Frederick Goodall (British painter, 1822-1904), "Portrait of
Rabbi." Larger image.
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.
Hebrews is both a challenge and a joy. Are you up to
the journey? Beginning at the end of April we'll be walking
through the Letter to the Hebrews in a 13-week series, with a
scheduled break or two so we don't get winded.
I invite you to join us. There's no cost to join. Come
along. Let's study together.
I invite you to journey with me and thousands of brothers
and sisters world-wide through a study of the Letter to the
Hebrews.
This is our 24th online Bible study since
1996. If you've participated in one before, you know how God
can use them in your life. If not, then you have a treat in
store for you.
I am an ordained American Baptist pastor, currently
ministering
in a Covenant congregation. I'm here to serve you as your guide
to the Letter to the Hebrews. --. Dr. Ralph F.
Wilson. About the
leader.
Here's how we'll study together.
Each Saturday I'll e-mail you the lesson for the week
. Then you'll read the Bible passage and use my notes to help you understand it better.
On Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
, and maybe Thursday, you'll receive a question from that week's lesson to think about and answer. This is designed as a "total immersion" approach to Bible study, since I believe God wants to use it to work real and permanent change in your life. (You can opt out of the daily questions if you like, however, and just receive the weekly lessons.) You'll be thinking about these passages constantly for over these weeks -- long enough for God to work his Word into your life and lifestyle.
You can respond to the questions
using the Joyful Heart Bible Study Forum -- and read others' answers to reinforce your own understanding.
With each lesson you'll receive a link to a 20- to 30-minute audio teaching that sums up the passage you've been studying that week. Some who learn better from hearing than from reading really appreciate this.
Then on Saturday, I'll send you the next week's lesson.
Why don't you sign up today -- and then encourage some of your friends to sign up and study along with you.
As
of May 20, 2007, we've had more than 1,438 sign-ups from more
than 79 countries, including: United Arab
Emirates, Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Australia, Barbados,
Belgium, Bahrain, Brazil, Bahamas, Botswana, Canada, Costa Rica,
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Germany, Dominica, Algeria, Egypt,
Eritrea, Spain, Ethiopia, Fiji, Micronesia (Federal States of),
France, Ghana, Guyana, HongKong, Indonesia, India, Italy,
Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Kiribati, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Korea
(Republic of), Kuwait, Cayman Islands, Saint Lucia, Sri Lanka,
Lithuania, Malta, Mexico, Malaysia, Namibia, Nigeria,
Netherlands, Nepal, New Zealand, Oman, Papua New Guinea,
Philippines, Pakistan, Puerto Rico, Portugal, Romania, Russian
Federation, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, Sudan, Sweden,
Singapore, Senegal, Swaziland, Turks and Ciacos Islands,
Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Taiwan, Tanzania, Uganda, United
Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Vanuatu, South
Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe. 15% specify text
format, 84% HTML format. 36% selected the weekly format, 65% the
daily format.
You'll receive your first lesson on the Friday following the
day you sign up.
There is no cost to participate in the study, though donations are encouraged so we can create more studies and reach more people. We respect your privacy and never sell or rent our lists.
Please don't sign up for more than one of my Bible studies at one time. Each of them is pretty intensive. Also, please don't sign up for your friends; let them decide for themselves.
One big favor you can do for me:
Please link to this Bible study in your online
bookmarks, blog, personal
webpage, ministry or church website, as follows:
Hebrews Online Bible Studywww.jesuswalk.com/hebrews/The
number of people who will find this on the Internet is
directly related to the number of links you and other place.
If you can't link, that's okay, too. I understand.
It would be a big help if you would place a bookmark on your
favorite online system.
Please do this right now before you forget. Thanks.
Pastor Ralph
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Bible Study
Audio
As
of May 20, 2007, we've had more than 1,438 sign-ups from more
than 79 countries, including: United Arab
Emirates, Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Australia, Barbados,
Belgium, Bahrain, Brazil, Bahamas, Botswana, Canada, Costa Rica,
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Germany, Dominica, Algeria, Egypt,
Eritrea, Spain, Ethiopia, Fiji, Micronesia (Federal States of),
France, Ghana, Guyana, HongKong, Indonesia, India, Italy,
Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Kiribati, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Korea
(Republic of), Kuwait, Cayman Islands, Saint Lucia, Sri Lanka,
Lithuania, Malta, Mexico, Malaysia, Namibia, Nigeria,
Netherlands, Nepal, New Zealand, Oman, Papua New Guinea,
Philippines, Pakistan, Puerto Rico, Portugal, Romania, Russian
Federation, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, Sudan, Sweden,
Singapore, Senegal, Swaziland, Turks and Ciacos Islands,
Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Taiwan, Tanzania, Uganda, United
Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Vanuatu, South
Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe. 15% specify text
format, 84% HTML format. 36% selected the weekly format, 65% the
daily format.
Christmas Incarnation