Hebrews: Jesus is Better Hebrews 5:1-10 A Better High Priest March 5, 2017 Todd Nighswonger 1. Last week, Todd finished our series on manhood and womanhood, which continually focused on the the idea of flourishing. This week, we got back in the book of Hebrews. From this week s message, where do you continue to see the idea of flourishing? Explain. 2. This section of Hebrews relies heavily on the imagery of the high priest of Israel, and how he dealt with his own sin and the sin of the people. The author s point is to show us how Jesus is the better, eternal High Priest. What stuck out to you the most about Jesus being this better high priest? Explain some of the ways that he was better than the high priests of Israel. Also, discuss how seeing him now as the high priest is crucial to our confidence. 3. The main point of the message was found in verse 9. Todd spent a lot of time explaining what it meant for Jesus to be made perfect that he was validated as qualified to fulfill this amazing role the Father had given to him. And because Jesus is qualified to be this high priest, we can now with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (4:16) and draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith (10:22). How does Jesus being qualified to fulfill his role give us confidence to draw near to God? Explain. 4. The writer of Hebrews informed his readers that Jesus, as fully validated, now became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him (v 9). Why doesn t he write believe him or have faith in him? Talk about this as a group.
Hebrews: Better-Part 2 Hebrews 5:11-6:3 Go on to Maturity March 12, 2017 Joshua Walker 1. When you consider how long you ve been a follower of Jesus, do you think you are: a) as mature as you ought to be; b) less mature than you ought to be; or c) more mature than you ought to be? 2. On what basis did you make your assessment in #1? Do you think those ways of assessing are biblical or maybe you got some of them from a different source? 3. Discuss ways that we evaluate maturity that are not biblical and how they can be distracting or damaging to true maturity. Do some of these practices or ways of evaluating maturity look more like the Old Covenant than the New Covenant? 4. A key aspect of maturity from Hebrews is understanding our access to God and making use of it. Discuss how you can better practice nearness and access to God during every day. 5. What are some of the reasons that you don t take advantage of your access to God through Jesus Christ our High Priest? 6. Josh talked about the need to go beyond the ABCs of our faith and ways Cornerstone can help you do that. On the other hand, some people may need to learn the ABCs. If you are interested in ways Cornerstone can help you grow, send us an email at questions@cornerstonesimi.com.
Hebrews: Better-Part 2 Hebrews 6:4-12 Make Your Hope Sure March 19, 2017 Christian Burkhardt choose what you think would be best for your group. After listening to the sermon, you may have 1. Have you ever struggled with assurance about your salvation? Are you struggling with it right now? Why do you think that is/was? Is/was there sin in your life that you are/were struggling to overcome? Are/Were there aspects of Christian doctrine that you are/were struggling to understand or believe? 2. Where do you turn to reassure you of your salvation? Perhaps you think back to an event in your past: when you made a decision, prayed a prayer, or were baptized? Perhaps a time when God worked in your life in a particularly powerful way? While it is good and right to look back to our past, we must be careful not to live on the fumes of the past, as Josh said last week. Instead the author of Hebrews calls us to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, to live in the present, with both the past and the future in mind. 3. Christian pointed us to three ways to make our hope sure from Hebrews: Inheritance (Past): v. 12 Faithfully and patiently looking to God to fulfill what he has promised for us. Assurance of Salvation has more to do with confidence in God than confidence in ourselves. Do you know what God has promised us in his word? Do you believe that he will make good on those promises? Access (Presence): 4:16 - While we wait for our inheritance, we have access to the throne of Grace through Jesus right now, every day! Assurance of Salvation is not just about a future in heaven or hell, it s about confidence that we can draw near to God! How are you drawing near to God right now? Pilgrimage (Future): 13:14 - Again, salvation is not just fire insurance, or the guarantee of heaven when we die. It is the journey with Jesus toward our promised inheritance: the city that is to come the New Heaven and Earth, where God s people will live with him forever (Rev. 21-22). Do you have a sense that this present world is not your home? Do you long for Jesus to return and make all things new? Do you find your grip on the things of this present world loosening? 4. Lastly, the writer of Hebrews says that he is confident in the salvation of his readers, because of the love that you showed for his name in serving the saints... (v. 10). Discuss as a group: How is your love for God manifesting itself in love for one another?
