The Book of Hebrews D12 Tricia Lao July 26, 2014

Hebrews 1 3
- Why Hebrews? It is about the race to glory, finishing well and triumphantly. You should know the
sufficiency and superiority of Christ. Only He satisfies.
- Several apostles wrote Hebrews to remind the Hebrew Christians who were contemplating on
converting back to Judaism because immaturity, stemming from lack of understanding of the Bible.
- The Jews were persecuting these Hebrew Christians for abandoning Gods law.
- Serves as encouragement when we stop to ask, "what's the use?" -> Keep running the race

Hebrews 1: Starting the Race
- God used many approaches to send His message to people in the Old Testament:
1. He spoke to Isaiah in visions (Isaiah 6)
2. He spoke to Jacob in a dream (Genesis 28:10-22)
3. He spoke to Abraham and Moses personally (Geneis 18; Exodus 31:18)
- But Jesus is the fulfillment and culmination of God's revelation through the centuries.
* SECURITY IN THE LORD (Hebrews 1:10-12)
- Even though you might feel isolated because of the Lord, Christ should be our only security because
He is the only being that will never change.
Action point: Pray that your life will increasingly reveal your growing appreciation of Christ's
superiority and supremacy.

Hebrews 2: Warning Signs
* FOCUS ON WALKING YOUR TALK (Hebrews 2:1-3)
- Paying careful attention is hard work. It involves focusing our minds, bodies, and senses. Listening
to Christ is not merely hearing, but obeying.
* SERVANT LEADERSHIP (Hebrews 2:9-10)
- Jesus' suffering made him a perfect leader. Jesus showed His perfection through His obedience to
God (Jesus didn't really want to die for us, Gethsemane prayer)
- Follow Christ's servant attitude, check motives participation > power, service > domination,
giving > getting. Only look for appreciation, affirmation, and acknowledgment from God.
Action Point: Ask God to show you some steps you can take to keep anchored to Christ.

Hebrews 3: Winning the Race
- Comparison of Jesus and Moses
- Moses' accomplishments:
1. Led Israelites out of Egyptian slavery bondage and into the Promised Land.
2. Wrote the first five books of the Old Testament.
3. Prophet with whom God gave the law and 10 commandments.
- Jesus' accomplishments:
1. Led us all out of the slavery and bondage of our sin.
2. The Bible is about Him.
3. Son of God and is God Himself.
* FIX EYES ON JESUS (Hebrews 3:6)
- Because Christ is in us, we can remain courageous and hopeful. Courage and hope reveal that our
faith is real. Have enduring faithfulness.
* DON'T ALLOW YOUR HEART TO HARDEN (Hebrews 3:7-15)
- Don't stubbornly set yourselves against God that you can't turn to Him for forgiveness.
Action Point: Ask God to protect you from a hard heart.

GUIDE QUESTION:
Which lesson (*) is the Lord wanting you to learn today and why?
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Hebrews 4 6

Hebrews 4: Receiving God's Blessings and Overcoming Weaknesses

1. APPROPRIATE GOD'S POWER (Hebrews 4:1, Hebrews 4:10)
- Rate your satisfaction with your Christian life from 1-10.
- The reason why your rating is less than 10 is because there are some tidbits left of you in your life.
- God's rest ceasing from yourself, not of your effort but the Lord's.
ACTION POINT: Write down all your worries and surrender them to the Lord now.
FAMILY/FRIENDS STUDIES/WORK HEALTH/FINANCES BOYS/MARRIAGE






2. LET THE BIBLE SHAPE YOUR LIFE (Hebrews 4:2, Hebrews 4:12)
- Combine your knowledge with faith.
- The Bible is living, life changing, and dynamic as it works in us.
ACTION POINT: Think of a Bible verse that you need to apply or live out starting today.

3. FEAR OF THE LORD + INTEGRITY (Hebrews 4:13)
- Fear of the Lord and integrity go hand in hand. Integrity is the fruit.
- We can have hide from people but we can never keep secrets from God.
ACTION POINT: Be honest with yourself.

4. CONFIDENCE IN THE LORD (Hebrews 4:16)
- Come with reverence because God is your King, pray boldly.
ACTION POINT: Give thought to what you say in prayer.

Hebrews 5 6: The Race to Maturity

5. GROW IN SPIRITUAL MATURITY (Hebrews 5:12-14, Hebrews 6:1-2)
- Grow from infant to mature Christian. You need discernment
- Train conscience, sense, mind, and body to distinguish good from evil.
- Enjoy the "solid food" which is God's banquet by being spiritually ready.
- As you grow in the Lord, your capacity to understand will also grow.
ACTION POINT: Christian maturity quiz:
1. Can you recognize temptation before it traps you?
2. Can you tell the difference between a correct use of Scripture and a mistaken one?
3. How often do you read your Bible / have Quiet Time with the Lord?

6. MOTIVATION AND ENCOURAGEMENT (Hebrews 6:10-12)
- God never forgets or overlooks our hard work for Him. You may not see fruit now but God knows
your efforts of love and ministry. Let God's love be your security.
- Show diligence, don't become lazy, and take hold of the hope of God's promises.
- Pray for discipline to be realistic but not dwell on negatives.
ACTION POINT: Tell the girl to your right something that you want to be told to you.

GUIDE QUESTION:
Which lesson is God telling you right now?
The Book of Hebrews D12 Tricia Lao July 26, 2014

Hebrews 7 10

1. FREEDOM FROM GUILT (Hebrews 7:25)
- Jesus prays for us nonstop unlike Old Testament high priests who pray once a year.
- Our sins have been paid for past, present, and future. You don't need to feel guilty and fear failure.
- Although, we must avoid licentiousness (going beyond proper bound and limits, disregarding rules)
ACTION POINT: What past sin can't you move on from?
ACTION POINT: Pray to let go of a sin and learn to forgive yourself.

2. REALIGNING HEART WITH GOD'S HEART (Hebrews 8:10-12)
- If our hearts are not changed, following God's rules will be unpleasant and difficult.
- The Holy Spirit gives us new desires, helping us want to obey God.
- We will find that serving God is our greatest joy.
ACTION POINT: Pray that our hearts will be realigned to God's will.

3. REMEMBER THE GOSPEL (Hebrews 9:12-14)
- We often forget that we can never save ourselves.
- By Jesus' blood alone:
1. We have our consciences cleansed
2. We are freed from death's sting and can live to serve God
3. We are freed from sin's power
- Don't carry your load of guilt trying to be good enough for God; He can deliver you from frustration.
ACTION POINT: Remember the Gospel everyday.

4. STAY IN THE CHRISTIAN RACE (Hebrews 10:32-36)
- Take advantage of what you have now. Don't throw it away.
- Persevere in Christian faith and conduct when facing persecution and pressure.
- Suffering builds up our character and our patience.
- Take hope in God returning as your motivation.
- Faith means resting in what Christ has done for us in the past, but it also means trusting Him for
what He will do for us in the present and in the future.
ACTION POINT: If you weren't a Christian, what would your life look like today?
PROS CONS









GUIDE QUESTION:
Which lesson is God telling you right now?