Greetings! Below you will find questions which reference the sermon preached on Sunday, April 26th, 2015 at The Park. This week we studied Hebrews 4:14 – 5:10. Have someone in your group read this section of scripture.
Each week new questions are posted to track along with the sermons. Work hard to facilitate discussion. Listen to the hearts around the room and close with prayer.
Intro to Hebrews:
The theme of Hebrews is the absolute supremacy and sufficiency of Jesus Christ as revealer and as mediator of God’s grace. The prologue (1:1–4) presents Christ as God’s full and final revelation, far surpassing the revelation given in the OT. The prophecies and promises of the OT are fulfilled in the “new covenant” (or “new testament”), of which Christ is the mediator. From the OT itself, Christ is shown to be superior to the ancient prophets, to angels, to Moses (the mediator of the former covenant) and to Aaron and the priestly succession descended from him. Hebrews could be called “the book of better things” since the two Greek words for “better” and “superior” occur 15 times in the letter. (www.biblica.com)
Questions for this week:
- In verse 14 of Chapter 4 we see believers being exhorted to “hold fast our confession”. What is our confession? What challenges do you face in holding fast to it?
- What does it say about Jesus that he can sympathize with us in our weaknesses? Do you struggle to see Jesus in this way? What does it say about His priestly role verse the Levitical priesthood and how they interacted with God and the people?
- Hebrews 5:7 says, “In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.” Do you sometimes lose sight of the need to pray and caste your cares on Him? What does it mean to you that Jesus prayed in such a way outlined in verse 7? Does this change how you want to pray?
- Look through Hebrews Chapter 5:1-10. As Jesus is our high priest, discuss what makes his high priesthood different from those serving as earthly high priests (as an example: look to 5:2 describing earthly priests and their limited atoning power vs 5:8 and Christ).
- Tell a story of a time when you met a celebrity or political leader, or any sort of revered person. How close were you allowed to get? Was there security? Was there a cordon? How familiar were you with that person? Read Hebrews 4:16. How distant does God want us when He’s around? How does that make you feel?
- What was one of the main roles of high priests of Israel (hint: it has to do with atonement)? How did Christ become our high priest (look to 5:5)? Why is Christ being our high priest a big deal?