPRISE YOU: Clarifying a Difficult Teaching

In Hebrews 12:6, the writer says, “The Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” This concept of discipline may be surprising because, in our modern world, discipline is often seen as punishment or something to avoid. However, in this passage, the writer is teaching that God's discipline is not about punishment but about loving correction and growth. Just as a parent disciplines their child to guide them, protect them, and help them grow, God disciplines us to strengthen our faith and shape us into the people He created us to be. The idea that God uses trials and challenges to refine us might feel difficult, especially when we're facing hardships, but these experiences are part of God's loving training process. Discipline in the Christian life isn’t about making us suffer—it’s about growing us, helping us to become more like Jesus. This reshapes the way we should view hardship; instead of seeing it as a sign of God’s displeasure, we can view it as an opportunity for growth and a sign of His care for us.

SERIOUSLY THINKING- Growing Traits in the Person Who Takes Seriously Endurance Training - Hebrews 12:1-17

Trait→Description→Scripture Reference

1. Perseverance→Runs the race of faith with endurance, shedding distractions and sin that hinder progress.→Hebrews 12:1

2. Focus on Jesus→Keeps eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, as the ultimate example.→Hebrews 12:2

3. Acceptance of Discipline→Welcomes God’s loving discipline as necessary for growth and holiness.→Hebrews 12:5-6

4. Strengthened by Discipline→Endures hardship as training that produces righteousness and peace.→Hebrews 12:7-11

5. Pursuit of Peace and Holiness→Strives earnestly to live peaceably with others and to grow in holiness.→Hebrews 12:14

6. Guarding Against Bitterness→Avoids bitterness and root causes that can cause spiritual harm and division.→Hebrews 12:15

TAKE-HOME THOUGHT: Seeing the Bigger Picture

Endurance in the race of faith is not about running quickly or without difficulty but about continuing faithfully, no matter the obstacles. Hebrews 12 encourages us to keep our eyes on Jesus, who is the ultimate example of perseverance, even when faced with suffering. He endured the cross for the joy set before Him, and in the same way, we are called to press on with the hope that God has a greater purpose in our struggles. When we face challenges, we often want to quit, but the writer of Hebrews reminds us that these trials shape our character and strengthen our faith. They are part of God’s loving discipline, molding us into the people He wants us to be. In the bigger picture, endurance is not just about surviving; it’s about growing closer to God and being shaped by Him for His greater purpose. We are not alone in this journey. We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses—those who have gone before us, showing us that the race is worth running. Together, we are encouraged to support one another in our walk of faith, persevering through challenges with the knowledge that God is with us, strengthening us every step of the way.

CROSS-REFERENCE: Similar Scriptures in the New Testament

Here are a few New Testament passages that echo the message of Hebrews 12 about endurance, discipline, and perseverance in the race of faith:

James 1:2-4: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
James encourages believers to view trials as opportunities for spiritual growth, knowing that perseverance through hardship strengthens faith and matures the believer.

Romans 5:3-4: "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."
Paul links suffering with growth, showing that enduring trials helps build perseverance, which in turn deepens our hope and character.

Matthew 17:20: "He replied, 'Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.'"
This verse speaks to the power of faith and the perseverance needed to face life’s difficulties, reminding us that even small faith, if it endures, can move mountains.

Romans 8:17: "Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."
Paul points to the hope of glory that comes after suffering. Endurance in trials and suffering is part of our journey with Christ, leading to the eternal rewards of God’s promises.

Philippians 3:14: "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
Paul encourages believers to keep pressing on in faith, focusing on the ultimate goal of eternal life with Christ, which helps to persevere through trials.

2 Timothy 4:7: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
Paul reflects on his own endurance and commitment to the race of faith, serving as an example for believers to continue in the faith and press on toward the prize of eternal life.

These passages reinforce the idea that faith is not a one-time decision but a lifelong journey of perseverance. We are called to endure in faith, trusting that God is with us, using trials to shape us, and strengthening us as we keep our eyes on Jesus. Our endurance in faith will not be in vain, as God promises to reward those who persevere, and in the end, we will share in the glory of Christ.

