Hebrews 10:26-39

Key Verse: Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.  For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. Hebrews 10:35-36

Journaling Prompt: Have you ever been shamed or persecuted for your faith? 

We know in the book of Hebrews, the writer is addressing three different groups of Jewish exiles: Christians, those who are intellectually convinced, and those who don't believe.  Compare Hebrews 10:26-39 to Hebrews 6:1-12.  After reading these passages, which groups is the writer addressing.  Why do you think so? 

Make two lists to describe the actions of (v. 26) those who go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth and (v. 32) those who are enlightened.  What attitude/actions underlie both groups?  Have you witnessed these in your life or the lives of others? 

Hebrews 10:30 quotes Deuteronomy 32:35 where vengeance belongs to the Lord.  Romans 12:19 quotes this same verse through 21 of this chapter, describes how we are to treat our enemies.  Have you ever responded this way to an enemy?  What was the result? 

Psalm 50 describes a God who judges His people (Hebrews 10:30).  In reading the psalm, what does God desire?  How are the wicked described?  Are there any parallels in this psalm with what we’ve been learning in Hebrews?

Verse 32 commands the readers of this letter to "recall the former days" after they first believed, to remember the trials they went through to help them keep persevering in their faith.  Is there something in your faith-journey that you call to mind that helps you when you are tempted to quit? 

Hebrews 10:36 says that when we have done the will of God we will receive what is promised. What is the will of God?  Read John 6:40.  How does verse 38 and 39 of this chapter strengthen what John says about God's will and what is promised? Read 1 Peter 1:4-9 as an encouragement to keep pressing into the Lord.