Hebrews: Better-Part 2 Hebrews 6:13-20 An Anchor for the Soul March 26, 2017 Todd Nighswonger 1. In Todd s message, he said that God s interactions with Abraham (or Abram) in Genesis 12-22 was one of the greatest events in the history of God s rescue of humanity. Knowing what you know about those events, why do you suppose that this might be true? How do these events cause strong encouragement (Heb 6:18) in our lives today? 2. How does God promising and swearing an oath to Abraham (Heb 6:13, 17) cause strong encouragement in our lives? Added to that, it was his desire (v. 17). How does this being his desire cause strong encouragement? 3. People put their hopes in all kinds of things in this life. What are some of the things that people put their hopes in (focus on the things that you put your hope in besides Jesus)? Why will this never bring about strong encouragement? What is different about the hope (Heb 6:18, 19) that God provides? 4. How does our hope enter into the inner place behind the curtain (Heb 6:19)? How is this a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul? 5. Think about, and discuss, how Jesus tore the curtain from the Holy Place to the Holy of Holies as the forerunner on our behalf (Heb 6:19). He is right now in the very presence of the Father granting us access to him. He isn t like the priests that followed Aaron, but is a forever priest (Heb 5:6) that never, ever leaves God s presence. How does this give us strong encouragement even in the roughest moments of our lives? Take time to wrestle through this as a group. Make these truths part of your prayer time.
Hebrews: Better-Part 2 Hebrews 7:1-19 Melchizedek: His Greatness April 2, 2017 Todd Nighswonger 1. The main point of chapter 7 is found in verse 25. Spend some time as a group thinking through and discussing the many implications of the verse. Don t move too quickly past this! 2. In 7:1-10, the author of Hebrews was seeking to help the Jewish readers understand that there was another priesthood besides the priesthood of Aaron in the Old Covenant. As a group, discuss all the different ways that the writer described this priesthood of Melchizedek shared by Jesus. Also discuss the reality that Melchizedek, like Jesus, was a priest-king. Why is this type of priesthood greater? 3. Understanding verse 11 and the meaning of perfection is very important. Todd discussed that this meant to put someone in the position in which he or she can come, or stand, before God. Take some time as a group to discuss how this makes the priesthood of Jesus better than the priesthood of the high priests of Israel. Try to focus on how perfection, or access to God, is the writer s motive. 4. In verses 15-17, the writer contrasted the priesthood of Aaron and the priesthood of Jesus. The priestly candidate under the Old Covenant had to be: 1) legitimate, 2) a Levite (meaning that his mother had to be an Israelite and his father a priest before him), and 3) possess no physical defects. Each of these was external by nature. Jesus, however, had one grand qualification, which was not external but internal the power of an indestructible life (v 16b). Why is this important? What implication does this have for us? 5. Why is it so important for the writer of Hebrews to finish this section by stating that a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God (v 19)? Why does he keep coming back to this idea of drawing near to God? Contrast this with many gospel presentations that are about avoiding hell or getting to heaven. Use verse 25 in your discussion.
Hebrews: Better-Part 2 Hebrews 7:20-28 Melchizedek: His Sufficiency April 9, 2017 Christian Burkhardt 1. Talk about Palm Sunday and how Jesus was rejected even as He drew near to Jerusalem. Have you ever, or are you currently, reluctant to draw near to God for fear He will in some way reject you or disappoint you? Is there a fear that God will not accept you or forgive you? Honestly share with one another your fears and insecurities. 2. Christian made the statement that drawing near to God is not a qualification of salvation, but the very definition of salvation! Discuss this. How does it impact your view of what it means to be a follower of Jesus? How does it change how you perceive your eternal security or the fact that you can t lose your salvation? 3. Discuss the truth that Jesus always lives to make intercession for us. How does it encourage you that Jesus is constantly interceding for you? How do you imagine that looks? Discuss as a group what you think it looks like that Jesus takes your needs, your requests, your life issues and presents them to the Father. 4. Discuss how we can draw near to God. Talk about practical ways, real things you can do to draw near to God. 5. Hebrews 7:25 says that Jesus saves us to the uttermost. What does this mean? How did Christian unpack this truth? How does it encourage you?