SESSION 15: Unshakable - Hebrews 12:18-29
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Alistair Begg — Essentials of Christian Maturity

Focus: The Unshakable Kingdom of God

Purpose Statement: The writer of Hebrews contrasts the temporary, shaking nature of the old covenant with the unshakable, eternal kingdom of God that believers now belong to through Christ. This passage calls believers to respond with reverence and awe to the God who is a consuming fire, knowing that they have received a kingdom that cannot be shaken. It encourages them to live with gratitude and commitment to worship God in a way that reflects His majesty and the security we have in His eternal kingdom.

READ: Hebrews 12:18-29 (NLT)

18 You have not come to a physical mountain, to a place of flaming fire, darkness, gloom, and whirlwind, as the Israelites did at Mount Sinai. 19 For they heard an awesome trumpet blast and a voice so terrible that they begged God to stop speaking. 20 They staggered back under God’s command: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” 21 Moses himself was so frightened at the sight that he said, “I am terrified and trembling.”

22 No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. 23 You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect. 24 You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel.

25 Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven! 26 When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.” 27 This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain.

28 Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. 29 For our God is a devouring fire.

Opening Question: "How does the reality of belonging to an unshakable kingdom influence the way you live and respond to the challenges of this life?"

OVERVIEW

In Hebrews 12, we are presented with imagery of two different mountains. Which one do you find yourself visiting most often? The first mountain referred to in this passage is Mount Sinai, the mountain on which the law was given from God and the Mosaic covenant was formed. At this mountain, as seen in Exodus 19-20 and Deuteronomy 4-5, God showed His people how to live in the world. As you read through Hebrews 12:18-19, the author uses a lot of imagery and visuals to give the general feeling is intimidation which makes the hearers wish to flee. Fire. Darkness. Gloom. Loud trumpet blasts. The people in the Old Testament were overwhelmed and terrified. We would be too!

The second mountain, referenced in verses 22-24, is Mount Zion. In the OldTestament, Mount Zion is the place where God resides, the dwelling place of the living God. This is where we are invited to meet God. This is where we come to experience relationship and community. We find the peace and presence of God. Which mountain do you find yourself travelling to most often? The mountain marked by doom and fear of what God may do or the mount on which we find the living God calling us into relationship with Him. Which mountain will you visit today?

THINK ABOUT THIS

There are certain environments in our everyday lives that come with reasonable expectations of what might happen. When we go to school, we expect to learn. When we go to the grocery store, there is an expectation that we will leave with food or whatever household items we might need. When we go to the gas station, we expect to leave with enough fuel to take us to the next destination. However, there is one place that we may frequent that can inspire varying expectations as to what might happen, or we might leave with: the church. Whatever objectives we bring with us will impact our experience on a Sunday and in a group setting. Our personal purposes and expectations when we enter this space act as a filter for our affections, feelings, and even our own contributions to the atmosphere. What do you expect when you come to church? The writer of Hebrews brings this to our attention by contrasting two places in which God's presence has been found. When God spoke to His people at Mount Sinai, the people trembled and begged him to be silent. When God speaks to us now, through His Word, we can find grace and long to hear more.

QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT

In Hebrews 12:18-19, what are seven ways the author describes the old covenant and how did the people respond to it?

Reading verses 22-24, what are the seven qualities the author uses to describe the new covenant?

Why is Sinai no longer the mountain on which we are to define our experience with God?

The author of Hebrews was seeking to reawaken some of the believers who had grown apathetic in their faith and worship. How would Hebrews 12:18-29 help awaken some believers? According to this passage, what would a healthy fear of God look like?

Hebrews 12:25 provides another warning message. It should draw our memory all the way back to Hebrew 1:1-4.

