Lesson 8: Perfect Sacrifice (Hebrews 10)
Lesson 8
Perfect Sacrifice
(Hebrews 10)
Before you begin …
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and wisdom as you go through this lesson.
• Read Hebrews 10. This lesson references chapter 9 in Be Confident. It will be helpful for you to have your Bible and a copy of the commentary available as you work through this lesson.
Getting Started
From the Commentary
The tenth chapter of Hebrews emphasizes the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, in contrast with the imperfect sacrifices that were offered under the old covenant. Our Lord’s superior priesthood belongs to a better order—Melchizedek’s and not Aaron’s. It functions on the basis of a better covenant—the new covenant—and in a better sanctuary, in heaven. But all of this depends on the better sacrifice, which is the theme of this chapter.
—Be Confident, page 130
1. Why do the better order, covenant, and sanctuary depend on the better sacrifice? As you read through Hebrews 10, what emotions did you experience? How do you think the first readers of this letter would have felt upon reading this chapter?
More to Consider: Respond to the following statement: “We are not sinners because we sin. We sin because we are sinners.” How does this fit with the message of Hebrews 10?
2. Choose one verse or phrase from Hebrews 10 that stands out to you. This could be something you’re intrigued by, something that makes you uncomfortable, something that puzzles you, something that resonates with you, or just something you want to examine further. Write that here. What strikes you about this verse?
Going Deeper
From the Commentary
The very nature of the old covenant sacrifices made them inferior. The law was only “a shadow of good things to come” and not the reality itself. The sacrificial system was a type or picture of the work our Lord would accomplish on the cross. This meant that the system was temporary, and therefore could accomplish nothing permanent. The very repetition of the sacrifices day after day, and the Day of Atonement year after year, pointed out the entire system’s weaknesses.
—Be Confident, page 130
3. Do you think the Jews of Jesus’ day knew that the system of sacrifices was temporary? What makes you say that? Why didn’t Jesus’ fellow Jews all immediately see His sacrifice as the final answer to the problem of sin?
From the Commentary
Jesus came to do the Father’s will. This will is the new covenant that has replaced the old covenant. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus Christ has taken away the first covenant and established the second. The readers of this epistle called Hebrews would get the message: Why go back to a covenant that has been taken away? Why go back to sacrifices that are inferior?
—Be Confident, pages 132–33
4. Like the first readers of this letter, we live in a world of rapid change. How can we discern when old ways are superior and when they are inferior? What are some good criteria for evaluating new versus old?
Give an example of an aspect of tradition that you think is important to continue practicing. Why do you think it’s worth keeping? Then give an example of a way you think Christians need to adapt to a changing culture. Why do you think that’s an area where new is better?
From the History Books
Animal sacrifice was not unique to Jewish culture—it was practiced by the Aztecs, Romans, and Greeks, among others. The ancient Egyptians, however, did not practice animal sacrifice. Some cultures (the Canaanites, Aztecs, and Druids, for example) sacrificed humans. In most cases, the motivation for animal or human sacrifice was to appease the gods or affect nature in ways seen as crucial for the community’s survival. The moral dimension of Jewish sacrifice—that it was aimed at dealing with human failure to obey moral laws—made it unique in the ancient world. None of these cultures conceived of a once-and-for-all sacrifice of either animals or a human being.
5. How is the moral dimension crucial for understanding Jesus’ sacrifice?
6. The Jews saw human sacrifice as a pagan abomination. How might this attitude have affected their response to the idea of Jesus as the sacrifice for their sins?
In our culture animal sacrifice is abhorrent, and human sacrifice even worse. How do you think that affects a modern person who reads Hebrews to understand what Jesus did?
From the Commentary
On the basis of these assurances [in Hebrews]—that we have boldness to enter because we have a living High Priest—we have an “open invitation” to enter the presence of God.
—Be Confident, page 135
7. Circle or list the assurances in Hebrews 10. What would have been exciting to the early believers about having access to the presence of God? What might have been daunting? How is that similar today?
