Hebrews 1 & 2

Since we started this new format, it's a lot harder to post a lesson, since it's more like a Bible study.  Therefore...we will start posting OUR notes on the chapters.  We know they are rather unpolished.  We just put what I saw, and then transfered it here.  Feel free to comment on anything, or add something YOU saw in Hebrews 1 & 2.  :-)

Jael's thoughts on Hebrews 1 - 2

I wonder.  Maybe we don't have as many prophets nowadays because we have Jesus.  (1:1-2)

Jesus sustains the world.  :-D (1:3)

We are purified from our sins!  :-D  It's like a disinfecting wipe.  It takes all the sin away while leaving us.  (1:3)

Jesus inherited a name.  (1:4)  Which names?  Man?  Jesus?  An unknown name?  Son?  I'm wondering if it isn't "Son."  (1:5)

Ooh!  We are Jesus' inheritance!  (1:2)

God made the universe THROUGH Jesus.  (1:2)

God wants His children to love righteousness and have wickedness.  (1:9)  Doing so will bring us joy.

Jesus is supreme.  He has everything under Him.  Angels are his messengers.  (1:14)  Angels serve those who will be saved.

If you don't stay in the word and hear what it says, you will drift away.  (2:1)

God has just finished describing how much greater Jesus is that the angels.  Then, he says, "If what angels say is amazing and binding, then what do you think about what JESUS says!?" [long Bible study on what angels said.  Yup, everyone one who didn't do what was said got their just desserts.  :-P] 

God gave us the gifts He wants us to have.  The gifts He gave you are just as amazing as all the miracles He has performed.  (2:4)

Even though angels are amazing and powerful, they are not our masters.  (2:5)

Jesus is in control of everything.  (2:8)  Not everything is subjected to Him visibly (yet), but He is still master.

God's GRACE allowed Jesus' death to cover all our sins.  (2:9)

Suffering makes perfect.  (2:10)

When we stand before the judgment hall of God, we are just as pure and holy as Jesus.  We belong to the same family.  We are of the same blood, with the same purity and holiness.  (2:11)

Jesus is talking to His Father.  (2:12)

Jesus became man because He knew we couldn't become God.  Yet, He wanted to be brother to us.  So, He became what we are.  He loves us THAT much!  :-D  (2:14)

Satan used to hold the power of human death, but, by dying as a human, Jesus took that power away from him!  (2:14)

We used to be held in slavery by our fear of death, but, since Jesus conquered death, we aren't prisoners any more!  :-)  (2:15)

If Jesus had remained a spirit, He would've saved only the spirits, like angels.  (2:16-17)

Jesus was like us in EVERY WAY!  Just as solidly, full-bloodedly human as me!  (2:17)

Some may say that Jesus didn't suffer as much as we do, because He never sinned.  But Jesus suffered when He was tempted, just like us.  He wasn't immune.  Besides, on the cross, He bore the PUNISHMENT FOR ALL THE SIN IN THE WORLD!!  He suffered, just like we suffer.  So He can help us now!  (2:18)

These passages are talking about man.  No, we don't see everything subject to man.  However, since Jesus is man, and everything is subject to Him, all things are subject to man.  :-)  (2:5-9)

I didn't pick a memory verse, because I'm trying to memorize all of Hebrews.  :-)

Sylvia's thoughts on Hebrews 1 - 2

Hebrews 2:6

“It is testified somewhere…” So I'm not the only one who has trouble remembering where, exactly, in Scripture something is located! XD

Hebrews 2:8

“At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him.” Because there’s still evil and suffering and death in the world. In my worldviews course, one of the lessons focused on how many people reject Christianity because of the evil that is in the world… the Bible offers a better explanation and solution to that evil than does any other worldview or religion. The syllogism present was: “An all-powerful, all-loving God would destroy evil from the world. Evil still exists. Therefore, there is no all-powerful, all-loving God.” Basically, people will say that either God is not good, since He allows evil, or He is not all-powerful, since he can’t destroy it. That’s what this verse is talking about: at present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him, but He does have a plan to deal with evil; He won’t let it go on forever.

Hebrews 2:10

            John 1:1.

Hebrews 2:18

Another thing talked about in my worldviews course was how Christianity is the ONLY religion in which God actually understands evil and has suffered under it. In all other religions, God seems to actually be responsible for evil, or else to not really understand or have control over it. But according to the Bible, God knows what pain is better than anyone else. He experienced countless trials and so much pain, so He actually understands exactly what we’re going through. He knows what it is to be discouraged, frustrated, exhausted, in pain… He knows what evil is.

Memory verse:

For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (Hebrews 2:18)

Homework: pick a verse in Hebrews 3 or 4 to memorize, and read Hebrews 3 and 4.  Come up with at least one comment or one question to share.