Hebrews Bible Study Week Three: Friday

Friday -Texting


Focused Passage: Hebrews 4:11-13

Daily Readings: Psalm 119

So it’s official, we can no longer text while driving (or talk without a headset for that matter). A state law has been put into place that calls for a secondary offense for anyone caught texting while driving. This should come as no surprise to anyone, seeing that the number one cause for traffic accidents isn’t speeding, but being preoccupied/distracted while driving. The question that has run through my mind since this law took effect is, “how will they know?” If your phone is on your lap and you are texting while holding the steering wheel with one hand…How are they going to catch that?

Similarly, we live out our own preoccupations/distractions as if life hinged on these moments. Not even realizing that these distractions are causing chaos and confusion. Worse yet, we think that no one is evening noticing…or we pass them off like these things are important things in life. We need the great TEXT (God’s Word) to help us to take a look in the mirror at self…and see exactly what it is that is inhibiting us from enjoying the rest God has offered.

1. What stands out as a key description of God’s Word in your reading of Psalm 119?

2. How does striving for rest (4:11) connect with God’s Word being a discerner of thoughts and intentions of the heart (4:12)?

3. Would you call yourself preoccupied or distracted right now (limiting your ability to find rest in Christ)? What has God’s Word revealed to you about yourself?

Hebrews Bible Study Week Three: Thursday

Thursday -TGIF! (Thank Goodness It’s Friday)


Focused Passage: Hebrews 4:9-10

Daily Readings: Gen. 2:1-3; Col. 2:13-17; Matt. 11:28-30; Rev. 14:13

Thank Goodness It’s Friday is a popular phrase and a well known restaurant is a glimpse into the heart of people’s desire for the work week to be over. But did you know that the phrase actually began back in the 1950’s by ABC as the motto of their Friday evening, prime-time programming. Shows like, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet and Leave it to Beaver became famous during these prime-time spots. What did the executives at ABC credit for the success of TGIF programming? Simple…people wanting time to sit down and rest after a long week of work and dealing with the daily grind. It was time to pause, sit down in front of the TV and get some laughs. Why not? They deserved it.

Here we are in the twenty-first century, going from one place to another, overwhelmed with heavy schedules and loaded expectations. Yet, Christ offers us rest through salvation. Because of an act on Friday two thousand years ago, we can have the rest of a TGIF heart every day. Our eternity is secure! His work is done! We just have to rest in the promises of God as we walk by faith.

1. Why do you believe it is so difficult for us to find rest in Christ alone?



2. What does it mean in Heb. 4:10 that we have “rested from our works like God did from His?” How is this significant for our lives?



3. What did Christ mean in Matt. 11 when He said that His “yoke is easy and burden light?” What distractions do you see keeping you from enjoying the daily rest that Christ has offered?

Hebrews Bible Study Week Three: Wednesday

Wednesday – Ranger at Rest


Focus passage: Hebrews 4:1-8

Read: Matthew 11:28-29; Psalm 119:165; Joshua 1

Many people are looking for peace, joy, and contentment in life. They search for the kind of rest that Hebrews 4 speaks of, but most would rather reject Christ and His offer of rest through salvation.

As I write today, the Texas Rangers are playing in the Major League Baseball playoffs. Among the Rangers is an all-star player named Josh Hamilton. Josh was the very first player chosen in the 1999 draft, but five years later he was suspended from baseball for substance abuse. He’d become an alcoholic and cocaine addict. Because of a string of poor choices, he nearly destroyed his marriage and family and almost killed himself. God had better plans. In his book, Beyond Belief, Josh relates how God changed his heart and led him out of the wilderness to salvation and rest. He says that his inward transformation began the day he was saved and he was strengthened when he surrendered to God completely. His recovery would have been impossible without his relationship with Jesus. His life changed from “hopeless to hope-filled” when he turned to God. The destination of Josh’s journey through his wilderness would have been vastly different without faith in Christ. Josh found the rest and peace that the alcohol and cocaine could not give.

1. Entering into the promised land, Canaan, was a symbol of entering into God’s rest, entering into a life and relationship with Him. What other examples does the Bible give of God’s rest?



2. Remember the point in your life when you accepted God’s offer of rest, His gift of salvation. How is your life different than it could have been because you trusted Christ for your salvation?

