Hebrews Life Group Lesson

Opening Question

What are some prerequisites for your job?

What type of ongoing training do you have to engage in?

Read:

Hebrews 5:11–14 ESV

11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Lay Out the Differences between Milk and Solid Food

(2019) Harris- Hebrews A. Prelude: It’s Time to Grow up and Move on to Maturity (5:11–6:3)

The series of analogies in 5:11–14 were well known in Greco-Roman writings and may be listed as follows (cf. Attridge 162): infants // immature Christians; milk // basic Christian doctrine; adults // mature Christians; solid food // harder instruction (the author’s teaching on the Melchizedekian priesthood). Lane (1:137), however, notes the importance of recognizing the irony in this section. The author is not suggesting a progression from milk to solid food, but rather is calling attention to the seriousness of the audience’s failure to pay attention (cf. 2:1–4; 3:7–19; 4:12–13). The irony is evident when the author resumes discussion of Melchizedek in 7:1–10.

What does this passage say distinguishes the immature from the mature?

What do you think it means to be a mature Christian?

How do you think spiritual maturity relates to being a “teacher,” as we see in verse 12?

Common Misconceptions of Hebrews 6:1-12

Losing Salvation

(2019) Harris- Hebrews A. Prelude: It’s Time to Grow up and Move on to Maturity (5:11–6:3)

The exhortation to move on to spiritual maturity precedes one of the most difficult passages in the NT. It is important, therefore, to underscore the pastoral concern and care in 5:11–6:3. The author assumes that the audience has been grounded in Christian basics and is accountable for their immaturity. The strong warning (6:4–8) is followed by the author’s assurances about the audience (6:9–12) and the eventual resumption of the difficult teaching about Melchizedek (7:1–10).

Read Hebrews 6:1–8

“1 Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of

A. repentance from dead works

B. and of faith toward God,

C. and of instruction about washings,

D. the laying on of hands,

E. the resurrection of the dead,

F. and eternal judgment.

3 And this we will do if God permits. [“So, lets grow up now and pay attention!”]

4 For it is impossible, in the case of

A. those who have once been enlightened,

B. who have tasted the heavenly gift,

C. and have shared in the Holy Spirit,

D. 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God

and the powers of the age to come,

E. 6 and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.

It Doesn't Make Sense

7 For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God.

8 But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.”

Verse 1 talks about moving beyond the elementary teachings of Christ. What are some examples of these elementary teachings, and how have they impacted your faith journey?

Read Heb. 6:9-12

Hebrews 6:9–12 ESV

9 Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. 10 For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. 11 And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Verse 10 mentions God's justice and faithfulness in remembering our work and love. How does this understanding of God's character motivate you in your faith journey and in serving others within the church community?**

In verse 11, the passage talks about the importance of showing diligence in order to realize the full assurance of hope. What are some practical ways we can show diligence in our faith, and how can this impact our spiritual growth?

Hebrews 6:12 encourages believers to imitate those who, through faith and patience, inherit God's promises. Who are some role models in your life that exemplify faith and patience, and what lessons have you learned from them?

The passage speaks of inheriting the promises of God. What promises of God do you find most comforting and reassuring in your faith journey, and how do they sustain you during challenging times?