Hebrews Bible Study: Hebrews 5-6 Friday

Friday – If it ain’t broke…


Focus Passage: Hebrews 6:9-19

Read: Prov. 15:19; Prov. 24:30-34; James 5:10-11; Ephesians 5:1-2

We have all probably heard this well known phrase, “If it ain’t broke…don’t fix it.” Usually this phrase has something to do with an item that may not be broken, but definitely is not what it used to be. I remember having a car (74’ Nova) that demonstrated the truth of this statement. It was everything but great…but it wasn’t broke. And I drove it until I couldn’t drive it anymore.

Many people look at life in the same way. We continue to live in the same way but expect a different result. Or we just settle for the result we get. It’s not broke…so we don’t fix it. But what if brokenness is a short time away? Could our lives as Christians run a little smoother…a little more focused now to preempt a problem area? While not knowing what can happen tomorrow, there is one standard that will never be broken…the promises of God. Never needing fixed…we can trust God’s promises as the place to “tune-up” our lives.



1. How does this passage connect with the previous passages? How does moving away from elementary principles help us in holding onto the promises of God?

2. We are given the illustration of Abraham as a picture of the hope that we have in God’s promises. What Scriptural promises come to mind?

3. What areas of your life could use a little more reflection? Why?

Hebrews Bible Study: Hebrews 5-6 Thursday

Thursday – Fake?


Focus Passage: Hebrews 6:4-8

Read: 2 Peter 2:20-22; 2 Corinthians 13:1-10

I have a friend who has years of experience in the jewelry business. He can spot a fake piece of jewelry pretty easily. One of the most beautiful and common pieces of jewelry is a diamond. Interestingly, it is also the most counterfeited. Through the years it has gotten increasingly difficult to tell whether a certain diamond is a fake or not. You can put two diamonds in a jewelry case, and from the perspective of our naked eyes, they would be identical. However, for an experienced jeweler, spotting a fake is easy. There are clear markers in the diamond that can identify its proof of authenticity.

In this same way, there are many people who have counterfeited Christianity. They have seen the working of the gospel in people’s lives…they have had full exposure to the gospel impact. Yet they become pretenders…actors on the grand stage of false Christianity. They pretend…but don’t possess salvation. Sadly, we probably all have seen this. People that look and even act like believers, walking away as if it wasn’t real.

As believers, we have to question how genuine we look. Our lives should identify the proof of an authentic relationship with Christ. Christianity cannot be lived in ambiguity.

1. How does the illustration in 6:7-8 shed light to the context of 6:4-6? Why is it impossible to restore them to the place of repentance again?

2. What areas of your life would you describe as authentic and genuine? Fake and unauthentic?

Hebrews Bible Study: Hebrews 5-6 Wednesday

Wednesday – Mountains Grow, Too!


Focus Passage: Hebrews 6:1-3

Read: Psalm 92:12-15; 2 Peter 1:5-6

I recently watched a program about the Milky Way galaxy. One part described the birth of stars in a nebula, even showing beautiful pictures of these huge clouds of dust and gas. It was fascinating to watch the computer generated model of a star’s birth and growth. God made the process similar for many things in creation. Trees, grass, animals, fish, humans, clouds, mountains, stars, and even galaxies are all “born” at some point in time. Then they all start the process of growing and maturing, some naturally, some with the help of others that are more mature.

After the Lord brings us to birth as a Christian, a new child of God, He desires that we begin to grow toward maturity. It’s easy for us to spend an inordinate amount of time on the basics of our faith. It’s also easier to do that than to seek maturity and depth in Christ. That takes effort and commitment. Once you understand the “elementary teachings”, ask the Lord for His wisdom and direction to take you toward maturity.



1. Do you have a good understanding of the basic fundamental truths of our faith in Christ and the gospel?

2. In what specific ways have you begun the journey toward maturity? Is this something that you continually seek?

3. Think about times in your life that God permitted great times of spiritual growth in your life. What changed during those times?

Hebrews Bible Study: Hebrews 5-6 Tuesday

Tuesday – License to Practice


Focus Passage: Hebrews 5:14

Read: Psalm 37:3-6; Proverbs 4:18; 2 Peter 1:3-8

Any person aspiring to become a doctor must go through many years of study before they are licensed as a medical doctor. Even though they can write “M.D.” after their name as soon as they have the license, they have little experience and a large amount of knowledge to gain. My dad says that must be why a doctor’s profession is called practicing medicine. Then there are lawyers who work for ‘law practices’. I must admit that the same is true for almost anything we do that requires a license. We all know that a teen’s driving experience is very small when they get a drivers license, but after years behind the wheel, we adults are great drivers…sometimes! Even pilots don’t have much experience as a new private pilot, but with constant practice and use of their new skills, they can become a safe commercial pilot.