Hebrews Bible Study Week 3: Tuesday

Tuesday – The Cold Rebel


Focus passage: Hebrews 3:16-19

Read: Psalm 78; Romans 2:5-10; John 12:37-40

On the Discovery Channel program “Man vs. Wild”, Bear Grylls is placed in some remote, isolated location to spend the next 3 to 4 days finding his way back to civilization. He takes very little more than the clothes on his back and a small backpack. The theme of the program is Bear showing how to survive in all types of wilderness, from the high elevations of the Alps, the desert of Africa, to the jungle of Brazil. During one show, Bear is in the high, snow covered mountains. It’s very cold and windy. While trying to find a way down, he comes across a partially frozen stream. He describes how to avoid falling in the ice cold water and talks about the dangers of getting wet in those conditions. Amazingly, to prove these points, he removes his cold weather gear, stripping to his pants and t-shirt and then jumps into the water! He quickly crawls out and stutters through the need to get wet clothes off and warm up. To me, purposefully putting yourself through that kind of suffering is crazy. Bear obviously knows what he’s doing…and he’s also getting paid. What about us? Don’t we sometimes find ourselves in a wilderness trying to find our way out? Unfortunately, many times our wandering is self inflicted just like in Bear’s case. Because of some unbelief and disobedience toward God, rebellion takes us away from God’s intended path and we end up in a ‘wilderness.’

1. From Romans 2, what is the result of disobedience and unbelief?

2. We all rebel against God. Describe a time when you rebelled and found yourself in a wilderness. In what way did you disobey?

3. What did you feel during that time of rebellion?

Hebrews Bible Study Week 3: Monday

Monday – Symptoms of a Sick Heart


Focus passage: Hebrews 3:7-15

Read: Psalm 95; Proverbs 28:14, 29:1

Last year in the U.S., 75% of all deaths from heart disease were caused by arthrosclerosis. Arthrosclerosis occurs when fat is deposited in the walls of the arteries and hardens there. As the deposits grow, they narrow the space in the artery, reducing the oxygen and blood supply to the organs. Symptoms can be shortness of breath, sweating, numbness, anxiety, loss of speech, and chest pain depending on which artery is affected. Ultimately, arthrosclerosis or in layman’s terms, hardened arteries, can cause a heart attack or stroke.

In Hebrews 3, the writer exhorts us to avoid the hardening of our heart. Our heart is hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. As sin grows, room for the Holy Spirit gets smaller, reducing our supply of God’s love, wisdom, joy, and peace in our life. The symptoms include disobedience and rebellion. In the end, a hardened heart may turn away from God.

1. When was the last time you asked the Physician to perform a heart checkup? What is the condition of your heart toward God today?

2. From Hebrews 3:13, what is one way we can avoid a hardened heart? What other things can you do to create a lifestyle that will ensure your heart has a clean bill of health?

Thoughts from the Catalyst Conference

I and some of our staff and leaders had the privilege of attending the Catalyst Conference this week in Lynchburg, Va. The speakers were two dynamic leaders, Andy Stanley and Craig Groeschel. Here are some impressionable quotes from that conference:

First Session: Gaining and Sustaining Momentum

     Three Components of Sustained Momentum: New, Improved, Improving

     Momentum is never triggered by tweaking something old but introducing something new
 
     The only way to keep newness is constant evaluation



Second Session: Busting Barriers with Mindset Changes

    Think differently about programs. We can reach more by doing less.
    
     We are overprogrammed thus wearing people out.

     Everything comes back to mission. What is our mission?
    
     Quit doing what others do well and do what you do well

     Limitation is the most fertile ground for innovation.

     Don't recruit volunteers...instead release leaders



Third Session: Creating Personal Spiritual Momentum

     I will do today what I can do, to enable me to do tomorrow what I can't do today.

    The way most people do the work of God destroys the work of God in them.

    The quickest way to stop seeing what Crhist things about you is to focus on what others think about you



Fourth Session: Don't be that Couch

     When you own something, like a ministry, you always think it's more valuable than it is. It may need to be thrown out...but you have given a false value to it.

     What programs or ministries need to be thrown away because of ineffectiveness and lack of mission?

    What have we fallen in love with that's really not effective in ministry?

