Two covenants. Two priesthoods. Two ways to relate to God. Hebrews is a book of powerful contrasts, and I’m so excited to begin this series with you.
If you’ve never studied Hebrews before (or if it’s been a while!), this is a great way to start. It’s a quick overview of the entire letter right here in a single message. I’ve never done it this way before, but so many have reported it helped them understand Hebrews better than ever.
Here, you’ll discover the radical difference between law and grace, the stark contrast between partial and total forgiveness, and even receive an exciting invitation from God to go “outside the gate” of religion to be with Jesus.
Discussion Questions:
1. Hebrews is a book of comparisons. What are some of the comparisons you remember Andrew discussing?
2. What does it mean to enter God’s rest?
3. Why does understanding the background and audience matter so much for interpreting the warnings in Hebrews?
4. What are the two types of forgiveness contrasted in the letter?
5. Who’s your favorite Old Testament person? What do you enjoy that is better than what they had?
6. Why does the author of Hebrews use the analogy of going “outside the gate”?
News Flash! – Part 2
October 2, 2022
God used to speak in a variety of ways in the Old Testament, but now He has spoken to us strongly and clearly through His Son.
So, if you’ve ever wondered what God feels about you, look to Jesus – His death, His resurrection, and His place at the right hand of God. He has fully dealt with your sins, and He loves you!
In this message on Hebrews 1, you’ll learn why Jesus is announced as greater than the angels and what this means for your newfound freedom in Christ.
Discussion Questions:
1. What were some of the ways God used to speak before?
2. How specifically has God spoken in a new way? And what has He said?
3. How do some see Jesus and God differently? How does verse three speak to this problem?
4. What does Jesus being seated mean here? How do we sometimes act like He is not?
5. Why does the author argue so strongly that Jesus is greater than the angels?
6. How does Jesus being the Creator factor in to trusting Him?
News Flash! – Part 3
October 9, 2022
“You need to pay attention to this Gospel and not let your focus drift away toward dead religion!”
This is the warning in Hebrews 2. Think about it: Their forefathers failed to listen to Moses, and remember what happened to those lawbreakers. Ouch! How much more important is it now to respond to the message of Jesus as Messiah and not neglect salvation!
Jesus did a great work on that cross, satisfying God forever, and now everyone is offered the opportunity to look to Him. He will make you holy and call you family. And He will even help you through temptation when things get rough. All the while, He treats you with dignity and respect, knowing that you are a gift from the Father to Him.
Wow! So much to reflect on in Hebrews 2. Enjoy!
Discussion Questions:
1. What is the true purpose of signs and wonders? How can this purpose be distorted by some?
2. React to this statement: Jesus tasted death so you wouldn’t have to.
3. What does “sanctified” really mean? What does it mean to you to already be sanctified? Why do you think so many get this wrong?
4. Have you ever thought about yourself as a gift from God to Jesus? Why or why not?
5. React to this statement: God is fully satisfied with the sacrifice of Jesus, so you can be too.
6. How does Jesus being tempted in every way make you feel about trusting Him today?
News Flash! – Part 4
October 16, 2022
Remember what happened when your ancestors rejected God’s message? They wandered in the desert for forty years. Now, God has a new message for you, so don’t neglect it or you’ll find yourself in a spiritual wilderness.
Hebrews 3 offers a stern warning concerning the importance of belief in the Gospel. The author tells his readers to make sure they don’t have an evil, unbelieving heart.
Realizing this passage was written to address unbelievers is so important! This offers context when we get to those potentially frightening passages about continuing in sin (unbelief!) in Hebrews 6 and 10.
In this message, you’ll gain the clarity you’re looking for and begin to realize there’s no cause for fear when you’re “reading someone else’s mail.”
Discussion Questions:
1. Why does the author bother to say that Jesus is greater than Moses?
2. What does it mean to enter God’s rest? Have you?
3. What was the main reason the Israelites did not enter the Promised Land? How does this relate to God’s message today?
4. How do we know the author is speaking of unbelievers in verse 12?
5. What are the “synonyms” in verses 17-19? Why are they so important to recognize?
6. Consider the stern warnings that come up later in Hebrews 6 and 10. How does chapter 3 help give them context?
News Flash! – Part 5
October 23, 2022
Make every effort to enter God’s rest? Try to rest? Sounds like a bit of a paradox to me! So, what is this Hebrews 4 invitation really about?