God’s Word says that we mature spiritually through constant use of solid food. The solid food of the Word and from an intimate, committed relationship with Christ, builds up our spiritual body and trains us to know how to do the good work God has called us to and to avoid evil.



1. What do you do daily to put the truths of God’s Word to use?

2. What might inspire and encourage you to make better use of the tools God provides?

3. Take steps this week to put into practice those things you’ve learned that will help you to mature.

Hebrews Bible Study: Hebrews 5-6 Monday

Monday – A Hungry Baby


Focus Passage: Hebrews 5:11-13

Read: 1 Corinthians 3:1-2; 1 Peter 2:2; Ephesians 4:11-15

Our daughter has always been a good eater. When she was old enough to begin to eat baby food, we determined that she would get a balanced diet, including fruits and vegetables. As you might expect, she liked eating any kind of fruit we gave her and, amazingly, she also ate vegetables well. Like I said, we never had trouble getting her to eat. When we fed her fruit, she would open her mouth between bites. If the next bite wasn’t fast enough, she would begin to make noises. The memory of her in her highchair, mouth open, legs kicking, and a tantrum coming while my wife hurried to get another jar of baby food open still makes me laugh. What a sight! It was obvious that our little baby would be growing quickly. Now she’s in middle school. She frequently says she’s hungry, but not for baby food.

When we were spiritual babies, most of us craved the food that would help us learn and grow…spiritual milk, the basics of our faith. As we grow, if we grow, we need to move on to solid spiritual food and begin to teach others the foundations of our faith.

1. Think about the time since you committed your life to Christ. In what ways have you grown toward maturity in Christ and are eating solid food?

2. There are probably times of little or no growth. What caused that to happen?

3. What can you do to avoid things that stunt your growth to continue to move into deeper things of God and your relationship with Him?

Hebrews Bible Study: Hebrews 4,7 Friday

Friday – The Gift that Keeps Giving

Focus Passage: Hebrews 4:16; 7:11-28

Read: Psalm 110:3; John 17:1-26; 1 John 2:1

It’s hard to believe that Christmas is right around the corner. From stores to radio stations, Christmas preparations are being made. One of the biggest reasons for the hustle and bustle is the necessity people feel to buy gifts for their loved ones.

I remember when Allyson and I first got married we received an overwhelming supply of Corning Ware as wedding gifts. What could we do with all of this? We learned the art of “regifting.” Let’s just say that Corning Ware became a staple Christmas gift for friends and family (you know you have done the same thing). I wonder how many people passed on our Corning Ware to other loved ones…just maybe these gifts are still going.

Christ isn’t just a past Savior and a future Promise…He is our present Help. His status as High Priest forever gives us a constant gift of mercy in our lives. There is a throne of continual grace that is available for us in time of need. Truly a gift that keeps on giving.

1. Notice that Hebrews 4:16 and 7:19 are connected by the idea of drawing near to God. What gives us this right to draw near to God?

2. How is our hope in Christ a better hope (7:19)? How should this hope and confidence affect our attitude in prayer?

3. These passages reveal that Christ is forever...and His ministry of advocacy and help are constant. How does the view of Christ’s eternal advocacy give us great confidence through life’s struggles?

Hebrews Bible Study: Hebrews 4,7 Thursday

Thursday - Comparison


Focus Passage: Hebrews 5:10; 7:1-8

Read: Genesis 14:17-24; Isaiah 64:6; Matt. 13:44; Phil. 3:7-9

We live in a world of comparison. Think about it…our spouse, house, job, and even church are chosen based upon comparison. We see something that we think is superior and we go get it. Comparison is the art of choosing what is best.

Hebrews gives an illustration of the incomparable Christ in the ministry of Melchizedek. Just a few verses in the Old Testament and a chapter dedicated in Hebrews are all we get about this man (a pre-New Testament appearance of Christ - Heb. 7:3). Hebrews 7 makes a comparison between Melchizedek and Abraham. Obviously, there is no comparison Melchizedek was the king of Salem…Abraham was just a sojourner with a promise from God. Yet Melchizedek blesses Abraham.

One of the greatest struggles for believers is to see themselves compared to a Christ who was “without sin.” He is incomparable…we clearly fall short of Him. Yet, comparison brings us back to the right perspective…we need the One nothing can compare to, Christ. We can have confidence in Him because nothing compares.

1. In what way did Melchizedek, humble himself as King of Salem accepting the offering of Abraham?

2. How is the comparison of Christ connected to us holding fast to our confession and drawing near with confidence (Hebrews 4:14:16)

3. How does seeing yourself in comparison to Christ put your life in a proper perspective? How does this proper perspective help you understand the blessing of Christ?