THIS MAY SURPRISE YOU: Clarifying a Difficult Teaching

In Hebrews 12:29, we read, "for our 'God is a consuming fire.'" This phrase may be difficult to understand because, in our minds, fire is often associated with destruction and danger. The image of God as a consuming fire can seem intimidating, but it’s important to understand this in the context of His holiness and the security of His kingdom. God’s fire is not destructive to His people; rather, it represents His purity, righteousness, and power. In the Old Testament, fire was often used to purify, refine, and cleanse, which points to the holiness of God and His role in purging sin. For believers, this consuming fire is not something to fear in the sense of destruction but something to awe and revere, recognizing that God’s holiness demands respect and reverence. It’s also a reminder that the kingdom we belong to is unshakable, immovable, and secure, and we can live with confidence, knowing we are part of a kingdom that will never be destroyed. This fire is both a symbol of His holiness and a mark of His eternal, unshakable reign.

SERIOUSLY THINKING- Growing Traits in the Person Who Takes Seriously Unshakable - Hebrews 12:18-29

Trait→Description→Scripture Reference

1. Fearful Reverence→Responds with awe and respect to God’s holiness and power.→Hebrews 12:18-21

2. Gratitude for a Better Covenant→Embraces the new, unshakeable kingdom and covenant established through Jesus.→Hebrews 12:22-24

3. Joyful Worship→Offers worship and service to God with reverence and awe, recognizing His consuming fire.→Hebrews 12:28-29

4. Steadfastness→Holds firm against spiritual shaking, knowing God’s kingdom is eternal and unmovable.→Hebrews 12:27-28

5. Holiness and Purity→Lives a life pleasing to God, free from defilement, to avoid shaking and judgment.→Hebrews 12:28

6. Thankfulness→Gives continuous thanks to God for His graciousness and the eternal inheritance.→Hebrews 12:28

TAKE-HOME THOUGHT: Seeing the Bigger Picture

The passage in Hebrews 12 reminds us of the incredible security we have in Christ’s unshakable kingdom. While everything in the world is temporary and subject to change, God’s kingdom is eternal, and nothing can move it. The writer contrasts the fear and trembling that came with the old covenant—where even the mountain was shaken when God descended—with the peace and confidence we have in the new covenant through Christ. This unshakable kingdom is not a physical place but a spiritual reality that we now belong to as believers in Jesus. The passage calls us to respond with reverence and gratitude for the grace that has brought us into this kingdom. It encourages us to worship God in a way that reflects His majesty and the security we have in His eternal promises. We are not part of a fleeting, temporary kingdom that can be shaken by circumstances or events. Instead, we belong to a kingdom that will endure forever, where our hope is certain and unmovable. Our response should be one of awe and worship, living lives that reflect the unshakable hope we have in Christ, knowing that our future is secure and we are part of God’s eternal plan.

CROSS-REFERENCE: Similar Scriptures in the New Testament

Here are a few New Testament passages that echo the message of Hebrews 12 about the unshakable nature of God's kingdom and His eternal promises:

Matthew 7:24-25: "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock."
Jesus speaks of the security of building our lives on the solid foundation of His words, contrasting it with the instability of building on anything else. His kingdom, like a firm foundation, cannot be shaken.

Matthew 28:18: "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.'"
Jesus asserts His authority over all creation, showing that His kingdom is unshakable and under His sovereign control. Believers find security in knowing that all power belongs to Christ, and His reign is eternal.

Luke 1:33: "And he will reign over Jacob's descendants forever; his kingdom will never end."
This declaration about Jesus underscores the eternal nature of His kingdom. Unlike earthly kingdoms, which rise and fall, Christ’s kingdom is everlasting and secure.

1 Peter 1:3-4: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you."
Peter reminds believers of the secure inheritance they have in Christ, a promise that is eternal and unshakable, contrasting it with the temporary and fading things of this world.

2 Peter 1:11: "And you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
This passage speaks of the eternal nature of Christ’s kingdom, offering assurance to believers that their future is secure in the unshakable kingdom of God.

Revelation 21:1-4: "Then I saw 'a new heaven and a new earth,' for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.'"
The ultimate picture of God’s unshakable kingdom is revealed in the new heaven and new earth, where God’s eternal reign brings perfect peace and security.

These passages emphasize the permanence and security of God’s kingdom. Believers are encouraged to place their trust in this unshakable reality, knowing that God's kingdom will never end and His promises are certain. In contrast to the instability of the world, we are reminded to live with confidence, reverence, and awe, responding to God's unshakable kingdom with worship and gratitude.

