Bethany Bible Study

Hebrews Chapter 11:20-22

FAITH AT FINAL MOMENTS OF LIFE

Isaac | Jacob | Joseph

1. FAITH OF ISAAC (20): Who was the recipient of Isaac’s blessing? Were the two sons blessed equally? Why is Isaac’s act of blessing a commendable act of faith? Was Isaac’s faith honored by God?
2. FAITH OF JACOB (21): Who was the recipient of Jacob’s blessing? Why was that unusual? Why is Jacob’s faith commendable? Was Jacob’s faith honored by God? What else was commendable about Jacob’s last moments?
3. FAITH OF JOSEPH (22): What was Joseph’s final death wish? Why was this an act of faith? Was Joseph’s faith honored by God?
4. Reflection: What lessons can we learn from the faith of Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph? What will be our final words during the final moments of our life?

Hebrews Chapter 11:8-19

Faith of Abraham

1. ABRAHAM’S FAITH: THE CALL TO GO (8-10): At what season of his life was Abraham called? Why was Abraham’s response commendable? Did Abraham settle in the promised land? Why or why not?
2. ABRAHAM & SARAH’S FAITH: THE CONCEPTION (11-12): What was the promise made to Sarah? What was her first response? What changed and what was the result? How does God’s dealing with Sarah encourage us?
3. ABRAHAM’s FAITH: DIED IN FAITH (13-16): Who died in faith? What promise was unfulfilled? Did they abandon their faith? What was their reward?
4. ABRAHAM’S FAITH: THE SACRIFICE (17-19): Why did God’s request seem unreasonable and illogical? How did Abraham respond? How was he rewarded?
5. Reflection: What can we learn from faith of Abraham?

Hebrews 11:1-7

FAITH DEFINED | FAITH PRACTICED

1. FAITH (1-3): How is faith defined? What lead to good testimony of elders? What is the relevance of including testimonies of men and women of faith? Is faith a spiritual gift given to some or is it given to all? How is faith & sight connected? What is evidence of faith? How do we grow in our faith? How were the worlds created? Where must our faith begin?
2. FAITH OF ABEL, ENOCH AND NOAH (4-7): Why was Abel’s offering commended by the Lord while Cane’s offering was rejected? How does Abel’s blood still speak? How did Enoch display faith and How did God honor Enoch’s faith? What challenges did Noah face in exercising faith? How was Noah rewarded?
3. REFLECTION: What is the quality of our faith? What can we learn and apply from the testimonies of Abel, Enoch and Noah?

Hebrews 10:19-38

RESPONDING TO THE NEW COVENANT

1. RESPONSE TO NEW COVENANT(19-25): What is the new and living way? Using the phrase “let us ..”, how are we to respond? Why must there be a sense of urgency to our response?
2. WARNING OF APOSTASY (26-31): Who is it addressed to? Why is there a danger of apostasy? What is the consequence?
3. ENCOURAGEMENT TO PERSEVERE (32-38): How can believers be strengthened? What is the reward for enduring till the end? What must be the foundation of our life? What is the culmination of our faith?

Hebrews 10:1-18

Shadow versus Reality

1. INFERIOR SACRIFICES (1-4): What made the animal sacrifices inferior? Why were the sacrifices repeated? What is impossible? What are the ‘good things’ to come? Why is the sacrifice of new covenant superior?
2. THE PREPARED LAMB (5-10) When was the lamb prepared? What was unique about this lamb? What was the passion of Jesus? Is sanctification a one-time experience or a continual experience? How can we please God – through obedience or sacrifice? What do we mean by ‘once for all’?
3. THE PERFECT SACRIFICE & THE NEW COVENANT (11-18): What is the positional difference between earthly high priest and Lord Jesus Christ? How are saints perfected and presented? When was the new covenant prophesied and when was it fulfilled? What was the sign of fulfillment? What does the new covenant offer?
4. CONCLUSION: Compare and contrast shadow versus reality (earthly and heavenly tabernacle, old and new covenant).

Hebrews 9:11-28

Blood of Christ |Death & Judgement of man

1. THE BETTER MEDIATOR? (11-15): What ‘good things’ does Christ offer? How was the sacrifice of Christ superior? What did the death of Lord Jesus Christ on the cross accomplish? What must follow our salvation? How were the old testament (pre-Christ) believers saved? Does the cross apply to those under the old covenant? What is the significance of the blood?
2. DEATH & BLOOD ESSENTIAL FOR ATONEMENT(16-22 ): Why did Jesus have to die? How were the old and new covenant introduced or ratified or sealed? Who were the two parties to the old covenant? What were the terms of the covenant? What was the implication of blood being sprinkled? Is there a substitute for blood?
3. OLD versus NEW COVENANT/TABERNACLE(23-28): What was different about the cleansing of earthly tabernacle and heavenly tabernacle? Does heaven have to be cleansed? Where did Christ enter after his death? What happens after our death? What is the difference between first and second advent of Christ? Who will Christ take with Him on his return? Is our salvation complete when we are born-again?

Hebrews 9:1-10

The Tabernacle | Service of the Priests

1. THE OLD TABERNACLE: STRUCTURE & FURNISHINGS (1-5): What did the tabernacle signify? What were the main divisions of the tabernacle? What furnishings were present in the tabernacle? Where was the veil and what was its significance? Why learn about the tabernacle today?
2. THE OLD TABERNACLE: PRIESTLY SERVICES (6-10): Who could access the tabernacle? What priestly services were performed in the tabernacle? Why was sacrifice needed under the covenant? Did the priests enjoy fellowship with God? What was the limitation of priestly services under the old covenant?

Hebrews : Chapter 8

The NEW COVENANT is BETTER

1. THE EXALTED PRIESTHOOD OF CHRIST (1-5): Where is Jesus seated today? What must the priest bring? Why is Jesus disqualified for this office based on law? What did Moses build and what was it patterned after? What is the significance of the tabernacle and temple? What is different about the ‘true tabernacle’?
2. BETTER PROMISES (6): What are the ‘better promises’ that form the foundation for the new covenant? Who is the mediator of the new covenant?
3. NEW COVENANT (7-13): Compare old and new covenant to show the superiority of the new covenant. What was the purpose of the old covenant and when did the transition from old to new happen? Is the church beneficiary of the new covenant now or later or never?
4. REFLECTION: How must we respond to the new covenant?

Hebrews 7:22-28

Jesus, the Great High Priest (cont.)

1. FROM LAST WEEK: Could Melchizedek be Jesus Christ?
2. A BETTER COVENANT (22): What is the foundation for a better covenant?
3. PERFECT PRIESTHOOD OF CHRIST (23-28): Why is the priesthood of Christ unchanging? How is it different from Aaronic priesthood? What does it mean for Christ to ‘save to the uttermost’? What are some qualities of Jesus as the perfect High priest?
4. REFLECTION: Believers as kings & priests … what is expected of us?

Hebrews 7:1-21

Melchizedek| Superior Priesthood of Christ

1. Melchizedek (1-3) What do we know about Melchizedek? What is the relevance of the ‘order of Melchizedek’? Could Melchizedek be Jesus?
2. Melchizedek Versus Aaronic Priesthood (4-10): Why is Melchizedek greater than Abraham? How was the Aaronic priesthood established? What was the role of priests? How is Melchizedek superior to Aaronic Priesthood?
3. Perfect Priesthood of Christ (11-21): Why was Levitical priesthood weak and unprofitable? In what way is law useful? Why must the law be changed? How is the priesthood of Christ superior making Christ the perfect Great High priest? What is our role today in the context of priesthood?