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