Download pdf - Sermon Based Study Guide - Clover Sitesstorage.cloversites.com/cornerstone3/documents/Hebrews...Sermon Based Study Guide Hebrews: Better-Part 2 Hebrews 5:11-6:3 – Go on to Maturity

SermonBasedStudyGuide

Hebrews:JesusisBetter

Hebrews5:1-10–ABetterHighPriestMarch5,2017–ToddNighswonger

Leader’sGuide:DonotfeellikeyouneedtouseallthesequestionsforyourCGdiscussion.Pickandchoosewhatyouthinkwouldbebestforyourgroup.Afterlisteningtothesermon,youmayhaveyourownpointsfordiscussion.

HereisthelinktothesermonpodcastsandarchivesoftheseStudyGuides:http://cornerstonesimi.com/#/resourcesmediaclasses

______________________________________

1. Lastweek,Toddfinishedourseriesonmanhoodandwomanhood,whichcontinuallyfocusedonthetheideaofflourishing.Thisweek,wegotbackinthebookofHebrews.Fromthisweek’smessage,wheredoyoucontinuetoseetheideaof“flourishing”?Explain.

2. ThissectionofHebrewsreliesheavilyontheimageryofthehighpriestofIsrael,andhowhedealtwithhisownsinandthesinofthepeople.Theauthor’spointistoshowushowJesusisthebetter,eternalHighPriest.WhatstuckouttoyouthemostaboutJesusbeingthis“better”highpriest?ExplainsomeofthewaysthathewasbetterthanthehighpriestsofIsrael.Also,discusshowseeinghim“now”asthehighpriestiscrucialtoourconfidence.

3. Themainpointofthemessagewasfoundinverse9.ToddspentalotoftimeexplainingwhatitmeantforJesustobe“madeperfect”–thathewasvalidatedasqualifiedtofulfillthisamazingroletheFatherhadgiventohim.AndbecauseJesusisqualifiedtobethishighpriest,wecannow“withconfidencedrawneartothethroneofgrace,thatwemayreceivemercyandfindgracetohelpintimeofneed”(4:16)and“drawnearwithatrueheartinfullassuranceoffaith”(10:22).HowdoesJesusbeingqualifiedtofulfillhisrolegiveusconfidencetodrawneartoGod?Explain.

4. ThewriterofHebrewsinformedhisreadersthatJesus,asfullyvalidated,now“becamethesourceofeternalsalvationtoallwhoobeyhim”(v9).Whydoesn’thewrite“believehim”or“havefaithinhim”?Talkaboutthisasagroup.


Hebrews:Better-Part2

Hebrews5:11-6:3–GoontoMaturityMarch12,2017–JoshuaWalker

Leader’sGuide:DonotfeellikeyouneedtouseallthesequestionsforyourCGdiscussion.Pickandchoosewhatyouthinkwouldbebestforyourgroup.Afterlisteningtothesermon,youmayhaveyourownpointsfordiscussion.HereisthelinktothesermonpodcastsandarchivesoftheseStudyGuides:http://cornerstonesimi.com/#/resourcesmediaclasses______________________________________

1.Whenyouconsiderhowlongyou’vebeenafollowerofJesus,doyouthinkyouare:a)asmatureasyououghttobe;b)lessmaturethanyououghttobe;orc)morematurethanyououghttobe?

2.Onwhatbasisdidyoumakeyourassessmentin#1?Doyouthinkthosewaysofassessingarebiblicalormaybeyougotsomeofthemfromadifferentsource?

3.Discusswaysthatweevaluatematuritythatarenotbiblicalandhowtheycanbedistractingordamagingtotruematurity.DosomeofthesepracticesorwaysofevaluatingmaturitylookmoreliketheOldCovenantthantheNewCovenant?

4.AkeyaspectofmaturityfromHebrewsisunderstandingouraccesstoGodandmakinguseofit.DiscusshowyoucanbetterpracticenearnessandaccesstoGodduringeveryday.

5.Whataresomeofthereasonsthatyoudon’ttakeadvantageofyouraccesstoGodthroughJesusChristourHighPriest?

6.JoshtalkedabouttheneedtogobeyondtheABCsofourfaithandwaysCornerstonecanhelpyoudothat.Ontheotherhand,somepeoplemayneedtolearntheABCs.IfyouareinterestedinwaysCornerstonecanhelpyougrow,[email protected].