Growing up, I believed Hebrews 4 was an invitation to believers to try to reach a second level or second tier of Christian experience – a higher plane of spiritual rest and victory. But believing that set me on a path toward chasing a superior experience that was always elusive.
So, what does it really mean to enter God’s rest? In this message, you’ll discover the liberating truth that you’ve already entered it. You’ll also be introduced to a High Priest that is sympathetic toward your weaknesses and isn’t trying to get you to be someone different.
Realizing this matters, so be encouraged and enjoy this message!
Discussion Questions:
1. What is “God’s rest” and how does a person come short of it?
2. How is the seventh day used as an analogy for us today?
3. Explain the paradox of asking them to be diligent (or make every effort) to rest.
4. How have you seen Jesus sympathize with your weaknesses?
5. According to verse 16, what can we feel about talking with God? What can we always expect from Him?
News Flash! – Part 6
October 30, 2022
Jesus is a high priest like no other. God appointed His own Son as our eternal priest. Jesus learned obedience through suffering, and He totally gets us.
But the Hebrews weren’t sure what to think of Him. They hadn’t made up their minds. They’d heard so much great teaching that they ought to be teachers themselves. Instead, many of them were still spiritual infants, while others had yet to be saved at all.
In Hebrews 5, the author is telling them to get with the program, to eat meat (not just milk!), and to enjoy all the benefits of the new and better covenant.
I hope this message encourages you to dive deeper into God’s grace and enjoy “the word of righteousness.”
Discussion Questions:
1. What are some similarities between the Old Testament high priests and Jesus? What are some differences?
2. What does it mean in verse 8 that Jesus “learned obedience”?
3. How can “those who obey Him” in verse 9 be misunderstood to support a conditional salvation? How does the better translation “attend to” or “listen to” help us understand the author's intent?
4. Why does Melchizedek appear in this chapter?
5. What is the “milk” referred to here? What is the “word of righteousness”?
News Flash! – Part 7
November 6, 2022
Ever been in the grocery store and one of the representatives offers you a taste-tester? You slide the toothpick in your mouth to taste the sample. Next thing you know, there’s that awkward moment – they’re looking right at you to see if you’ll smile and then open the freezer to invest in the product. You face a decision – invest in the meal or continue on to the next aisle looking for something better.
This is exactly what we see in Hebrews 6. The author is warning his readers that if they’ve tasted the Gospel but then decide to look elsewhere (namely, to the dead works of the Temple!), there is no place for repentance anywhere else. Conversely, if they do decide to invest in the Gospel, they will experience a sure and everlasting benefit that can only come from “two unchangeable things.”
Find out more about this dire warning and this amazing benefit in this message on one of the most controversial passages of all!
Discussion Questions:
1. What are the elementary or foundational teachings the Hebrews needed to graduate from?
2. Hebrews 6:4-6 is a challenging passage. How do the words enlightened, shared, and tasted help us better understand the author’s true intent?
3. How does the “ground that drinks the rain” (versus ground that doesn’t) analogy support that better understanding?
4. In what way does verse 9 offer hope to true believers in the midst of this warning chapter?
5. What are the two unchangeable things? How is this an anchor of hope for the soul?
6. What significance does the “order of Melchizedek” hold here?
News Flash! – Part 8
November 13, 2022
The “passport” of Jesus is one of the strongest arguments for us to abandon Law and enjoy God’s grace. That’s right – Jesus’ lineage (born into the tribe of Judah) makes Him a high priest like no other. As a result, we can set aside the Law as weak and useless for us, because Jesus Christ is greater and His grace is enough. Find out more in this important message on Hebrews 7!
Discussion Questions:
1. Read verses 1-3 and verse 8. Do you think Melchizedek represents Christ (as a symbol) or was he actually an early appearance of Christ? Explain your reasons.
2. Read verse 5. How does this support the idea that tithing 10% is not a requirement for believers today? (Cross-reference Matthew 23:23 also.)
3. Read verses 6-10. If the purpose here is not to require a tithe today, then why does the writer recount this story? (Hint: Think in terms of lesser and greater.)
