Heb 10:26-31 Besides the positive aspect of the better things that are available in Christ, with what negative aspect does the author warn his readers about the danger of drifting away from so great a salvation? What does it mean to “go on sinning willfully”? See also 1 Jn 3:4-10. Is this different from occasionally stumbling in sin? See 1 Jn 1:8-2:2. Is the danger of falling away that one may not be saved, or that he then cannot be saved? Cf. 1 Jn 5:16. What is the danger of insulting the Spirit of grace (Heb 10:29)? See Mk 3:28-29. What example do we find in Scripture of those who “trampled underfoot” and “regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which [we] are sanctified”? See 1 Sam 2:12-17, 27-29. Did a sacrifice remain for their sins? See 1 Sam 3:11-14. Would such have been terrifying? Why were such things written down? See Rom 15:4, 1 Cor 10:6,11-12. Did judgment overtake them? See 1 Sam 4:10-11, 17-22. “How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God?”
Heb 10:32-39: What afflictions had the readers of this letter previously suffered as a result of their faith in Christ? See Heb 10:32-34. How do the afflictions described in Heb 10:33-34a also describe those suffered by faithful Christians today, even here in the United States—even to us? Cf. 1 Cor 12:26a. Could we, like those believers, accept joyfully the seizure of our property? What allows true Christians to joyfully suffer such loss in this world? See Heb 10:34c; cf. Mat 5:10-12. Consider that in times past those being addressed had weathered reproaches and tribulations not entirely unlike those arising today against believers even here in America, even to the spoiling of their property. However, now in the face of mounting persecutions even these seasoned saints were in danger of falling away; what does this teach us about the weakness of our flesh and the great danger of complacency in our faith, becoming too comfortable in this world, and not pressing on to maturity of faith? Cf. Mat 26:33-35. As persecution of true believers continues to mount in our nation, as we see happening today, how are we to prepare ourselves to ensure we will stand and not fall away? See Mk 14:38. What key distinctions did Jesus point out between those who ultimately fall away and those who ultimately persevere? See Luk 8:13-15. In light of their prior commitment to Christ, with what conclusion does the author exhort his readers that is also important for us? See Heb 10:35; cf. Heb 3:6,14, 4:16, 10:19, 11:1 (where NASB “assurance” is also translated as “confidence”). What is the great reward of persevering in time of trial and holding fast our confidence in Christ? See Heb 10:36. What is “the promise” (lit.)? See Heb 9:15. What does Heb 10:37 teach us about the imminence of Christ’s return? How are we to understand Heb 10:37 in light of the many past generations of believers who died prior to Christ’s return at the end of the ages? Cf. the context from which the author is quoting in Hab 1-2. What two categories of believers are contrasted in Heb 10:38-39, and what is the final end of each? For destruction see Mat 7:13, 2 Pet 2:1,3, Rev 17:8,11. For the true Christian, what is the opposite of “shrinking back to destruction”? See Heb 10:39.