Hebrews:Better-Part2Hebrews6:4-12–MakeYourHopeSureMarch19,2017–ChristianBurkhardt



______________________________________

1. Haveyoueverstruggledwithassuranceaboutyoursalvation?Areyoustrugglingwithitrightnow?Whydoyouthinkthatis/was?

• Is/wastheresininyourlifethatyouare/werestrugglingtoovercome?• Are/WerethereaspectsofChristiandoctrinethatyouare/werestrugglingtounderstandor

believe?

2. Wheredoyouturntoreassureyouofyoursalvation?Perhapsyouthinkbacktoaneventinyourpast:whenyoumadeadecision,prayedaprayer,orwerebaptized?PerhapsatimewhenGodworkedinyourlifeinaparticularlypowerfulway?Whileitisgoodandrighttolookbacktoourpast,wemustbecarefulnotto“liveonthefumesofthepast,”asJoshsaidlastweek.InsteadtheauthorofHebrewscallsusto“showthesameearnestnesstohavethefullassuranceofhopeuntiltheend,”toliveinthepresent,withboththepastandthefutureinmind.

3. Christianpointedustothreewaysto“makeourhopesure”fromHebrews:• Inheritance(Past):v.12–FaithfullyandpatientlylookingtoGodtofulfillwhathehas

promisedforus.AssuranceofSalvationhasmoretodowithconfidenceinGodthanconfidenceinourselves.DoyouknowwhatGodhaspromisedusinhisword?Doyoubelievethathewillmakegoodonthosepromises?

• Access(Presence):4:16-Whilewewaitforourinheritance,wehaveaccesstothe“throneofGrace”throughJesusrightnow,everyday!AssuranceofSalvationisnotjustaboutafutureinheavenorhell,it’saboutconfidencethatwecandrawneartoGod!HowareyoudrawingneartoGodrightnow?

• Pilgrimage(Future):13:14-Again,salvationisnotjustfireinsurance,ortheguaranteeofheavenwhenwedie.ItisthejourneywithJesustowardourpromisedinheritance:“thecitythatistocome”–theNewHeavenandEarth,whereGod’speoplewilllivewithhimforever(Rev.21-22).Doyouhaveasensethatthispresentworldisnotyourhome?DoyoulongforJesustoreturnandmakeallthingsnew?Doyoufindyourgriponthethingsofthispresentworldloosening?

4.Lastly,thewriterofHebrewssaysthatheisconfidentinthesalvationofhisreaders,becauseof“thelovethatyoushowedforhisnameinservingthesaints...”(v.10).Discussasagroup:HowisyourloveforGodmanifestingitselfinloveforoneanother?



Hebrews6:13-20–AnAnchorfortheSoulMarch26,2017–ToddNighswonger



______________________________________

1.InTodd’smessage,hesaidthatGod’sinteractionswithAbraham(orAbram)inGenesis12-22wasoneofthegreatesteventsinthehistoryofGod’srescueofhumanity.Knowingwhatyouknowaboutthoseevents,whydoyousupposethatthismightbetrue?Howdotheseeventscause“strongencouragement”(Heb6:18)inourlivestoday?

2.HowdoesGodpromisingandswearinganoathtoAbraham(Heb6:13,17)cause“strongencouragement”inourlives?Addedtothat,itwashis“desire”(v.17).Howdoesthisbeinghis“desire”cause“strongencouragement”?

3.Peopleputtheirhopesinallkindsofthingsinthislife.Whataresomeofthethingsthatpeopleputtheirhopesin(focusonthethingsthatyouputyourhopeinbesidesJesus)?Whywillthisneverbringabout“strongencouragement”?Whatisdifferentaboutthe“hope”(Heb6:18,19)thatGodprovides?

4.Howdoesourhopeenter“intotheinnerplacebehindthecurtain”(Heb6:19)?Howisthis“asureandsteadfastanchorofthesoul”?

5.Thinkabout,anddiscuss,howJesustorethecurtainfromtheHolyPlacetotheHolyofHoliesasthe“forerunneronourbehalf”(Heb6:19).HeisrightnowintheverypresenceoftheFathergrantingusaccesstohim.Heisn’tliketheprieststhatfollowedAaron,butisa“forever”priest(Heb5:6)thatnever,everleavesGod’spresence.Howdoesthisgiveus“strongencouragement”evenintheroughestmomentsofourlives?Taketimetowrestlethroughthisasagroup.Makethesetruthspartofyourprayertime.



