Helpful notes to begin:
1. For anyone that would like further context into our Hebrews study we would encourage you to take the time to read the book of Leviticus.
The book of Hebrews spends time talking about how Jesus is our Great High Priest. The book of Leviticus will help you to better see the role of the priests in the Old Testament and how they connect to Jesus!
2. We also want to encourage you to read each chapter of Hebrews in its entirety as your follow along with the sermon.
3. For further study we recommend the commentary:
Christ-centered Exposition Exalting Jesus in Hebrews by Albert Mohler Jr.
Sep 14/15: Hebrews 1:1-4
1. The writer of Hebrews begins his letter with a BIG, magnificent picture of who Jesus was, is, and will be. When is the last time you spoke about the greatness of Jesus and all that he’s done for you?
As a group, take some time to share with one another how you’ve experienced the greatness of Jesus.
2. In verse 2 we first see that Jesus was present at Creation. The author wants us to see a picture of the trinity and the union that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have had since the beginning of time. Do you often think about Jesus in the Old Testament? If so, share some places you see him.
3. In verse 3 we see the word imprint which can also be translated as character. It’s referring to Jesus being an exact picture of God’s character and nature.
As Christians we have the Holy Spirit inside us and are called to be Christ’s ambassadors. What does it practically look like for you to be an imprint of Jesus in this world?
4. In the Old Testament God spoke through the prophets but in the New Testament He spoke through his son, Jesus. This was a shift in thinking for many people.
How have you held on to old ways of hearing and following Jesus? What might it look like to have a renewed understanding of Christ as you follow him in the future?
5. What else stuck out to you from the passage?
Sep 21/22: Hebrews 2:14-18
1. In verses 14&15 we first see Jesus sacrifice to become flesh and blood and die on our behalf. Take a minute to talk as a group about how that makes you feel when you read these verses. What things come to mind?
2. Verse 17 reminds us that Jesus became just like his brothers in every way.
Is it hard for you to think about Jesus being fully man and fully God? What do you think it was like for him?
3. The word propitiation in verse 17 means wrath taker. It’s showing us that Jesus took on human form and died a death, for our sins, and took on the wrath of God. Do you feel like you have a right understanding of your sin and how much Jesus had to pay? Take a minute to think about that word propitiation. Also take some time to talk about the overall problem of sin in this world and how we as believers can continue to help one another in our fight against it.
4. It gives us hope to know that Jesus has suffered and was tempted in every way and knows what we’re going through. Talk about how this understanding has helped you in the past and how.
How can we as a group help one another with our fight against temptation?
5. What else stuck out to you from the passage?
Sep 28/29: Hebrews 3:1-6
1. Jesus is the greatest thing we have in this life. We know this truth, and we may even say it, but do you practically live like that? If not, what do you think holds us back? What distracts us from Jesus?
2. The author of Hebrews here is Ch. 3 says that Jesus was supreme over Moses. For a 1st Century Jew that would have been a big deal!
The point that is being made is while Moses was a faithful servant and builder, Jesus has built everything through his Father.
What are some things in our culture that you feel we place as supreme over Christ? How can we as Christians continue to show the world Jesus’ rightful place?
3. In this section we see that Christ is faithful over God’s house as a Son and we are his house. We are reminder here that we are heirs in the house of God.
When you became a Christians was it hard or easy to think of yourself as a son and daughter of Christ? Explain.
4. We end this section with the mention of confidence in Christ. What has it looked like in your life to have confidence in Christ? Also share an example of when that may not have been the case and how you found hope?
5. What else stuck out to you from the passage?
Oct 5/6: Hebrews 4:1-11
1. Is rest something that comes easy to you or do you find it hard?
2. What may be some things that get in the way of your rest?
3. Here is Ch. 4 the author of Hebrews is reminding us that sabbath rest is commanded by God and necessary for a fruitful and faithful life in Christ. That means there is a direct connection between our walk with the Lord and our rest. Our physical, mental, and spiritual are all connected.
