Heb 3:1-6 What is a “heavenly calling”? Is being a partaker of a heavenly calling the same as being a partaker of heaven? Having confessed Jesus who has called us heavenward, what is necessary to partake of heaven itself? See Heb 4:14, 10:23. In light of the temptation to the recipients of this letter to fall away, why is the author’s emphasis upon the faithfulness of Jesus especially significant? Who among the Old Testament personages would those of the Jewish faith have upheld as the epitome of faithfulness to God? Cf. Num 12:7. Why is Jesus worthy of even greater glory than Moses? See Heb 3:3-6. What is the significance of the prepositions “in” and “over” in Heb 3:5-6? The Jews who saw the law as an end in itself also viewed Moses as having a pinnacle position in God’s economy; how does the author more correctly describe him in Heb 3:5, and how does that contrast with Christ in Heb 3:6? Moses was indeed an example of faithfulness, but as a servant; for what purpose was Moses a servant in God’s house? See Heb 3:5, Rom 15:4. Many people tend to think of God as having two houses: one full of Jews with Moses as the leader, and one full of Christians with Jesus as the leader; how do Heb 3:5-6 dispel that notion, and what do they teach us about the unity of God’s household across the two testaments? What is the implication of the condition found in Heb 3:6 if one does not hold fast his confidence firm until the end? See also Heb 3:14. How exactly do we hold fast our confidence? See 1 Jn 2:28, 3:21, 4:16-17. Are we abiding in Him? Does our heart condemn us? As He is, are we also in this world? What do Heb 3:3-4 tell us about the author’s understanding of Christ’s deity?
Heb 3:7-19 What “testimony” (Heb 3:5) of Moses does the author draw upon that relates to the present circumstances of the recipients? See Heb 3:7-11 quoting from Ps 95:7b-11, Num 14:22-23, 32:10-13 and cf. 1 Cor 10:1-13. What parallel is the author setting up between those Moses led out of their bondage in Egypt and those Jesus delivered from their bondage to sin, including those he is addressing in this letter? See Heb 3:16-19, 4:2. What warning does the example of those Israelites whom Moses led out of their bondage in Egypt offer the recipients? See Heb 3:12. Considering that God has now spoken to us through His Son Jesus Christ who is worthy of even greater glory than His servant Moses, is this warning more or less binding and serious? Cf. Heb 12:25. What words in Heb 3:12 indicate the real possibility of a Christian “falling away”? See also Heb 3:13-14. What is the key word(s) the author uses three times in this chapter that indicates what leads a Christian to fall away? See Heb 3:8, 13, 15; cf. 4:7. What is it that hardens the heart of a Christian? See Heb 3:13. What is it about sin that is so deceitful? Cf. Gen 3:4,13, 1 Cor 6:9-10, Gal 6:7-8, Eph 5:5-6, James 1:15-16, 1 Jn 3:7-10. What must Christians do to guard against the deceitfulness of sin that hardens one’s heart? See Heb 3:13 and notice that NASB “encourage” is also commonly translated “exhort” (see KJV); see also Heb 4:1. How often does the author say it is necessary to exhort and encourage one another? Note: NASB “day after day” = KJV “daily” = NET “each day” = YLT “every day”. What does this teach us about the importance of daily family devotions and meeting together regularly with like-minded saints? See also Heb 10:24-25. What is the danger of allowing the pressures of our jobs, the allure of sports or hobbies, and the manifold cares and concerns of this world to deprive us of the time necessary “each day” to exhort and encourage one another (and especially our children) in the faith? See again Heb 3:13[1]. What is the danger of hearing the voice of God speaking to us but putting off doing what we know we should do? See again Heb 3:7-8, 13, 15, 4:7. Do any of us know when the sun shall set on the “Today” of our salvation? Is God, who has already poured out His love to us by sending His Son to suffer and die for our sins, under any obligation to continue knocking on the door of our hearts when we keep ignoring Him? What do Heb 3:18-19 teach us about the Scriptural definition of what it means to believe?
1. Example: Although I weeded my garden just before leaving on a 3 week vacation, upon returning I had grass and other weeds over 1 ft. tall growing all over in my corn and beans! The situation was grievous and it took 2 days of careful weeding to remove it. In like manner do the weed seeds of sin sprout and grow unrestrained in the garden of our lives in just a short time when left unattended.↩