Hebrews7:1-19–Melchizedek:HisGreatnessApril2,2017–ToddNighswonger


1. Themainpointofchapter7isfoundinverse25.Spendsometimeasagroupthinkingthroughanddiscussingthemanyimplicationsoftheverse.Don’tmovetooquicklypastthis!

2. In7:1-10,theauthorofHebrewswasseekingtohelptheJewishreadersunderstandthattherewasanotherpriesthoodbesidesthepriesthoodofAaronintheOldCovenant.Asagroup,discussallthedifferentwaysthatthewriterdescribedthispriesthoodofMelchizedeksharedbyJesus.AlsodiscusstherealitythatMelchizedek,likeJesus,wasapriest-king.Whyisthistypeofpriesthoodgreater?

3. Understandingverse11andthemeaningof“perfection”isveryimportant.Todddiscussedthatthismeant“toputsomeoneinthepositioninwhichheorshecancome,orstand,beforeGod.”TakesometimeasagrouptodiscusshowthismakesthepriesthoodofJesusbetterthanthepriesthoodofthehighpriestsofIsrael.Trytofocusonhow“perfection,”or“accesstoGod”,isthewriter’smotive.

4. Inverses15-17,thewritercontrastedthepriesthoodofAaronandthepriesthoodofJesus.ThepriestlycandidateundertheOldCovenanthadtobe:1)legitimate,2)aLevite(meaningthathismotherhadtobeanIsraeliteandhisfatherapriestbeforehim),and3)possessnophysicaldefects.Eachofthesewasexternalbynature.Jesus,however,hadonegrandqualification,whichwasnotexternalbutinternal—“thepowerofanindestructiblelife”(v16b).Whyisthisimportant?Whatimplicationdoesthishaveforus?

5. WhyisitsoimportantforthewriterofHebrewstofinishthissectionbystatingthat“abetterhopeisintroduced,throughwhichwedrawneartoGod”(v19)?WhydoeshekeepcomingbacktothisideaofdrawingneartoGod?Contrastthiswithmanygospelpresentationsthatareabout“avoidinghell”or“gettingtoheaven.”Useverse25inyourdiscussion.



Hebrews7:20-28–Melchizedek:HisSufficiencyApril9,2017–ChristianBurkhardt


1.TalkaboutPalmSundayandhowJesuswasrejectedevenasHe“drewnear”toJerusalem.Haveyouever,orareyoucurrently,reluctanttodrawneartoGodforfearHewillinsomewayrejectyouordisappointyou?IsthereafearthatGodwillnotacceptyouorforgiveyou?Honestlysharewithoneanotheryourfearsandinsecurities.

2.ChristianmadethestatementthatdrawingneartoGodisnotaqualificationofsalvation,buttheverydefinitionofsalvation!Discussthis.HowdoesitimpactyourviewofwhatitmeanstobeafollowerofJesus?Howdoesitchangehowyouperceiveyour‘eternalsecurity’orthefactthatyou‘can’tloseyoursalvation’?

3.DiscussthetruththatJesusalwayslivestomakeintercessionforus.HowdoesitencourageyouthatJesusisconstantlyintercedingforyou?Howdoyouimaginethatlooks?DiscussasagroupwhatyouthinkitlookslikethatJesustakesyourneeds,yourrequests,yourlifeissues—andpresentsthemtotheFather.

4.Discusshowwecan‘drawnear’toGod.Talkaboutpracticalways,realthingsyoucandotodrawneartoGod.

5.Hebrews7:25saysthatJesussavesus‘totheuttermost.’Whatdoesthismean?HowdidChristianunpackthistruth?Howdoesitencourageyou?



Hebrews8:1-13–HighPriestofaBetterCovenantApril23,2017–ChrisHay


1.TalkaboutdifferentwaysyoumightbelivingintheOldCovenant?Thesewayscanbesubtle,sothinkcarefully.Tossoutyourideasandthoughtstothegroupfordiscussionandfeedback.

2.Discussthiswholeconceptofaccess.Talkabouthowlimitedaccessisinourworld,withourfriendsandfamily,andcontrastitwiththeunlimitedaccesswehavetoGod.Howdoes,orhowshould,thischangethewaywerelatetoGod?

3.InwhatwaysisyourrelationshipwithGodbasedonfear?InwhatwaysisyourrelationshipwithGodbasedonunconditionallove?Discussasagrouphowyoucaneachgetridofthefear-basedaspectsofyourrelationshipandmoveclosertoalove-and-grace-basedrelationship.

