Sermon Guide

September 17, 2023: Hebrews 1:1-3

• The book of Hebrews highlights that Jesus is the greatest prophet. What does a prophet do, and why is it significant that Jesus is considered the greatest prophet?
  
• Hebrews also describes Jesus as the greatest priest. What was the role of priests in the Old Testament, and how did Jesus fulfill this role in a unique way?
  
• Why is it essential for us to understand Jesus as our High Priest?
  
• How might recognizing Jesus as our King impact the way we live our lives and relate to Him?
  
• The passage mentions that even though we rebelled against Jesus the King, He offered us salvation and sat down after His work was finished. What does this say about the character of Jesus?
  
• How does knowing that Jesus willingly gave up His position as King to save us make you feel, and how should it influence your relationship with Him?Why do you think the disciples had hands-on involvement in each step of the stories? What did they need to learn?How can we remind ourselves of the generosity and blessings that come from having a relationship with God, especially during challenging times?

Reflect & Celebrate:

• How did these truths impact your understanding of God's character? 
  
• What has God pointed out to you about your life? 
  
• What are you most thankful for right this minute?
  

Sermon Guide

September 24, 2023: Hebrews 1:4-14

• In the text, it mentions that the Jewish audience was more impressed with angels than with Jesus. For us today, what are some things we might be tempted to chase or prioritize over Jesus in our lives? Why do these things sometimes seem more appealing?
  
• What are some common misconceptions about angels that you've come across in today’s culture?
  
• What are some of the tasks or functions that angels have in God's plan, as mentioned in these verses? Why might these tasks be important?
  
• According to these verses, what are some reasons why Jesus is considered superior to angels? List some of the qualities or roles that set Him apart.
  
• Why is this important to understand? How does recognizing Jesus as greater impact our faith and how we relate to Him?
  
• How does understanding the majesty of Jesus impact your view of Him and your relationship with Him?
  

Reflect & Celebrate:

• How did these truths impact your understanding of God's character? 
  
• What has God pointed out to you about your life? 
  
• What are you most thankful for right this minute?
  

Sermon Guide

October 1, 2023: Hebrews 2:1-4

• What are some things in life that can cause us to "drift" from our faith or beliefs?
  
• How can we actively prevent drifting in our faith?
  
• What are some practical ways we can pay better attention to our faith and relationship with God?
  
• What do you think it means to "neglect" our salvation, and what could be the potential consequences?
  
• How can we, as believers, share the Gospel with others?
  
• Have you ever shared your faith with someone, and if so, what was that experience like for you?
  

Reflect & Celebrate:

• How did these truths impact your understanding of God's character? 
  
• What has God pointed out to you about your life? 
  
• What are you most thankful for right this minute?
  

Sermon Guide

October 8, 2023: Hebrews 2:5-18

• Why was the incarnation of Jesus necessary, and how does it relate to our lives today?
• In what ways did Jesus become truly human, and why is this important for us as believers?
• How does the idea of Jesus being our Champion and Pioneer give us hope and comfort in the face of challenges and fears, especially the fear of death?
• What does it mean for us to be part of the same family as Jesus, and how should this impact the way we view ourselves and others?
• How does Jesus' suffering and His willingness to get into the "casket" with us show us the depth of God's love and compassion for humanity?
  

Reflect & Celebrate:

• How did these truths impact your understanding of God's character? 
  
• What has God pointed out to you about your life? 
  
• What are you most thankful for right this minute?
  

Sermon Guide

October 15, 2023: Hebrews 3:1-19

• Why is it important to "fix your thoughts on Jesus" as mentioned in Hebrews 3:1? What might happen if we don't focus on Jesus?
  
• How can we distinguish genuine faith from a temporary spiritual experience or emotion?
  
• What are some common distractions or "deceptions" that can divert our focus from following Christ? 
  
• In Hebrews 3:7-8, it talks about not hardening our hearts as the Israelites did in the wilderness. Can you think of any examples of how our hearts might become hardened today? How can we guard against them?
  
• What does it mean to encourage one another daily, as mentioned in Hebrews 3:13? Can you share an example of how you've encouraged someone in your life?How does Jesus' suffering and His willingness to get into the "casket" with us show us the depth of God's love and compassion for humanity?
  

Reflect & Celebrate:

• How did these truths impact your understanding of God's character? 
  
• What has God pointed out to you about your life? 
  
• What are you most thankful for right this minute?
  

Sermon Guide

October 22, 2023: Hebrews 4:12-13

Jesus is greater, and the word of God testifies in an active and alive way to bring transformation to our lives! 

