Hebrews: So Great a Salvation
HEBREWS 2:3
Scripture verse: “how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation…”
Objectives:
- Students should memorize the verse and understand its content and context.
- What is different about the book of Hebrews compared to the other epistles?
Background on the book:
Hebrews is very different from the other New Testament books in that we have no idea who wrote it. The Council at Carthage, which organized the canon of Scripture, attributed the letter to Paul; others suggest Barnabas or Apollos. It was written to Jewish believers probably from Rome before AD 70, before the destruction of Jerusalem.
Possible Lesson Plan:
1. Open with prayer.
2. Review the background of the book. How is Hebrews different from the other books of the New Testament?
1. Scripture lesson: Again, take 1 chapter for each student, with teacher briefly summarizing if there are too few students. Five chapters are selected here for discussion – pick more if you have more students!
· Chapter 1: The glory of the Father and of the Son – Who is the Majesty? Who is the Son? What did the Son do for us? What are angels? Where in the Liturgy to we state the nature of the Father and of the Son, as given to us in Hebrews? (the creed)
· Chapter 2: The nature of Christ’s mission on earth – Why did God become man? Was Jesus fully God? (yes, verse 10) Was He fully man, sharing in our flesh and blood, in sufferings and temptations? (yes, vss 14-18) What is possible now for us, thanks to the mission of Jesus Christ? Where do we SHOUT this? (Pascha – “Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.”)
· Chapter 4: The power of the Word of God – Can we hide from the Word of God – Christ Himself? He knows our actions and even our thoughts. Does God expect us to be perfect, without weakness? If you have a class of discussers, this would be a great place to discuss our own weaknesses, since they aren’t hidden anyway, are they? Why can we approach the throne of God?
· Chapter 7: The priesthood of Aaron and that of Melchizedek – Review the story of Aaron’s priesthood as the brother of Moses under the law and the story of Abraham and Melchizedek (Genesis 14: 18-20). What was the role of the high priests for the Jewish people in the time of Jesus? Who is OUR High Priest?
· Chapter 10: The blood of Jesus – Of what use were the sacrifices of animals in the Old Covenant? Who offered His blood for our salvation? Why are we now able to enter the Holy of Holies? How should we live knowing the sacrifice Christ has made for us?
2. Scripture verse: Hebrews 2:1-4
3. Give a little quiz: How often do you think about? Answers: a lot, some, never
Wanting a closer relationship with God?
Praying to God?
Wondering if all this Christian stuff is a waste of time?
Going to Church?
Wishing you could have seen Jesus?
Feeling something is missing in your relationship to God?
Understanding God better by reading the Church fathers?
Whether the Christian life would be easier if I were a monk?
4. Discussion questions:
How are you walking with God? Are you hand in hand, or each going his own way, occasionally and accidentally side by side? Is God the most important person in your life? Why or why not? Should He be? What happens to a plant or a pet if you neglect it? (wither and die) How do you keep your relationship with an earthly friend strong and close? Do you put as much time and energy into your relationship with God?
5. Keep a spiritual journal for a week and bring it next week. How much time did you devote to your relationship with God? What is His priority in your life?
6. Close with prayer.