Hebrews: Better-Part 2 Hebrews 8:1-13 High Priest of a Better Covenant April 23, 2017 Chris Hay 1. Talk about different ways you might be living in the Old Covenant? These ways can be subtle, so think carefully. Toss out your ideas and thoughts to the group for discussion and feedback. 2. Discuss this whole concept of access. Talk about how limited access is in our world, with our friends and family, and contrast it with the unlimited access we have to God. How does, or how should, this change the way we relate to God? 3. In what ways is your relationship with God based on fear? In what ways is your relationship with God based on unconditional love? Discuss as a group how you can each get rid of the fearbased aspects of your relationship and move closer to a love-and-grace-based relationship. 4. Chris said that God forgave our sin primarily to have a relationship with us, not primarily to remove guilt. If this is true, what are the implications for how you view your salvation? For how you view your relationship with God? 5. Discuss practical ways you can draw near to God. Share things that you currently do, and brainstorm other ways to draw near.
Hebrews: Better-Part 2 Hebrews 9:1-14 A Covenant of a New Conscience April 30, 2017 Chris Hay 1. Go around your group and share ways that Jesus has recently helped you. Use it as a time to thank Him and worship Him. 2. Discuss the concept that you are the Holy of Holies. What are the implications for how you live your daily life? What things do you think you need to change in light of this truth? Read 1 Cor 6:19-20. 3. Imagine your conscience as a moral compass. Is it pointing to true north? Where do you think it might be off? What are some steps you can take to get it recalibrated? 4. Why do you think blood was critical to pay the price for sin? Could something else have been used? Read Leviticus 17:10-12. This is an important theological truth. If you have a Bible dictionary or encyclopedia, look up blood. 5. Discuss the idea that everything we do is an act of worship and service to God. How do you see your daily routine as an act of worship? Or do you? What needs to change so that you do see each and every task as an act of worship and service? Read 1 Cor 10:31.
Hebrews: Better-Part 2 Hebrews 9:15-28 A Covenant of Blood May 7, 2017 Todd Nighswonger 1. Over the last several weeks we have been learning how the New Covenant is better than the Old Covenant. Review some of the main benefits and share which of these impacts you the most: Access, the ability to draw near. The fact that we can actually know God personally. The reality that we are the Holy of Holies. Realizing that our sin is completely and forever forgiven. Understanding that the Holy Spirit is continually recalibrating our moral compass. And that all this sets us up to worship and serve God in every area of life. 2. Now this past week we learned that Christ is the mediator of this much better New Covenant and how important His blood is in the process of bringing in the New Covenant. Why was it so significant that Christ was both the mediator and the testator of the New Covenant? Take time to discuss this and make sure that you don t leave your discussion until you have thought through as many of the implications as you can. 3. The noun blood is used six times in verses 18-22. What does the Bible teach us from Genesis to Revelation about why blood is so important to God? What is the significance in this passage? Why do you suppose we have such a hard time understanding this in our time and culture? 4. The Day of Atonement is the imagery that the writer uses in this passage to explain the work of Christ (vv 23-28). Why is the comparison of the priest in the Holy of Holies and Christ so significant? Why was Christ s work better than that of the priest? Why was the priest emerging from the Holy of Holies and Christ returning from the literal sanctuary of God so important? You might want to go back and read about the ritual before you discuss this question (Lev 16:1-34). 5. The word waiting is very significant. It isn t like waiting in a waiting-room and biding your time, but has the idea of being active in eagerness for his return. In light of all that we have learned in Hebrews, what does active waiting look like in our lives? How does Christ as the Testator, Mediator, Judge, and Savior affect our waiting?
