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Heb 6:9-12   The third warning just given by the author is one of the most blunt and frightful in Scripture.  Especially to those who are in danger of falling away in time of testing because they had become “dull of hearing” and lax in their faith, but even to those with the most sincere faith who are ever aware of the propensity for their evil wandering heart to go astray (cf. Jer 17:9), such a stern warning cannot but dim one’s hope of ever being saved and inheriting the promises; cf. such a response by the apostles to a similar warning by Jesus in Mat 19:23-25.  How does the author in these verses kindle again the hope of his readers?  See Heb 6:10, cf. Mat 19:26.  What are the “things that accompany salvation” (Heb 6:9)?  See Heb 6:11-12, cf. 2:1, 3:6,13-14, 4:14, 5:14-6:1.  By what means does the author say in Heb 6:11 that as Christians we shall come to “realize the full assurance” of our hope, i.e., by what means do we make our hope sure (NIV)?  What does it mean to “show diligence”?  Cf. 2 Pet 1:3-11, Gal 6:9.  For how long must we be diligent?  Cf. Mat 24:12-13.  What word in Heb 6:12 does the author contrast with such persevering diligence?  Note: NASB “sluggish” is the same word the author used in Heb 5:11 for “dull” of hearing, and indicates his primary concern that they press on to maturity.  How does the author’s admonition beginning in Heb 5:11 and continuing through the warning of Heb 6:4-8 apply to most Christians today?  Does it apply to us?  By what two means did men of old “inherit the promises?  See Heb 6:12.  Note: “patience” is literally “long-suffering”.  Why do you suppose that is?  Cf. Heb5:8.  Should we expect to inherit the promises any differently?

Heb 6:13-20: What assurance does the author offer that God is not fickle in keeping His promises but will be faithful to fulfill them?  See Heb 6:13,17, cf. Heb 6:10.  What is the significance that God confirmed his promises with an oath?  See Heb 6:16b.  What is it about the swearing of an oath that makes it the highest form of a promise or confirmation of a matter?  See Heb 6:16a.  Considering the nature of God who cannot lie (see Tit 1:2), was it really necessary for Him to guarantee His promise with an oath?  See Mat 5:33-37.  Why then did He do so?  See Heb 6:17-18.  What then are the two unchangeable (immutable, KJV; unalterable) things that guarantee for us as believers that God will be faithful to fulfill His promise so long as we are faithful and don’t fall away?  Answer: God’s promise, and the oath He swore by Himself to fulfill it.  Consider that a guarantee is only as sure and certain as the issuer’s ability to fulfill it; compare the strength of the guarantee offered by God to those who put their faith in Him with that offered by the federal government to fulfill its financial obligations, which are “backed by the full faith and credit of the United States”.  Clearly there is no stronger guarantee of anything than that promised by God and confirmed with an oath; what effect should such certainty have upon God’s people as they suffer various trials and temptations that test their faith?  See Heb 6:18.  What is “the hope set before us”?  See Rom 8:24, Gal 5:5, Tit 1:2, 2:13, 1 Jn 3:2-3.  From what have we “fled for refuge” to lay hold of such hope?  See Gen 19:20 and note that the Greek word used here is that used in the LXX for when one unintentionally killed someone and fled for refuge either to the altar or to one of the cities of refuge; cf. Ex 21:14, Num 35:25-28.  Is the Lord a refuge to those who continue in willful, defiant, unrepentant sin?  See Heb 10:26-27, Num 15:30, Num 35:15-23.  To what does the author compare our hope of salvation in Heb 6:19?  For what purpose is the anchor to a ship, especially during a storm?  See Acts 27:17,29,40.  In what way is our hope an anchor to our soul?  With what two chains is the anchor of our hope secured?  See Heb 6:18.  Where is it secured?  See Heb 6:19.  What is it about our hope being anchored “within the veil” that makes it so “sure and steadfast”?  See Heb 6:20; cf. Heb 8:1.  What is the significance of “forerunner” and “forever” in Heb 6:20?

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