SESSION 16: Transformed Priorities -Hebrews 13:1-6
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Alistair Begg — A Christian Lifestyle

Focus: Living Out Christlike Priorities

Purpose Statement: The writer of Hebrews urges believers to live out transformed lives that reflect the values of God’s kingdom. By prioritizing love, hospitality, purity, and contentment, they are called to show the fruit of their faith in practical ways. This passage challenges believers to live with a Christ-centered perspective, focusing on relationships, trust in God's provision, and integrity in all aspects of life.

READ: Hebrews 13:1-6 (NLT)

Concluding Words

1 Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. 2 Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! 3 Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.

4 Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.

5 Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,

“I will never fail you.
    I will never abandon you.”

6 So we can say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper,
    so I will have no fear.

Opening Question: "How can we actively demonstrate love, hospitality, and contentment in our daily lives, and what changes might God be calling us to make in our priorities?"

OVERVIEW

Show love to strangers and fellow Christians. Be submissive to authority. Flee sexual immorality. Shun greed. Hebrews 13:5, "Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'"

When it comes to understanding what God wants for our live, the problem usually isn't that God wasn't clear enough. The problem often lies in our willingness to listen and obey. Thus far in the book of Hebrews, our minds have been stretched to better understand God’s will, make more biblical connections, and establish a proper view of who Jesus is and what He has done for us. As the book nears its conclusion, we find that the author lists some extremely practical exhortations for our daily lives and community. The premise is this: if all that has been discussed before is true, it demands certain changes in our lives. The most powerful love we can ever experience is the love of God which is freely given to us by Jesus and has eternal implications. Therefore, this love should impact the way we love those who God has placed around us. The question is, are we functioning as a conduit of His great love, or simply serving ourselves in a closed circuit?

day?

THINK ABOUT THIS

Our ministry friend Yulia lives in Ukraine. She shared with us how the recent war in her country changed her perspectives on life and faith. One change was an acute sense of God’s closeness. “When you wake up in the morning, you are so thankful to be alive. You know that the Lord is near, and you can’t stop praising him,” Yulia wrote.

The Bible calls us to be content with everything we have. Our family, health, meals we can share with loved ones—and, of course, life itself—all are precious gifts from the Lord. But discontent distracts us from appreciating and treasuring the precious gifts God has given us so generously. Greed robs us of our inner peace and harmony with God. Fears make our faith feeble and our hearts small.

Let’s be honest—we don’t know what the future holds. We might have to go through some painful experiences and difficult times in life. Or perhaps right now you are in a difficult situation that brings you pain, sorrow, and tears.

No matter what happens, we are assured as God’s children that the Lord will never leave us. We can count on his continuous love and care. God is always near. He is our helper and our peace in this perilous and unpredictable life. Sergei Sosedkin

QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT

Read Hebrews 13:1-6 and notice the list of instructions. What is the first instruction given? Why do you think the list starts with this one?

Look at the rest of the instructions given in 13:2-6. Try to explain each of them in your own words. How are the instructions in verses 2-6 impacted by keeping the instruction in verse 1 and using it as motivation?

Read Hebrews 13:2 and compare it to Matthew 25:34-40. After reading this example, why do you think hospitality is so important? How has God shown you hospitality? Who do you need to show hospitality to?

THIS MAY SURPRISE YOU: Clarifying a Difficult Teaching

In Hebrews 13:5, we read, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'" This may surprise you because in a culture where success and wealth are often idolized, the idea of being content with what we have can seem countercultural and difficult to accept. However, the key here is the promise that God will never leave us or forsake us. This verse challenges believers to shift their focus from accumulating wealth or chasing material success to trusting in God’s provision. The call to contentment isn’t about neglecting responsibility or avoiding hard work; rather, it’s about recognizing that true satisfaction and security come from God alone, not from our possessions or financial status. When we trust in God's faithfulness, we can find peace, knowing that He will provide what we truly need. This teaching doesn’t deny the value of work or responsibility but challenges our priorities, reminding us that our ultimate security is found in God, not in wealth.

