Suffering Glory—Shadows of the Good to Come Hebrews 8 Joel Miles May 5, 2024 With a friend, your family or in your small group, discuss the following questions: Read 8:1-2. Before you discuss what this means, spend time talking about why priests are important. What is a priest? What role did priests have throughout the history of the Bible? How do priests relate to our ultimate need of being with God? Read Hebrews 8:3-6. According to this text, what was the Old Testament sanctuary? What does this mean about the role priests played in the Old Testament? Why do you think God gave Israel a covenant that was a "shadow of the good to come?" Why does seeing Israel’s old covenant with God as incomplete make sense, when you compare Israel’s relationship with God with the garden of Eden? How does this highlight our need for something better? How does this relate to Hebrews 8:7? Read Hebrews 8:8-12. In what way is this new covenant better than the old? What are the differences? The original readers were tempted to walk away from Jesus and to go back to the old covenant, but the writer here is saying: “No! That covenant isn’t not enough to provide what you truly need!” How are we tempted to look to things that aren’t enough to truly satisfy us? What are the things that we go to to give us rest and peace, that aren’t good enough? How does this text encourage/challenge us? How can you encourage and pray for one another to rest in Jesus?

Suffering Glory—Shadows of the Good to Come Hebrews 7 Trish Haq April 28, 2024 With a friend, your family or in your small group, discuss the following questions: We are all being formed, whether we know it or not. Last week’s message invited us to respond by making a renewed commitment to seek for our lives to be shaped and formed more deeply in Christ, rather than being formed by the culture around us. Take some time to discuss what, if anything, was stirred for you by this invitation. Is there a step you are called to take, to grow and mature in your faith in the season ahead? Are there any course corrections that you feel God might be guiding you towards right now? Hebrews Chapter 7 references two important passages found in the Old Testament. So, begin by reading: Genesis 14:18-20. What is happening in the story? What comes before it, and what comes after it? Where does this story fit within the larger narrative of the Old Testament? What does this passage teach you about Melchizedek? Psalm 110. Share your thoughts and reflections on this Psalm. Now, read through Hebrews Chapter 7 together. Does anything stand out to you? What questions does this Chapter bring up? Do any of these words encourage, convict, or inspire you? What is the significance of Melchizedek? In what ways is his position as a Priestly King surprising? What similarities do you see between Melchizedek and Jesus? In what ways is the Priesthood of Melchizedek different from the Levitical Priesthood that was established when God gave the Law to the Israelites? Reflect on these truths about Jesus found in Hebrews 7. In what ways do these truths encourage you? In what ways do you find them challenging? Jesus is indestructible (v. 16). He lives forever (v. 24) Jesus offers us a better hope (v. 19) Jesus offers the way by which we can draw near to God (v. 19) Jesus is able to save completely (v. 25) Jesus can truly meet our need (v. 26) The book of Hebrews offers an invitation to firmly and securely anchor your life in Christ. In what ways do you think you sometimes put your trust and hope in lesser things? What might help you to deepen your hope and trust in Jesus, and reorient your life more completely around him? Pray for each other out of the points discussed. Pray that you would each grow in your understanding of who Christ is, and that you would persevere in seeking to be more and more shaped and formed in Christ. Ask for God’s strength and guidance for the season ahead, to help you walk in His ways and follow where the Lord leads you.