Monday, September 27, 2021

Hebrews 3:1-6 | Small Group Questions


Coastline Bible Church just started a brand new sermon series called: "Greater." For the next several months we are going to look through the book of Hebrews together. The book of Hebrews was written to a Jewish audience living in the first century. They are likely experiencing persecution and thinking about abandoning their faith. The author teaches us how Jesus is greater than: the prophets, angels, Moses, Abraham, the Law, the old covenant, and the high priest. We learn that Jesus is greater than anything that has preceded Him. For this series I volunteered to write the small group questions that go along with each sermon. It seemed like a waste to leave them in a file on my computer and not share them with everyone.

Small Group Questions | Worthy of Honor | Hebrews 3:1-6

In Hebrews 3 we come to the second encouragement in the letter to the early church: fix your thoughts on Jesus. The short statement has such power. The letter was written to Jewish believers who grew up in Hebrew homes. They knew the Old Testament, the Law, and then trusted Jesus as their Savior. But the pressure from the outside world was causing many of them to leave Jesus and return to Jewish customs. In Hebrews 3 the author encourages the believers to fix their thoughts on Jesus. He wanted them to place their confidence in Jesus and not in the Law. His hope was for them to hold firmly to the confidence they have in Jesus knowing what we focus on is where we will end up.

1) In the early 2000’s a game called: ‘Bigger and Better’ gained national attention when Kyle MacDonald traded a paper clip up for a home! What is the fascination in our culture getting something bigger and better? 

2) Read Hebrews 3:1-2. We are encouraged to fix our thoughts on Jesus. Share about a time in your life when you were so focused on accomplishing something you spent all your time to make it a reality. How do you fix your thoughts on Jesus? 

3) The New Testament has an emphasis on the renewing of our mind (Matthew 22:37, Romans 8:5, and Colossians 3:9-10). Discuss how Jesus has renewed your mind and what the outcome has been? How has your thinking changed for the better? 

4) The early believers wanted to return to Moses. Read Hebrews 3:3-4. To return to Moses meant to return to the Law and the law can never save us. Have you ever been tempted to walk away from Jesus? What tempted you to leave? 

5) Read Exodus 3:1-13 and John 14:6-14. Write out some of the differences between the ways Jesus and Moses accepted their calls. Have you explored the call God has on your life? What do you think it is? 

6) Moses was faithful as a servant and Jesus was faithful as a Son (read Hebrews 3:5-6). Read Numbers 12:-19 and Romans 8:1-8. Talk about how Moses and Jesus were both faithful to the call God had on their lives. 

7) Scripture teaches us that we are a house of God. Read Matthew 25:14-21 and Mark 10:43-45. How can we focus our attention on serving others this week in an effort to bring glory to God? 

Close your time in prayer. Pray for strength to invite a friend to meet Jesus. 

Hebrews 2:10-18 | Small Group Questions





Coastline Bible Church just started a brand new sermon series called: "Greater." For the next several months we are going to look through the book of Hebrews together. The book of Hebrews was written to a Jewish audience living in the first century. They are likely experiencing persecution and thinking about abandoning their faith. The author teaches us how Jesus is greater than: the prophets, angels, Moses, Abraham, the Law, the old covenant, and the high priest. We learn that Jesus is greater than anything that has preceded Him. For this series I volunteered to write the small group questions that go along with each sermon. It seemed like a waste to leave them in a file on my computer and not share them with everyone.

Small Group Questions | Our Humble Hero | Hebrews 2:10-18

As we look at the second half of Hebrews 2 we see the author continue to teach us about the greatness of Jesus. He goes to great lengths to teach how Jesus is greater than the angels. This might have created a point of confusion for the original audience because Jesus held his divinity and took on our humanity. We learn a great point about belonging to the family of God. For us to belong to the family of God we need a pioneer who would invite us into that family. That is Jesus Christ, our humble hero. As we study Hebrews 2:10-18 keep your mind open to the many ways that Jesus shared in our humanity. Because Jesus shared in our humanity He is able to empathize with us in the suffering we endure while we wait for the completion of our salvation. 

1) Doug opened his sermon and talked about the benefit of doing life with others. He shared about how the men in our church gathered together and there was great joy. Share about who you’re doing community with in life and how that impacts you. 

2) Read Hebrews 2:10-13. Jesus humanity enabled Him to bring many sons and daughters to glory. The author teaches us that Jesus is the pioneer of our salvation through what He suffered. Read Luke 23:26-43 and talk about how Jesus suffered. 

3) Scripture teaches us that we are adopted as the children of God. Read the following passages and talk about what changes when we view ourselves as children of God. (read Acts 13:26, Romans 8:14-17, Galatians 3:26, and Ephesians 5:8). 

4) In Hebrews 2:14-16. Jesus humanity enabled Him to deliver us from death. Read  Matthew 2:1, Mark 4:38, Luke 2:52, and John 4:6-8. Talk about how these verses teach us that Jesus shared in our humanity. 

5) Jesus had to take on human flesh in order to defeat Satan. Jesus didn’t die to save the fallen angels (see 2 Peter 2:4). Presently Jesus is helping the descendants of Abraham (that is you). Share how you saw Jesus help you this month. 

6) Jesus humanity enables Him to be a sympathetic High Priest to His people (Read Hebrews 2:17-18). Now look at 1 Samuel 2:27-36. We read that Eli was not a merciful and faithful High Priest. Talk about the difference between the two men. 

7) During His time on earth Jesus faced suffering. Some of this took place immediately after His baptism (Read Matthew 4:1-11). Because Jesus suffered He can empathize with our suffering. Share about a time when Jesus met you in your suffering. 

