Hebrews: Jesus Gives Rest - Week 4
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE
For the week of September 27th
Connecting (Aim for 15 minutes)
Breaking the Ice/Think Time
1. What does rest mean to you?
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 4:1-10
1. According to verses 1-3, how does faith relate to entering the promised rest of God?
2. The author is still referring to the Israelites in the dessert. He says that the same message (message of rest) was delivered to them as it is to us (v.2). Why did the message not benefit them in the dessert? In the same manner, how does the message not benefit us today?
3. In verses 4-9, the author writes about entering God’s rest in relation to the seventh day of creation (Gen. 2:2) and notes that the Israelites failed to enter the rest of God. What does it mean to rest from one’s works as God did from His (vs. 10)?
Read Hebrews 4:11-16
4. Verses 11-13 tell us that faithless disobedience will not go unnoticed. Knowing that God’s Word reveals one’s innermost thoughts and intentions, how can His Word help us combat disobedience and unbelief?
5. Our great High Priest is not only God Himself; He also became fully human and is able to sympathize with us (v.15). In what unique way is Jesus able to sympathize with us? How does this truth help you better understand who He is?
6. Re-read verse 16. How are we to draw near to the throne of grace? What will we receive when we do?
Living the Truth (Aim for 20 minutes) – Consider breaking up in same gender groups.
7. Is there anything in your life that is causing you unrest? How can your faith in Christ help you find rest for your soul each day in a “restless” world? Are you resting in Jesus’ work – His life, death, and resurrection – for your salvation?
8. The Word of God is a tool for us to examine our lives. What specific area in your life is God’s Word revealing brokenness?
Prayer Requests (Aim for minimum of 10 minutes)
Sources: Capps, Matthew. Hebrews (Knowing the Bible). Crossway.