September 26, 2012
. . . BUT WHY COMMUNITY?
Hebrews 3
Chrisey Billman
Central Truth
We are to encourage one another so that sin doesn't creep up on us when we least expect it.
Key Verse | Hebrews 3:13
But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. (Hebrews 3:13)
Hebrews 3
Jesus Greater Than Moses
1 Therefore, holy brothers, 1 3:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 12 you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, 2 who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God's 2 3:2 Greek his; also verses 5, 6 house. 3 For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. 4 (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) 5 Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, 6 but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope. 3 3:6 Some manuscripts insert firm to the end
A Rest for the People of God
7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says,
“Today, if you hear his voice,
8
do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,
on the day of testing in the wilderness,
9
where your fathers put me to the test
and saw my works for forty years.
10
Therefore I was provoked with that generation,
and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart;
they have not known my ways.’
11
As I swore in my wrath,
‘They shall not enter my rest.’”
12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. 15 As it is said,
“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”
16 For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses? 17 And with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? 19 So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.
Dive Deeper | Hebrews 3
So many times in my life, I wonder, "Is community really necessary?" I hear it over and over again that we are not to live in isolation, but the real question is, "Why?" Why do I choose to let others get into all of my business?
The answer is found right here, in front of my face: sin is deceitful. Left to myself, I know that I am capable of not only destroying my marriage and other important relationships, but I would also destroy myself (Proverbs 14:12). When I look at my life before community, I am able to see where I left many broken relationships that needed so badly to be mended. When the going got tough, I would leave a wake of brokenness behind me. I seemed to have the mindset that people come and go in our lives and that there are plenty of friendships out there to be had. How selfish!
Living in community has shown me my sin, even when I did not see it. I would lean on the fact that I simply didn't grow up seeing healthy conflict resolution and that I wasn't naturally gifted at it. It was one excuse after another. Community lovingly, but truthfully, showed me what conflict resolution looked like. My sin had crept up without me even knowing it because of my isolation.
Encouragement can come in all different forms. When I think of my community group, I realize that they are more than just my cheerleaders or friends who are there just to make me feel good about myself. They are in my life to encourage me with the Truth, steer me away from myself, and point me to the Word. Without community, I would be lost. So I choose community today, not tomorrow or in a month when my schedule seems to thin out. This verse calls me to encourage and be encouraged Today!
Discussion Questions
1. What excuses do you make to get around a particular sin?
2. Who are people in your life that can lovingly tell you the truth, even when it is hard to hear?
3. If you don't have those people in your life, what are some steps you can take to find them?
4. What are you doing to encourage others today?
WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY
September 24-28 (Hebrews 1-5)
Read Hebrews 4:12-16.
• What is the Word of God?
• To what did the writer of Hebrews compare God's Word?
• What does it mean that His Word exposes our thoughts and desires?
• How does it make you feel to know that nothing you think or do is hidden from God?
• Who is our High Priest that has entered heaven?
• What does it says that Jesus understands about us?
• How does it make you feel to know that Jesus experienced all the temptations that you face?
• What was different about Him?
• Is it comforting for you to know that Jesus, who died for your sins, knows and understands you?
Activity: Talk about what it means to be tempted and the difference between being tempted and sinning. When you are tempted, what can you do to keep from sinning? Take time to think through different scenarios as a family and discuss what the temptations are and how you can say "no" to the temptations. (Examples: a friend is mean to you at school, your boss treats you unfairly at work, someone says something untrue about you at school or work, a grocery clerk gives you back too much change, etc.)
Throughout the week, take time at dinner to talk about ways that you were tempted throughout the day and what choices you made, either to fall to the temptation and sin, or to resist the temptation. Then pray together, thanking Jesus for His sacrifice to pay for all of our sins.