“Kephalaion” / Hebrews 8:1-13 / Hanson Rosenquist

With this passage the author of Hebrews makes his point: We have such a high priest. He explains the heavenly, priestly work of the Lord Jesus Christ and shows the fulfillment of the new covenant promise of Jer. 31:31-34. Keep this 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. Where does the text say the Lord Jesus ministers? Why is this significant?

3. In what ways does the writer of Hebrews show a change in the law with this text (cf. 7:12)?

4. The author uses the words “copy,” “shadow,” and “pattern” in this passage. How are they used? What does this mean?

5. Verse 6 says the Lord Jesus has a “much more excellent” ministry and mediates a “better covenant” with “better promises. Compared to what? How is Christ Jesus’ ministry and the new covenant “better”?

6. How does the author show us that the new covenant was expected and anticipated?

7. What does it mean for us that the old covenant is obsolete (v. 13) and the new covenant has been inaugurated (Luke 22:20)?

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

“Fitting” / Hebrews 7:26-28 / Hanson Rosenquist

With this passage the author of Hebrews concludes his teaching portion on the Lord Jesus being our Melchizedekian high priest and shows how Christ Jesus is our fitting high priest.  Keep this 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. Why do we need a high priest?

  3. How were the Levitical priests ultimately unfitting?

  4. What five characteristics of the Lord Jesus does the author of Hebrews give in v. 26 and what do they mean?

  5. How is the Lord Jesus our fitting high priest?

  6. Why are there no further sacrifices for sin to be made (see Heb. 9:12, 24-26)?

  7. How does God’s oath to appoint the Lord Jesus a high priest forever show the impermanence of the old covenant and the permanence of the new covenant (see Heb. 7:20-22, 28)?

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

“Priesthood” / Hebrews 7:11-25 / Hanson Rosenquist

With this passage the author of Hebrews continues his teaching on the Lord Jesus being our superior high priest over the Levitical priesthood and begins his teaching on the new covenant superseding the old. Keep this 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. In what ways does the author show that the old covenant was intended to be replaced? What were the shortcomings of the old covenant?

3. From this passage, what are some ways the new covenant is shown to be superior?

4. How does the author show that God has changed the law (v.12)?

5. Similar to last week, how does the author show the Lord Jesus to be a superior high priest?

6. Verse 25 says, “Consequently” (or therefore). Why is the Lord Jesus “consequently” able to save us to the uttermost? On what basis (from this passage) can He save us to the uttermost? (“Uttermost” is the Greek panteles, and means, “all-complete, entire, perfect,” etc.)

7. What does it mean that the Lord Jesus “always lives to make intercession” (v. 25)?

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

“Melchizedek” / Hebrews 7:1-10 / Hanson Rosenquist

With this passage the author of Hebrews returns to the priesthood of Melchizedek mentioned in chapters 5 and 6 to demonstrate to his readers the superiority of Melchizedek’s priesthood over the Levitical priesthood, and therefore Christ’s superiority over the Levitical priesthood. Keep this context in mind as you discuss the questions.

1. What significant actions took place in the meeting between Melchizedek and Abram (Abraham) in Genesis 14:17-20?

2. In our passage, what does the author of Hebrews say these actions mean? In other words, how does he interpret them for us?

3. How long did it take your group facilitator to pronounce, “Chedorlaomer?”

4. What similarities do you see between Melchizedek and the Lord Jesus?

5. What is the significance of these similarities within the theological context of Christ Jesus’ superior priesthood?

6. Why does the author of Hebrews spend 10 verses emphasizing Melchizedek’s superiority to Abraham? What meaning would this have for the original Jewish-Christian readers?

7. What meaning does this have for us today? Why is Melchizedek’s superiority to Abraham important for us to know and remember?

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

"Diabolical" / 1 Timothy 4:1-5 / Jim Rosenquist

1. See verses 1-2. Why do some people leave the church and renounce Jesus? What is the source and who are the agents? What describes the character of these false Christians?

2. Why is sex and food the issue of debate? What’s at stake? Why insist on it for others? Why is this falsehood so close to the truth?

3. What is the safeguard and antidote for this poison?

4. Why is such apostasy and false teaching diabolical?

"The Mystery" / 1 Timothy 3:14-16 / Jim Rosenquist

1. v 15. What does Paul mean, “household of God” and “church of the living God?” What are some practical applications to this fact? See Hebrews 10:24. Why is watching TV church or cyber church insufficient for the Christian?

2. v 16. How is a “mystery” in scripture different from “mystery” novels or movies? What is Paul suggesting by the term, “mystery of godliness?” What are some of the “mysteries” of God’s plan of redemption?

3. What is mysterious or significant about Christ manifested in the flesh? How is the Holy Spirit involved in the incarnation and resurrection? What is the command and promise in, “preached among the nations” and “believed on in the world?”

4. What is Paul’s main point in reminding us of these mysteries? See 1 Corinthians 10:31.

"Above Reproach" / 1 Timothy 3:1-7 / Jim Rosenquist

1. How does one become a pastor or an elder?

2. What does it mean to be ‘above reproach’? Is anyone without serious sin?

3. Look at each of the qualifications in this passage. Is this meant to be a generalization where a person is rated on a continuum or are these specific qualities, each a disqualifier?

4. What is the duty of the congregation regarding selecting elders? How is this done? When should a man be rejected as an elder?

5. What is Satan’s strategy in attacking the leaders of the church? How should we pray for them? Why does the Holy Spirit set the bar so high for elders? How does each of these items relate to each of us?

"Gender Studies" / 1 Timothy 2:1-15 / Jim Rosenquist

1. In verses 1-2, Paul urges prayer for all men. How can one pray for every man? Why pray for a derelict government leader?

2. If God desires all men to be saved, why aren’t they? Is God’s sovereignty limited? See verse 4.

3. What is the job of a mediator? Why does Jesus need to be both a man and God? Is there another way to be saved?

4. In verses 8-10, what does lifting holy hands in prayer communicate? Why is this uniquely difficult for men? How is this an outward expression of an inward reality? How is women’s dress also an outward expression of an inward reality?

5. In verses 12-14, why does Paul prohibit women from teaching and exercising authority? Is this just his own preference? Is it unique to that time or culture? Whose authority is behind this limitation? What is Paul’s reasoning for this? What does this look like in our church?

"The Good Fight" / 1 Timothy 1:12-20 / Jim Rosenquist

1. Not all fights are bad. What makes a fight good?

2. In verses 12-14, what three things is Paul thankful for?

3. Refer to verses 15-16. Why does Paul say he is, “the chief of sinners?” What does he mean? Is this false humility? Is he being self deprecating? Is he serious? Is that a healthy Christian attitude? Why might others (you) say or think this?

4. In verse 17, what is Paul trying to convey in this verse about God? What is he saying about how we should praise God?

5. What “good fights” should we be engaged in today? Why? See verse 18.

6. What is Paul attempting to accomplish with two prominent church leaders by, “handing them over to Satan?” Is this meant to punish or restore? How would it work? Why?