Hebrews: Better-Part 2 Hebrews 10:1-18 A Covenant Once and For All May 14, 2017 Todd Nighswonger 1. Last week, Todd challenged us to make the following week one in which you focused on drawing near to God. As a group, talk about whether you did or didn t. If you did, what was the outcome of that drawing near? If you didn t, talk about what kept you from doing this and resolve to focus on drawing near this week! 2. This week, Todd talked about one of the realities of drawing near to God, our sin. He explained sin not just as violating a law or principle, but violating a covenant relationship. He used marriage and committing adultery as his example of violating a covenant relationship. How does this make sin so much weightier than simply breaking the rules? Maybe use Psalm 51:3-4 and the sin of David with Bathsheba to guide your discussion. 3. The main verse used this weekend was Hebrews 10:14: For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. Todd talked about how the perfecting work of Jesus was in regards to the sin you just discussed. How does Jesus perfect us through a single offering for all time? What is the significance of this? 4. Those who are perfected are those who are being sanctified. Why is this so important? What does it mean? How does this relate to our sin and the covenant God made with us through Jesus Christ? You might need to read Jeremiah 31:31-34 to guide your discussion (see also Heb 10:15-18). 5. Todd finished his message talking about why it is good that we are continually confronted with our sinfulness when we draw near to God. What are some of the non-gospel ways in which you try to deal with sin when you are confronted with it? What are the long-term results of not allowing the truth of the gospel to deal with sin?
Hebrews: Making the Better Real-Part 3 Hebrews 10:19-25 Full Access/Full Living May 21, 2017 Todd Nighswonger 1. Talk about why it is so important that we are in community with other believers. How do (or can) other believers help us grow in our walk with Christ? What are the blessings and benefits of being in community? What are the downsides? 2. Share an example/story of a time when someone provoked you to love and good works? Did you appreciate it in the moment? Do you appreciate it now? 3. Todd shared 3 Let us... statements from Hebrews 10: Let us draw near... Let us hold fast... Let us consider... Discuss how your Group helps you do each of them. Talk about whether it is easier to accomplish them alone, or as a group. How can your group do a better job of accomplishing each of these three? 4. Todd shared how faith, hope, and love are interwoven in with these 3 commands. Think about, then talk about, how each of these character qualities is related to each of the 3 commands. For example, you might ask: Why does it take faith to draw near? or How does holding fast provide hope? and so on. This could be a great brainstorming discussion! 5. If this passage was used to evaluate the health of your group, how healthy is your group? Take plenty of time on this one.
Hebrews: Making the Better Real-Part 3 Hebrews 10:26-31 Warning: Endurance Matters May 28, 2017 Todd Nighswonger 1. Last week, Todd talked about the importance of being in the lives of one another in community. What have you done this week to practice what was preached? 2. This week, Todd opened by talking about the wrath of God. What aspects of this stuck out the most to you? Why? 3. Who do you know in your life that has walked away from fellowship with the church? In light of the message, what is the best thing you can do in approaching them? Explain. 4. Why is it healthy as a group to talk about the future judgment and wrath of God? How do you intend as a group to keep this at the forefront? Why is it also good to remind yourself of your personal escape from the wrath? 5. Take time as a group to pray for those that you know who have walked away from the fellowship of the church.
Hebrews: Making the Better Real-Part 3 Hebrews 10:32-39 Warning: Endurance Matters June 4, 2017 Chris Hay 1. Probably everyone in your group has been hurt or disappointed by the church, or by people, or by other believers. Don t rehash those hurts! But share how those hurts caused you to pull back, to distance yourself from people, from relationships, from Community Groups, from the church. In what ways are you shrinking back now? 2. Realizing how dangerous this shrinking back can be, now discuss ways to get back in the game, to endure, to persevere, to not neglect meeting together anymore. 3. Discuss the principle Never Quit. How does it apply to various areas of life: marriage, parenting, singleness, spiritual life, health, prayer, work, church, Bible reading, and so many more? Which of these areas might you need to apply the Never Quit principle? 4. It is not lost on us that if you are in a group, discussing these questions, you are probably a person who is doing their best to stay in the game. So spend some time praying for people you know who have seemingly completely left the church, left the faith, or are completely neglecting meeting together. Don t let this descend into gossip, but rather loving, grieving prayer for their souls.
