Hebrews: Order of Melchizedek

HEBREWS 7:17

Scripture verse: “For He testifies: ‘You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.’”

Objectives:

Possible Lesson Plan:

Review the background of the book. Who was writing it? (Trick question) To whom?

Scripture lesson: Hebrews 7:17. Memorize it. Read also Hebrews 7:22-8:6. This is a long and hard passage, with big words that may need explaining. Memorization should be easy, except for the name "Melchizedek." Repeat it several times.

Discuss the law of Moses: When was it received? (Mt. Sinai) Who were the priests? (tribe of Levi, sons of Aaron) Who was to obey the law? How were sins paid for? (sacrifice) Who offered the sacrifices? (the priests) Did the priests also sin and have to sacrifice for their own sins? Is a Levitical priest permanent, or does he die like all men and have to be replaced? Were the people cleansed from sin forever, or did they have to sacrifice over and over again?

Read the story of Abraham and Melchizedek in Genesis 14: 18-20 very carefully. Who was Melchizedek? Was he a son of Levi? How was he ordained? (by God Himself) Who gave an offering to whom – did Abraham give an offering to Melchizedek or Melchizedek to Abraham? Who is higher in rank, Abraham or Melchizedek? Does Melchizedek in the Scripture have a role other than priest? What is it? (King of Salem – which means King of Peace!) Does the Bible tell us that Melchizedek died? With what did Melchizedek bless Abraham? (bread and wine)

How is Jesus like Melchizedek? By whom was Jesus ordained? Is Jesus also referred to as a King? With what does Jesus bless us in the Eucharist? (bread and wine become His body and blood)

How is Jesus not like the Levite priests? Is He of the tribe of Levi? (no, Judah) Did He pay for our sins with sacrifice? Did He also sin? Does He have to sacrifice Himself over and over again? Does He live forever?

Now you should be ready to understand how Jesus fulfilled the Old Covenant with the Jews and began a New Covenant (which was prefigured by Melchizedek and Abraham). Read Hebrews 9:14 – Do you understand it?

Play “Melchizedek says”: Students should line up facing the leader. Leader will make statements that would pertain either to Melchizedek or to Levi. If it pertains to the priesthood of Melchizedek, student should stand; if to the Levitical priesthood, student should sit on the floor. Sample statements would include:

Abraham brought bread and wine. (Melchizedek)

Replaced at death (Levi)

Sinned like all men (Levi)

Ordained by God Himself (Melchizedek)

Sacrificed sheep and goats (Levi)

King of Salem (Melchizedek)

Immortal (Melchizedek)

Ordained by Moses (Levi)

Abraham gave a tithe (Melchizedek)

Sinless (Melchizedek)

Multiple priests (Levi)

Sacrifice himself once for all (Melchizedek)