    Churches are in decline because we are more in love with the type of ministry that with unbelievers

Hebrews Bible Study Week Two: Friday

Better than the Best


Focused Passage: Hebrews 3:1-6

Daily Readings: Deut. 32; John 3:27-35



There are constantly people trying to determine who’s the best…the best athlete, actor/actress, or team. As they say, “To be the best…you’ve got to beat the best!” It reminds me of the time I was invited to the NBA All-Star VIP pre-game event in Washington D.C. (While not connected…I did get to meet Michael Jordan). During the event, they had different All-Star style games you could play. One of my favorites was the three-point contest (they also had the dunk contest game where you could jump off a trampoline…yes…I dunked). I waited in line to try to beat past NBA three-point contestant champions. There were five shots at five racks around the three point line. The top score was twenty-one. When my turn came…I was in the zone. I hit the last shot to reach twenty-one points…tying the high score. On that day, I tied an NBA All-star three-point champion.

When you begin to compare any Biblical figure (or anything for that matter) to Christ…Christ always wins out. As if He wasn’t the best before the cross…What He did for us proves His superiority.



1. To the Hebrews, Moses was one of the greatest leader and lawgiver. In what ways is Jesus greater than Moses?



2. Moses was a “faithful servant” in God’s house. Jesus is a “faithful son” over God’s house. Why is this significant to us?

Hebrews Bible Study Week Two: Thursday

A New Suit!


Focused Passage: Hebrews 2:13-18

Daily Readings: Leviticus 4, 6:24-30; 1 Cor. 15:20-22; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 2 Cor. 5:21



When I was in college, I was a part of a great “college group” at one of the local churches. We gathered for weekly Bible studies, held a soup kitchen for the homeless, and once a year went on a retreat at a camp up on the mountain. During one retreat and for the entertainment of the girls, a “Best Woman” contest was held. Several of us guys were made up as women. The girls picked out our clothes and put make up on each of us. We were really quite “beautiful.” The moderator then asked us questions similar to those asked at a beauty contest. We answered the best we could in a feminine, high pitched voice. We walked the stage in our high heeled shoes to show off our beauty. We provided great fun and laughter to the audience. Did I win? No, unfortunately, I don’t make a very good woman!

Can you imagine what it was like for God to put on flesh and blood? To leave the glory of heaven...to experience the pain of death? It wasn’t just an embarrassing moment…it was a humiliating moment. Yet He did this to help us in our sinfulness. (Al Wiggins)

1. Jesus has been described by some as “God with clothes on.” How is that an oversimplification of who Jesus was while He walked the Earth?



2. Why did Christ have to be made in every way like us to make atonement for our sin?



3. How is the fact that Jesus was tempted like us, an encouragement and an inspiration to you? How should that change how you view temptation and suffering in the future?

Hebrews Bible Study Week Two: Wednesday

Brother, Where Art Thou?


Focused Passage: Hebrews 2:10-13

Daily Readings: Ephesians 1:3-14; Romans 5:6-8 & 8:12-25

A friend of mine and his wife are in the beginning stages of adopting a child. For a long time, Doug rejected the idea every time his wife brought up the subject. He says he had some fears. He feared the possible emotional and physical problems a child may have and his inability to cope with them. He also feared that he may not be able to bond with the child and develop a strong parent/child relationship. So Doug kept pushing the thoughts of adoption to the back of his mind. God wouldn’t let him get away with it, though. One Sunday morning at church, the pastor began to tell about his experiences with his adopted kids. The pastor showed pictures of his kids and orphans in need of parents. These pierced Doug’s heart and he began to weep. God convinced him that adoption was in His plan for Doug’s family. Now, the fear that he won’t be able to connect with his new child is gone. He says he will love this new child completely no matter what problems may arise. They will be family. Just because there may be brokenness and some rejection, Doug will love him or her.

Reminds me of how Jesus relates to us. He calls us family…His brothers and sisters. He left the glory of heaven and was willing to suffer for us to be able to have that privilege. Amazing love! How can it be? Let’s not take it for granted. (A. Wiggins)



1. Jesus left heaven’s glory to suffer here. He brought us to glory and calls us brothers and sisters. As we share in His glory, what else will we share in? Are you a willing participant?

2. What does it mean (in verse 10) that the “founder of their salvation was made perfect through suffering”? What does say about suffering in our life today?

3. What does a relationship with Christ as your Lord and brother look like? (It’s interesting that before the cross Jesus never called His followers brothers…disciples, followers, sheep, and children, but not brothers).

Hebrews Bible Study Week 2: Tuesday

Lord it’s Hard to be Humble!


