Hebrews

The epistle to the Hebrews is saturated with rich theology that reminds readers that Jesus is better and He is supreme over everything that we are tempted to trust in. With its anonymity and extensive references to Old Testament Jewish culture, Hebrews also poses unique interpretive challenges. Use the resources below to aid in your introductory study to the book of Hebrews.

Blueprint Guide spotlight: Bible Study

To Read

• Time to (Re)Discover Hebrews – Sinclair Ferguson
• Introduction to Hebrews – The Gospel Coalition
• Hebrews | Commentary – The Gospel Coalition

To Watch / Listen

• Sticking with the Best – The Message of Hebrews – Mark Dever
• The Epistle to the Hebrews Introduction – SBTS

Our first series, Jesus is the Better Revelation, examines Hebrews 1-2. God has made Himself known through Jesus. His revelation is superior to that of even the angels, for He Himself is God in the flesh. “Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest” (2:17).

Blueprint Guide spotlight: Is the Bible Trustworthy?

To Read

• God’s Final Word – Ligonier
• The Son Surpasses Old Covenant Messengers – The Gospel Coalition

To Watch / Listen

• Jesus Greater Than Angels – SBTS
• God Has Spoken – Sinclair Ferguson 
• Jesus Christ: Infinitely Superior to Angels – John Piper
• The Danger of Drifting from the Word – John Piper

We long for rest. In our sin, we look to satisfy this craving in all kinds of ways. Hebrews reminds us that not only is it the Lord who promises rest and is the one who will bring us into His rest, but that Jesus himself is our rest. We will find our rest in Him alone. 

This series walks through Hebrews 3:1-4:13. The Israelites rebelled against God as they were led by Moses in the wilderness, and they were not able to enter the Lord’s rest because of their unbelief. We will see that the Lord models rest for us, foreshadows rest for the Hebrews, and promises that in Christ we can strive to enter His rest.

Blueprint Guide spotlight: Battling Busyness Through Devotion to Jesus

To Read

• A Rest for Any Restlessness – Desiring God
• Faithful like Moses, the Son Surpasses Moses – The Gospel Coalition
• Tabletalk Devotionals through Hebrews 3 – Ligonier

To Watch / Listen

• Jesus Greater than Moses – SBTS
• Do Not Harden Your Heart in the Day of Trouble – John Piper
• Jesus’ Rest is Better Than All the Rest (Hebrews 3:7-4:13) – D.A. Carson
• Look at the Book (Hebrews 3:12-14) – John Piper

In the Old Testament, the high priest offered sacrifices in order to atone for sin. These descendents of Levi who filled this role were the only ones able to enter into the holy places where the presence of God dwelt. The people of Israel needed these priests to make sacrifices on their behalf so that they could receive forgiveness for their sins.

Israel’s high priests sacrificed animals; Jesus gave up Himself (Heb 7:27). Israel’s high priests also had to atone for their own sins; Jesus is a holy and innocent sacrifice (Heb 7:26). Israel’s high priests had to continually make these sacrifices; Jesus was a sacrifice for us “once for all” (Heb 7:27). Jesus is the Better High Priest!

Blueprint Guide spotlight: Praying Scripture

To Read

• The Eternal Priest Surpasses Old Covenant Priests, Sanctuary, and Sacrifices (4:14–10:35) – The Gospel Coalition
• Wherever He Is, We Are Welcome: Heaven’s Great High Priest – Desiring God
• Levi and Melchizedek – Ligonier

To Watch / Listen

• Jesus, Our Great High Priest – Hebrews 4:14-6:20 – SBTS
• Can Jesus Really Understand My Temptations? – Desiring God
• Who was Melchizedek? – Honest Answers | SBTS

This series covers Hebrews 5:11-6:18. Having seen throughout the book of Hebrews that Jesus is better than any tradition or pursuit, readers are given warnings of how to respond. We are warned not to neglect our salvation lest we drift away from it (2:1), warned against failing to enter rest due to disbelief and disobedience (4:1-6), and warned not to be dull, or sluggish, in our faith (5:11, 6:12). This series reminds us that if we have tasted the goodness of God’s Word, we must be active to guard against becoming dull towards the things of God and to pursue maturity in the faith. 

Blueprint Guide spotlight: Foundational Spiritual Disciplines

To Read 

• Lay Aside the Weight of Sluggishness – Desiring God
• Dull of Hearing – Ligonier
• Some Learn and Never Grow – Desiring God
• How to Develop Your Spiritual Discernment – Ligonier 

To Watch / Listen 

• Can you lose your salvation? (Heb 6) – Honest Answers | SBTS
• The Danger of Dull Hearing – John Piper
• The Doctrine of Perseverance – John Piper
• Maturity – Sinclair Ferguson

Our series Jesus is the Better Covenant looks at Hebrews 7:11-9:28 and continues the author’s building argument and main theme throughout the book of Hebrews, proclaiming that Jesus is better! Not only is He the better high priest who offers sacrifice for our sins as the mediator between us and God, but He mediates a better covenant. Israel could not keep the law under the covenant of Moses because of their sin and disobedience, but Jesus guarantees a better covenant by which we can have salvation.