4.ChrissaidthatGodforgaveoursinprimarilytohavearelationshipwithus,notprimarilytoremoveguilt.Ifthisistrue,whataretheimplicationsforhowyouviewyoursalvation?ForhowyouviewyourrelationshipwithGod?

5.DiscusspracticalwaysyoucandrawneartoGod.Sharethingsthatyoucurrentlydo,andbrainstormotherwaystodrawnear.



Hebrews9:1-14–ACovenantofaNewConscienceApril30,2017–ChrisHay


1.GoaroundyourgroupandsharewaysthatJesushasrecentlyhelpedyou.UseitasatimetothankHimandworshipHim.

2.DiscusstheconceptthatyouaretheHolyofHolies.Whataretheimplicationsforhowyouliveyourdailylife?Whatthingsdoyouthinkyouneedtochangeinlightofthistruth?Read1Cor6:19-20.

3.Imagineyourconscienceasamoralcompass.Isitpointingtotruenorth?Wheredoyouthinkitmightbeoff?Whataresomestepsyoucantaketogetitrecalibrated?

4.Whydoyouthinkbloodwascriticaltopaythepriceforsin?Couldsomethingelsehavebeenused?ReadLeviticus17:10-12.Thisisanimportanttheologicaltruth.IfyouhaveaBibledictionaryorencyclopedia,lookup‘blood’.

5.DiscusstheideathateverythingwedoisanactofworshipandservicetoGod.Howdoyouseeyourdailyroutineasanactofworship?Ordoyou?Whatneedstochangesothatyoudoseeeachandeverytaskasanactofworshipandservice?Read1Cor10:31.



Hebrews9:15-28–ACovenantofBloodMay7,2017–ToddNighswonger



______________________________________

1.OverthelastseveralweekswehavebeenlearninghowtheNewCovenantisbetterthantheOldCovenant.Reviewsomeofthemainbenefitsandsharewhichoftheseimpactsyouthemost:

• Access,theabilitytodrawnear.• ThefactthatwecanactuallyknowGodpersonally.• TherealitythatwearetheHolyofHolies.• Realizingthatoursiniscompletelyandforeverforgiven.• UnderstandingthattheHolySpiritiscontinuallyrecalibratingourmoralcompass.• AndthatallthissetsusuptoworshipandserveGodineveryareaoflife.

2.NowthispastweekwelearnedthatChrististhemediatorofthismuchbetterNewCovenantandhowimportantHisbloodisintheprocessofbringingintheNewCovenant.WhywasitsosignificantthatChristwasboththemediatorandthetestatoroftheNewCovenant?Taketimetodiscussthisandmakesurethatyoudon’tleaveyourdiscussionuntilyouhavethoughtthroughasmanyoftheimplicationsasyoucan.

3.Thenoun“blood”isusedsixtimesinverses18-22.WhatdoestheBibleteachusfromGenesistoRevelationaboutwhybloodissoimportanttoGod?Whatisthesignificanceinthispassage?Whydoyousupposewehavesuchahardtimeunderstandingthisinourtimeandculture?

4.TheDayofAtonementistheimagerythatthewriterusesinthispassagetoexplaintheworkofChrist(vv23-28).WhyisthecomparisonofthepriestintheHolyofHoliesandChristsosignificant?WhywasChrist’sworkbetterthanthatofthepriest?WhywasthepriestemergingfromtheHolyofHoliesandChristreturningfromtheliteralsanctuaryofGodsoimportant?Youmightwanttogobackandreadabouttheritualbeforeyoudiscussthisquestion(Lev16:1-34).

5.Theword“waiting”isverysignificant.Itisn’tlikewaitinginawaiting-roomandbidingyourtime,buthastheideaofbeingactiveineagernessforhisreturn.InlightofallthatwehavelearnedinHebrews,whatdoesactivewaitinglooklikeinourlives?HowdoesChristastheTestator,Mediator,Judge,andSavioraffectourwaiting?



Hebrews10:1-18–ACovenantOnceandForAllMay14,2017–ToddNighswonger



______________________________________

1. Lastweek,ToddchallengedustomakethefollowingweekoneinwhichyoufocusedondrawingneartoGod.Asagroup,talkaboutwhetheryoudidordidn’t.Ifyoudid,whatwastheoutcomeofthatdrawingnear?Ifyoudidn’t,talkaboutwhatkeptyoufromdoingthis—andresolvetofocusondrawingnearthisweek!