Hebrews: Making the Better Real-Part 3 Hebrews 11:1-12:2 Faith! June 11, 2017 Chris Hay 1. Looking back over your life at this point, what are one or two major characteristics of the race course that the Master has set before you? Obviously, you can only hit the highlights give everyone a chance to share their one or two! 2. How has faith played a part in you not giving up, not quitting, not throwing in the towel? How do you think faith will continue to play a role in you continuing to run well? 3. Are you absolutely certain that God exists and rewards those who draw near to Him (see Heb 11:6)? A fun exercise is to rate your certainty on a scale of 1 to 100, with 100 being absolutely certain. Go around and have each person rate themselves, then discuss the results. 4. Which of the Bible characters in Heb 11 most encourage you to press on in faith? Why? 5. What are some weights or hindrances in your life that are preventing you from running well? How do these things slow you down from running well? How can your group help you get rid of them? 6. Talk about what it means to keep our eyes on Jesus. Discuss the implications of this for everyday life.
Hebrews: Making the Better Real-Part 3 Hebrews 12:3-11 The Divine Discipline of Love July 2, 2017 Chris Hay 1. Share with each other a hard time in your life and how you understand it now as God s hand of discipline. What was He teaching you? Do you think it was corrective discipline or training discipline? 2. How can we tell if we are being lovingly disciplined by our Heavenly Father, or simply suffering the consequences of our own stupidity? Does it matter? 3. Discuss what it looks like to submit to life s hardships, understanding them to be God s discipline. 4. Share with each other how you are weary with a life trial. Then encourage each other to keep on going, to persevere through it. How can you help each other keep running the race of life well? 5. How have you seen the benefits of God s discipline in your life? Remember, His discipline is for our benefit (12:10), His discipline enables to share His holiness (12:10), and His discipline produces peace and righteousness (12:11). 6. How does it encourage you that God disciplines you because He loves you... and that life s hardships prove that you are His very own child? Or is that discouraging to you? This is a great place to share from the heart. Then pray for one another.
Hebrews: Making the Better Real-Part 3 Hebrews 12:12-17 Warning: Failing to Obtain Grace July 9, 2017 Christian Burkhardt 1. In his message, Christian explained how the author of Hebrews portrays the salvation that Jesus has accomplished for us as a new and greater Exodus, which follows the same 3-stage pattern as the first Exodus: RESCUE: from slavery to Satan, sin, and death (Heb. 2:14-15) PILGRIMAGE: outside the camp, to the lasting city (13:13-14) INHERITANCE: bringing many sons to glory (2:10), receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken (12:28). How does this challenge or confirm your current understanding of salvation? Discuss any new insights or questions. 2. Heb 12:14 calls us to Strive for peace with everyone and the holiness without which no one will see God, which are the very same things that God is seeking to form in us through his fatherly discipline (v. 10-11). How is your group currently striving together for peace and holiness? Discuss these questions and take the appropriate action! Are there conflicts that need to be resolved? Sin that needs to be confessed? Distance between people that needs to be bridged? 3. Heb 12:15-16 remind us of the need to watch out for one another......that no one fails to obtain (forfeits, turns from) the grace of God....that no bitter root (of stubbornness and unfaithfulness to God Deut. 29:18-19) springs up and causes trouble, defiling many....that no one is sexually immoral or unholy, like Esau who made an extremely shortsighted decision, and showed how little he valued his inheritance when he sold it for a single meal (Gen. 25, 27). Discuss what it looks like for your group to watch out for each other. Where do you see this short-sightedness in your life? Where do you struggle with valuing your inheritance in Christ less than things (even good things) in this present world? PRAY: Ask God to bind your group together as y all seek to run with endurance the race that is set before us. (12:1)
Hebrews: Making the Better Real-Part 3 Hebrews 12:18-29 Coming to Mount Zion July 16, 2017 Todd Nighswonger 1. Last week, we learned that we have the potential to sell our birthright for a single meal (Heb. 12:16). What did Christian say that this means and what are the implications for us today? 2. Todd talked about how the exhortations in this section are not ways of getting God to act, but ways you do act when you trust that God is already acting for you. This means that right knowing is the key to, and the basis for, right doing. Why is this truth so important to our relationship with Jesus? 3. Why was it so important for the author of Hebrews to present the initial experience of Israel at Sinai and the initial experience of Christians at Zion? What is crucial about this to our right knowing?...our right doing? 4. There will come a time in which all things will be shaken. The only things that will remain will be those that are unshakable, or the kingdom of God and those who dwell in it. What is crucial about this to our right knowing?...our right doing? 5. Todd referenced Matthew 24:7-8 and the idea of the beginning of the birth pains. How do tragic events teach us to hold onto things NOT of God s kingdom loosely (see Hebrews 11:10, 12:28, and 13:14 as the means of helping)? Why should this cause us to worship God a consuming fire with reverence and awe?
