Study Questions for Groups
By Michael C. Mack
1. During the past week, how, specifically, did you live in God’s grace, as a member of his church and kingdom?
2. As you look back over the last week, for what are you most thankful?
Ask two people to read aloud Hebrews 2:5-18; 4:14-16 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Then ask a third person to summarize the passages in one minute or less.
3. How do these passages describe Jesus’ compassion for and actions toward his people?
4. Let’s dig deeper:
• How do these passages compare humans to angels?
• How do these passages compare Jesus during his time of ministry on earth to angels?
• How do these passages compare Jesus now to angels?
• How do these passages describe Jesus’ relationship with believers?
• What do these passages say is God’s ultimate purpose for humans?
• Why did Jesus need to become fully human?
• What differences do you see between Jesus and other high priests?
• Why is it important for Jesus as our high priest to understand our trials and temptations?
• What purposes for Jesus’ death do you see in these passages? (See especially 2:14-18.)
5. What do you learn about God from these passages?
6. What do you learn about humans?
7. How are we to respond (in obedience) to what’s written in these passages?
8. As followers of Jesus, God has made us, his people, into a “holy priesthood” (1 Peter 2:5, 9). How can we, then, as Jesus’ body on earth, join with our high priest Jesus’ mission?
• In what tangible way will you act as part of Jesus’ “holy priesthood” this week?
9. Based on our study and discussion, complete this sentence: “This week, I will . . .”
10. What trials or temptations do you anticipate facing during the upcoming week?
For Next Week: Read and reflect on Hebrews 5:1-10; 6:13-20. You can also read next week’s supplemental texts as well as the Study and Application sections as part of your personal study.
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