2. Thisweek,ToddtalkedaboutoneoftherealitiesofdrawingneartoGod,oursin.Heexplainedsinnotjustasviolatingalaworprinciple,butviolatingacovenantrelationship.Heusedmarriageandcommittingadulteryashisexampleofviolatingacovenantrelationship.Howdoesthismakesinsomuchweightierthansimply“breakingtherules”?MaybeusePsalm51:3-4andthesinofDavidwithBathshebatoguideyourdiscussion.

3. ThemainverseusedthisweekendwasHebrews10:14:“Forbyasingleofferinghehasperfectedforalltimethosewhoarebeingsanctified.”ToddtalkedabouthowtheperfectingworkofJesuswasinregardstothesinyoujustdiscussed.HowdoesJesusperfectusthrough“asingleoffering…foralltime”?Whatisthesignificanceofthis?

4. Thosewhoare“perfected”are“thosewhoarebeingsanctified.”Whyisthissoimportant?Whatdoesitmean?HowdoesthisrelatetooursinandthecovenantGodmadewithusthroughJesusChrist?YoumightneedtoreadJeremiah31:31-34toguideyourdiscussion(seealsoHeb10:15-18).

5. ToddfinishedhismessagetalkingaboutwhyitisgoodthatwearecontinuallyconfrontedwithoursinfulnesswhenwedrawneartoGod.Whataresomeofthenon-gospelwaysinwhichyoutrytodealwithsinwhenyouareconfrontedwithit?Whatarethelong-termresultsofnotallowingthetruthofthegospeltodealwithsin?


Hebrews:MakingtheBetterReal-Part3

Hebrews10:19-25–FullAccess/FullLivingMay21,2017–ToddNighswonger


1.Talkaboutwhyitissoimportantthatweareincommunitywithotherbelievers.Howdo(orcan)otherbelievershelpusgrowinourwalkwithChrist?Whataretheblessingsandbenefitsofbeingincommunity?Whatarethe‘downsides’?

2.Shareanexample/storyofatimewhensomeone‘provoked’youtoloveandgoodworks?Didyouappreciateitinthemoment?Doyouappreciateitnow?

3.Toddshared3“Letus...”statementsfromHebrews10:• Letusdrawnear...• Letusholdfast...• Letusconsider...

DiscusshowyourGrouphelpsyoudoeachofthem.Talkaboutwhetheritiseasiertoaccomplishthemalone,orasagroup.Howcanyourgroupdoabetterjobofaccomplishingeachofthesethree?

4.Toddsharedhow“faith,hope,andlove”areinterwoveninwiththese3commands.Thinkabout,thentalkabout,howeachofthesecharacterqualitiesisrelatedtoeachofthe3commands.Forexample,youmightask:“Whydoesittakefaithtodrawnear?”or“Howdoesholdingfastprovidehope?”andsoon.Thiscouldbeagreatbrainstormingdiscussion!

5.Ifthispassagewasusedtoevaluatethehealthofyourgroup,howhealthyisyourgroup?Takeplentyoftimeonthisone.



Hebrews10:26-31–Warning:EnduranceMattersMay28,2017–ToddNighswonger



______________________________________

1. Lastweek,Toddtalkedabouttheimportanceofbeinginthelivesofoneanotherincommunity.Whathaveyoudonethisweektopracticewhatwaspreached?

2. Thisweek,ToddopenedbytalkingaboutthewrathofGod.Whataspectsofthisstuckoutthemosttoyou?Why?

3. Whodoyouknowinyourlifethathaswalkedawayfromfellowshipwiththechurch?Inlightofthemessage,whatisthebestthingyoucandoinapproachingthem?Explain.

4. WhyisithealthyasagrouptotalkaboutthefuturejudgmentandwrathofGod?Howdoyouintendasagrouptokeepthisattheforefront?Whyisitalsogoodtoremindyourselfofyourpersonalescapefromthewrath?

5. Taketimeasagrouptoprayforthosethatyouknowwhohavewalkedawayfromthefellowshipofthechurch.



Hebrews10:32-39–Warning:EnduranceMattersJune4,2017–ChrisHay



______________________________________

1.Probablyeveryoneinyourgrouphasbeenhurtordisappointedbythechurch,orbypeople,orbyotherbelievers.Don’trehashthosehurts!Butsharehowthosehurtscausedyoutopullback,todistanceyourselffrompeople,fromrelationships,fromCommunityGroups,fromthechurch.Inwhatwaysareyoushrinkingbacknow?

