Look up the texts below. What do they all have in common? What should believers hold on to? Heb. 3:6 Heb. 3:14 Heb. 4:14 Heb. 6:18 Heb. 10:23 Besides having the assurance of salvation, it is important to persevere and uphold the hope offered us all. In Hebrews, to hold fast is a serious appeal. … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: Our faith in God is shown by our care for others. We need each other, and by encouraging others, we strengthen our own relationships with God. [Teaching plan for Exhortation From the Sanctuary December 30, 2013] 1. Have a volunteer read Hebrews 4:14-16. a. Ask class members to share a thought on what … Continue reading –>
Read Hebrews 10:19–25 again. One theme appears again and again, and that is “confidence.” The Greek word for “confidence” (Heb. 10:19) refers to a boldness, courage, and fearlessness that in the New Testament describes our new relationship with God. Originally the word referred to an openness of speech, which, in this context, could specifically mean … Continue reading –>
Read Hebrews 10:22. What conditions for approaching God in the heavenly sanctuary are laid down in this verse? According to this verse, worshipers should meet four conditions when they draw near to God: 1. Come with a sincere heart. The heart is our inner being, our thoughts, our motivations, our emotions, our will, and our … Continue reading –>
Read Hebrews 4:16; Heb 6:19-20; and Heb 10:19–21. To what do believers have access, and what does this mean for us? What hope is offered here, and more important, what impact should this hope have on our life and faith? Believers have spiritual access to the heavenly sanctuary, to the very throne of God. We … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Heb. 10:19–25; Heb. 4:16; Exod. 24:8; James 4:7, 8; John 13:34; Heb. 10:24-25. Memory Text: “And since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and … Continue reading –>
Further Study: Ellen G. White, “Why was Sin Permitted?” pp. 33–43, in Patriarchs and Prophets; “The Character of God Revealed in Christ,” pp. 737–746, in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5. “There stood in the world One who was a perfect representative of the Father, One whose character and practices refuted Satan’s misrepresentation of God. … Continue reading –>
Shortly after my baptism, my father called me to dance in a big ghost festival in our home village. I was shaking as I told my father, “No, I don’t dance anymore.” Father urged me to dance, but I took a deep breath and told him, “I have found a power that is stronger than … Continue reading –>
[Thought questions for The Cosmic Conflict Over God’s Character December 18, 2013] 1.The big picture. Can knowing about the great controversy between Christ and Satan bring meaning to your own existence? How? The sanctuary is a living example of the plan or strategy to win this controversy. Do you see this plan in every symbol … Continue reading –>
During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus utters these amazing words: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). With this, He reveals a principle that, though easily misunderstood, is nevertheless seen throughout the Bible. It tells how, as … Continue reading –>