SERIOUSLY THINKING- Growing Traits in the Person Who Takes Seriously Transformed Priorities - Hebrews 13:1-6

Trait→Description→Scripture Reference

1. Brotherly Love→Continually shows love and hospitality toward fellow believers.→Hebrews 13:1

2. Faithful Marriage→Honors and respects the marriage relationship as sacred and honorable.→Hebrews 13:4

3. Contentment→Lives with trust in God’s provision, avoiding the love of money and greed.→Hebrews 13:5

4. Confidence in God’s Presence→Boldly trusts that God will never leave nor forsake His people.→Hebrews 13:5-6

5. Focus on God’s Approval→Chooses to please God rather than seek human approval or material gain.→Hebrews 13:6

6. Endurance in Faith→Perseveres in faith with courage, grounded in God’s promises and care.→Hebrews 13:6

TAKE-HOME THOUGHT: Seeing the Bigger Picture

Hebrews 13:1-6 reminds us that living out Christlike priorities involves more than just believing the right things—it’s about reflecting those beliefs in how we treat others and how we live each day. The passage emphasizes the importance of love, hospitality, purity, and contentment as key aspects of a transformed life. As believers, we are called to live with a Christ-centered perspective that prioritizes relationships over material gain, generosity over selfishness, and trust in God over worldly anxieties. This is not a passive faith but an active one, where our lives should reflect the values of God's kingdom. For example, showing love to strangers, caring for those who are mistreated, and being content with what we have all point to a life that looks different from the world around us. By focusing on these Christlike priorities, we witness to the reality of God’s kingdom, showing the world that our faith isn’t just a set of beliefs but a way of life that transforms how we interact with others and how we view our possessions. The larger picture is that we’re called to represent God’s kingdom on earth—living out His values in a way that brings glory to Him and points others to the hope we have in Christ.

CROSS-REFERENCE: Similar Scriptures in the New Testament

Here are a few New Testament passages that align with the teaching in Hebrews 13:1-6, highlighting transformed priorities and Christlike living:

Matthew 6:19-21: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Jesus teaches that our priorities should not be on earthly wealth but on heavenly treasures. This aligns with the call in Hebrews to be content with what we have and trust in God’s provision.

Luke 12:15: "Then he said to them, 'Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.'"
Jesus warns against the love of money and possessions, emphasizing that life’s value is not found in material things, but in living according to God’s values.

Romans 12:10-13: "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality."
Paul encourages believers to live out their faith through acts of love, service, and hospitality, mirroring the priorities outlined in Hebrews 13.

Philippians 4:11-13: "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength."
Paul’s testimony of contentment in every circumstance echoes the call in Hebrews 13 to be content with what we have, relying on God's strength.

1 Timothy 6:6-10: "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction."
Paul stresses the importance of contentment and warns against the love of money, highlighting that godliness, not wealth, brings true gain.

1 Peter 4:9: "Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling."
Peter echoes the call for believers to prioritize hospitality, reflecting the selfless love that God calls us to show in Hebrews 13.

These passages all point to the idea that our priorities as believers should reflect God's values. Living out love, purity, contentment, and trust in God’s provision is not only a way of living but also a testimony to others of the transformed life we have in Christ. As we live these out, we reflect the nature of God’s kingdom here on earth, pointing others to the hope and security found in Him.

SESSION 17: Words to Live By -Hebrews 13:7-25
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Alistair Begg — A Summary of Christian Duty

Focus: Living Faithfully According to Christ’s Example and Teaching

Purpose Statement: In Hebrews 13:7-25, the writer exhorts believers to follow the example of faithful leaders, remain true to sound doctrine, and live with an outward focus on love, good works, and personal holiness. The passage also emphasizes the centrality of Christ’s sacrifice and encourages believers to continue growing in faith and obedience. It calls the church to live in harmony, support one another, and honor God through their conduct and actions.

READ: Hebrews 13:7-25 (NLT)

7 Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace, not from rules about food, which don’t help those who follow them.