4. Read verse 11. What one word encapsulates why Jesus came to replace the Levitical priesthood?
5. Read verses 12-14. How does the “passport” of Jesus argue for a new covenant?
6. Read verses 18-19. Give four reasons the Law has been set aside.
7. Read verse 25. Why are you saved forever?
8. Read verses 26-28. What are four ways that Jesus is different from high priests in the Old Testament?
News Flash! – Part 9
November 20, 2022
Hebrews 8 offers us the very best encapsulation of the New Covenant. Here, you’ll discover why the new way of grace is so much better. You’ll also see how it puts all of us on an equal playing field – with no favoritism.
What if you’re permanently clean before God? What if you’re perfectly close to Him too? And what if you already know God well at a heart level?
Yes, the New Covenant is really this good. So, let’s abandon the obsolete way of dead religion and embrace God’s grace!
Discussion questions for November 20:
1. What is the “true tabernacle”?
2. Why is the new covenant a “more excellent ministry” and a “better covenant”?
3. Where did the “fault” lie under the old covenant?
4. React to this statement: It’s new for Israel, but it’s our one and only.
5. How is the new covenant a “download” and a “deletion”?
6. In what sense does every believer intuitively know the Lord? How does this relate to our learning and growing?
7. Think of something obsolete that is no longer available or on the market. Why did it go away? How does this parallel the old and new covenants?
News Flash! – Part 10
November 27, 2022
Of course, a person’s will only goes into effect when they have died! And that’s what Hebrews 9 emphasizes. Find out why in this important message on the true dividing line of human history.
You’ll also learn about God’s blood🩸economy for sins and why you can never be more forgiven than you already are. Plus, did you know Christ won’t even be mentioning your sins at the Final Judgment?
This message is packed with so much explosive truth. Don’t miss it!
Discussion Questions:
1. In verse 12, we see the phrases “once for all” and “eternal redemption.” What significance do these hold for the security of our salvation?
2. Answer the question posed in verse 14.
3. How are believers in the Old Testament actually forgiven (see verse 15)?
4. Why does the analogy of a will come up in verses 16-17?
5. How does verse 22 help us understand God‘s blood economy? Connect the dots to argue for total forgiveness today.
6. Read verse 26 and react to this statement: Jesus isn’t in Heaven dying daily, so we’re not on Earth being forgiven daily.
7. What assurance does verse 28 bring you about the return of Christ?
News Flash! – Part 11
December 4, 2022
It’s over. Jesus will never do anything new about your sins, because… the cross worked!
This is the powerful message of Hebrews 10. And because you’re perfectly forgiven forever, you can live every day with a clean conscience.
Jesus has taken His seat at the right hand of God. He’s resting, because the sin issue is over. Isn’t it time you take a seat and relax with Jesus?
Find out how in this most important message!
Discussion Questions:
1. Read verses 1-2. There will never be another sacrifice for your sins. What does this mean for you? How is this different from what Old Testament people experienced?
2. Read verse 4. How does this showcase Christ’s finished work as greater?
3. Read verses 6 and 8. Why do you think God takes no pleasure in sacrifices?
4. Read verse 9. What are the “first” and the “second”? Why is this statement important?
5. Read verse 10. What does this do to the erroneous teaching of “progressive sanctification” for the believer? How can we still account for the setting apart (sanctifying) of attitudes and actions over time?
6. Read verses 11-12. What do standing and sitting represent here? What position are you in regarding your sins? Discuss.
7. Read verse 14 and react to this statement: Your next sin is already forgiven.
News Flash! – Part 12
December 11, 2022
“If you go on sinning willfully, there’ll be no sacrifice left!” That’s the declaration made in Hebrews 10:26 – one of the most controversial passages in the whole Bible.
In this important message, I put this challenging verse in proper context and demonstrate why we can actually have full assurance that God will never leave us and that we will never shrink back from Him.
Enjoy the truth and let it set you free!
Discussion Questions:
1. Read verses 19-22. How exactly does the “new and living way” inspire confidence and assurance?
2. Read verse 24. In context, what is the motivation for love and good deeds?
3. Read verse 25. What benefit is gained by gathering with other believers? How is this different from a legalistic approach to church “attendance”?
4. Read verse 26 and react to this true statement: The only kind of sinning mentioned for ten chapters in Hebrews is the sin of unbelief in God’s message.
