Perhaps the most enigmatic epistle of the new testament, the book of hebrews confronts the reader with foundational christian doctrines framed for an audience steeped in jewish law and tradition. The book of hebrews helps us to understand the relationship between jewish. It is deep and full of sometimes difficult to understand terms and theology. The believers are seen as men on earth having free entrance to god and a heavenly calling by the work of christ. Paul, as a pharisee, would have been familiar with the scripture in its original hebrew language.
Well look at five important factors about this original audience that we should consider as we study the book of hebrews. The attached powerpoint and audio were given during the. A workbook suitable for bible classes, family studies, or. But lisa harper makes digging into hebrews fun and doable, as only she can, without losing an ounce of depth. Hebrews is a name for the israelites and for the descendants of abraham compare genesis 14. Some say it was paul the apostle, but that is doubtful. To read it is to breathe the atmosphere of heaven itself. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to jesus, the founder and perfecter of our. Many of its topics and themes are difficult to understand, and it tends to approach them differently than other new testament books do. The book of hebrews quotes extensively from the old testament. Frederick goodall british painter, 18221904, portrait of rabbi. Use highlighting, underlining, and take notes while you study the bible.
Bible study on hebrews the epistle of hebrews a bible study series on the permanence, sufficiency, preeminence, and superiority of jesus christ. Jesus is the one upon whom our faith rests and depends, from start to finish. The book of hebrews compares and contrasts jesus to key historical people and events from the old testament. A free 12week bible study on hebrews from crossway. And yet the epistle cannot have received its name for the fact only that there are so many references to the ot in it.
The attached powerpoint and audio were given during the teaching of these lessons. Introduction to hebrews verse by verse bible study kjv. A bible study in easyenglish 2800 word vocabulary on the book of hebrews. He is gods word, the hope for a new creation, our eternal priest, and. As we studied through the book of hebrews, several overarching topics kept popping up again and again. Join leading new testament scholar and charlotte campus president of reformed theological seminary, michael kruger, for a 33lesson study on the book of hebrews. In addition, the suggestion that the writer of this epistle relied upon knowledge and information provided by others who were actual eyewitnesses of christ jesus 2.
Chuck smith study guide for hebrews blue letter bible. Bible study series on the book of hebrews chapter by chapter. The attached word document study guides are questions for the congregation, handed out the week prior to the lesson. Lastly, we should think about the reasons why the book of hebrews is so important for christians to study. The books also relate the history of the jewish nation from its earliest stage, through the giving of the law at mount sinai, and until the end of the first commonwealth. Another reason why people find hebrews a hard book to study is the way in which the author uses the old testament scriptures in his epistle. As weve just suggested, the author of hebrews wrote to exhort his audience.
It takes key hebrew words in this passage of scripture and drills down to the very heart, soul and core of. Hebrews is one of the most challenging books in the new testament. Hebrew word study by chaim bentorah combines an indepth look at the meanings of a variety of scriptural words and phrases in the original hebrew with a downtoearth application for our daily christian experience. The book of hebrews refers to the collection of texts in the new testament also known as the letter to the hebrews and epistle to the hebrews. Biblical studies from the book of hebrews bible study guide. Study of the book of hebrews bob george ministries. Yet we should not give up just because it is difficult. More than any other new testament book, hebrews connects the dots between. To study it is to partake of strong spiritual meat. This is the only new testament book which we dont know the author of. Perhaps this explains why presentday christians often find this book confusing or even misleading. The greeks saw everything on earth as the shadows cast by what was real, so they were always searching for reality. The author of hebrews wrote to exhort his audience to reject local jewish teachings and to remain faithful to jesus.
The book of hebrews appeals to the greek mind as well as the jewish mind. The book of hebrews elevates jesus above historical people. Throughout the epistle, the author stresses the continuity and flow between the old testament revelation and the new faith in christ, while emphasizing the superiority of both christ and his new covenant, using such words as better, perfect and. There are many reasons, because it is a wonderful book. He is greater than angels, the torah, moses, the promised land, priests, melchizedek, sacrifices, and the covenant. In their simplest form, the twentyfour books of the jewish bible the tanach present a history of the first 3500 years from creation until the building of the second temple in jerusalem. The book of hebrews is an exhortation to jewish christians to hold fast to their faith in christ. They are intended for reflection and self study before readinglistening to the lesson.