From the Commentary
When a believer has his hope fixed on Christ and relies on the faithfulness of God, then he will not waver. Instead of looking back (as the Jews so often did), we should look ahead to the coming of the Lord.
—Be Confident, page 136
8. Read Hebrews 10:23. What does it mean to “hold unswervingly” to the hope? How do we look ahead to the coming of the Lord while also living in the now?
More to Consider: Circle the three Christian virtues of faith, hope, and love in Hebrews 10:22–24. How are they used in this context?
From the Commentary
How does an arrogant attitude affect a believer’s relationship with God? It is as though he treads Jesus Christ underfoot, cheapens the precious blood that saved him (“an unholy thing” [Heb. 10:29] = “a common thing”), and insults the Holy Spirit.
—Be Confident, page 137
9. Summarize in your own words the exhortation in Hebrews 10:19–25. Summarize the exhortation in Hebrews 10:26–31. How are the two connected?
What are some of the arrogant attitudes believers may have toward God? Where do they come from? How should we respond to them?
From the Commentary
What should a believer do who has drifted away into spiritual doubt and dullness and is deliberately despising God’s Word? He should turn to God for mercy and forgiveness. There is no other sacrifice for sin, but the sacrifice Christ made is sufficient for all our sins.
—Be Confident, page 138
10. Why is it difficult to turn to God for mercy and forgiveness after a season of drifting? What fears keep us from running back to God? How do we overcome those fears?
Looking Inward
Take a moment to reflect on all that you’ve explored thus far in this study of Hebrews 10. Review your notes and answers and think about how each of these things matters in your life today.
Tips for Small Groups: To get the most out of this section, form pairs or trios and have group members take turns answering these questions. Be honest and as open as you can in this discussion, but most of all, be encouraging and supportive of others. Be sensitive to those who are going through particularly difficult times and don’t press people to speak if they’re uncomfortable doing so.
11. How does Jesus’ complete sacrifice on the cross affect the way you live your life daily? How might your life be different if the old covenant and the old way of sacrifice were still in effect today?
12. As you read through the exhortations in Hebrews 10, what stood out to you as the most personally convicting? Why do you think that hit so close to home? What action, if any, does it prompt you to take?
13. Have you ever become arrogant toward God? If so, when? What led to that arrogant attitude? How did you return to God? Was that easy or difficult? Explain.
Going Forward
14. Think of one or two things that you have learned that you’d like to work on in the coming week. Remember that this is all about quality, not quantity. It’s better to work on one specific area of life and do it well than to work on many and do poorly (or to be so overwhelmed that you simply don’t try).
Do you need to give some energy to accepting Jesus’ sacrifice as once and for all and to living in the awareness of forgiveness? Do you need to examine your attitude so you avoid arrogance toward God? Be specific. Go back through Hebrews 10 and put a star next to the phrase or verse that is most encouraging to you. Consider memorizing this verse.
Real-Life Application Ideas: Since this chapter is all about sacrifice, take time to examine areas of your life where you might be able to respond to Jesus’ sacrifice by doing something for the benefit of others—not to earn God’s approval, but as an act of gratitude for what He’s done for you. Look at the way you spend your time and money. Are there things you can do to positively affect others for Christ that you aren’t currently doing?
Seeking Help
15. Write a prayer below (or simply pray one in silence), inviting God to work on your mind and heart in those areas you’ve previously noted. Be honest about your desires and fears.
Notes for Small Groups:
• Look for ways to put into practice the things you wrote in the Going Forward section. Talk with other group members about your ideas and commit to being accountable to one another.
• During the coming week, ask the Holy Spirit to continue to reveal truth to you from what you’ve read and studied.
• Before you start the next lesson, read Hebrews 11. For more in-depth lesson preparation, read chapter 10, “Faith—the Greatest Power in the World,” in Be Confident.