Lesson 2: More Than Moses (Hebrews 3:1—4:13)
Lesson 2
More Than Moses
(Hebrews 3:1—4:13)
Before you begin …
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and wisdom as you go through this lesson.
• Read Hebrews 3:1—4:13. This lesson references chapter 3 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
Next to Abraham, Moses was undoubtedly the man most greatly revered by the Jewish people. To go back to the law meant to go back to Moses, and the recipients of this letter to the Hebrews were sorely tempted to do just that. It was important that the writer convince his readers that Jesus Christ is greater than Moses, for the entire system of Jewish religion came through Moses. In this section, we learn that Jesus Christ is superior to Moses.
—Be Confident, page 45
1. The original readers of Hebrews had probably been raised as Jews, living by the law of Moses. When they became Christians, their Jewish family members were understandably horrified, and their pagan neighbors thought they were idiots. They may have lost the network of family, friends, and business contacts they had as observant Jews. They weren’t getting arrested for being Christian, but they were being insulted and excluded. All that would stop if they simply abandoned Christian practices and went back to living like observant Jews.
What price do some Christians today have to pay for living as Christians? What might make a Christian today wonder whether Christ is really superior to the available alternatives?
More to Consider: The author of Hebrews focuses his message on believers. Why is that significant to his message?
2. Choose one verse or phrase from Hebrews 3:1—4:13 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
True Christians not only share in a heavenly calling, but they also share in Jesus Christ (Heb. 3:14). Through the Holy Spirit, we are “members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones” (Eph. 5:30). True believers are also “partakers of the Holy Ghost” (Heb. 6:4). “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (Rom. 8:9). Because we are God’s children, we also partake in God’s loving chastening (Heb. 12:8). Not to be chastened is evidence that a person is not one of God’s children.
—Be Confident, pages 45–46
3. Why does the author of Hebrews make the point that Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses? What evidence do you find in 3:1–6 that Jesus is superior to Moses? Can you think of any other evidence? If so, what is it?
From the Commentary
That Christ is superior to Moses in His person is an obvious fact. Moses was a mere man, called to be a prophet and leader, while Jesus Christ is the Son of God sent by the Father into the world. The title apostle means “one sent with a commission.” Moses was called and commissioned by God, but Jesus Christ was sent as God’s “last Word” to sinful man.
—Be Confident, page 46
4. What is significant about this distinction between being “sent with a commission” and being “sent as God’s ‘last Word’”? (Read John 3:17, 34; 5:36, 38; 6:29, 57; 7:29; 8:42; 10:36; 11:42; and 17:3 for more about Jesus being sent from God.)
From Today’s World
It’s not uncommon for people of an older generation to pine for the “good old days” when confronted with something new. This longing to go back to the way things were can be prompted by fear of change, or a preference for familiar comfort over having to learn something new. Our culture experiences this, but nothing to the degree that people in the first century AD did. Today, many people assume that new is always better and cooler, while old equals outmoded. But in the first century, almost everybody mistrusted anything new.
5. Why is it easy for some people to long for the “good old days” instead of seeking to understand new things?
Ironically, today Christians are likely to falter in their faithfulness not because Christianity is an innovation, but because it’s old. Why do some people see Christian faith as old-fashioned? What does 3:7–14 say to those who have doubts about Christ either because He’s new or because He’s old?
From the Commentary
The word confidence literally means “freedom of speech, openness.” When you are free to speak, then there is no fear and you have confidence. A believer can come with boldness (synonym of confidence) to the throne of grace (Heb. 4:16) with openness and freedom and not be afraid. We have this boldness because of the shed blood of Jesus Christ (Heb. 10:19). Therefore, we should not cast away our confidence, no matter what the circumstances might be.
—Be Confident, page 48
6. Circle the things the author of Hebrews says in 3:1—4:13 that are meant to instill confidence in his readers. Why is confidence such a huge theme in this section? How does confidence in Christ’s role affect the manner in which believers live? In how they reach out to nonbelievers?
From the Commentary
The wandering of Israel in the wilderness is a major topic in this section. Two men in that nation—Caleb and Joshua—illustrate the attitude described in Hebrews 3:6. Everybody else in Israel over the age of twenty was to die in the wilderness and never enter the Promised Land (see Num. 14:26–38). But Caleb and Joshua believed God, and God honored their faith.
—Be Confident, page 49
7. What is the attitude described in Hebrews 3:6? Why didn’t the rest of the Israelites have this attitude? What was the blessing given to those who had confidence in God? How does this apply to our confidence in Christ today?
From the Commentary
The heart of every problem is a problem in the heart.
—Be Confident, page 52
8. What does “a problem in the heart” mean? How is this truth evident in Hebrews? Where do you see this in today’s church?
More to Consider: Discuss what it means to have a “hard heart.” What leads to a hard heart? What are the dangers of developing a hard heart?
From the Commentary
The emphasis in Hebrews is that true believers have an eternal salvation because they trust a living Savior who constantly intercedes for them. But the writer was careful to point out that this confidence is no excuse for sin.
—Be Confident, page 54
9. How might confidence in Jesus lead to sin? What are examples of this in today’s church? According to the author of Hebrews, what does it take to not “fall short” of entering “God’s rest”?
From the Commentary
Before Joshua conquered Jericho, he went out to survey the situation, and he met the Lord Jesus Christ (Josh. 5:13–15). Joshua discovered that he was second in command! The Lord had a sword in His hand, and Joshua fell at His feet in complete submission. It was this action in private that gave Joshua his public victory.
We, too, claim our spiritual inheritance by surrendering to Him and trusting His Word.
—Be Confident, page 56
10. What are the private actions that give Christians their strength today?
11. According to Hebrews 4:13, “nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.” How should that motivate us to think and behave?
Looking Inward
Take a moment to reflect on all that you’ve explored thus far in this study of Hebrews 3:1—4:13. 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.
12. When have you been tempted to go back to the way things were when you should have pressed forward? Why did that seem appealing to you? When have you been tempted to move on to something new when you should have held fast? Why did that seem appealing to you?
13. What gives you confidence in Jesus? What challenges that confidence? Is “confidence” in Christ the same as “certainty”? Where does doubt fit into your experience of faith?
14. Have you ever used confidence in God as an excuse for sin? If so, what prompted this way of thinking? Instead of a “license to sin,” what are some ways you can view the consequences of confidence in Christ?
Going Forward
15. 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 grow in your confidence? Do you need to avoid excusing sin because of your confidence in Christ? Be specific. Go back through Hebrews 3:1—4:13 and put a star next to the phrase or verse that is most encouraging to you. Consider memorizing this verse.
Real-Life Application Ideas: Consider the things you’re uncertain about in your life—job, family, church, anything at all. In what ways is your attitude toward these things like or unlike that of Caleb and Joshua? What are some practical things you should be doing to grow in confidence that God is going to lead you in the right direction in each of these areas of life? Do you need to spend more time in prayer? Listen to the wise counsel of others? Make a plan to do these things.
Seeking Help
16. 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 4:14—5:10. For more in-depth lesson preparation, read chapter 4, “Greater Than Aaron the High Priest,” in Be Confident.