2.Realizinghowdangerousthis‘shrinkingback’canbe,nowdiscusswaystogetbackinthegame,toendure,topersevere,tonotneglectmeetingtogetheranymore.

3.Discusstheprinciple“NeverQuit.”Howdoesitapplytovariousareasoflife:marriage,parenting,singleness,spirituallife,health,prayer,work,church,Biblereading,andsomanymore?Whichoftheseareasmightyouneedtoapplythe“NeverQuit”principle?

4.Itisnotlostonusthatifyouareinagroup,discussingthesequestions,youareprobablyapersonwhoisdoingtheirbestto‘stayinthegame.’Sospendsometimeprayingforpeopleyouknowwhohaveseeminglycompletelyleftthechurch,leftthefaith,orarecompletelyneglectingmeetingtogether.Don’tletthisdescendintogossip,butratherloving,grievingprayerfortheirsouls.



Hebrews11:1-12:2–Faith!June11,2017–ChrisHay

Leader’sGuide:DonotfeellikeyouneedtouseallthesequestionsforyourCGdiscussion.Pickandchoosewhatyouthinkwouldbebestforyourgroup.Afterlisteningtothesermon,youmayhave

yourownpointsfordiscussion.

HereisthelinktothesermonpodcastsandarchivesoftheseStudyGuides:

http://cornerstonesimi.com/#/resourcesmediaclasses

______________________________________

1.Lookingbackoveryourlifeatthispoint,whatareoneortwomajorcharacteristicsoftherace

coursethattheMasterhas‘setbefore’you?Obviously,youcanonlyhitthehighlights—give

everyoneachancetosharetheir‘oneortwo’!

2.Howhasfaithplayedapartinyounotgivingup,notquitting,notthrowinginthetowel?Howdo

youthinkfaithwillcontinuetoplayaroleinyoucontinuingtorunwell?

3.AreyouabsolutelycertainthatGodexistsandrewardsthosewhodrawneartoHim(seeHeb

11:6)?Afunexerciseistorateyourcertaintyonascaleof1to100,with100beingabsolutely

certain.Goaroundandhaveeachpersonratethemselves,thendiscusstheresults.

4.WhichoftheBiblecharactersinHeb11mostencourageyoutopressoninfaith?Why?

5.Whataresomeweightsorhindrancesinyourlifethatarepreventingyoufromrunningwell?

Howdothesethingsslowyoudownfromrunningwell?Howcanyourgrouphelpyougetridof

them?

6.TalkaboutwhatitmeanstokeepoureyesonJesus.Discusstheimplicationsofthisforeveryday

life.



Hebrews12:3-11–TheDivineDisciplineofLoveJuly2,2017–ChrisHay


1.SharewitheachotherahardtimeinyourlifeandhowyouunderstanditnowasGod’shandofdiscipline.WhatwasHeteachingyou?Doyouthinkitwascorrectivedisciplineortrainingdiscipline?

2.HowcanwetellifwearebeinglovinglydisciplinedbyourHeavenlyFather,orsimplysufferingtheconsequencesofourownstupidity?Doesitmatter?

3.Discusswhatitlooksliketosubmittolife’shardships,understandingthemtobeGod’sdiscipline.

4.Sharewitheachotherhowyouarewearywithalifetrial.Thenencourageeachothertokeepongoing,toperseverethroughit.Howcanyouhelpeachotherkeeprunningtheraceoflifewell?

5.HowhaveyouseenthebenefitsofGod’sdisciplineinyourlife?Remember,Hisdisciplineisforourbenefit(12:10),HisdisciplineenablestoshareHisholiness(12:10),andHisdisciplineproducespeaceandrighteousness(12:11).

6.HowdoesitencourageyouthatGoddisciplinesyoubecauseHelovesyou...andthatlife’shardshipsprovethatyouareHisveryownchild?Oristhatdiscouragingtoyou?Thisisagreatplacetosharefromtheheart.Thenprayforoneanother.