Close your time in prayer. Pray for strength to invite a friend to meet Jesus. 

Monday, September 13, 2021

Hebrews 2:1-9 | Small Group Questions




Coastline Bible Church just started a brand new sermon series called: "Greater." For the next several months we are going to look through the book of Hebrews together. The book of Hebrews was written to a Jewish audience living in the first century. They are likely experiencing persecution and thinking about abandoning their faith. The author teaches us how Jesus is greater than: the prophets, angels, Moses, Abraham, the Law, the old covenant, and the high priest. We learn that Jesus is greater than anything that has preceded Him. For this series I volunteered to write the small group questions that go along with each sermon. It seemed like a waste to leave them in a file on my computer and not share them with everyone.

Small Group Questions | The source of Salvation | Hebrews 2:1-9

Most scholars agree that the book of Hebrews was written before AD 70. The letter teaches us about how Jesus is greater than anything that has come before Him. In Hebrews 2 the author continues to teach us that Jesus is greater than the angels. We learn that Jesus is the source of our salvation. No matter how glorious the angels are they will never be able to offer us salvation. They are heavenly beings who cannot die. But Jesus took on the flesh of humanity and became our spotless offering on the cross to win our salvation. As we study Hebrews 2:1-9 think about your own salvation. Think about when you gave your life to Christ and radical life change that took place. If you have yet to place your life in Christ, look only to Jesus for salvation and you will find it. 

1) Neal shared with us about a summer camp he preached at and a young man giving his life to Jesus. Share with your small group about your salvation event. Where were you at, who invited you, how did God draw you to Himself? 

2) Read Hebrews 2:1-4. We are encouraged to be careful to not “drift away” from the faith. Read 1 John 1:9, 2 Timothy 3:16, James 1:21-25, and 2 Peter 1:5-10. Talk about what causes believers to drift away from the faith and how to combat that. 

3) One of the reasons the author wrote this book was because people were drifting away from the faith because of persecution. Read Acts 12:1-24. Where do you see the church experiencing persecution right now? 

4) In Hebrews 2:3 we read about ignoring this great salvation. Read Jonah 1, Matthew 25:31-46, and James 1:22. The repercussions for ignoring God are great. How can we help people obey the Lord and find this great salvation? 

5) There are a number of spiritual ramifications for drifting away from the Lord. Take some time as a group to talk about ramifications. Take some time to talk about the benefits of following Jesus. (Psalm 5:3, Psalm 119:11, John 4:24, 2 Corinthians 9:7)

6) Read Psalm 8. The author is quoting King David who teaches us about the authority God has given mankind. What does this verse teach you about your role in creation? What does this verse teach you about how Jesus is greater than angels? 

7) Read Hebrews 2:9. We may not see angels but we do see Jesus. Share about a time how you saw Jesus at work in your life in the last week. It might have been in a neighbor, a friend who helped out, or a way the church came alongside you. 

Close your time in prayer. Pray for strength to invite a friend to meet Jesus. 

Thursday, September 02, 2021

Hebrews 1 | Small Group Questions



Coastline Bible Church just started a brand new sermon series called: "Greater." For the next several months we are going to look through the book of Hebrews together. The book of Hebrews was written to a Jewish audience living in the first century. They are likely experiencing persecution and thinking about abandoning their faith. The author teaches us how Jesus is greater than: the prophets, angels, Moses, Abraham, the Law, the old covenant, and the high priest. We learn that Jesus is greater than anything that has preceded Him. For this series I volunteered to write the small group questions that go along with each sermon. It seemed like a waste to leave them in a file on my computer and not share them with everyone.

Small Group Questions | High Above it All | Hebrews 1

Sometimes we need a different angle to view things from. It might be a new perspective that shows us what we’re missing, lacking, or how we’re not seeing for the whole picture. We just started a brand new sermon series called: “Greater” and began studying the book of Hebrews. The letter was written to Jewish people living in the first century. The early church was being persecuted and many of the believers were slipping back into Jewish customs to avoid persecution. We know it was written to Hebrew people as it talks about the Old Testament in great depth. These first four verses are some of the most poetic, poignant, and clear verses in the New Testament about who Jesus Christ is. Let’s study Hebrews 1:1-14 together! 

1) Neal shared a story about climbing a mountain and getting a different view of the same thing. Share about a time when you saw something from a different vantage point and how that changed your perspective. 

2) Read Hebrews 1:1-2. We read that God has spoken to us through the prophets in a variety of ways. Read Matthew 5:17-20 and talk about how Jesus is greater than the prophets who preceded Him. 

3) We learn that God has spoken to us through His Son. Read Luke 4:16-21. Jesus knew one of the roles of the prophets was to point people to Himself. Share how God’s Word has spoken to you and pointed you to Jesus. 

4) Read Hebrews 1:3-4. We learn that Jesus is the exact representation of God. That means if we want to know God we need to look to Jesus. Read these verses and talk about how they help us know God: Mark 2:1-12, Matthew 9:36, and John 11:35. 

5) Jesus is not only the author of life but the sustainer of life. Read Philippians 2:5-11. In the letter to the church in Philippi, Paul teaches us about the character and nature of Jesus. How do these verses help you understand who Jesus is? 

6) Neal said the church is going through trying times right now. He talked about how we need to make sure that Jesus is the foundation of our living. Share about how you have trusted in scaffolding and not Jesus as the foundation. How will you change? 

7) Read Hebrews 1:5-14. In the last ten verses we see multiple ways that Jesus is greater than the angels. Pick a couple of these verses, go read them in the Old Testament and talk about how Jesus is greater than the angels. 

Close your time in prayer. Pray for strength to invite a friend to meet Jesus.