GROUP STUDY QUESTIONS Hebrews: The Supremacy
GROUP STUDY QUESTIONS Hebrews: The Supremacy of Christ The Danger Zone – Hebrews 6:4-12 Read Heb. 6:4-6. What do you think the author means by “once been enlightened?” Can non-Christians be “enlightened?” Why or why not? What do you think the author means by “who have tasted the heavenly gift, shared in the Holy Spirit, and tasted of the goodness of the Word of God and the powers of the coming age?” Could non-Christians experience these things in any way, or are these experiences limited to genuine Christians? Read Matthew 7:21-23 to inform your discussion. The ultimate question this text brings to the forefront is: can a genuine Christian “lose” their salvation? Or can a genuine Christian “choose” to leave their salvation? What do you think and why? Read Rom. 8:1; Rom. 8:28-30; Phil. 1:6; and John 10:27-30 to inform you’re your discussion. My personal opinion is that this author is writing these words to religious un-believers. To a group of people who have been in the church for many years, who know the truth of the gospel, who have been enlightened by the preaching of God’s Word, who have experienced the power of the Holy Spirit, but who have never really put their faith in Christ for forgiveness and been born again by the Holy Spirit. Do you agree or disagree? Is it possible there are many churchgoers who know the truth, but have never surrendered to it? What do you think this author means when he says it’s impossible for these people who have experienced all these blessings to be brought to repentance again if they fall away after knowing all that they know? Regardless of whether we think this author is addressing true Christians (and warning them against falling away from their faith) - or we think he is addressing religious un-believers - how should we apply these verses to our lives? Read Heb. 6:7-8. What do you think this illustration is about? Does he say the land once produced fruit then stopped producing fruit, or is he talking about 2 different kinds of land to represent 2 different kinds of responses to the gospel? Explain your answer. Read Heb. 6:9. What does this mean? What are the better things concerning salvation? Does that possibly mean the list in vv4-6 is not necessarily things concerning salvation?
Read Heb. 6:9-12 together. Why is the author confident of these better things (things concerning salvation) for this group of people? It appears as though he is saying we can be confident our salvation is secure and our faith is genuine if we love God and God’s people. What does it mean to “love” God? See John 14:21 to inform your answer. What then are we to think of “Christians” who say they are Christians, but have zero desire to obey Jesus or live according to His word? What does it mean to love and help God’s people, and why is that natural fruit of genuine faith and conversion?
Read Heb. 6:9-12 together. Why is the author confident of these better things (things concerning salvation) for this group of people? It appears as though he is saying we can be confident our salvation is secure and our faith is genuine if we love God and God’s people. What does it mean to “love” God? See John 14:21 to inform your answer. What then are we to think of “Christians” who say they are Christians, but have zero desire to obey Jesus or live according to His word? What does it mean to love and help God’s people, and why is that natural fruit of genuine faith and conversion?