Although the identity of the author of the book remains to be a topic for debate and discussion in churches and among scholars today, the book of hebrews is attributed to paul the apostle. Hebrews 1 inductive bible study notes and discussion questions hebrews 1 outline. Although some include the book of hebrews among the apostle pauls writings, the certain identity of the author remains an enigma. Study of the book of hebrews the book of hebrews the book of hebrews is written to the world believers and nonbelievers alike. The epistle to the hebrews, one of the most important books of the. This description of the authors purpose helps orient us to the main ideas found in the book of hebrews. Hebrews online bible study bible study the jesuswalk.
Most hebrew word study books read like a dictionary, not really explaining the hebrew words in light of specific bible passages. We in the west, and those who have been trained to interpret old testament citations in a very narrow way, need to recognize that the new testament authors used old testament texts in a variety of ways. Missing is pauls customary salutation common to his other works. The writer of this letter does not identify himself, but he was obviously well known to the original recipients. The addressees must not only have been very familiar with the ot. Intro to hebrews biblica the international bible society. The author of hebrews is unknown but we know that god inspired him, just as he inspired the authors of the other books in the bible. This summary of the book of hebrews provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of hebrews. This book is the one through which the new covenant teaching so dear to bobs heart was formed. Comprehensive bible study on the book of hebrews designed for both personal study or use in small group studies. This 12week study will help readers understand and appreciate how the book of hebrews testifies to christs supremacy through imagery, metaphor, and old testament analogy. We arent sure exactly who wrote the book of hebrews. Epistle to the hebrews read the bible online bible study tools.
Others say barnabasor because of the writing style, perhaps it was luke or. Simply put, the book of hebrews helps us unlock the glorious tapestry of gods progressive revelation. Read and study hebrews by yourself for the first time. The main themes in hebrews include the superiority of christ, the superiority of the new covenant, and urgent calls for the believer to persevere in his faith. With the inclusion in this study of the books of romans, galatians and ephesians, a beautiful picture of gods plan of redemption for all mankind is revealed. The questions contain minimal human commentary, but instead urge students to study to. God is not called father of the believers hebrews 12. Hebrews with book summary versebyverse bible commentary.
Hebrews differs in some respect with the other epistles of the nt. Gospel glimpses, wholebible connections, theology, practice, and. The book of hebrews is a rich, dense section of scripture that can intimidate the most scholarly biblical student. Easyenglish is a system of simple english designed by wycliffe associates uk. This first lesson in the series establishes the historical and religious context for the writing of this book. Introduction to hebrews the epistle to the hebrews is a unique book in the new testament. Clement of alexandria suggests that paul wrote the book originally in hebrew and that luke translated it into greek, though the greek of hebrews bears no resemblance to translation greek e. The epistle to the hebrews introduction the epistle to the hebrews is a unique book in the new testament. The book of hebrews bible study roger hahn these resources are offered as a ministry of the christian resource institute with no access charge or subscription fees. In other letters, paul either quotes the masoretic text the original hebrew or paraphrases it. Epistle to hebrews study messianic literary corner. Each lesson on this study of hebrews is designed fit into the whole of the book.
Ill point out the major landmarks and explain some of the things that dont fully resonate with our modern culture. Hebrew word study ancient biblical words put into a modern context is different from other hebrew word study books as this book takes a specific passage of scripture and analyzes it with respect to its historical and cultural background. It begins as an essay, progresses as a sermon, and ends as a letter heb. The letter to the hebrews is an amazing book nothing like anything you see in the rest of the new.
1487 1079 1458 374 433 36 1123 649 1165 1151 947 1553 234 629 61 205 804 1345 385 1350 868 815 1435 1555 1501 802 981 1302 441 346 1366 267 804 26 685 196 1449 823