Hebrews #6 3:1-4:13 (Part 1)

Day 1:

Recall again how the author of Hebrews’ wants his readers (them AND us!) to respond to what he has written so far.

List out all the things the author showed us in in Hebrews 1 & 2 about Jesus the Son that help us to pay very close attention to Him. Which of these mean the most personally to you?

Spend some time in prayer thanking God for all that He’s shown you so far in Hebrews (something we often take forgranted!). As we begin the next chapters of Hebrews, ask for more of the Spirit’s help in shaping our hearts to listen carefully and guard us from drifting away from Jesus and His Message.

Day 2:

Read Hebrews 3:1 – 4:13.

What verses show us that the author’s aim from Chapters 1 & 2 remains unchanged? What are some of the terms he repeats from those chapters? What are the new terms he brings in?

Day 3:

There are two parts of the Old Testament that are key to this week’s passage.

The first is a reference to Moses (3:1-6) and the generation of Israel’s fathers that Moses led (3:16-19), and how that generation is a negative example to us readers.

One of the challenges of reading Hebrews as 21^st century Singaporeans is that we need to remember to put ourselves in the shoes of the Jewish readers. What would they have understood about Moses and that generation in the wilderness? Which specific parts of Exodus and Numbers help give us useful ‘snapshots’ of why they were a negative example? Plot these ‘snapshots’ on to the following diagram:

Day 4:

Continuing on from yesterday’s diagram, why exactly was Moses’ generation a negative example? What exactly did they do wrong? List out the key ingredients that made up their rebellion and their testing of God, and why God was so provoked and angered by them (3:9-11)?

Do we see any of these things in our own lives today? Speak to God about these things.

Day 5:

Read Hebrews 3:1 – 4:13 again.

If there was just one big thing God is saying to us in this first week of looking at this passage, what would it be? How can you respond rightly to what He is saying?

Speak to God in response to what He is saying and talk to Him about how you will respond rightly to what He is saying.

Reflection Song