Bible Study - First Presbyterian Church

Hebrews 3 Bible Study: Jesus Greater Than Moses, Warning Against Unbelief, and Entering God’s Rest


The session opens with prayer praising God as Creator and Redeemer and asking for healing, guidance in studying Scripture, and lives that bless others. The teacher recommends the Blue Letter Bible website as a study resource and notes a prior detour on angels from Hebrews 1–2, emphasizing Jesus is greater than angels and that people do not become angels. Returning to Hebrews 3, the lesson explains Jesus is greater than Moses and discusses Moses’ role in the Pentateuch and Israel’s worship practices. The group examines how Hebrews addresses “brethren” and “partakers,” describes Jesus as both apostle and high priest, and contrasts Moses as a faithful servant with Christ as a faithful Son over God’s house. A warning from Psalm 95 is explored, highlighting Israel’s wilderness unbelief, hard hearts, and failure to enter God’s rest, linking unbelief to disobedience and urging believers to encourage one another and live in God’s peace and trust.


Chapters
00:00 Opening Prayer
03:29 Bible Study Tools
07:17 Angels Detour Recap
09:32 Jesus Greater Than Moses
12:12 Warning Passages Explained
20:14 Consider Jesus Roles
25:55 Faithful Son and Servant
32:43 Moses Points to Christ
34:49 Moses Prophet Preview
35:45 Moses High Priest
36:00 Golden Calf Intercession
41:15 Prayer Changes Minds
44:29 Atonement And Mediation
46:20 Christ Greater Than Moses
48:17 Warning Against Drifting
50:11 Psalm 95 Context
53:04 Meribah And Massah
57:04 Entering God’s Rest
01:01:54 Unbelief Breeds Disobedience
01:04:19 Walking In Rest
01:06:45 Closing Prayer

Angels in the Old Testament: Purpose, Appearances, and God’s Messages


The session opens and closes with prayer, then a Bible study surveys Old Testament passages about “the angel of the Lord,” emphasizing the purpose of each encounter rather than fascination with experiences. The teacher notes angels may appear as humans, sometimes possibly as the second person of the Trinity, and highlights that angels bring instruction, calling, protection, warning, judgment, and sometimes destruction—not a sentimental cultural image. Key examples include Hagar (Genesis 16, 21), Abraham and Sodom (Genesis 18–19), the sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis 22), guidance for Isaac’s wife (Genesis 24), Jacob’s visions and guidance (Genesis 28, 31), Moses’ call in the burning bush (Exodus 3), angels at Sinai (Deuteronomy 33; Acts 7), guidance in the wilderness (Exodus 14), Balaam and the donkey (Numbers 22), Isaiah’s call (Isaiah 6), Judges’ rebuke and calls (Judges 2; Gideon; Samson’s parents), David’s census judgment (2 Samuel 24), Elijah’s strengthening (1 Kings 19), Assyrian defeat (2 Kings), Zechariah’s visions, and Daniel including Gabriel and spiritual conflict.

Chapters:
00:00 Opening Prayer
03:00 Why Study Angels
06:08 Angel of the Lord Overview
08:52 Hagar in the Wilderness
13:57 Hagar and Ishmael Saved
17:43 Sodom Gomorrah Warning
24:04 Isaac Sacrifice Stopped
25:36 Guidance for Isaac Wife
27:09 Jacob Ladder Dream
31:04 Moses Burning Bush Call
33:41 Angels at Sinai
35:31 Septuagint and Angels
39:08 Exodus Angel Guidance
40:33 Balaam and the Donkey
44:31 Angels as Judgment
45:36 Isaiah Temple Vision
50:36 Judges Era Overview
54:46 Gideon Called by Angel
57:06 Samson and David
01:00:12 Elijah to Daniel Wrap
01:04:23 Lessons and Discussion
01:07:23 Closing Prayer

Bible Study on Angels: Messengers, Warriors, and Christ’s Supremacy (Hebrews 1)

The session opens with prayer praising God as Creator and Redeemer through Jesus, asking for the Spirit’s help in understanding Scripture and interceding for the church and various ministries. The lesson then reviews Old Testament angel appearances, emphasizing that angels often appeared as men and served as God’s messengers who aided, protected, fought, corrected, and executed divine judgment (e.g., Lot and Sodom, Moses, Sinai, wilderness guidance, Gideon, David, Elijah, Hezekiah), alongside cherubim and seraphim in the tabernacle/temple and visions (Isaiah 6). Moving to the New Testament, the group notes angels’ prominence in Jesus’ birth, temptation, arrest, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, connecting this to Christ’s humility (Philippians 2) and his supremacy over angels. The discussion surveys angels in Acts and the epistles, warns against angel worship and deception, outlines evil angels and spiritual warfare (Revelation 12, Isaiah 14, Ezekiel 28, Daniel 10), and closes with prayer for guidance and truth.