Hebrews12:12-17–Warning:FailingtoObtainGraceJuly9,2017–ChristianBurkhardt



______________________________________

1. Inhismessage,ChristianexplainedhowtheauthorofHebrewsportraysthesalvationthatJesushasaccomplishedforusasa“newandgreaterExodus,”whichfollowsthesame3-stage

patternasthefirstExodus:• RESCUE:fromslaverytoSatan,sin,anddeath(Heb.2:14-15)• PILGRIMAGE:outsidethecamp,tothelastingcity(13:13-14)

• INHERITANCE:bringingmanysonstoglory(2:10),receivingakingdomthatcannotbe

shaken(12:28).Howdoesthischallengeorconfirmyourcurrentunderstandingofsalvation?Discussanynewinsightsorquestions.

2. Heb12:14callsusto“StriveforpeacewitheveryoneandtheholinesswithoutwhichnoonewillseeGod,”whicharetheverysamethingsthatGodisseekingtoforminusthroughhisfatherlydiscipline(v.10-11).Howisyourgroupcurrentlystrivingtogetherforpeaceandholiness?Discussthesequestionsandtaketheappropriateaction!

• Arethereconflictsthatneedtoberesolved?

• Sinthatneedstobeconfessed?

• Distancebetweenpeoplethatneedstobebridged?

3. Heb12:15-16remindusoftheneedto“watchoutforoneanother”...• ...thatnoone“failstoobtain”(forfeits,turnsfrom)thegraceofGod.• ...thatno“bitterroot”(ofstubbornnessandunfaithfulnesstoGod–Deut.29:18-19)

springsupandcausestrouble,defilingmany.• ...thatnooneis“sexuallyimmoralorunholy”,likeEsau–whomadeanextremelyshort-

sighteddecision,andshowedhowlittlehevaluedhisinheritancewhenhesolditforasinglemeal(Gen.25,27).

Discusswhatitlookslikeforyourgrouptowatchoutforeachother.Wheredoyouseethis“short-sightedness”inyourlife?WheredoyoustrugglewithvaluingyourinheritanceinChristlessthanthings(evengoodthings)inthispresentworld?

PRAY:AskGodtobindyourgrouptogetherasy’allseekto“runwithendurancetheracethatissetbeforeus.”(12:1)



Hebrews12:18-29–ComingtoMountZionJuly16,2017–ToddNighswonger



______________________________________

1. Lastweek,welearnedthatwehavethepotentialtosellour“birthrightforasinglemeal”(Heb.12:16).WhatdidChristiansaythatthismeansandwhataretheimplicationsforustoday?

2. ToddtalkedabouthowtheexhortationsinthissectionarenotwaysofgettingGodtoact,butwaysyoudoactwhenyoutrustthatGodisalreadyactingforyou.Thismeansthatright“knowing”isthekeyto,andthebasisfor,right“doing.”WhyisthistruthsoimportanttoourrelationshipwithJesus?

3. WhywasitsoimportantfortheauthorofHebrewstopresenttheinitialexperienceofIsraelatSinaiandtheinitialexperienceofChristiansatZion?Whatiscrucialaboutthistoourright“knowing”?....ourright“doing”?

4. Therewillcomeatimeinwhichallthingswillbeshaken.Theonlythingsthatwillremainwillbethosethatareunshakable,orthekingdomofGodandthosewhodwellinit.Whatiscrucialaboutthistoourright“knowing”?....ourright“doing”?

5. ToddreferencedMatthew24:7-8andtheideaof“thebeginningofthebirthpains.”HowdotragiceventsteachustoholdontothingsNOTofGod’skingdomloosely(seeHebrews11:10,12:28,and13:14asthemeansofhelping)?WhyshouldthiscauseustoworshipGod—aconsumingfire—“withreverenceandawe”?



Hebrews12:28-13:19–SacrificesThatPleaseGod

July23,2017–ChristianBurkhardt

Leader’sGuide:DonotfeellikeyouneedtouseallthesequestionsforyourCGdiscussion.Pickandchoosewhatyouthinkwouldbebestforyourgroup.Afterlisteningtothesermon,youmayhave

yourownpointsfordiscussion.

HereisthelinktothesermonpodcastsandarchivesoftheseStudyGuides:

http://cornerstonesimi.com/#/resourcesmediaclasses

______________________________________

Hebrews12:28saysthat“Sincewearereceivingakingdomthatcannotbeshaken,letusshowgratitude,”orliterally,“letushavegrace.”Inhismessage,Christianexplainedhowtheword“grace”isfundamentallyarelationalconcept.It’snotjustaboutthekindnessandgoodnessthat

Godshowsus,butthewayhiskindnesswelcomesusintoanongoingrelationshipwithHim.