Hebrews: Making the Better Real-Part 3 Hebrews 12:28-13:19 Sacrifices That Please God July 23, 2017 Christian Burkhardt Hebrews 12:28 says that Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, or literally, let us have grace. In his message, Christian explained how the word grace is fundamentally a relational concept. It s not just about the kindness and goodness that God shows us, but the way his kindness welcomes us into an ongoing relationship with Him. Therefore, to have grace toward God means to reciprocate this relationship through gratitude, loyalty and service. 1. The idea of gratitude isn t just a private feeling of thankfulness to God, but publicly declaring the goodness he has shown us, as a way of enhancing his reputation and bringing him glory: the fruit of lips that confess his name (13:15; see also 1 Peter 2:9). Spend some time declaring to one another the goodness God has shown you. 2. Public gratitude isn t just about when we are with believers, but also when we are with unbelievers. Evangelism is more about declaring the grace God has shown us than trying to argue people into the kingdom. Can you share about a time when you shared the gospel with someone from a posture of public gratitude for the goodness God has shown you? Are there people in your life who need to hear this from you? Pray for opportunities to do so this week! 3. Similarly, we are called to be loyal to God as our Patron (the one who meets our needs). A big part of loyalty means not having competing allegiances with other things/people than God. What things/people are you tempted to look to for your protection and provision, besides God? Discuss the connection between loyalty to God, contentment with what he provides, and faithfulness in marriage (13:4-6). 4. Three times in this passage, the author tells us to offer service and sacrifices that are wellpleasing to God (12:28; 13:16; 13:21). Yet most of the actions that we are told to do focus on how we serve and love one another (brotherly love, welcoming strangers as guests, remembering those in prison and mistreated, faithfulness in marriage, doing good and sharing what we have, and trusting and submitting to our leaders). Discuss these together, asking the question, how are we doing at loving God by loving each other and the rest of the body in these ways? Where is there room for growth, repentance, or recommitment?
Hebrews: Making the Better Real-Part 3 Hebrews 13:7-25 Why Jesus Is Better: The Finale July 30, 2017 Christian Burkhardt 1. We have been studying Hebrews for nearly a year! Take some time to reflect on and discuss the things that have stood out in this study. What were some of the highlights? What new things did you learn? 2. In Hebrews 13:13-14, the author calls us to go to Jesus outside the camp For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. In his message, Christian explained that this means giving up our sense of belonging and at-home-ness in our society, and embracing our identity as citizens in God s now and coming kingdom. What does this look like in your life? How can we help each other embrace our pilgrim identity? What are the risks of making ourselves too at-home in this present world? 3. Jesus suffered outside the gates and bore reproach not as a victim, but as a Savior! He suffered for the sake of those who caused his suffering. In the same way, our calling to go outside the camp and bear the reproach that he endured, is a call to live distinct from our community, yet for the sake of our community: to serve, sacrifice and speak truth to those around us, so that they might experience God s love through us. Can you describe a time when you have borne reproach for your testimony for Jesus? How did you succeed or fail at following Jesus example (1 Peter 2:21-24)? Discuss as a group you how you can find and seize opportunities to serve, sacrifice, and speak truth to those around you who don t know Jesus. 4. Hebrews 13:7&17 instructs us to follow Jesus by following the leaders he has given us: both following the example of those who have already finished their course, and following the direction of those who are presently keeping watch over our souls. Can you share about a past leader in your life who finished well? How are you seeking to imitate their faith? Who are the current leaders in your life: (elders, pastors, community group leaders, parents, etc.)? How are you seeking to trust them and follow their lead? How are you seeking to make their task a joy? How can you pray for and support them?