Community Bible Study At Western Branch

Engaging Hebrews Lesson Seven Notes Build on what you have learned:

1- Fulfillment in Jesus Christ 2- The superiority of Christ 3- The Excellence of Christ 4- The peril of unbelief 5- Gods Promised Rest 6- A Great High Priest You can find copies of past studies for download at:
http://www.scribd.com/collections/4199355/Engaging-Hebrews

The Perils of Apathy and Apostasy

Lesson 7 Hebrews 5:11-6:8 Hebrews 5:11-14 The Basic Position: Infancy
Hebrews 5:1114 (NKJV)

11 of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. 1. It is normal and healthy for babies to mature physically, emotionally, and mentally. When children fail to grow and mature, what is the impact them? On those who care for them?

2. What signs of delayed or arrested development does the author of Hebrews mention concerning the recipients of his letter?

3. What impact do you suppose this immaturity may have had on both the people themselves and the community they were part of?

4. What do you think milk and solid food refer to in this passage?

Hebrews 5:14-6:3 The Basic Prompting: Leave/Go Hebrews 5:146:3 (NKJV) 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. 6:1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits. 5. According to verse 14, what do those who are mature do to grow spiritually?

6. In what practical area of your life do you need to learn to distinguish between good and evil?

7. What are some deeper concepts of Spiritual maturity that you would like to explore?

8. Basic principles consist of information familiar to Jewish Christians. List the principles the author considers basic (Heb 6:1-2)

Hebrews 6:4-6 The Basic Problem: Repentance Hebrews 6:46 (NKJV) 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. 9. List the four elements of Christian experience cited in verses 4-5.

10. In your own words, what do you think the author hopes to accomplish by issuing this warning?

Hebrews 6:7-8 The Basic Point: Purpose Hebrews 6:78 (NKJV) 7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; 8 but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned. 11. What word picture does the author use in these verses, and what does it illustrate?

12. What happens to the land that produces a good crop?

13. What happens to the land that produces a bad crop?

14. What type of land best illustrates your Christian Growth?

APPY WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED Walk, Dont Walk, Yield, and Caution are familiar warnings on highway signs. They dont predict injury; in fact, they warn with the hope of preventing it. The passage we have just studied is similar to these warnings signs. If people choose beliefs and behaviors that contradict the gospel, they put themselves in great danger. What should we do? We can pursue maturity, pay attention to warnings against indifference, guard against abandoning our faith, and train ourselves to distinguish good from evil by the constant practice of the solid food (Heb 5:14) of Gods Word.