Heb 4:14-5:10: What words in Heb 4:14 emphasize the author’s theme throughout this epistle? Cf. Heb 2:1, 3:6,14, 10:23. Having established the better revelation we have as Christians through Jesus the Son of God, and His superiority to the prophets (Heb 1:1), angels (Heb 1:4) and even Moses (Heb 3:3), to what does he now turn his attention to encourage those who were in danger of falling away to hold fast their confession? How has the author been leading up to and preparing the reader for this central part of his exhortation? See Heb 2:17, 3:1. What is the significance that Jesus our High Priest has “passed through the heavens”? See Heb 1:3, 6:20, 7:25, 8:1, 9:24, 10:12, 12:2, Rom 8:34. . What qualification does the author note as essential in order for one to serve as a priest, and why? See Heb 5:2. Some might charge that because (or if) Jesus was the Son of God, He could not truly sympathize with the weaknesses of mankind; how has the author addressed this charge? I.e., although Jesus was the only begotten Son of God, in what way was He “beset with weakness” so as to sympathize with our weaknesses? See Heb 2:10,14,17-18, 5:7-9. What does this teach us about the purposes behind the humble nature of Christ’s incarnation? For what all important reason is Jesus as the High Priest of our confession superior to the sons of Aaron who served as priests? See Heb 4:15; contrast Heb 5:3. Of what practical importance is that fact? See Heb 4:16. In the context of Heb 4:15, in what “time of need” is it important for Christians to draw near to the throne of grace, and why? How would that relate to the situation facing the recipients of this letter? See Heb 2:1, 3:12, 4:11. What does Christ’s own example that the author refers to in Heb 5:7 teach us about the means by which we are to “draw near … to the throne of grace” when we are sorely tempted in order to “find grace to help in time of need”? Cf. Lk 22:40-44. For what reason does the author say in Heb 5:7 that His prayers were heard? Note: NASB piety = NET devotion = NIV reverent submission = KJV feared. Do we have that same God-fearing devotion and confidence of faith that we will be heard in our time of need? What does the author mean that Jesus “learned obedience” and was “made perfect”; wasn’t He obedient and perfect already? See Heb 4:15, 2:17-18. By what means did Jesus learn obedience? See Heb 5:8. As also sons adopted into the family of God should we expect to learn obedience any differently? Do we realize that in every instance that we are confronted with our sinful flesh we have the choice to either give in to the flesh and so sin or suffer in the flesh and so learn obedience and be made perfect, just as Jesus did? Cf. 1 Pet 4:1-2. In such time of need do we draw near to the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need so as to choose the latter? To whom does Heb 5:9 say Jesus is the source of eternal salvation? Given the context of Heb 4:16, in what sense is He our source of eternal salvation? Can one be sanctified and made fit for heaven without obeying Jesus? What is the significance that one had to be called (Heb 5:4) or designated (Heb 5:10) by God to serve as priest? Couldn’t anyone serve as priest? See also Heb 5:1 and cf. Korah’s rebellion and Aaron’s rod that budded in Num 16-17. Would the Messiah as the Son of David and from the tribe of Judah have been allowed to minister under the priesthood of Aaron? Cf. Heb 8:4-5, 2 Chron 26:18. How had God previously indicated that the Messiah would be both King and Priest? See Psa 110.