Hebrews: A Book Study – Wk 11
Hebrews 13:14-16 (NLT)
14 For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.
15 Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. 16 And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.
1. This world is a temporary home.
1 Peter 4:3-5 (NLT)
3 You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy—their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols.
4 Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you. 5 But remember that they will have to face God, who stands ready to judge everyone, both the living and the dead.
2. God deserves all praise.
Unconditional praise places your self-centered will on the altar of God’s will.
Psalm 33:1-22 (NLT)
1 Let the godly sing for joy to the Lord;
it is fitting for the pure to praise him.
2 Praise the Lord with melodies on the lyre;
make music for him on the ten-stringed harp.
3 Sing a new song of praise to him;
play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy.
4 For the word of the Lord holds true,
and we can trust everything he does.
5 He loves whatever is just and good;
the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth.
6 The Lord merely spoke,
and the heavens were created.
He breathed the word,
and all the stars were born.
7 He assigned the sea its boundaries
and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs.
8 Let the whole world fear the Lord,
and let everyone stand in awe of him.
9 For when he spoke, the world began!
It appeared at his command.
10 The Lord frustrates the plans of the nations
and thwarts all their schemes.
11 But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever;
his intentions can never be shaken.
12 What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord,
whose people he has chosen as his inheritance.
13 The Lord looks down from heaven
and sees the whole human race.
14 From his throne he observes
all who live on the earth.
15 He made their hearts,
so he understands everything they do.
16 The best-equipped army cannot save a king,
nor is great strength enough to save a warrior.
17 Don’t count on your warhorse to give you victory—
for all its strength, it cannot save you.
18 But the Lord watches over those who fear him,
those who rely on his unfailing love.
19 He rescues them from death
and keeps them alive in times of famine.
20 We put our hope in the Lord.
He is our help and our shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
22 Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord,
for our hope is in you alone.
3. Live with an open hand.
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: Offer continual unconditional praise to God because he deserves it, and it will keep you aligned with his will.
Consider:
Choose one or two questions for your Group to discuss as time allows.
▶ Read Hebrews 13:14-16. Of the 3 attachments mentioned—this world, my stuff, myself—which one most interrupts a heart of praise for you?
▶ Read Psalm 33:1-5. Which praise-worthy attribute of God stands out to you in this season of your life and why?
– He is righteous.
– He is compassionate and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in love.
– He is faithful.
– He is all-knowing.
– He is eternal and unchanging.
– He is jealous.
– God deserves all praise.
Activate:
Spend a moment in silence to consider your response, then share your decision with the Group.
How has God moved in you throughout this Hebrews series? What one concept has you considering your faith journey with God in a new way? (Read through the titles of the messages for a prompt if you would like).
Prayer:
Thank God for the highs and lift up the lows.
As we move into the holiday season, let’s pray for this time to have a significant impact on specific people in our circles.