6/23/13 Hebrews 4:12-13 A Mighty Little Book

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Hebrews: Real Faith Practices

Week 1: A Mighty Little Book

June 23, 2013

 

GETTING THINGS STARTED

Watch the following YouTube video: youtube.com/watch?v=irQ-X8KbbwE

  • How accurately did this video represent the kinds of answers you would hear at your school if you asked other teenagers what they thought of the Bible?
  • How would you have answered the question if you had been in the crowd the day this video was filmed?
  • What is your attitude toward the Bible? How has your perspective on the Bible changed in recent months or over the past couple of years?

 

This video opens the door to some great conversation, and the question they used is a question you could even ask your friends during an informal conversation.  Our attitude toward the Bible shapes how we read it, obey it, and talk about it with other people.  This is the second of four lessons looking at the book of Hebrews, which you might not have studied much before.  It was written specifically to first-century Jews who had become Christ-followers.  But the book remains relevant and practical for us, as we’ll discover in today’s lesson.

 

Read Hebrews 4:12-13 (nlt)

12For the word of God is alive and powerful.  It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow.  It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God.  Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and He is the one to whom we are accountable.

 

 

Despite centuries of speculation and scholarship, the author of Hebrews can’t be known for sure.  While there have been many theories—Paul, Apollos, even Priscilla and Aquila—the author remains unknown.  But we don’t have to know who wrote Hebrews to be able to glean powerful truths from its rich approach to identifying Christ as the Messiah and the hope of both Jews and non-Jews alike.

 

Leading up to this passage, the author was urging his Jewish readers not to fall into the same trap that the Hebrews did during the Exodus.  The author urged his audience to seek the spiritual rest that is found in the salvation that Christ offers.  The author warned his audience, however, that their disobedience could stand in the way of coming to this salvation.  This is where we lead in to verses 12 and 13.

 

God’s Word is capable of peering into our hearts and minds and convicting us of our disobedience.  It is capable of judging our actions.  It is not a trite handbook for life.  It is not an outdated textbook.  It is alive and working in our lives and in this world. This is a powerful message for us to hear.

 

Let’s jump in and see what we can learn from these verses about the significance of God’s Word.

 

 

1. God’s Word can radically transform our lives

 

  • When the writer of Hebrews says in verse 12 that God’s Word is alive and powerful, what does that mean to you?
  • If the Bible is alive and powerful, what does that say about its ability to be relevant today?
  • Without the Bible, how would you know God and His character—or the power and purpose of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection?

 

The Bible is not an outdated textbook.  It’s not a trite “handbook for life.”  It’s not a quick reference guide to hot-button issues.  It’s God’s story.  It is a sweeping narrative of God’s plan to redeem humanity from sin.  It is powerful.  It is alive.  And it can transform our lives, molding us into the people God desires for us to be.

 

 

2. God’s Word speaks to our deepest secrets and fears

 

  • Don’t answer this out loud, but think about your biggest insecurities, your biggest fears, your biggest flaws, your hidden sin.  How does it feel to hear a specific Bible verse or passage of Scripture that speaks to one of these issues in your life?
  • What is it about God’s Word that penetrates our best defenses, as verse 12 describes?
  • Though it’s uncomfortable, why is this a good thing?  Why is it awesome that God’s Word is able to blast through our defenses and assault our weaknesses?

 

Nothing is hidden from God’s Word.  Like an ancient sword would cut through anything in its path, God’s Word is capable of piercing our deepest thoughts and emotions.  We can’t hide from it.  We can’t pretend with God’s Word like we can with other people.  But we should actually celebrate this!  If we are to be the people God wants us to be, if we are to live powerful lives on mission for God and the kingdom, we can welcome the conviction, correction, and direction God’s Word brings to our lives.

 

 

3. God’s Word is the standard for leading a Jesus-centered life

 

  • Why is it such a struggle to maintain pure thoughts and a good heart?
  • How do you know what a godly thought, action, or attitude is?
  • Sometimes we think it’s enough to simply not act “bad.”  But what about our attitudes?  If we do the right things but still have a crummy attitude, why would this displease God?
  • How can you measure your life against God’s Word if you don’t study and know it? What does this say about the importance of the Bible in our lives?

 

God’s Word is the standard for measuring our attitudes and our actions.  There are plenty of ways we can “act good.”  But the Bible speaks to so much more than just acting good.  The Holy Spirit made us into a new person to BE good, motivated by gratitude, love and worship to our Savior and Lord.  The ways of God are so different than the ways of the world.  We can fool ourselves if we try to be “good people” without the right motivation or direction.  That can only come from God’s Word and His transforming Spirit.

 

 

ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION

Psalm 119:129-131 (nlt)

129Your laws are wonderful. No wonder I obey them! 130The teaching of Your word gives light, so even the simple can understand. 131I pant with expectation, longing for Your commands.

 

Psalm 119:172-176 (nlt)

172Let my tongue sing about Your word, for all Your commands are right. 173Give me a helping hand, for I have chosen to follow Your commandments. 174O Lord, I have longed for Your rescue, and Your instructions are my delight. 175Let me live so I can praise You, and may Your regulations help me. 176I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come and find me, for I have not forgotten Your commands.

 

  • Read Psalm 119:129-131, 172-176.  These verses speak to our attitude toward God’s Word.  Summarize the psalmist’s thoughts on God’s Word in this passage.

 

  • What is it about the Bible that sometimes keeps us from being excited about studying it?

 

  • We sometimes think God’s commands are harsh or restricting.  But what does this passage say about them?

 

 

APPLICATION

  • What are the biggest obstacles or hurdles you have when it comes to studying the Bible?  What are some practical ideas or steps for overcoming these?

 

  • What are some new insights, habits, or attitudes that might help you approach the Bible with a fresh perspective?

 

  • What if we committed to one week of putting our solutions in place?  Let’s agree to keep in touch during the week and meet back next week ready to talk about whether or not we were able to push through some of these obstacles.

 

 

SUMMARY

The Bible isn’t simply an advice book, a history book, or a collection of feel-good sayings.  It is a powerful book, fully sufficient for directing us toward Jesus-centered lives.  This lesson looked at how one powerful passage in Hebrews talks about the Bible and how we can apply this dynamic teaching to our lives.

 

 

For Keeps [Memory Verse]

For the word of God is alive and powerful.  It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow.  It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires (Hebrews 4:12 NLT).

 

 

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