Page 120 - Advanced New Testament Survey Student Textbook

among others, is why the author tells the believers to hold true to Christ, who was crucified for them
and now intercedes in heaven on their behalf.
The author also describes the effects of Christ’s superiority, particularly in believers’ lives. These are:
faithfulness, endurance in suffering, and right ethical actions.

Structure

Hebrews can be divided into three major sections, with the first two focus on portraying Christ as the
ultimate expression of God. And by comparison, He is superior to angels, Moses, and Joshua (1:1–4:13).
Jesus is also the great high priest, whose ministry is far superior than the services of all other priests,
including the sacrifices made under the old covenant (4:14–10:18).

Section three describes the results of Christ’s superiority, specifically in believers’ lives (10:19–13:17).
We also see a call to faithfulness (10:19–25), a warning against unfaithfulness (10:26–39), historical
examples of faith in action (11:1–40), a call for endurance in suffering (12:1–11), a warning against
refusing God (12:12–29), and charge to specific ethical actions (13:1–19). Christ’s superiority has costs
for all of life, particularly when it comes to standing firm against persecution and hardship.

Outline
• The preeminence of Christ (1:1–4:13)
• The great high priest (4:14–10:18)
• Exhortations to faithfulness (10:19–13:25)

How does Hebrews Impact our lives?

Hebrews 1:1-2:8 – Jesus’ power is awesome! How He sustains everything by the power of His Word is
not fully known, but what is clear is that everything is in order because He lives and is at work. How does
this affect your perspective about Jesus?

Hebrews 4:14 – 16 – This passage provides one of the best revelations in the scriptures as far God’s
understanding of humanities weakness is concerned. It is comforting that our maker and savior
understand and sympathizes with our weaknesses, provides a way for us to get things right and get back
to Him. Does this help you understand others’ weakness also? How does this passage affect your
perspective of God?

Hebrews 8:1-13 – Here we get the sense of gratitude, in that, it informs us that we now live in the age of
the New Covenant, in which the law is internal through the indwelling presence and power of the Holy
Spirit. We also have a better priest, the one man of the cross, Jesus! How has the Holy Spirit’s presence
in you affected your spiritual life? Do you see any changes in you? How does Jesus’ priesthood affect
your relationship with Him?

What characterizes a Christian lifestyle in the world today? Can you be an isolated Christian, or do you
have to be a church member (Heb 10:23–25)? What responsibility do you have to your Christian
brothers and sisters?

What kind of baggage are you carrying that makes it hard for you to run the race for Christ (Heb 12:1)?
What sin are you holding on to despite God’s mercy? What holds you back from receiving Jesus’ full
blessing?

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