Day 5

READ Hebrews 10:19-25 “Saving Faith”

QUESTIONS:

As American, western, prosperous, people, one thing we will tend to gravitate towards is individualistic tendencies.  What I mean by that is, we tend to value and even promote at times, those who can fend for themselves.  We love the stories of people who had nothing, and by sheer will and determination made it to the top of a profession or sport.  It’s ingrained in us in many ways, when things get tough, bear down and try harder.  The worst part is, we even think of asking for help as weak.  This at its root is sin.  When we have unbelief in God we think we are more important and more able than we really are.  Adam and Eve were sure they knew what was best.  In the end it was unbelief that manifested itself in pride.  Pride will tell you that you don’t need anyone else in this life, you can do just as good as anyone if not better by yourself.  This is not biblical!  

One of the toughest men I know, apart from Jesus, was Paul.  Paul was a man’s man!  But Paul never was alone.  He always had Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, Luke, Aristarchus, Mark, Epaphrus, & others.  Read 2nd Corinthians 7:5-7.  Paul needed people.  Jesus even wanted people with him in the garden, and we all need brothers and sisters around us to encourage us.

We could focus on many things, but today I want us to see 5 things from Hebrews 10:24-25.

1)  We are commanded to meet together.

• Why is it important to meet together?

• I’ve heard people say, “I’m a Christian, and I just don’t go to church.”  Why does this not make sense?

2)  We are warned to avoid the habit of not meeting.

• Now, this sounds similar to #1, but it is different and v. 25 really stresses this point so we should as well.

• Many people feel comfortable attending a church service, but avoid meeting in small groups or discipleship groups.  Why do you think this is?

• Why is it important to meet in smaller groups as well as large services?

3)  We are encouraged to make our meeting serious and intentional.

• Verse 25 says to meet with others, but as you see the day of the Lord approaching, there seems to be added stress and seriousness to the meetings.  We are definitely closer to the Day of the Lord than the recipients of Hebrews, so we should have a serious tone to our meetings.  Many times people will be funny, apathetic, or disengaged in small group meetings to avoid uncomfortable situations.  Why is this?

• Why should you keep a serious tone in discipleship group meetings?

4)  We should meet to find a place of love.

• Every day, in many ways, we are always faced with negativity and hate.  Small groups and meetings with brothers and sisters should be a place to find love and support.

• What do you think v. 24 is exhorting us to do?

• Are you careful with your speech?  Do you build people up or tear people down?  Explain.

5)  Group meetings should result in a strengthening of each other’s faith.

• When you meet with brothers and sisters, you should walk away strengthened in your faith.  This only happens with intentional and purposeful meetings.  Every meeting should focus on Scripture and promises.

• Back up to v. 23.  What is this verse’s meaning?  

• How can meeting in groups help us to accomplish v. 23?

• Do you feel encouraged weekly from this meeting? If so, why? If not, what needs to improve?

“So between the death of Christ and the Last Day it is only by gracious anticipation of the last things that Christians are privileged to live in invisible fellowship with other Christians. It is by the grace of God that a congregation is permitted to gather visibly in this world to share God’s Word and sacrament. Not all Christians receive this blessing. The imprisoned, the sick, the scattered lonely, the proclaimers of the Gospel in heathen lands stand alone. They know that visible fellowship is a blessing.”

— Dietrich Bonhoeffer - Life Together - p.18

Trust and Treasuring Christ together! 
There’s power in community and discipleship!