Focused Passage: Hebrews 2:9

Daily Readings: Isa. 53; Phil. 2

There is an old saying, “Life has a way of humbling you.” Obviously, humility is necessary because we get into a place of comfort with our position in life. The measure of humility is usually proportionate to our position. If pride is in the way…then humility seems more difficult. Sometimes it comes in defeat…other times it comes in small moments. Either way humility begins with us realizing what position we are in is not where we want to be.

There is an old story about Ulysses S. Grant…On his way to a reception held in his honor, Ulysses S. Grant got caught in a shower and offered to share his umbrella with a stranger walking in the same direction. The man said he was going to Grant's reception out of curiosity; he had never seen the general. "I have always thought that Grant was a much over-rated man," he said. "That's my view also," Grant replied.

But Christ had no need of humility. He was in a position of glory that was rightfully His. Yet His humility was proportionate to our position…not His. (D. Vance)

1. Why Jesus was “made a little lower than the angels?” (Heb. 2:9)

2. What does it mean that Christ was willing to do this? (It actually says it was by God’s grace that He tasted death 2:9)? What does this demonstrate about Him?

3. What areas in your life need humility? How can you have the same humble thinking of Christ (Phil. 2)?

Hebrews Bible Study Week 2: Monday

Almost Nothing!


Focused Passage: Hebrews 2:5-8

Daily Readings: Gen. 1:26-27; Psalm 8; Isa. 40:21-26

Last summer my family and I spent time at my parents’ cabin in Colorado. Late one evening, I got my son out of bed and carried him outside. It was a dark, moonless, cloudless night with little “light pollution” (street lights, etc.). He couldn’t understand why I was taking him outside. I pointed to the sky and then he knew why. After about 15 seconds of stunned silence he said, “It doesn’t look real. It looks like I could reach out and touch them.” You see, he’s grown up with the haze and light polluted sky of our area. He had never seen the billions of stars that you can see with the naked eye when the sky is truly clear. I pointed out the Milky Way and several constellations. Still amazed, my son declared that compared to all those stars, the Earth seems small. Yes, I agreed, and we humans are smaller still. (A. Wiggins)



1. Have you ever been somewhere or had an experience that caused you to feel as small as a “grasshopper?” Why?



2. No doubt we are small, yet Hebrews 2:5-7 says that we were God’s creation, crowned with glory and honor, and originally having authority. How does this give you purpose and direction as a follower of Christ?



3. Hebrews 2:8b says that at present not everything is subject to “man.” Why not? What happened to cause this?

Hebrews Bible Study - Friday

Friday - Drifting


It’s interesting that if you look up the word “drifting” in your computer’s search engine, you get a description that says the following, “Drifting refers to a driving technique and to a motorsport where the driver intentionally over steers, causing loss of traction in the rear wheels through turns, while maintaining vehicle control and a high exit speed.” Come on…are you serious? The driver actually intentionally over steers…and maintains control. Intentionally out of control while being in control. Doesn’t sound right to me!

Spiritual drifting happens when we, by our own choices (i.e. intentionally), move away from God’s intended direction…and think that we are in control. Then, over time, people find themselves farther and farther away from the truth of the gospel. They look back and wonder what happened. It’s drifting without fear! For unbelievers, they miss out on much needed salvation…for believers, they drift away to barrenness and brokenness. All the while…thinking that we are under control, we find people lacking the fear of God to live according to His Word.

Daily Reading: Acts 17:10-12; I John 1:1-2:15; 1 Thessalonians 2:13-14

1. Hebrews 2:1 says that we should pay careful attention to what we hear from God so as to not drift away. For the church in Thessalonica, what was the result of the people paying close attention to the preaching of Paul?



2. Are there any areas in your life that may be susceptible to drifting away?



3. What can you actively do to make sure you’re not drifting away? (Acts 17:10-12 for one idea)

Hebrews Bible Study - Thursday



Thursday – Who’s in Charge?


I love watching those shows that demonstrate the proper way to train your dog. My small, 11 lbs dog, Daisy, can be pretty ferocious at times (honestly…I’m exaggerating a little). I always get a kick out of the expert trainers on TV saying, “You have to show your dog who’s in charge.” Exactly, Daisy needs to know that I, at 200 lbs more than her, am in charge. Yet it seems I really have no authority. I find it hysterical that my wife, however, can walk up to her and say two words and Daisy will do exactly what she asks. “Daisy, sit down!” She sits down. “Daisy, calm down!” She calms down. “Daisy, go bother my husband!” And Daisy bothers me. It’s like she really has no idea the power I have…yet she will listen to my wife.

