Sept. 26 | Discovery

Study Questions for Groups

By Michael C. Mack

1. How did you do in striving to be more self-sacrificial over the past week? Have an example to share?

2. What new challenges did you face last week?

Ask two people to read aloud Hebrews 12:14-29 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Then ask a third person to briefly summarize the passage.

3. What contrasting ways of living are addressed in this passage?

4. Let’s dig deeper:

• What images are used to describe Mount Sinai, where Moses received the law (vv. 18-21)?

• In comparison, what images are used to describe Mount Zion, which represents the church and God’s kingdom (vv. 22-24)?

• How can Esau’s life serve as a warning for us?

• How do you see the Old Covenant law and the New Covenant of God’s grace contrasted in this passage?

• “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people” (1 Timothy 2:5-6). How do these verses help you further understand the meaning of the Hebrews passage we’re studying?

• Look at the word receiving in verse 28. What does that word choice indicate about God’s grace?

5. What do you learn about God from this passage?  

6. What do you learn about yourself?

7. This passage provides several instructions for how we can live in God’s grace, as members of his church and kingdom (see phrases that begin with “make every effort” and “see to it”). Which of these will you focus on obeying this week?

8. How does what you’ve learned from this passage lead you to “worship God acceptably with reverence and awe”? What will that look like for you this week? Be specific!

9. Based on our study and discussion, complete this sentence: “This week, I will . . .”

10. What can you be thankful for during the upcoming week?

For Next Week: Read and reflect on Hebrews 2:5-18; 4:14-16 as we continue studying Hebrews with a new theme of “High Priest.” You can also read next week’s supplemental texts as well as the Study and Application sections as part of your personal study.