Chapters:
00:00 Opening Prayer
05:37 Angels in the Old Testament
07:40 Judgment and Protection Stories
11:04 Calls and Corrections
15:32 Cherubim and Seraphim
19:56 Why Cherubs Look Cute
24:37 Heavenly Order and Noise
28:45 Angels in Jesus Life
32:03 Philippians Two and Humility
35:29 Jesus on End Times Angels
38:25 Angels at Judgment Day
39:20 Heaven Rejoices Repentance
40:16 Devil and Angel Myths
41:03 Angels in Acts
44:23 Epistles on Powers
47:23 Revelation and Refining
50:37 Origins of Fallen Angels
52:55 Isaiah and Ezekiel on Satan
58:27 Spiritual Warfare and Deception
01:00:38 Testing Spirits Today
01:06:58 Tracing Themes Scripture
01:10:28 Prayer and Closing

Angels in the Old Testament: Purpose, Appearances, and God’s Messages


The session opens and closes with prayer, then a Bible study surveys Old Testament passages about “the angel of the Lord,” emphasizing the purpose of each encounter rather than fascination with experiences. The teacher notes angels may appear as humans, sometimes possibly as the second person of the Trinity, and highlights that angels bring instruction, calling, protection, warning, judgment, and sometimes destruction—not a sentimental cultural image. Key examples include Hagar (Genesis 16, 21), Abraham and Sodom (Genesis 18–19), the sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis 22), guidance for Isaac’s wife (Genesis 24), Jacob’s visions and guidance (Genesis 28, 31), Moses’ call in the burning bush (Exodus 3), angels at Sinai (Deuteronomy 33; Acts 7), guidance in the wilderness (Exodus 14), Balaam and the donkey (Numbers 22), Isaiah’s call (Isaiah 6), Judges’ rebuke and calls (Judges 2; Gideon; Samson’s parents), David’s census judgment (2 Samuel 24), Elijah’s strengthening (1 Kings 19), Assyrian defeat (2 Kings), Zechariah’s visions, and Daniel including Gabriel and spiritual conflict.

Chapters:
00:00 Opening Prayer
03:00 Why Study Angels
06:08 Angel of the Lord Overview
08:52 Hagar in the Wilderness
13:57 Hagar and Ishmael Saved
17:43 Sodom Gomorrah Warning
24:04 Isaac Sacrifice Stopped
25:36 Guidance for Isaac Wife
27:09 Jacob Ladder Dream
31:04 Moses Burning Bush Call
33:41 Angels at Sinai
35:31 Septuagint and Angels
39:08 Exodus Angel Guidance
40:33 Balaam and the Donkey
44:31 Angels as Judgment
45:36 Isaiah Temple Vision
50:36 Judges Era Overview
54:46 Gideon Called by Angel
57:06 Samson and David
01:00:12 Elijah to Daniel Wrap
01:04:23 Lessons and Discussion
01:07:23 Closing Prayer

Hebrews 2: Don’t Drift—Jesus Our Merciful and Faithful High Priest

The session opens with prayer for the church, caregivers, ministries, world concerns, and gratitude for preserved lives on a plane, then introduces Hebrews’ five warning passages, beginning with the brief warning against drifting. The teacher explains Hebrews 2:1–4 as an aside applying chapter 1’s truths about the Son’s divine greatness and superiority to angels, using nautical imagery of mooring and drifting to urge closer attention to the gospel. Discussion covers the law “spoken through angels,” its unalterable penalties, and the greater accountability for neglecting salvation first spoken by the Lord, confirmed by eyewitnesses and miracles. Hebrews 2:5–18 is traced to Jesus’ incarnation, suffering, and exaltation, linking Psalm 8, Philippians 2, and Psalm 22 to show Jesus became like his brethren, defeated the devil’s power of death, made propitiation for sins, and serves as a merciful, faithful high priest able to help the tempted.