How many of you have thought of rest in these terms? What else comes to mind as you think about this idea?
4. Often times we don’t rest because we feel the need to control a situation. When we choose not to rest, we are actually at times, choosing not to place our faith in God, the one who controls everything. What are some practical things you can do this week to incorporate more rest into your schedule?
5. Ultimately, we find true and lasting rest in Christ and in his second coming. How can we as Christians show the unbelieving world around us this truth?
5. What else stuck out to you from the passage?
Oct 12/13: Hebrews 4:14-16, Hebrews 5:7-10
1. In your life what does it look like to “hold fast our confession” that Jesus is our Great High Priest that has paid the price of sin?
2. We are reminded that Jesus is able to sympathize with us in our weakness.
He knows on the deepest level what we are feeling and what we are going through. How can we use this truth in our own areas of weakness and struggle and how can we remind others?
3. Jesus was tempted by never sinned. What’s the difference between temptation and sin and where do we draw the line?
4. “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace” is how verse 16 starts off. This should be our posture each day as we walk in the reality that we are sinners saved by Grace. What are some practical ways you can do this and encourage one another in it?
* This is why we receive communion each week. We draw near with confidence to the table to say yes and amen to the mercy of Christ and his finished work on the cross.
5. Just as Christ embraced suffering, how can we better embrace and hold fast in suffering as a part of the Christian life and our growth in the Lord?
5. What else stuck out to you from the passage?
Oct 19/20: Hebrews 6:1-12
1. The author of Hebrews brings up the idea of “leaving the elementary doctrine of Christ to go on to maturity”. Those elementary doctrines had to do with the practices and interpretation of the Pharisees as well as the basic truths of Christ’s work in his crucifixion. For us today, we may not struggle with the same things as the Hebrews, but all believers have struggled with what it looks like to pursue maturity in Christ.
What would be some of our modern day “elementary doctrines” that need to be left behind?
3. Chapter 6 serves as an encouragement and challenge to believers to not lose their zeal and desire for seeing God’s kingdom grow and flourish.
What are some ways that life can steal your desire for pursuing God whole heartedly?
2. In verse 10 it says that God is not unjust and doesn’t overlook our pursuit to follow him through loving him and other believers. Why is it important to know that God takes delight in our love shown through serving him and others?
4. The contrast is given in verse 12 between growing sluggish in the faith and remaining faithful and patient. Remaining faithful and patient results in inheriting the promises of God. Patience can often be derailed by our emotions. If we don’t get our results quickly, we want to quit (i.e. most January gym memberships abandoned by February). Our Christian walk is steeped in exercises of patient faith and believing God despite our emotional reactions.
Are there areas of your relationship with God that have become sluggish due to lack of emotional diligence?
5. What else stuck out to you from the passage?
Oct 26/27: Hebrews 7:1-3
1. Melchizedek is first seen in Genesis 14:17-24 and Psalms 110. Read these verses and compare them to the description found in verses 1-3. How do they compare or contrast with one another?
2. What do these verses above in the Old and New Testament about Melchizedek inform us about Jesus?
3. Melchizedek is described as the “king of righteousness” and “king of peace”. These of course are the attributes of Christ as well. What does this say about God’s character and nature?
4. Were half way through the book of Hebrews. What have been some of your favorite take aways so far? What is God speaking to you through the series?
5. What else stuck out to you from the passage?
Nov 2/3: Hebrews 7:23-28
1. Here we have a descriptive text about the priesthood of Jesus. He will be our perfect priest forever. Because Christ stood in our place on the cross, we now have his righteousness and not our own. Christ did not just make our righteousness new he gave us his righteousness. This is the doctrine of imputed righteousness.
How does that help you to see yourself differently in light of Christ?
2. Jesus atoned for our sins and reconciled us to God by dying himself. He took the place of the sacrificial system and became the perfect sacrifice. As a group talk through other places we see this pictured in Scripture.
3. In Old Testament priests had to give continued sacrifices for the sins of the people. When Jesus came his sacrifice was once and for all.
