Study Questions for Groups
By Michael C. Mack
1. How did you serve others last week?
2. What challenges did you face last week?
Ask two people to read aloud Hebrews 9:11-28 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Then ask a third person to provide a summary of the passage. Remind them to keep it to a minute or less.
3. What functions does blood play in both the Old and New Covenants?
4. Let’s dig deeper:
• What roles does Christ play for our salvation as shown in this passage?
• Contrast the human-built tabernacle/sanctuary with the heavenly one and the activities that happen within each. How are they different and how are they the same? What do you learn?
• What is the difference between being made “outwardly clean” and having our consciences cleansed?
• Why should people be careful of depending too heavily on things made with human hands, especially in their spiritual lives?
• Look at the word appear/appeared in verses 24-28, and the timing of each appearance by Christ. What does this summary statement of Christ’s finished work reveal to you?
5. What do you learn about Jesus from this passage?
6. What do you learn about humanity?
7. Under the Old Covenant, people tried to be right with God by perfectly obeying him, and when they failed, they needed sacrifices offered again and again to cleanse them of their sins. As New Covenant believers, however, Jesus has made us right with God through his once-for-all sacrifice. What is our motivation, then, for obeying God? (See John 14:23-24; cf., 1 John 2:4-6; 2 John 5-7.)
8. Every person must make a choice between the earthly and the heavenly, between the temporary and the eternal, between earthly treasures and treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-20). How might you use this passage (and others like it) to help someone make the better choice?
9. Based on our study and discussion, complete this sentence: “This week, I will . . .”
10. What challenges are you facing this upcoming week?
For Next Week: Read and reflect on Hebrews 3:7-19 as we continue studying the book of Hebrews but now with the theme of “faith.” 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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