“Eternal” / Hebrews 9:11-14 / Hanson Rosenquist

With this passage the author of Hebrews shows his readers that the New Covenant blessings inaugurated and mediated by Christ Jesus are both shadow-dissolving present realities, and present eternal realities. Keep this theological context in mind as you discuss the questions.

1 - What is the overarching argument, or point, that the author of Hebrews is making in this passage?

2 - Discuss the context of the passage. Who were the original readers? Why would this passage be paradigm-shifting for them? Why is understanding context essential for properly understanding God’s Word? (Yes, essential)

3 - Read Hebrews 9:11 and 24. What are the differences between the earthly tabernacle/temple, and the heavenly holy places? Why, or how, is the heavenly holy place superior?

4 - Why does God require blood sacrifices? What does this teach us about God and about sin?

5 - Why couldn’t God’s people continue with animal sacrifices?

6 - Why is the blood of the Lord Jesus superior, i.e., what does it accomplish? Why do we need it?

7 - Examining our passage and verse 15, what does the author of Hebrews say is eternal or once for all? What does this teach us about what Christ accomplished on the cross?

8 - What truths about the Lord God have you learned from this passage?

"Apostolic Succession" / 2Timothy 2:1-7 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – The context for this passage is 2 Timothy 1:8-14. What is it about?

2 – What has Timothy learned from Paul? What is he charged to do with what he has learned?

3 – Who are the recipients to whom Timothy is to pass on this information? What qualities should they have? What is their obligation?

4 – Timothy is given three examples to follow: soldier, athlete and farmer. What qualities do each demonstrate that helps Timothy with his task?

5 – Why does Paul tell Timothy to "think over" these things? What conclusion does he expect to reach? Why?

6 – How is our faith an unbroken chain, a succession to the Apostle's faith?

"Shame by Association" / 2 Timothy 1:8-18 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verse 8, why might we feel ashamed of our church, of other cultures, and of Christ?

2 – Why might early Christians felt shame by association with Paul? Why might Christians in China or Islamic countries not want to be identified with other Christians?

3 - In what way is shame a form of suffering?

4 – In verse 9, how did we come to salvation? When was our salvation secured? Explain sovereign grace, pre-existent grace, and visable grace.

5 – In verse 10, if Christ abolished death, then why do Christians still die? Explain physical death, spiritual death, and eternal death.

6 – In verse 12, What single reason explains why Paul is not ashamed to be a Christian?

7 – Timothy is charged to guard what was entrusted to him; Paul is confident that God will guard what Paul entrusted to God; we are charged to guard the good deposit entrusted to us. What is it, and how do we do that? Why is this challenging?

"Passing the Baton" / 2 Timothy 1:1-7 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – How are Paul's circumstances different as he writes 2 Timothy from when he wrote 1 Timothy? What has changed? How are Timothy's circumstances different? What is happening in the Roman Empire as Paul writes this letter? What new responsibilities does Paul give Timothy? How will Timothy be able to do these things?

2 – In verses 3-5, what does Paul say about Timothy's heritage? How is this helpful? What does Paul suggest that connects the gospel of Jesus Christ with the old testament? How far back does it go?

3 – In verses 5-7, what does Paul tell us about spiritual gifts? How are they useful? How does one obtain them? How do you know what gift(s) you have? What happens if they are not used?

4 – How are we tasked to prepare the next generation of Christian leaders? What is our church doing for this mission?