• What attributes of the Word of God are highlighted in Hebrews 4:12?
  
• How does the verse describe the Word of God's ability to discern between the soul and spirit, joints and marrow?
  
• What is the significance of the Word of God discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart?
  
• How does the understanding of God's omniscience impact your view of accountability and personal responsibility?
  
• Share about a time when the Word of God was active and alive in your life?
  

Application:

• How do these verses encourage you to engage with the Word of God in your daily life?
• Do you believe that God's ways are better than yours?
• Do you spend time in the Word in order to be transformed? 
• What truth of God, what promises from His Word are you not believing?

Reflect & Celebrate:

• How did these truths impact your understanding of God's character? 
• What has God pointed out to you about your life? 
• What are you most thankful for right this minute?

Sermon Guide

October 29, 2023: Hebrews 4:1-11

• What does "rest" mean to you, and how do you usually find rest in your daily life? Is rest the same as doing nothing, or is it something more?
• Why do you think our culture often struggles with overworking and not taking enough time to rest? How has technology and our culture influenced our work-life balance?
• The concept of the Sabbath, a day of rest, is discussed in the text. How do you think taking a day of rest, as God intended, can help you trust in God's provision and remember your salvation through Jesus?
• In the text, it's mentioned that the Israelites didn't benefit from God's offer of rest because they didn't change the way they lived. How can the idea of entering God's rest change the way we live and relate to God?
• What is the "greater rest" the text talks about, and how can we enter it? How does understanding the concept of rest relate to our identity and the Gospel message?

Reflect & Celebrate:

• How did these truths impact your understanding of God's character? 
• What has God pointed out to you about your life? 
• What are you most thankful for right this minute?

Sermon Guide

November 5, 2023: Hebrews 4:14-5:10

• In this passage, we learn about the role of priests. What did priests do in the Old Testament, and why were they necessary?
• The passage mentions the high priest's ability to relate to the people because they understand their pain and hurt. How does this relate to Jesus as our high priest? Why is it comforting to know that Jesus understands our struggles?
• Why is it essential to have a high priest who can go before God on our behalf? What does this role of Jesus as our high priest mean for our relationship with God?
• The passage talks about approaching God with confidence. What does it mean to approach God with confidence, and how does Jesus make this possible for us?
• How does Jesus, as our high priest, provide a way for us to come into God's presence without waiting, without pretense, and without needing to clean ourselves up? What does this tell us about God's love and grace?

Reflect & Celebrate:

• How did these truths impact your understanding of God's character? 
• What has God pointed out to you about your life? 
• What are you most thankful for right this minute?

Sermon Guide

November 12, 2023: Hebrews 5:11-6:12

• What are some "basics" of the Christian faith, and how can we move toward a more mature understanding of our relationship with Jesus?
• How would you explain the concept of repentance, and why is it important in our relationship with God?
• What does spiritual maturity look like, and why is it about more than just acquiring knowledge? How can we grow in obedience and not just in knowing more about God?
• What are some "fruits" or evidence of spiritual growth in a person's life? How can we encourage one another in producing good fruit?
• How can we keep our focus on Jesus and the ultimate goal of our faith? What are some common distractions that can hinder our spiritual progress?

Reflect & Celebrate:

• How did these truths impact your understanding of God's character? 
• What has God pointed out to you about your life? 
• What are you most thankful for right this minute?

Sermon Guide

November 19, 2023: Hebrews 6:13-20

• Abraham faced incredible challenges and uncertainties in waiting for God's promises to be fulfilled. How can we relate to the idea of waiting for something we hope for, and what lessons can we learn from Abraham's faith during his waiting period?

• The passage mentions God making a covenant with Abraham and swearing by Himself. Why do you think God chose to make an oath in this way, and what does it reveal about God's character and commitment to His promises?

• Hope is not a feeling but something anchored in the present and future salvation found in Jesus. How does this understanding of hope differ from common perceptions of hope? How can this perspective impact our daily lives?

• The text speaks of Jesus as our "Forerunner" who has gone ahead of us to secure our hope. What does it mean for Jesus to be our Forerunner, and how does this concept bring assurance to our faith journey?

• The passage emphasizes the importance of seizing the hope in the finished, continuing, and coming work of Jesus Christ. How can we practically seize this hope in our daily lives, especially during challenging times?

Reflect & Celebrate:

• How did these truths impact your understanding of God's character? 
• What has God pointed out to you about your life? 
• What are you most thankful for right this minute?