Blueprint Guide spotlight: Multiply

To Read

• Christ Mediates the New Covenant That Surpasses Sinai (8:1–13) – The Gospel Coalition
• “The Old and New Covenant” (Hebrews 8 commentary) – Matthew Henry
• A Better Covenant (Hebrews 7:22 devotional) – Ligonier
• Saved to the Uttermost (Hebrews 7:25 devotional) – Ligonier
• A Little Introduction to Covenants – Desiring God

To Watch / Listen

• A Better Priest and Better Covenant – Hebrews 7-8 – SBTS
• A Superior Covenant – Alistair Begg
• The God Who Writes His Own Agreements – Don Carson

Our series Jesus is the Better Sacrifice looks at Hebrews 10:1-18, declaring that not only is Jesus our better high priest who guarantees a better covenant, but that He Himself is the better sacrifice. The priests of the Old Testament and the sacrifices that they offered for sin were but a shadow of the Christ to come. The blood of animals could not cover the sins of the people, and so Israel offered sacrifices continually for their sins. Jesus was a sacrifice “once for all” that is sufficient for our atonement, forgiveness, salvation, and sanctification. Jesus is better!

Blueprint Guide spotlight: New Life in Jesus

To Read 

• Christ’s Once-for-All Sacrifice – The Gospel Coalition
• The Wonder of All We Have in Christ: Five Contrasts at the Heart of Hebrews – Desiring God
• Complete Assurance for Incomplete People – Desiring God

To Watch / Listen

• A Better Sacrifice – Hebrews 9-10 – SBTS
• Perfected for All Time by a Single Offering – Desiring God
• A Single Sacrifice – Alistair Begg

Our series Jesus is the Better Hope covers Hebrews 10:19-12:2. Jesus is the better high priest, the mediator of a better covenant, and a better sacrifice for the sins of God’s people. These realities bring a better hope, one that is not mere wishful thinking, but that is sure and steady and anchors the soul. Through many examples of faithful worshipers in the Old Testament, we see hope and faith that changes the way we live as we look to Jesus who is better.

Blueprint Guide spotlight: Love Your Church

To Read 

• Our Heavenly Homeland Surpasses Israel’s Temporary Inheritance – The Gospel Coalition
• What Is Faith? (Hebrews 11 devotional) – Ligonier 
• When Obedience Feels Impossible – Desiring God
• How to Defy Sinful Desire – Desiring God

To Watch / Listen

• Believing to the End – Hebrews 10:19-12:3 – SBTS
• “By Faith” – TCBC Elder Conversations
• What Is Hope? – Desiring God 
• A Proposition and a Promise – Alistair Begg
• What Faith Knows and Hopes For – John Piper

Our series Jesus is the Better Endurance looks at Hebrews 12 and the results of an endurance that is given and assured through our faith in Jesus. We endure by considering Jesus, by trusting that His discipline of us reveals our sonship, and by pursuing holiness. We endure because of all that Christ is– a better rest, high priest, covenant, and sacrifice. We endure because we have unending access through the unending covenant by His blood, enduring worship of the King and Judge overall, and a kingdom that cannot be shaken. 

Blueprint Guide spotlight: Awe

To Read 

• Looking to Jesus Fortifies our Faith to Endure – The Gospel Coalition
• Running the Race, Looking to the Finisher – Desiring God 
• Enduring When Obeying Hurts – Desiring God
• Things That Cannot Be Shaken – Ligonier  

To Watch / Listen

• Final Words (Hebrews 12:4-13:25) – SBTS
• When Do We Need Endurance? – Desiring God 
• Suffering Conforms Us to Christ – Hebrews 12:6–11 – Desiring God
• The Discipline of the Father – Alistair Begg
• Essentials of Christian Maturity – Alistair Begg 

Our series Jesus is the Better Pursuit finishes our study of Hebrews with Hebrews 13, which deals with much of how we practically apply the realities of Christ’s supremacy. The worship life of the Old Testament has been refocused onto Jesus. If He is better, how do we live? What do we do in light of his priesthood, his covenant, his sacrifice, and his hope? 

Blueprint Guides 

• Everyday Conversations: “Let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” (Heb 13:15)
• Christ-Centered Marriage: “Let marriage be held in honor among all.” (Heb 13:4)
• Love Your Church: “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God.” (Heb 13:7)
• Making Disciples of Jesus: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Heb 13:8)
• What is the Gospel?: “Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings.” (Heb 13:9)
• Battling Busyness: “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” (Heb 13:16)

To Read

• Respond to God’s Gifts of Grace with Worship, in Loving Service and Grateful Praise – The Gospel Coalition
• Outfitted and Empowered – Desiring God
• Encourage Leaders with Faithful Graciousness – Ligonier  

To Watch / Listen 

• Final Words (Hebrews 12:4-13:25) – SBTS
• Hebrews 13:5–6: God Will Never Forsake You – Look at the Book | Desiring God
• The Sacrifice of a Shared Life – Desiring God
• A Christian Lifestyle – Alistair Begg