When God promises and Christ fulfills, nothing can take the blessings of God away from us.
Hebrews 6:13-20
SERMON OUTLINE
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.” (Hebrews 6:19-20)
Hope in God’s Promise and God’s Oath
- God’s promise and oath to Abraham (6:13-15)
- God’s promise and oath to us (6:16-18)
Hope that Anchors the Soul in Jesus
- Hope that is firm and secure (6:19)
- Hope fixed on Jesus (6:20)
Living with Hope
- Lament – laying down hopelessness
- Memorizing Scripture – holding onto God’s promises
- Living by Prayer – boldly approaching God’s throne of grace
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- When was a time that you experienced great hope? When was a time where you lost hope? How did you handle it?
- As we continue our series “The Final Word: Knowing Christ through Hebrews,” this week we turn to Hebrews 6:13-20. Begin your study by praying that God would speak to you through His Word. Then, whether you’re alone or with a group, read that passage aloud.
- This passage begins by talking about Abraham as a follow-up to the earlier call to “imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised” (6:12). From what you know of Abraham’s life, how would you say Abraham is an example of faith and patience in God’s promises?
- According to verses 13-15, what was God’s promise to Abraham? How did God assure Abraham of that promise? What happened?
- Have you ever experienced a season of waiting for God’s promise to be fulfilled? How did you draw near to God during that time?
- Verses 16-18 focus upon God’s oath that supports His promise. Why do you think it is important that God’s promise is supported by His oath?
- In verse 18, believers are described as “we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us.” What is that hope? What do you think it looks like to run or flee to that hope?
- Jesus is described in verses 19-20 as the One who has gone before us behind the curtain into the holy place, not just in a physical tabernacle or temple, but into God’s presence. Why does this give us a “firm and secure” hope “an anchor for the soul”?
- How has your faith in Jesus anchored your soul in hope?
- What is one thing God is speaking to you through this study of Hebrews 6:13-20? If you are on your own, write that down. If you are in a small group, discuss your answers with one another. Close in prayer. Choose one person in your life with whom you will share something you learned through this study.
DIG DEEPER
- Memorize part or all of Hebrews 6:19-20 this week.
- In the midst of moments of hopelessness, perhaps even within the circumstances of our own day, draw near to God in prayer, asking Him to refresh you in true hope in Christ.
- Study the background of the curtain and the holy place in verses 19-20 by reading some or all of these passages: Exodus 26:3-35; Leviticus 16:2, 12, 15; 21:23; 24:3; and Hebrews 9:3.
- Read more about Abraham as he appears in Hebrews, taking notes on how Abraham helps us understand Jesus or the life of faith: Hebrews 2:16; 6:13-15; 7:4-5; 11:8-19.
- Go for a prayer walk on your own or with others around your neighborhood to pray for God’s hope in Christ to touch peoples’ lives. Pray for people by name if you know their names. Pray for elected officials in your area. Pray for God to change your own life that you might truly be a bearer of hope in the world.