Hebrews: A Book Study – Wk 6
Hebrews 8:6 (NLT)
6 But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises.
1. God created humans to be in partnership with him.
2. Partnership with God was broken by the sin of rebellion.
3. The first covenant:
God chose a small group of people to participate in his agenda of renewing his partnership with all people.
Hebrews 8:7-12 (NLT)
7 If the first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need for a second covenant to replace it. 8 But when God found fault with the people, he said:
“The day is coming, says the Lord,
when I will make a new covenant
with the people of Israel and Judah.
9 This covenant will not be like the one
I made with their ancestors
when I took them by the hand
and led them out of the land of Egypt.
They did not remain faithful to my covenant,
so I turned my back on them, says the Lord.
10 But this is the new covenant I will make
with the people of Israel on that day, says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their minds,
and I will write them on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.
11 And they will not need to teach their neighbors,
nor will they need to teach their relatives,
saying, ‘You should know the Lord.’
For everyone, from the least to the greatest,
will know me already.
12 And I will forgive their wickedness,
and I will never again remember their sins.”
The new covenant:
Through Jesus, God has made a way for all people to be in a renewed partnership with him.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)
17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
CALL TO ACTION:
Normal prayer: God, I need your blessing and wisdom.
New prayer: God, what is your agenda in this situation? Show me how to participate in what you are already doing.
Hebrews 8:10b (AMP)
After those days, says the Lord:
I will imprint My laws upon their minds [even upon their innermost thoughts and understanding],
And engrave them upon their hearts [effecting their regeneration].
And I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.
COMMUNITY GROUP MEETING OUTLINE
Where your faith intersects with real life!
Reconnect:
Each person shares a recent high and low from their life.
Explore:
Review the message notes.
Big Idea: Participate in what God is already doing as partners with him.
Consider:
Choose one or two questions for your Group to discuss as time allows.
▶ Read Hebrews 8:7-12. How does the new covenant show God’s grace and mercy?
▶ Read 2 Corinthians 5:17. You are made new through Jesus. What does that mean for your personal walk with him?
Activate:
Spend a moment in silence to consider your response, then share your decision with the Group.
Read Hebrews 8:10. God promises to engrave his instructions on your heart. How can this help you become a better partner with him?
Prayer:
Thank God for the highs and lift up the lows.
Ask God what his agenda is in your situation and ask how you can participate in what he is already doing.