Community Bible Study At Western Branch

Engaging Hebrews Lesson Eight Notes Build on what you have learned:

1- Fulfillment in Jesus Christ 2- The superiority of Christ 3- The Excellence of Christ 4- The peril of unbelief 5- Gods Promised Rest 6- A Great High Priest 7- The Perils of Apathy and Apostasy You can find copies of past studies for download at:
http://www.scribd.com/collections/4199355/Engaging-Hebrews

The Certainly of Gods Promises

Lesson 8 Hebrews 6:9-20

Hebrews 6:9-10- Encourage A Better Estimate 9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. 10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
1. Examine, phrase by phrase, the meaning of verse 9. a. Even though we speak in this way How had the author spoken?

b. We feel sure Why do you think the author is confident?

c. Things that belong to salvation What are some of these?

2. Read Matthew 25:40 and 1 Thessalonians 1:3 along with Hebrews 6:10. What motivates Christians to do good works?

Hebrews 6:11-12-Implore 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
3. Read Colossians 1:10-12. What points from this passage complement the message of Hebrews 6:10-12?

4. Is the Holy Spirit pointing out anything to you concerning sluggishness in your relationship with God? Will you ask Him to help you with whatever He is showing you?

5. What are faith and patience required to inherit the promises?

Hebrews 6:13-15 Explain 13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying, Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you. 15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
6. These verses contain a new train of thought. What in the preceding verses leads to the authors new discussion?

7. From what you know about Abrahams life, in what areas did he need patience?

8. What is the longest that you have had to wait for God to fulfill and earnest request of yours? (Request that have been fulfilled.)

Hebrews 6:16-18 Emphasize 16 For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute. 17 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, 18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.
9. From these three verses, record Gods reasons for giving an oath along with His promise.

10. This message is addressed to we who have fled for refuge. What do you think this means?

11. What contemporary occasions might require a person to flee for refuge and hold fast to hope?

12. How does the Christians concept of hope differ from the worlds?

Hebrews 6:19-20 Encourage 19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
13. What does it mean to you to be sure and steadfast in hope?

14. Explain the importance of an anchor to a boat.

15. How has Jesus been your anchor in the storms of life?

APPLY WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED. Encouraging words fill these few verses. The author teaches that the Father initiates our safety, and the Lord Jesus guards it for us. We havent earned Gods kindness and care, yet God chooses to encourage us. You and I need to imitate Him by encouraging the people with whom we live and work and worship. Encouragement is often most needed when it is least deserved. Perhaps someone you know or love needs encouraging words form you right now.

Challenge: Encourage someone with this lesson. Share this with a spouse, neighbor, co-worker, family member, or friend. Discuss with them, encourage them.