Lesson 1: Above the Angels (Hebrews 1:1—2:18)
Lesson 1
Above the Angels
(Hebrews 1:1—2:18)
Before you begin …
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and wisdom as you go through this lesson.
• Read Hebrews 1:1—2:18. This lesson references chapters 1 and 2 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
Many people have avoided the epistle to the Hebrews and, consequently, have robbed themselves of practical spiritual help. Some have avoided this book because they are afraid of it. The “warnings” in Hebrews have made them uneasy. Others have avoided this book because they think it is “too difficult” for the average Bible student. To be sure, there are some profound truths in Hebrews, and no preacher or teacher would dare to claim that he knows them all! But the general message of the book is clear and there is no reason why you and I should not understand and profit from it.
—Be Confident, pages 17–18
1. What is your initial response to what you’ve read in Hebrews so far? In what ways, if any, do you relate to the fears Wiersbe references? What is the value of digging into the more difficult Scripture passages?
More to Consider: This chapter is about how Christ is greater than angels. Read about the importance of angels in Deuteronomy 33:2; Psalm 68:17; Acts 7:53; and Galatians 3:19. Based on what you read, why do you think it is important for the writer of Hebrews to emphasize Jesus’ superiority over angels?
2. Choose one verse or phrase from Hebrews 1:1—2:18 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 “more excellent name” that Jesus possesses is “Son.” While the angels collectively may be termed “the sons of God” (Job 1:6), no angel would be given this title individually. It belongs uniquely to our Lord Jesus Christ.
—Be Confident, page 32
3. How does the description of Jesus in 1:4–5 set the basis for the rest of this letter? Why is it critical to the author of Hebrews to differentiate between the “sons of God” and “God’s Son”?
From the Commentary
[Hebrews 2:1–4] is the first of the five admonitions found in Hebrews. Their purpose is to encourage all readers to pay attention to God’s Word and obey it. We have already noted that these admonitions become stronger as we progress through the book, from drifting from God’s Word to defying God’s Word (Heb. 12:14–29).
The [first admonition: Heed the Word and don’t drift] is written to believers, for the writer included himself when he wrote “we.” The danger here is that of neglecting our salvation.
—Be Confident, page 34
4. What does it look like to “drift” from salvation? How does neglecting salvation differ from rejecting salvation? What are the dangers of neglecting salvation?
From Today’s World
Although the label “political correctness” may have lost some of its impact on our world, the tendency to “speak carefully” about issues that might be sensitive to one group or another remains a constant in our culture. Sometimes, the same sort of “softening of the words” sneaks into churches, effectively giving less prominence to God’s Word and more to behavioral issues that make sermons sound more like self-help pep talks than biblically focused teaching. This is also evident in the publishing world, where books on “how to be the best person you can be” litter the shelves of Christian bookstores.
5. The author of Hebrews is concerned about people drifting from God’s Word. How does a self-improvement approach to church lead to drifting? What are other ways that our culture encourages “drift” instead of pursuit of God’s truth? What are some safeguards that a church can put into place to assure there is little or no drift in its approach to teaching?
From the Commentary
When God created the first man and woman, He gave them dominion over His creation (Gen. 1:26–31). David marveled that God would share His power and glory with feeble man! Man was created “a little lower than the angels” (and therefore inferior to them), but man was given privileges far higher than the angels. God never promised the angels that they would reign in “the world to come” (Heb. 2:5).
—Be Confident, page 37
6. What surprises do you uncover about God and angels in 1:5–14 and 2:5–9? If man is a “little lower than the angels,” why then would God choose humanity to reign with Him in the world to come? What does this say about God’s creation of man and woman?
From the Commentary
Christ is united to us, and we are united to Him: We are spiritually one. In fact, we are His “brethren” (Heb. 2:12). The writer quoted Psalm 22:22—a messianic psalm—in which Christ refers to His church as His brethren. This means we and the Son of God share the same nature and belong to the same family!
