OC Bereans

Gentlemen,

Invest some time in preparation for Monday night’s study on Hebrews 3.  These questions will help.

1. Why does “therefore” begin v. 1?
2. What does it mean to be “partakers of a heavenly calling”?  *See also Ephesians 1:3; 2:4-7; Philippians 3:14, 20; Hebrews 11:16; 12:22-23.
3. The writer urges us to “consider Jesus” … What does this look like in our everyday lives?
4. How can Jesus be described as an “Apostle”?
5. What is the significance behind contrasting Jesus as a “Son” versus Moses as a “servant”?  (vv. 5-6)
6. Why did the writer of Hebrews argue that Jesus is greater than Moses?
7. How/when did ancient Israel “harden their hearts”?  (vv. 8-9, 15-17)
8. What were the consequences of this “hardening”?  (vv. 10-11, 17-19)
9. How do we sometimes “harden our hearts”?
10. What are some consequences we can anticipate as a result?  *See also Proverbs 29:1; Jude 5.
11. Identify some remedies to heart-hardening.
12. How is sin described in v. 13?
13. Read Ezekiel 33:11 … How may we use this verse, along with Hebrews 3, to demonstrate to a friend that God does not take pleasure in the destruction of unbelievers?

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My Debbi is providing the dessert … which will be served at 7 pm … our study will begin shortly after that.

~ tr

Gentlemen,

Here are my Hebrews 2:10-18 Notes.

Check back later this week for study questions for chapter 3.

If you haven’t already done so, subscribe to this blog to receive automatic updates when new items are posted.  Check the right-side nav bar for details.

~ tr

Gentlemen,

Here are my Hebrews 2:1-9 Notes, which is about as far as we got during our last study.  This next Monday, we will finish the chapter.  If I conceive additional questions from the ones already posted last week, I will make another blog post later this week.

Monday’s study starts at 7 pm, with fellowship and dessert (which Scott B. promised to bring), then ends with prayer … remember to pray for each other!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

If you are interested, here are my notes from last week’s study:  Hebrews 1 Notes.

Now, here is the handout for Hebrews 2, plus some questions to get you thinking:

• Why did God create angels?  What are their roles?
• What warning is issued in 2:1-4?
• If a child asked you, “How can Jesus be God, and still be God’s Son, too?” … how would you explain this?
• In what ways have you (or others you have observed) neglected your salvation?
• In what ways are humans better than angels?  Vice versa?
• What difference does it make that Jesus actually experienced life the same way you do?

Rick M. is bringing the dessert, which will be served at 7 pm … the study starts several minutes after that.

~ tr

Gentlemen,

The following five questions will help you prepare for Monday night’s Bible study:

1. What does Hebrews 1:1 indicate about the deity we worship?
2. Christology is the doctrine of Christ … what elemental truths do we learn about Jesus in 1:1-4?
3. Identify several of the ways that God “spoke” in the Old Testament?
4. Hebrews 1:3 states that Jesus “sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Why is this significant to us?
5. Multiple O.T. passages are quoted in 1:5-13 … identify as many passages as possible … notice any trends?

The study starts at 7 pm! … dessert might even be served … we have a special guest who will be in attendance, too!

See you Monday!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

As promised, here is a brief recap of some key items we discussed last week and tonight.

Preamble to Hebrews … key verses to remember whenever commencing a new Bible book study:

• 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (cf., Ephesians 2:8-10)
• 2 Peter 1:19-21
• 2 Timothy 2:15
• Hebrews 4:12
• Romans 15:4
• Hebrews 1:1-4

Introduction to Hebrews … click on the following links to download handouts:

Intro to Hebrews (key)

Outline

5 Characteristics

Finally, here is another handout on the text of Hebrews 1:1-14.  Study questions for chapter one will be posted later in the week.

Remember to pray for each other!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

As we embark upon a new year, the world appears to our naked eyes as full of crises:  Political unrest … climate change … soaring inflation … “wars and rumors of wars” … etc. … etc.  What a wonderful time to study the New Testament book of Hebrews!  For the next several months, we will focus on living by faith, not by sight.

You may remember one of my three-fold axioms for life, ministry and teaching:

• Speak to basic human need.
• Use terms that people understand.
• Focus sharply on Jesus Christ!

This is exactly what the book of Hebrews does! … we will enjoy many sessions together exploring this 13-chapter book.

The following introductory study questions may also be downloaded and printed in handout form:  Introduction to Hebrews.

1. Who wrote Hebrews?
2. When was it written?
3. Who was the audience?
4. Where were they located?
5. Why was it written?
6. What is a basic outline?
7. Identify unique features.
8. Key verses.

If you have not yet read through the entire book of Hebrews (preferably in one sitting), you still have time prior to this coming Monday night, January 3rd.

Be sure to check the previous blog post for several strategic announcements!

As we have become accustomed … dessert will be served at 7 pm … the study of Hebrews will start PROMPTLY by 7:15 pm … see you in the New Year!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

As we approach the end of 2010, and gear up to face the opportunities and challenges of 2011, I have two requests (for today at least!):

1. Read through the entire N.T. book of Hebrews (preferably in one sitting) prior to our next study, scheduled for Monday, Jan. 3rd.
2. Join me in a “B90X” experiment! … Have you heard of P90X, the extreme physical fitness workout program?  A pastor in Charlotte, North Carolina challenged his staff to read through the entire Bible in 90 days! … an extreme spiritual fitness regimen.

Click on these two links for the 90-day program … B90X (pdf) or B90X (xls) … in case you want to check off the boxes on your computer.

Print a copy to carry in your Bible … or read the daily passages online by clicking on one of the links under Bible Study Tools in this blog’s right-side navigation bar.

~ ~ ~

*SAVE THE DATES:  January 21-22 … “Awakening 2011” … spiritual formation retreat at Lake Arrowhead … expect an e-vite right after Christmas with details.

Finally, check out the photo taken at our Christmas potluck …   … very GQ!!! Roc was there earlier, but had to leave to catch a flight … maybe I can “photoshop” him in!

Love you guys!

~ tr

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Gentlemen,

In addition to the six questions listed in the last post, here are four more to help prepare you for Monday night’s final study on the book of Romans.

• It appears that Paul is writing this letter to a collection of “house churches” in the city of Rome … how many can you identify in chapter 16?
• What are the key components of Paul’s warnings in 16:17-20?
• What do you know about Paul’s eight friends who are with him in Corinth?  (vv. 21-23)
• What are the essential truths mentioned by Paul in his benediction?  (vv. 25-26)

Bob J. is bringing the dessert … which will be served at 7 pm … the study starts shortly after that.

~ tr

Gentlemen,

As the apostle Paul winds up his letter to the church at Rome, here are some questions to aid your preparation for our discussion on Romans chapter 16.

1. In this final chapter of his letter to the church at Rome, how many individuals are named?
2. What does this indicate about Paul?
3. What can be learned about these “saints”?
4. Where is Cenchrea?
5. Where else in Scripture are Prisca & Aquila mentioned?  What can we learn about them?
6. Why are Paul’s warnings in vv. 17-20 significant?

Dessert will be served at 7 pm … the study starts a few minutes later!

~ tr