Hebrews: A Better Way

Total Time: ~3 to 3.5 hours
Focus: Exploring the central argument of Hebrews: that Jesus Christ and the New Covenant He established are superior in every way to the Old Covenant, offering us a better hope, a better priest, and a better sacrifice.

🧱 Session 1 — A Better Messenger, A Better Rest (60-75 mins)

Theme: The author begins by establishing the supreme authority and nature of Jesus Christ, proving He is far superior to the most revered figures of the Old Covenant: the angels and Moses.
📖 Reading
Hebrews Chapters 1–4 — Jesus is revealed as the Son of God, higher than the angels, and the builder of the house, greater than Moses. This leads to the promise of entering a “Sabbath-rest” through faith in Him.
📖 Key Passages

• Hebrews 1:3-4 – “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person… sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.”
• Hebrews 3:3 – “For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.”
• Hebrews 4:9-10 – “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.”

🔍 Word Study Suggestions

📚 Historical & Cultural Context

• The Audience: The letter is written to Jewish Christians who were tempted to return to the familiar rituals and laws of Judaism (WorkOS) under the pressure of persecution. The author’s goal is to show them that leaving Christ to go back to the old way would be like leaving the reality for a shadow.
• Reverence for Angels and Moses: The original readers held angels (as messengers of the Law) and Moses (as the giver of the Law) in the highest possible esteem. The author’s argument that Jesus is superior to them was a radical and powerful claim.

🗣️ Discussion Questions

• The author repeatedly uses the word “better.” What are some of the ways Jesus is shown to be “better” than the old system in these first few chapters?
• What is the “rest” that Hebrews 4 talks about? How is it different from just taking a day off? (Hint: See verse 10).
• If Jesus is a better messenger than both angels and Moses, how should that affect the way we listen to and value His words?

🧱 Session 2 — A Better Priest, A Better Covenant (60-75 mins)

Theme: The heart of the argument: Jesus is our perfect High Priest, not from the temporary line of Aaron, but from the eternal order of Melchizedek, and He has established a better covenant based on better promises.
📖 Reading
Hebrews 4:14–5:10 and Chapters 7–8 — A detailed explanation of Christ’s unique qualifications as our High Priest and the superiority of the New Covenant He mediates.
📖 Key Passages

• Hebrews 4:14-15 – “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God… For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”
• Hebrews 7:25 – “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”
• Hebrews 8:6 – “But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.”

🔍 Word Study Suggestions

📚 Theological Framework

• The Problem with the Old System: The Levitical priests were sinful, they died and had to be replaced, and their sacrifices could never truly perfect the conscience (Hebrews 7:23, 10:1). They were a temporary, imperfect picture of the real thing.
• The Perfection of the New: Jesus is a better High Priest because He is sinless, He is eternal (“he ever liveth”), and His one-time sacrifice was completely sufficient. He doesn’t just represent us to God; He is God with us, able to sympathize with our weaknesses.

🗣️ Discussion Questions

• What does it mean to you that Jesus can be “touched with the feeling of our infirmities”? How does His humanity make Him an approachable High Priest?
• The old priests had to offer sacrifices over and over. Jesus offered Himself once. What does this tell you about the finality and security of your salvation?
• The New Covenant is based on “better promises” (like forgiveness of sins and a changed heart - see Heb. 8:10-12). How have you experienced these promises in your own life?

🧱 Session 3 — A Better Sacrifice, A Better Way to Live (60-75 mins)

Theme: Because of Christ’s perfect, once-for-all sacrifice, we have bold access to God and are called to live a new life of faith, endurance, and love.
📖 Reading
Hebrews Chapters 9–12 — The author contrasts the old, temporary sacrifices with Christ’s eternal one, and then calls the reader to persevere in faith, looking to Jesus as the ultimate example.
📖 Key Passages

• Hebrews 10:12, 14 – “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God… For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.”
• Hebrews 10:19 – “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,”
• Hebrews 12:1-2 – “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight… looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…”

🔍 Word Study Suggestions

🧠 Reflection & Application

• The old priests stood and worked every day. After His sacrifice, Jesus “sat down.” What is the profound significance of Him sitting down?
• We now have “boldness to enter into the holiest.” How does this truth combat the feeling that you are not “good enough” to approach God?
• The final call is to run our race “looking unto Jesus.” In what specific ways can you fix your eyes on Him this week, especially when you feel like giving up?