Chapters:
00:00 Opening Prayer
02:56 Hebrews Warning Passages
07:32 Drifting From Truth
12:43 Law Given Through Angels
23:19 Signs, Wonders, Miracles
27:23 Jesus Named At Last
29:32 Psalm 8 And Dominion
32:48 Incarnation And Philippians 2
33:30 Christ’s Humble Descent
36:15 Suffering Completes the Savior
38:18 The Great Exchange
40:09 Not Ashamed to Call Us Family
46:25 Partaking Our Nature
48:55 Freedom From Fear of Death
53:06 Merciful High Priest
57:26 Propitiation and God’s Wrath
59:54 Help in Temptation
01:02:12 Closing Prayer and Announcements

Hebrews 1 Study: God Speaks in His Son—Greater Than Angels

In a Bible study on Hebrews 1, the teacher opens and closes with prayer and reviews an outline highlighting warning passages, then focuses on how God has spoken in many ways—through creation, the law, prophets’ words and actions, and supremely in His Son. The group discusses key truths from Hebrews 1:1–4 about the Son: heir of all things, co-creator of the ages, radiance of God’s glory, exact representation of God’s nature, sustainer of all things, purifier of sins, and seated at God’s right hand, emphasizing completion and Christ’s ongoing intercession. The lesson then traces Old Testament quotations (Psalms, 2 Samuel) to show the Son’s superiority to angels, including Psalm 110’s Messiah as king, priest, and judge, and notes the persecution context tempting some to return to Judaism.

Chapters:
00:00 Opening Prayer
01:33 Hebrews Overview Handout
02:58 God Has Spoken
04:31 Creation Speaks
06:34 Audio Interruptions
08:18 Prophets And Law
10:57 Listen And Obey
16:13 Jesus The Final Word
18:45 Son And Trinity
20:01 Heir And Firstborn
25:42 Radiance Of Glory
30:42 Exact Image Of God
35:47 Upholds All Things
37:11 Word of His Power
37:40 Purification by Blood
38:53 Seated at God’s Right Hand
41:20 Sevenfold Portrait of the Son
44:52 Better Than Angels
49:35 Old Testament Prooftexts
53:53 Begotten Son vs Created Angels
01:00:42 Psalm 110 King Priest Judge
01:07:57 Angels Serve the Heirs
01:09:27 Worshipful Wrap Up and Prayer

Hebrews Overview: Jesus Our Great High Priest, Authorship Questions, and Key Warning Passages

The session opens with prayer thanking God as Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer and asking for spiritual understanding while studying Hebrews, along with intercession for church ministries and people needing help. The teacher then introduces an overview of Hebrews, discussing whether it is a letter or sermon-like treatise, why Paul likely did not write it (noting Hebrews 2:3), and how the book was accepted into the canon despite unknown authorship and uncertain recipients. The class considers possible audiences (Jewish and/or mixed congregations), the use of the Septuagint, and why tabernacle—not temple—imagery is prominent, concluding it was likely written before 70 AD. The teacher explains the book’s structure of theological teaching followed by six escalating warning passages, highlights “better” as a repeated comparison word, and identifies the purpose as a “word of exhortation” emphasizing security in Jesus Christ as the superior High Priest.

Chapters:
00:00 Opening Prayer
03:06 Jesus Our High Priest
04:03 Is Hebrews a Letter
06:12 Authorship and Canon
10:18 Who Was It For
11:59 Septuagint and Audience
15:28 Tabernacle vs Temple
19:55 Dating Before 70 AD
22:42 Warning Passages Overview
24:46 Course Roadmap Ahead
28:27 How to Study Hebrews
29:56 Better Than Everything
31:16 Jesus Greater Than Moses
32:51 Better Covenant Promises
33:52 Purpose Word of Exhortation
35:42 Cheat Sheet Hebrews Outline
36:43 Mixed Audience and Persecution
42:54 Warning Passages and Drifting
46:29 God Has Spoken Listen
49:30 Homework and Class Q&A
51:30 Ark of the Covenant Talk
54:45 Closing Prayer and Sendoff

Hebrews Overview: Jesus Our Great High Priest, Better Than All

The session opens and closes with prayer, thanking God for redemption and asking for understanding while studying Hebrews and for needs in the church and community. The teacher introduces an overview of Hebrews, discussing whether it is a letter or sermon, uncertainty about the human author (arguing it was likely not Paul based on Hebrews 2:3), and the unclear identity of the recipients, possibly a mixed group of Jewish and Gentile believers, with quotes often from the Greek Septuagint and references framed around the tabernacle. The class suggests a likely date before the temple’s destruction in 70 AD, noting present-tense descriptions of worship (e.g., Hebrews 9). The teacher explains the book’s structure of theology interrupted by six escalating warning passages, highlights “better” as a key comparative theme, and emphasizes the purpose statement in Hebrews 13:22 as a “word of exhortation” centered on security in Jesus Christ, our great High Priest.

