At the end of last week’s study, the Preacher ended with a very challenging and comprehensive summary of Jesus’ role as our perfect High Priest:
Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him. And God designated him to be a High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.
The Preacher will shortly begin exploring the various aspects and implications of this amazing statement. However, before he does, he spends a moment to “stir up” those listening to his message. We will look at that today.
Stunted Growth Hebrews 5:11-14 There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.
- This seems a pretty harsh way to get the attention of one’s audience. What was the Preacher intending to do here?
- What is the goal and expectation for believers?
- How do believers accomplish that goal?
Forward or Failure? Hebrews 6:1-8 So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding. For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come— and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame. When the ground soaks up the falling rain and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has God’s blessing. But if a field bears thorns and thistles, it is useless. The farmer will soon condemn that field and burn it.
- What are some of the things that the author expresses as “basic teachings about Christ”? Why would these be considered basic?
- He spends some time talking about repentance and those that turn their backs on the gospel. What is the key point here? Is it primarily theological, or experiential?
- Explain the illustration of the field at the end of this section.
Prize Students Hebrews 6:9-12 Dear friends, even though we are talking this way, we really don’t believe it applies to you. We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation. For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.
- What is the encouragement you find from this section?
- Who are the “examples” that the audience is intended to emulate?
- What are the promises that the faithful who endure to the end will inherit?
- How does this week’s study encourage you or challenge you?