10 We have an altar from which the priests in the Tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 Under the old system, the high priest brought the blood of animals into the Holy Place as a sacrifice for sin, and the bodies of the animals were burned outside the camp. 12 So also Jesus suffered and died outside the city gates to make his people holy by means of his own blood. 13 So let us go out to him, outside the camp, and bear the disgrace he bore. 14 For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.

15 Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. 16 And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.

17 Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.

18 Pray for us, for our conscience is clear and we want to live honorably in everything we do. 19 And especially pray that I will be able to come back to you soon.

20 Now may the God of peace—
    who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus,
the great Shepherd of the sheep,
    and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—
21 may he equip you with all you need
    for doing his will.
May he produce in you,
    through the power of Jesus Christ,
every good thing that is pleasing to him.
    All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.

22 I urge you, dear brothers and sisters, to pay attention to what I have written in this brief exhortation.

23 I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released from jail. If he comes here soon, I will bring him with me to see you.

24 Greet all your leaders and all the believers there. The believers from Italy send you their greetings.

25 May God’s grace be with you all.

Opening Question: "How can we apply the teachings and examples in these verses to strengthen our own faith and relationships within the church?"

OVERVIEW

As we conclude our study in the book of Hebrews, there are two things we hope have been true about our experience. First, that we would understand that the Old Testament is filled with markers pointing us to the salvation that is found in Christ Jesus. That we have learned not to be intimidated by the Old Testament but to see that it offers a richer view of angels, Moses, the temple and tabernacle, the sacrificial system, the Levitical priesthood, and what they are all in service to. Second, that our hope and confidence in our salvation would be strengthened despite the various trials and hardships we may face, just like the original recipients of Hebrews. That we would be a people who persevere, pressing on into holiness, and not being enticed to stray. As we study these last few practical exhortations in how to relate to one another and to leaders in the church, may we receive the prayer the author left with his original recipients: “May the God of peace equip you to do his will.”

THINK ABOUT THIS

On March 11, 2011, a powerful earthquake struck the Pacific coast of Japan. It triggered a massive tsunami with waves that engulfed entire towns. Over 20,000 people lost their lives, and tens of thousands were displaced.

In just a few weeks the members of my denomination, the Christian Reformed Church in North America, raised over a million dollars to help those in need. Our relief agency, World Renew, used funds effectively, thanks to a partnership with Japanese Christians. Our media outreach, Back to God Ministries International, began producing a special radio program in the Japanese language to bring spiritual comfort to those living in the affected area.

Natural calamities in faraway communities challenge us and trigger all kinds of responses. Some people prefer to do nothing. Others limit their involvement to a pious prayer and theological reflection. Still others start blaming God.

This text explains what our immediate response to a tragedy should be. It’s then that we as Christians are called to do good and share with those in need. We serve and worship a God who always reaches out in love and compassion. That’s why we have to go beyond condolences and kind wishes. If we truly know his saving grace, it is only natural for us to reach out to hurting people with a helping hand and caring heart. Sergei Sosedkin

QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT

Read Hebrews 13:7-8. Who are the readers being encouraged to remember and imitate? Why do you think the author encourages them to do this? What does he ask them to consider and why is this so important? What characteristics do you look for and desire to emulate?

Read 13:9-11. What warning is given here? What is the difference between being strengthened by something we do or eat and being strengthened by grace (see Ephesians 2:8-9 for help)? Keeping in mind what you’ve been learning about Jesus throughout this study, why do you think the author gives them this encouragement now?

Read verses 13-16. What are our instructions here? Why do you think these are referred to as sacrifices?

In verse 17, the author circles back to another instruction on interacting with leaders. What reason is given here? When the person being led takes this heart posture, what difference does it make for the leader? What about for the person being led?

Read Hebrews 13:20-21 aloud. God gives us peace with Him through Christ, the better sacrifice, initiating the better covenant. Through Him, we are given all we need – He gives us the better gift, His Spirit, so we can be made pleasing in His sight. Christ is the “something better” we’ve all been looking and longing for. In Him, we can proclaim, “He is enough!” Take time to reflect on the better things Christ is and give thanks to God!