5. In verse 26, why does it say, “there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins”? Why not?
6. Read verses 27-28. What key words do we see here that show this warning is for unbelievers who reject the Gospel?
7. Read verse 29. How do the phrases “do you think” and “will deserve” frame this as a rhetorical question for you as the reader? Why is this important?
8. React to this statement: Christians don’t get what they deserve. We get what Jesus deserves.
9. Andrew offered three interpretations of verse 29 (“by which the covenant was sanctified”, “by which Jesus was sanctified”, and the overall rhetorical nature of the question). What are your thoughts on these?
10. Read verses 35-37. What is the present-day and/or future “reward” and “promise” the author may be speaking of?
11. How does verse 39 offer us clarification and relief?
News Flash! – Part 13
December 18, 2022
Should we take literally the Old Testament account of God creating the world and Noah’s family surviving a flood? What about people in remote places who’ve never heard the Gospel – how can they be saved? How many people will be in Heaven – a lot or only a tiny percentage of the Earth’s population?
Hebrews 11 answers these questions and so much more – such as the important role of faith and why we have something better today than any Old Testament person experienced.
In this message, I address this important passage and all of these issues, hopping from one to the next at a fun pace. It will prove to be both informative and reassuring as your confidence in God’s grace grows even more.
Discussion Questions:
1. What “invisible” truths do you have faith in?
2. How does verse 3 speak to the beginning of the universe?
3. In what way does verse 6 help us with the question of those in remote parts of the world?
4. How does verse 7 affirm the veracity of the Old Testament?
5. According to verse 12, how many should we expect in Heaven?
7. How did Isaac serve as a “type”?
The phrase “by faith” appears fifteen times in this chapter. Why do you think faith is so important to God?
8. Verses 13 and 39 both say Old Testament people didn’t receive what we have today. What spiritually do you have that is better? Can you think of a few things?
News Flash! – Part 14
January 8, 2023
Imagine all the believers throughout history gathered to celebrate what we have in Christ today. That’s the picture we’re given at the outset of Hebrews 12. Then, we’re told to take off running and enjoy the journey with Jesus, looking to Him as our inspiration.
But interestingly, this passage also brings controversy. The author seems to use the word “scourge” to describe God the Father’s treatment of His children. Scourge? Ouch! That would be punishment, not discipline. And that kind of punishment was usually reserved for criminals, not children.
So, what’s going on? Is God the Father really engaging in a form of child abuse to keep us in line? Isn’t it true that Jesus was scourged so we wouldn’t be… and “by His stripes we are healed” (1 Peter 2:24)?!?
In this clarifying message, you’ll learn the truth about God’s discipline: It’s training for the future, not punishment for the past. As a result, you’ll learn to trust your Father’s heart even more.
Discussion Questions for Hebrews 12:1-15
1. Who is the great cloud of witnesses in verse 1?
2. How is the Christian life like a race? Is it a marathon or a sprint? How do we “win”?
3. What does the “sitting down” in verse 2 represent?
4. Describe God’s discipline. How is it different from punishment?
5. What is the alternate translation for the word “scourge” in verse 6? Why is this important?
6. Read verses 7-11. Why can we look forward to God’s discipline?
7. Read verse 14. Will only certain Christians see the Lord? Explain.
News Flash! – Part 15
January 15, 2023
In Hebrews 12, the Jews are urged to be careful not to come short of the grace of God and miss out on their birthright. Otherwise, they won’t find any place for repentance elsewhere.
The author goes on to share an analogy of two mountains – Sinai and Zion – to contrast the old way of the Law and the new way of grace. There’s a passing away of earthly things for a salvation and a kingdom that cannot be shaken.
In this important message, you’ll see the significance of choosing Jesus and the safety and freedom from fear it brings. You’ll also discover more reasons to rest in the simplicity of the New Covenant, including encouragement that what God really wants from us – our “acceptable service” – is easy and light!
Discussion Questions for Hebrews 12:15-29:
1. What do you think it means to “come short of the grace of God”?
2. Why do you think Esau’s birthright comes up in this passage?
3. How might the Hebrews also “find no place for repentance” if they look in the wrong place?
4. What are the two mountains in this passage? How are they described? What do they each represent?
5. What expressions do we see in verse 23 that describe your new identity in Christ?
6. Why are Jesus and Abel compared here?
7. What are the “things which cannot be shaken”?
8. What is our “acceptable service”? In other words, what does God really want from us?
