Jesus: Mediator of a Better Covenant - Week 7
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE
For the week of October 18th
Connecting (Aim for 15 minutes)
Breaking the Ice/Think Time
1. Share a time in your life when you thought you had the best thing ever but then realized that there was something better. What was it and what made the other thing better?
Quick Review… Looking back at your notes from this Sunday’s sermon, what caught your attention, challenged, or confused you?
Understanding the Truth (Aim for 30 minutes)
Read Hebrews 8:1-7
1. Review Hebrews 8:1–2. What does it say about Jesus’ current state? How is his current location “better” than any earthy priest?
2. Verses 4 and 5 indicate that Jesus offers something different than earthly priests in the Jewish temples provided. In what way was the old covenant system of sacrifice a shadow of what was to come through Jesus?
3. Re-read verses 6-7. In what ways does the new covenant render the old covenant obsolete?
Read Hebrews 8:8-13
4. In verse 8-12, the author quotes Jeremiah 31:31-34 in its entirety. What new covenant promise is mentioned in Hebrews 8:10? What does it mean to have God’s laws in one’s mind and heart?
5. What four promises of the new covenant are mentioned in Hebrews 8, verses 10a, 10b, 11, 12? How are they superior to the old covenant?
6. How do the commands in scripture to obey Christ differ from being under the Law? (Hint: What is the purpose of the law?)
7. Look up the word obsolete in a dictionary or thesaurus. Restate 8:13 in your own words.
Living the Truth (Aim for 20 minutes)
8. What sin from your past is hard to forget. Re-read 8:12. How should we respond toward God and those who have sinned against us in light us this truth?
9. Read 2 Corinthians 5:17. In what ways do you struggle and live in the old mindset (before accepting Christ’s covenant of Grace) instead of a new covenant mindset? What step would you like to take this week to keep seeking the things above and walk with a new covenant mindset?
Prayer Requests (Aim for minimum of 10 minutes)