THIS MAY SURPRISE YOU: Clarifying a Difficult Teaching

In Hebrews 13:17, the writer says, “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account.” This teaching can be difficult for many believers, especially in a culture that values individualism and often questions authority. However, it's important to understand that this passage emphasizes the responsibility of spiritual leaders to shepherd and care for the flock, and in turn, it encourages believers to trust and support their leaders as they serve God. The call for submission is not about blind obedience or surrendering personal convictions but about recognizing that leaders are responsible for guiding the church according to God’s will. The writer assures believers that leaders will give an account to God for how they lead, and this should give confidence to the congregation that their leaders are not acting out of selfish motives but with a deep responsibility to God. It’s a reminder that the church is a community where mutual trust and respect—both between leaders and the congregation—are essential for spiritual health and growth.

SERIOUSLY THINKING- Growing Traits in the Person Who Takes Seriously Words to Live By - Hebrews 13:7-25

Trait→Description→Scripture Reference

1. Respect for Spiritual Leaders→Remembers and follows the faith and teachings of godly leaders who have gone before.→Hebrews 13:7

2. Gratitude for Leadership→Offers thanks to those who faithfully lead and care for the spiritual well-being of the church.→Hebrews 13:17

3. Hospitality→Continues to show kindness and welcome strangers, reflecting Christ’s love.→Hebrews 13:2

4. Empathy and Support for the Persecuted→Identifies with and prays for those who suffer for their faith.→Hebrews 13:3

5. Marriage and Purity→Upholds the sanctity of marriage and moral purity as a witness to God’s design.→Hebrews 13:4

6. Prayerful Dependence→Commits to prayer for the church, leaders, and personal growth, trusting in God’s guidance.→Hebrews 13:18-19, 22

TAKE-HOME THOUGHT: Seeing the Bigger Picture

Hebrews 13:7-25 provides a blueprint for how believers should live in light of Christ’s teachings and example. The passage underscores the importance of following faithful leaders, holding fast to sound doctrine, and living lives marked by love, good works, and holiness. As followers of Christ, our lives should reflect His example, and our conduct should honor God in every aspect. The writer calls us to be outwardly focused—not just concerned about our own faith but also about how we can support others in the body of Christ. Loving one another, doing good works, and growing in personal holiness are ways that we demonstrate our faith in action. This passage also reminds us of the centrality of Christ's sacrifice, which is the foundation for everything we do. It’s through His sacrifice that we are able to live faithfully and obediently. Ultimately, the passage points us to the importance of community—being a part of the church means actively supporting one another, growing together in faith, and encouraging one another to live according to God’s will.

CROSS-REFERENCE: Similar Scriptures in the New Testament

Here are a few New Testament passages that align with the message in Hebrews 13:7-25, focusing on living faithfully, supporting one another, and honoring God through our conduct:

Matthew 7:15-20: "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit."
Jesus teaches about the importance of discerning faithful leaders by the fruit of their lives. This connects with Hebrews 13’s call to follow leaders who are faithful to Christ’s example.

Romans 12:10-13: "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality."
This passage reinforces the call to live with love, good works, and holiness—values that Hebrews 13 also emphasizes as foundational to the Christian life.

1 Corinthians 11:1: "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."
Paul encourages the Corinthians to follow his example, as he imitates Christ. This reflects Hebrews 13:7’s call to follow faithful leaders who model Christlikeness.

Philippians 3:17: "Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do."
Paul again calls believers to follow the example of faithful leaders, emphasizing the importance of godly examples in the community of faith, just as Hebrews 13 does.

Colossians 3:16-17: "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
This passage calls believers to live in harmony, supporting one another, and living out their faith in every part of life, echoing the relational and conduct-based teachings in Hebrews 13.

1 Peter 5:2-4: "Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away."
Peter encourages leaders to shepherd God’s flock faithfully, echoing the writer of Hebrews' call for followers to trust in and support their leaders who are accountable to God.

These passages all emphasize the importance of faithfulness to Christ, sound doctrine, supporting one another in love, and living with integrity and holiness. In response to these teachings, believers are encouraged to live lives that reflect the teachings and example of Christ, honoring God in all they do and actively contributing to the health and growth of the Christian community.