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Hebrews

The Glorious Jesus

Originally written for Jewish converts to Christianity, the book of Hebrews describes the many ways Jesus and the religion of Christianity fulfilled and surpassed the elements and practice of the Jewish faith.
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Jesus: Greater than Aaron

Part 2

In this lesson, Mike examines the passages that demonstrate that Christianity's priesthood is superior to the Aaronic priesthood.
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Estrategia pedagógica

The focus of this lesson is a continuation of the Hebrew writer’s discourse on the superiority of Christ. Of special note is the writer’s admonition for the readers to mature in their faith.

Resultados del aprendizaje de los estudiantes

  • Know: Understand how Jesus is superior to all things in heaven and on earth.
  • Feel: Defend the superiority of Jesus.
  • Do: Submit to the lordship of Jesus by obedient faith.

Cuerpo de la lección

1.0 - Review
2.0 - Rebuke
2.1 - Admonition concerning their immaturity
2.2 - Warning against falling away
3.0 - Encouragements
3.1 - Be faithful
3.2 - God’s oath to Abraham
3.3 - Oaths in general
3.4 - Relationship between hope, faith, and Christ
4.0 - Application

Preguntas de discusión

A continuación se sugieren preguntas para utilizar durante la parte de debate guiado de la lección. También se sugieren respuestas a las preguntas para ayudar a los alumnos a comprender los distintos conceptos. Se proporcionan para ayudar al debate y no se consideran respuestas "correctas o incorrectas".

1. Review who the writer is focusing on and why this letter is important to us today.

The book of Hebrews is written to young, immature Christians that converted from Judaism. It remains applicable today as we too face pressures to return to our old lives or former beliefs and abandon our commitment as disciples of Jesus. We must remember that there is no other source of salvation except Jesus.

2. Why would the Jewish Christians look to return to their previous association with Judaism and how does this apply to us?

Answers will vary. Look for the concept of comfort in what we know and uncertainty during change.

There is comfort in the known and fear and discomfort in the unknown. Recall how several times as the Jews wandered in the wilderness they looked back fondly at their captivity in Egypt. Judaism offered them social structure and acceptance of family and community. Christianity offered salvation, but brought these Jewish Christians into conflict with their families and society in general which at the time was not favorable towards this new religion.

3. What are some ways showing Jesus as a High Priest, superior to the High Priestly system, represented primarily by Aaron?

See the introduction to the lesson as provided in the text.

4. What two areas from Hebrews 5:11-6:20 does the writer rebuke these Christians and what can we learn from this?

Admonishment concerning their immaturity seen in their inability to discern truth, and failure to mature in knowledge of their faith. They ceased learning about their faith and this resulted in a regressive rather than confident attitude towards their salvation.

We too must continue to learn and grow, not just for our own spiritual development, but also for our ability to teach others about Christ. As we learn, we become capable of learning more. As we teach, we become capable of teaching a greater number and type of people at different levels of faith. All of this equips us to serve and grow spiritually as well as better withstand Satan's attacks.

This helps prevent the second rebuke in this passage, that of falling away. Falling away is another method of saying, returning to the world and our previous lives.

5. What encouragement does the writer offer the Jewish Christians and what encouragement can we gain from this?
  • Be faithful – This begins with a recognition that we have demonstrated our obedient faith in Jesus. We must now continue to grow spiritually and strengthen our faithfulness.
  • God's oath to Abraham – This passage focuses on the historical promise made by God to Abraham, of which we are the recipients. We have been promised an eternal home as God's chosen people. We are now a spiritual and eternal nation. Just as God promised Abraham a land he could call his own, we also are promised a "home" in heaven if we continue faithfully following Christ.
  • Oaths in General – When we make an oath, we are stating that we will follow through with what we've promised, and as we've promised. The most significant oath is the one we make as we commit our lives to Christ. We make this commitment (faithfulness) before God and will be held accountable for this by Him.
  • The relationship between hope, faith and Christ – We have hope (confident assurance) that God will fulfill His promise of our salvation through Christ as we've placed our faith in Him.
    6. How can you use this lesson to grow spiritually and help others come into a relationship with Jesus?

    Just as the early Christians learned, salvation requires faith expressed in repentance and baptism (Acts 2:38). This is only the beginning. We must continue to grow in our faith resulting in spiritual maturity that enables us to draw closer to God and withstand Satan's efforts to weaken our faith and our influence. Returning to our former lives, as these Jewish Christians were tempted to do, weakens our faith and jeopardizes our salvation.

    Serie
    6 of 14