—Be Confident, page 38
7. What are the implications of being Christ’s “brethren”? For example, how does that affect the way Christians view their relationship with God? With one another? What does it say about the importance of being “Christhke”?
From the Commentary
Angels cannot die. Jesus did not come to save angels (note Heb. 2:16); He came to save humans. This meant that He had to take on Himself flesh and blood and become a man. Only then could He die and through His death defeat Satan. The word destroy does not mean “annihilate,” for it is obvious that Satan is still alive and busy. The word means “render inoperative, make of none effect.” Satan is not destroyed, but he is disarmed.
—Be Confident, page 39
8. In everyday terms, what does it mean that Satan is disarmed (2:14–16)? How has Jesus disarmed Satan (2:9, 17–18)?
More to Consider: Hebrews teaches that Jesus’ humanity enabled Him to be a sympathetic High Priest to His people (2:17–18). Compare this to an example of an unsympathetic high priest, Eli, as recorded in 1 Samuel 1:9–18.
From the Commentary
Jesus Christ is both merciful and faithful: He is merciful toward people and faithful toward God. He can never fail in His priestly ministries. He made the necessary sacrifice for our sins so that we might be reconciled to God. He did not need to make a sacrifice for Himself, because He is sinless.
—Be Confident, page 40
9. How is Jesus’ mercy revealed in the lives of believers? What are some specific examples of His faithfulness toward God? Why are these equally crucial elements in understanding Jesus’ role in God’s greater plan?
From the Commentary
It might be good at this point to explain the difference between our Lord’s ministry as High Priest and His ministry as Advocate (1 John 2:1). As our High Priest, our Lord is able to give us grace to keep us from sinning when we are tempted. If we do sin, then He as our Advocate represents us before the throne of God and forgives us when we sincerely confess our sins to Him (1 John 1:5—2:2). Both of these ministries are involved in His present work of intercession, and it is this intercessory ministry that is the guarantee of our eternal salvation (note that in Heb. 7:25 it is “to the uttermost”—i.e., eternally—and not “from the uttermost”).
—Be Confident, pages 40–41
10. Describe the difference between Christ’s two roles in your own words. How do we, as Christians, interact with Christ as High Priest? How do we interact with Him as Advocate? How does doing this build our confidence?
Looking Inward
Take a moment to reflect on all that you’ve explored thus far in this study of Hebrews 1:1—2:18. 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 it make you feel to know that even though you were created “a little lower than the angels,” God has chosen you to reign with Him in the new world? How does this affect your view of angels?
12. Have you “drifted” from salvation or from God’s Word? If so, how? What prompted these “drifts”? What are practical ways to anchor yourself to God’s Word so you are able to avoid drifting?
13. How have you seen Jesus’ mercy revealed in your life? In what ways have you experienced the truth that Satan is disarmed? If you have doubted either of these, why?
Going Forward
14. Think of one or two things you have learned from this lesson that you’d like to incorporate into your life more fully 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 aim at many and do poorly (or to be so overwhelmed that you simply don’t try).
Do you need to work on anchoring your faith to God’s Word? Study and reflect on Jesus’ role as High Priest. Be specific. Go back through Hebrews 1:1—2:18 and put a star next to the phrase or verse that is most encouraging to you. Consider memorizing this verse.
Real-Life Application Ideas: Sometimes we study a passage of the Bible and then move on with our lives, and by the next day or week we don’t remember what the passage said, and we drift from it. By rereading the same sentence or paragraph for several days and thinking about it when we’re in the car or in the shower, we can move it into our hearts where it affects our behavior. For example, as you’re driving to work, you could have a mental conversation with your High Priest, who has disarmed Satan and offers you the strength to resist the temptation to resent a particular coworker.
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 3:1—4:13. For more in-depth lesson preparation, read chapter 3, “Greater Than Moses,” in Be Confident.