The Letter to the Hebrews is an amazing book -- nothing like anything you
see in the rest of the New Testament.
In some places it soars. The "Hall of Faith" of Hebrews 11, for
example, recites the faith of the patriarchs in terms that always lifts me
up and inspires me.
In other places it's downright difficult. Several verses are
frankly hard to understand clearly, but intriguing nonetheless.
Here and there you'll find stern warnings and exhortations. How
should we take them?
Occasionally you almost need hip-boots to wade
through the various tabernacle sacrificial rituals from the book of Leviticus.
But if you take the time to understand what is being said, you'll be
staggered by the implications.
It's filled with high-grade nuggets of Christian truth
that will stay with you all your life!
Hebrews is certainly a book for disciples. It stirs our faith and nips
at our heels when we get lazy in our walk. It helps us see Jesus in a new way.
And it enables us to understand the role of suffering to discipline and train us
up as Jesus' disciples. Though Hebrews discusses at length Old Testament themes
of sacrifice, forgiveness, and Israel's high priest, it isn't about these
things. Ultimately, the Letter to Hebrews is
a lens that focuses all our attention of Jesus Christ -- who he is in both
his humanity and divinity, and what he has done for us now and forever.
Here's the outline:
Introduction to Hebrews
Jesus, the Father's Own Son (Hebrews 1:1-2:4)
Jesus, Who Tastes Death for Everyone (2:5-18)
Jesus, the Giver of Rest (3:1-4:13)
Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest (4:14-5:10)
Warnings Against Apostasy
(5:11-6:12)
Jesus, Our High Priest Forever (6:13-7:28)
Jesus, Mediator of a Better Covenant (8:1-9:12)
Jesus, Our Willing Sacrifice (9:13-10:18)
Let Us Draw Near: Confidence of Faith (10:19-39)
Let Us Believe: Nature of Faith (11:1-6, 11)
Let Us Trust: Perspective of Faith (11:7-12:2)
Let Us Endure: Perseverance of Faith (12:3-29)
Let Us Love: Workings of Faith and Epilogue
(13:1-25)
Disciple Lessons from Hebrews takes its place in the
highly-acclaimed JesusWalk®
Bible Study Series. Here's what people are saying about this series:
"Biblical,
Spirit-filled, and pragmatic... Unites Christian doctrine with
application to our daily lives." -- Bob Sutton
"A conversational style that is easy to read. He speaks in
the warm style of a favorite teacher." -- Stephen Cram
"Stimulates your thinking, challenges your mind
while being easy to understand." -- John Luis Jr.
"Spiritually nourishing. I am planning to teach the lessons in my
own Bible Study group." -- Edgar Caina
Order the book. It will enrich your thoughts, your prayers, your worship, and
your life -- as well as provide a rich study for your class or small group, or
the basis of a sermon series.
Lesson Handouts for Group Participants (may be reprinted free)
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