Therefore,to“havegrace”towardGodmeanstoreciprocatethisrelationshipthroughgratitude,loyaltyandservice.

1. Theideaofgratitudeisn’tjustaprivatefeelingofthankfulnesstoGod,butpubliclydeclaringthegoodnesshehasshownus,asawayofenhancinghisreputationandbringinghimglory:

“thefruitoflipsthatconfesshisname”(13:15;seealso1Peter2:9).SpendsometimedeclaringtooneanotherthegoodnessGodhasshownyou.

2. Publicgratitudeisn’tjustaboutwhenwearewithbelievers,butalsowhenwearewithunbelievers.EvangelismismoreaboutdeclaringthegraceGodhasshownusthantryingto

arguepeopleintothekingdom.Canyoushareaboutatimewhenyousharedthegospelwith

someonefromapostureofpublicgratitudeforthegoodnessGodhasshownyou?Arethere

peopleinyourlifewhoneedtohearthisfromyou?Prayforopportunitiestodosothisweek!

3. Similarly,wearecalledtobeloyaltoGodasourPatron(theonewhomeetsourneeds).Abigpartofloyaltymeansnothavingcompetingallegianceswithotherthings/peoplethanGod.

Whatthings/peopleareyoutemptedtolooktoforyourprotectionandprovision,besides

God?DiscusstheconnectionbetweenloyaltytoGod,contentmentwithwhatheprovides,and

faithfulnessinmarriage(13:4-6).

4. Threetimesinthispassage,theauthortellsustoofferserviceandsacrificesthatare“well-pleasing”toGod(12:28;13:16;13:21).Yetmostoftheactionsthatwearetoldtodofocuson

howweserveandloveoneanother(brotherlylove,welcomingstrangersasguests,rememberingthoseinprisonandmistreated,faithfulnessinmarriage,doinggoodandsharing

whatwehave,andtrustingandsubmittingtoourleaders).Discussthesetogether,askingthe

question,“howarewedoingatlovingGodbylovingeachotherandtherestofthebodyin

theseways?”Whereisthereroomforgrowth,repentance,orrecommitment?



Hebrews13:7-25–WhyJesusIsBetter:TheFinaleJuly30,2017–ChristianBurkhardt



______________________________________

1.WehavebeenstudyingHebrewsfornearlyayear!Takesometimetoreflectonanddiscussthethingsthathavestoodoutinthisstudy.Whatweresomeofthehighlights?Whatnewthingsdidyoulearn?

2.InHebrews13:13-14,theauthorcallsusto“gotoJesusoutsidethecamp…Forherewehavenolastingcity,butweseekthecitythatistocome.”Inhismessage,Christianexplainedthatthismeansgivingupoursenseofbelongingand“at-home-ness”inoursociety,andembracingouridentityascitizensinGod’snowandcomingkingdom.

• Whatdoesthislooklikeinyourlife?• Howcanwehelpeachotherembraceourpilgrimidentity?• Whataretherisksofmakingourselvestoo“at-home”inthispresentworld?

3.Jesus“sufferedoutsidethegates”andborereproachnotasavictim,butasaSavior!Hesufferedforthesakeofthosewhocausedhissuffering.Inthesameway,ourcallingto“gooutsidethecampandbearthereproachthatheendured,”isacalltolivedistinctfromourcommunity,yetforthesakeofourcommunity:toserve,sacrificeandspeaktruthtothosearoundus,sothattheymightexperienceGod’slovethroughus.

• Canyoudescribeatimewhenyouhave“bornereproach”foryourtestimonyforJesus?HowdidyousucceedorfailatfollowingJesus’example(1Peter2:21-24)?

• Discussasagroupyouhowyoucanfindandseizeopportunitiestoserve,sacrifice,andspeaktruthtothosearoundyouwhodon’tknowJesus.

4.Hebrews13:7&17instructsustofollowJesusbyfollowingtheleadershehasgivenus:bothfollowingtheexampleofthosewhohavealreadyfinishedtheircourse,andfollowingthedirectionofthosewhoarepresently“keepingwatchoveroursouls.”

• Canyoushareaboutapastleaderinyourlifewhofinishedwell?Howareyouseekingto“imitatetheirfaith”?

• Whoarethecurrentleadersinyourlife:(elders,pastors,communitygroupleaders,parents,etc.)?Howareyouseekingtotrustthemandfollowtheirlead?Howareyouseekingtomaketheirtaskajoy?Howcanyouprayforandsupportthem?