6: Entering God’s Rest (Heb 4:1-13)
The Basics
Setting
The previous passage began the
second warning section in Hebrews. It called believers to guard against an evil
heart of unbelief leading to rejection of God. We learned from the example of
the Israelites that the outcome of unbelief is failure to enter God’s rest. The
passage of this lesson expands the thought of entering God’s rest and applies
this teaching to present-day believers.
Key Verse
“Let us therefore be diligent to
enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of
disobedience” ().
Observation
Outline
(4:1-2)
(4:3-11)
(4:12-13)
Key Words/Phrases
General Analysis
1. Record
what this passage has to say about “rest.”
Segment Analysis
4:1-2
1. Why
does the author tell us to fear in verse 1? Explain the consequence that we
should be careful to avoid.
2a. What is “the gospel” that was preached to us as well as to
the Israelites?
2b. Why did the word they heard not profit them?
3. Did
God’s promise of rest to the Israelites fail? From the tragic end of the
Israelites who fell in the wilderness, what lessons can you learn about
receiving God’s promised rest?
4:3-11
4. When
did God’s rest begin?
5. How
does the author show that the promise of rest still remains?
6. What
is the meaning of “rest”? What does it mean to enter God’s rest and cease from
our works?
7. Who
is able to enter God’s rest? Have you entered that rest?
8b. What does such diligence teach us about the nature of faith?
4:12-13
9. How
is God’s word living and powerful? Explain the effects of God’s word.
10. How
does God’s word relate to His judgment?
11. Why does the author talk about the word of God in this
context? What does it have to do with entering God’s rest (To answer this
question, look at the entire passage of this lesson)? What role does God’s word
play in our salvation
