8: Going on to Perfection (Heb -6:8)
The Basics
Setting
The preceding
passage, which centered on Jesus on as the High Priest, ended with the note
that Jesus was called by God as High Priest according to the order of
Melchizedek. In this lesson, we see that as the author mentions
Melchizedek, his attention is diverted to the readers’ dullness of hearing and
spiritual immaturity. He goes even further to warn about the impossibility of
bringing back believers who fall away.
Key Verse
“Therefore, leaving the discussion
of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection…” (6:1).
Observation
Outline
(5:11-14)
(6:1-3)
(6:4-8)
Key Words/Phrases
Segment Analysis
5:11-14
1a. According
to this passage, what characterize spiritual infancy?
1b. What characterize spiritual maturity?
2. Define
the following terms:
2a. Dull
of hearing
2b. First
principles of the oracles of God
2c. Milk
and solid food
2d. Word
of righteousness
3a. What distinguishes the babes and the mature in terms of how
they respond to God’s word?
3b. How can we have “our senses exercised” instead of being
“unskilled”?
6:1-3
4. What
does the author mean by “the elementary principles of Christ” and “foundation”
(6:1)? List these “elementary principles” and explain why they are so called.
5. How
does the exhortation to leave the elementary principles of Christ apply to you?
6. What
is the teaching of verse 3?
6:4-8
7a. What impossibility is discussed here?
7b. What kind of people are verses 4 and 5 describing?
8a. Describe
the condition of falling away (Use verses 7-8 to help you).
8b. What does it mean to “crucify again for themselves the Son
of God, and put Him to an open shame” (6)?
8c. What is the end for those who fall
away?