Do you find yourself at times trying to “give more sacrifices” to the Lord when he’s already paid the price? What does this look like practically and how can we encourage one another towards the finished work of Christ?
4. What is one thing you can do this week to live in light of Christ’s finished work?
5. What else stuck out to you from the passage?
Nov 9/10: Hebrews 9:11-15
1. Jesus’ priesthood is described as greater and more perfect (not made with hands, that is not of this creation) in verse 11. The author is making it clear that the earthly forms of the priesthood and sacrificial atonement system were needed for a season of time, but that they would never satisfy and provide eternal forgiveness like we have in Christ.
Are there areas of your life that you get earthly, temporary satisfaction but in the end doesn’t result in closeness with Christ?
2. Just as was stated in Hebrews 7 and now again in chapter 9, Jesus’ sacrifice was one greater than the Old Testament model of forgiveness of sins through animal sacrifice. His sacrifice was a final payment for our sins. As a result in verse 14 it says as believers our conscience is now purified from dead works so we can serve the living God. These statements bring out the truth that as Christians we are both sinners and saints simultaneously.
Meditating on this truth, how do you view yourself? Do you focus more on the sinner self or the saint identity?
3. Knowing that Jesus’ sacrifice was once and for all for the forgiveness of our sins, how does that change the way you see your standing before God? Next time you doubt God’s love how will this truth affect you?
4. Jesus is described as our mediator of the new covenant, the one who stands on our behalf in payment for our sins before God. If he is the mediator then he is for us, even to the point of death. When you think about the word mediator do you commonly associate it with Jesus? How would your thought and prayer life change if you started thinking about Jesus and the Trinity in this way?
5. What else stuck out to you from the passage?
Nov 16/17: Hebrews 10:1-17
1. The Old Testament sacrificial system was always meant to provide a temporary rightness before God and as often as the believer sinned so they would have to come back to make atonement for themselves. The law then served not as a way for eternal redemption but a REMINDER of their ongoing sinfulness.
When you think about this contrast between the faulty man-orchestrated atonement and Jesus’ perfect sacrifice are there ways that you try and do everything “right” through a moralistic lifestyle in hopes to feel righteous enough for God’s free gift of grace?
2. In 10:5-9 it is being said that Jesus quoted Ps 40 in revealing the heart of God’s desire for his relationship with mankind. Not desiring sacrifices and offerings, but rather a submission towards God.
What does a submitted life to God look like for Christians? Are there areas of your life you have been unwilling to submit to God?
3. In our culture that prizes being self-made and highly powerful how do you think Jesus’ submission and humility would be received if he came today?
4. Understanding that God is desiring our submission to his will, plans and purposes, rather than looking or acting perfect how does that change your viewpoint on other people’s expectations of you as a Christian?
Whose opinion do you regard most highly in the way you live your life?
5. What else stuck out to you from the passage?
Nov 23/24: Hebrews 11:8-19
1. Chapter 11 gives Old Testament examples of those that had faith in God for something impossible through man’s eyes. Abraham had to have faith to leave his homeland, Isaac and Jacob had to have faith that God would give them land as an inheritance. Sarah had to have faith to conceive a child in her old age and many offspring through that child.
Do you believe God is still active in calling believers to have faith in the impossible? Has God ever called you to have faith for something you thought was impossible?
2. The author develops the idea of faith further in verses 13-14 when it says that those examples of people of faith died before they say the fulfillment of God’s promises to them. They had to have eyes of faith to see God’s faithfulness despite the timeline.
Have you ever had to walk out your faith while not knowing the timeline? What did you wrestle with during that time?
3. God calls his believers to trust him and believe in faith. Often through this a Christian’s faith is grown. With that in mind, do you think a believer’s faith can grow without exercises of trust?
4. Faith is a series of choices that expresses our trust in God. Believing God for the unseen can be scary or unsettling at times. Take a minute in your Grace Community to pray with one another to increase your trust and faith in God.
5. What else stuck out to you from the passage?