Isn’t this exactly how we are with Christ sometimes? We know the authority that He has…instead we act as if He won’t use it or has given it all to us. Christ has the authority to wipe us off the map, yet in grace and mercy, He uses that authority to lead us and guide us into a life worth living.

Daily Readings: Zechariah 9:9-10; Matthew 8:23-27 & 9:1-7; Mark 1:21-28; John 5: 24-27

1. From the above passages, what are some things Christ has authority over?



2. Where does He get such authority? How does having this authority make Him superior to other ‘gods’?



3. Notice Hebrews 1:4-14 focuses on Christ being better than the angels…1:14 says that these angels serve us who are inheriting salvation. But how do they serve us?



4. Does Christ have authority in your life? How is Christ’s authority revealed in your daily life?

Hebrews Bible Study - Wednesday

Wednesday – Leaving Good for Better!


When I first began to have feelings for my wife (obviously she wasn’t my wife yet), I was in a relationship with my college roommate’s sister. I had thought she was “the one” for me. But the more time I spent with Allyson, the more I felt confused by the pulling of my heart strings. The answer came in a little saying that I use often… “Sometimes you have to leave good for better!” For me it was leaving a good relationship for what was clearly better for me.

As Christians, we are constantly bombarded with these same moments of indecisiveness. We find ourselves caught up in good things (sometimes only from our own perspectives)…but we know they’re not best. Sometimes it’s because we don’t know how much better “best” is. At other times we know what is better but choose to settle for less anyway. Yet why would any of us settle for good…when best is available? Yet we do this all the time with Christ. We know He is much more superior, greater, and better, but we settle for just simply good. Maybe it’s time to leave good for better!

Daily Reading: John 3:31-35; Colossians 1-2; Revelation 5

1. In each of these passages, who is describing Jesus’ superiority?



2. What does Paul mean when he says that the fullness of the Deity lives in Christ (Col. 2:9)? Notice it also says that the fullness of Christ is in us (1:27)…what does this mean for us?



3. What areas of your life would you say that you need to leave good for better (Christ)? What are the things holding you back? Why can’t you trust Christ in these areas (especially if He is all that these passages describe)?



Hebrews Bible Study - Tuesday

Tuesday – It’s all in the name

 I remember the stories behind naming our sons. My wife and I had many discussions, lists, books, and ideas that led to our favorites. When a son was born…the name had already been chosen. The Hebrew culture was and is much different. For them names were sometimes given after the baby was born and usually based upon their character at birth. The name was more than just identity…it was purpose and a description of character.

The name given to Jesus, a basic, common name of the day...truly describes His plan and purpose. Literally it means, “The Lord is salvation.” Jesus, it isn’t just another name, it’s a description of the heart of God toward us. It’s all in the name!

Daily Reading: Isaiah 9:6-7; Philippians 2:9-11; Revelation 19:11-16

1. In Hebrews 1:4, the writer describes Christ’s name as superior to that of the angels. What name is the writer referring to?

2. Can you list a few names/descriptions of Christ throughout Scripture (different than the ones mentioned):

3. In what way does Phil. 2:9-11 describe Jesus’ name as being superior to the angel’s names?

4. What is the response of your heart when the name of the Son is spoken? Are you in awe of His name?

Hebrews Bible Study - Monday

Monday – “Can you hear Me now?”

Let’s be honest…We all can name the company that made the slogan, “Can you hear me now?” famous...come on…you know it…Yes! That’s right! Verizon! Verizon has used this slogan to sell their service to millions of people around the world. Whether you have Verizon or not, you have probably used this phrase to describe your cell service as well.

Hebrews begins with a statement that sets the tone for the rest of the letter…that God has spoken to us through His Son, Jesus Christ (1:2). As we study through Hebrews, this same question is going to come back to us over and over again… “Will we hear Him now?”

Daily Reading: Colossians 3:16-17; Matthew 13:18-23; James 1-2

1. In Christ’s parable of the soils, what is the significance of each soil and how are they a picture into our lives of listening?



2. James tells us to be quick to listen (1:19)…doers not just hearers (1:22)…How are you doing as a listener and doer? What areas of your life do you believe you could listen better?



3. How do you prepare yourself to “let the Word of Christ dwell in richly” (Col. 3:16) every day? What are other ways that you can prepare yourself to hear and do God’s Word?



4. Have I really heard the Word of God in the person and the teaching and the work of the Son?