Community Bible Study Engaging the Book of Hebrews

By: Ray Johnson

Lesson 17 Responsibilities of Spiritual Maturity

Our text for this lesson is Hebrews 12:12-29 All scripture, unless noted, is from the English Standard Version Bible

Hebrews 12:12-15 Do This! Hebrews 12:1215 (ESV)

12

Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. 14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; 1. What two charges are given to believers in 12:14?

2. What two warning are given in 12:15? a. _________________________

b. _________________________

3. How can bitterness be avoided?

Hebrews 12:16-17 Do Not Do This! Hebrews 12:1617 (ESV) 16 that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears. 4. According to Genesis 25:29-34, what was Esaus attitude toward his birthright?

5. What is the right of the firstborn as described in Deuteronomy 21:15-17?

6. What is the warning for us in the account about Esau?

Hebrews 12:18-21 You are Not Here! Hebrews 12:1821 (ESV) A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken 18 For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. 20 For they could not endure the order that was given, If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned. 21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, I tremble with fear. 7. Read Exodus 19:12-19 and 20:18-21. What caused a common mountain to become so uncommon? (See also Deuteronomy 4:10-13.)

8. What reaction did the Israelites have to this uncommon mountain? Why?

Hebrews 12:22-24 You Have Come Here! Hebrews 12:2224 (ESV) 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. 9. Read the additional references given with each of the following phrases and briefly describe those with whom we share Mount Zion. a. Innumerable angels in festal gathering (See Hebrews 1:14; Revelation 5:11-12).

b. The assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven (See Luke 10:19-20; Revelation 20:15).

c. God, the judge of all (See Romans 14:10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:10).

d. The spirits of the righteous made perfect (See Philippians 3:8-9, 12; Hebrews 11:39-40).

e. Jesus, the Mediator of the new covenant (See 1st Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 8:6; 9:15).

Hebrews 12:25-29 Remember These Things! Hebrews 12:2529 (ESV) 25 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens. 27 This phrase, Yet once more, indicates the removal of things that are shakenthat is, things that have been madein order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.

10.Who are they in 12:25, and who warned them? (See 3:7-17.)

11.Who warns us, and why is this warning even more significant? (See 1:2; 10:15.)

12.Read Daniel 7:13-14. What specific truths about the kingdom of God are mentioned in these verses?

13.How should receiving a kingdom (Hebrews 12:28; a present process) affect our attitude and behavior, according to Luke 12:27-34?

14.How should receiving a kingdom affect our worship, according to Hebrews 12:28?

Apply What We Have Learned We encourage a babys attempts to crawl because the little ones proper development is our goal. Therefore, we motivate and instruct, while the baby does the required work. For Christians, there are responsibilities to consider and tasks to master that lead to spiritual maturity and godly character. Our Father encourages, motivates, and coaches. We, however, must make every effort to listen and obey, assisting one another along the way. What baby steps do you sense God is encouraging to make today?