Chapters:
00:00 Opening Prayer
03:06 Jesus Our High Priest
04:03 Is Hebrews A Letter
04:49 Authorship And Canon
07:32 Who Was It Written To
11:56 Septuagint And Audience Clues
14:51 Tabernacle Versus Temple
19:54 Dating Before 70 AD
22:41 Warning Passages Overview
24:45 Course Roadmap: Angels And Tabernacle
28:26 How To Study Hebrews
29:55 Better Than Everything
31:00 Jesus Greater Than Moses
32:49 Better Covenant Promises
33:50 Purpose Word of Exhortation
35:40 Cheat Sheet Hebrews Outline
36:41 Mixed Audience and Persecution
42:55 Warning Passages and Drifting
46:30 God Has Spoken Listen Up
49:27 Homework and Class Q&A
51:27 Holy of Holies and Ark
54:43 Closing Prayer and Sendoff

How to Study Hebrews: Inductive Bible Study Methods, Marking, and Seeing Jesus as Our High Priest


The class opens with prayer, remembering family losses and lifting up prayer requests, including updates on Nell Lucius recovering after a serious fall and Debbie Davidson recovering from a severe UTI that led to sepsis and rehab. The leader introduces a new study of Hebrews and explains an inductive approach: read Scripture first, ask who/what/when/where/why/how, avoid commentaries until after personal study, and slow down by marking key people (God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit), repeated words, and important themes. Students are given a printed copy of Hebrews to mark up, guidance on paragraph titles, comparisons/contrasts, lists, “therefore” conclusions, and word studies using tools like Vine’s and Strong’s, with the leader providing curated references. The episode previews major themes such as Jesus being better than angels, Jesus as compassionate High Priest, and later study of the tabernacle, then assigns homework to read all of Hebrews for the big picture and closes in prayer.


Chapters:
00:00 Opening Prayer and Thanksgiving
01:52 Community Updates and Prayer Needs
03:40 Launching the Hebrews Study
06:55 Inductive Study Approach
09:23 Marking Key People and Themes
14:03 Homework Rhythm and Paragraph Titles
16:11 Bible Observation Tools
18:35 Word Studies and Why They Matter
20:18 Why Hebrews Matters
22:10 Course Roadmap: Angels and Tabernacle
22:54 Tabernacle Orientation and Eastward Focus
25:14 What Worship Means Then and Now
25:50 Hebrew Worship and Feasts
26:37 How to Study Hebrews
28:31 Word Studies and Concordances
32:36 Greek Tenses and Translation
36:43 Jesus Above Angels
42:46 Jesus Our High Priest
44:48 Homework: Read Hebrews
46:08 Canon Authorship and Genre
48:11 Class Logistics and Closing Prayer

Romans Review: Propitiation, Redemption, Justification & Reconciliation


A church class opens with prayer thanking God for worship, the book of Romans, and justification by faith, lifting up people needing healing, upcoming Easter outreach, local and overseas ministries, and those affected by conflict involving Iran, including Christians, civilians, and soldiers. The teacher reviews four key salvation terms from Romans—propitiation, redemption, justification, and reconciliation—explaining their biblical images (temple sacrifice, marketplace ransom, courtroom declaration, and family restoration/adoption), the reality of sin and God’s wrath against evil, and the believer’s access to God through Christ. Discussion covers prayer, the Lord’s Prayer, and praying in Jesus’ name, along with reports of ministry to Iranians and broadcasting messages into Iran. Participants reflect on how Romans confronts legalism, unity, loving those with opposing views, using spiritual gifts, and stepping out in faith, and how it comforts through God’s sovereignty, assurance, and Romans 8. The meeting closes with prayer and plans to study Hebrews next year.

Chapters:
00:00 Opening Prayer
01:46 Church Needs and World Events
05:33 Class Updates and Review Plan
07:42 Four Salvation Words Overview
08:57 Propitiation and Gods Wrath
17:10 Redemption and Ransom
22:15 Justification Not Amnesty
25:10 Reconciliation and Prayer Life
30:49 God at Work in Iran
33:47 Adoption Into Gods Family
34:09 Grafted In Tree Imagery
36:44 Big Romans Salvation Words
37:22 Going Deeper Than Head Knowledge
40:07 Lecture Class Versus Life Lab
41:26 How Romans Confronts Us
42:47 Legalism Unity And Loving Others
49:36 Using Gifts And Hospitality
55:30 Comfort And Assurance In Romans
58:07 Sovereignty And Romans 8 Hope
01:02:33 Final Reflections And Prayer