November 24, 2019 – Hebrews 13:1-25

Lesson Date: November 24, 2019

Focal Scripture Passage: Hebrews 13:1-25

AIM: To lead students to find and discuss specific instructions telling how Christians should live, and then to examine their lives for shortcomings in those areas so they can ask the Lord to enable them to obey all His instructions.

Before class: Read the notes on Hebrews 13:1-25 found in the Sunday School Teacher Book. Write a sample grocery list to use in the introductory step. Get enough copies of the “Superior Living” handout for your anticipated attendance, along with some pens or pencils for anyone who might need one.

INTRODUCTION (Create Learning Readiness): Direct the class’ attention to your grocery list, and then read the list to the class. Ask: “Why is it a good idea to have a grocery list when you go to the store?” (so you will remember to pick up the items you need and avoid the temptation of getting things you don’t need). While all the items in the store may be appealing, you do not need them all. A grocery list (like a “to-do” list or any other type of list) keeps our attention focused on achieving a specified goal. Without such a list we may easily miss that goal.

Remind the class that throughout this quarter we have learned about the supremacy of Jesus Christ and the superior sacrifice He made to purchase our eternal redemption with His blood. Most of the book of Hebrews has been focused on Jesus and on our salvation. We might ask, “Now that our superior Savior has given us superior salvation, how should we live?” Tell the students that today’s lesson is full of practical instructions for Christians.

HEART OF THE LESSON (Bible Study):

1. Review.
   • Tell the students this is our last lesson from the book of Hebrews.
   • Ask: “What was last week’s lesson about?” (keeping our focus on Jesus).
   • Ask if any volunteers would recite last week’s memory verse (Heb. 12:2).
2. Love and Purity.
   • Give everyone a copy of the “Superior Living” handout, and a pen or pencil if needed.
   • Tell the class this handout lists the instructions found in Hebrews 13, but they are not listed in the order they appear.
   • Say: “These are the things God tells us to do; but you shouldn’t just take my word for it, you should find these instructions in Hebrews 13 for yourself. That way you will know I’m not just giving you my opinion, but God is giving you His instructions through His Word.”
   • Ask a volunteer to read Hebrews 13:1-4.
   • Ask the class which verses apply to which instructions (verse 1 – love; verse 2 – hospitality; verse 3 – prayer; verse 4 – sexual purity).
   • Tell them to write those verses in the appropriate spaces on their handout sheets
   • To help the students think about and discuss ways to apply these instructions to real life, ask some of the following (or similar) questions:
     • “What kind of actions would be considered brotherly love?”
     • “What are some ways Christians can practice hospitality?”
     • “How can we support those who are persecuted and imprisoned for their faith?”
     • “Our world has become obsessed with sex, to the point that premarital, extramarital, and deviant sexual behaviors have become commonplace. What are some things Christians can do to maintain sexual purity and thus avoid God’s judgment?”
   • Summarize: Superior, Christ-like living includes loving others, being hospitable, praying for those who are suffering, and practicing sexual purity.
3. Contentment, Dependence, Prayer, and Truth.
   • Ask a volunteer to read Hebrews 13:5-9.
   • Ask the class which verses apply to which instructions (verse 5 – contentment; verse 6 – dependence upon the Lord; verse 7 – both prayer and following and obeying godly leaders; verse 9 – sound doctrine based upon God’s grace).
   • Tell them to write those verses in the appropriate spaces on their handout sheets
   • Explain that verse 8 doesn’t contain an instruction, but it states a wonderful doctrinal truth about Christ’s unchanging nature.
   • To help the students think about and discuss ways to apply these instructions to real life, ask some of the following (or similar) questions:
     • “How can Christians be content in our modern covetous society? How does Christ’s promise never to leave or forsake us relate to contentment?”
     • “What are some ways we can be more dependent upon the Lord and less fearful of men?”
     • “How can we ‘remember’ those who teach us God’s Word? What are some ways we can imitate and follow them?”
     • “What are some of the dangers of strange doctrines?”
   • Summarize: Superior, Christ-like living includes being content, depending on the Lord, praying for our godly leaders, and clinging to sound doctrine.
4. Seek Jesus, not Earthly Sacrifices.
   • Read Hebrews 13:10-14.
   • Tell the class these verses remind us about Jesus Christ’s superiority to the Old Testament sacrificial system, which is the subject of much of the book of Hebrews.
   • Explain that since he was writing to Jews who had accepted Christ but were being drawn back to the Old Testament sacrifices, the writer of Hebrews says we must leave those sacrifices behind and go forth to place our faith wholly and solely in Jesus Christ and His perfect sacrifice.
   • Tell the students verse 14 says we don’t have a permanent home here on earth, but we look forward to our future home in heaven.
   • Summarize: Superior, Christ-like living includes seeking Jesus above everything else.
5. Praise, Obedience, and Prayer.
   • Ask a volunteer to read Hebrews 13:15-19.
   • Referring back to the handout sheet, ask the class which verses apply to which instructions (verse 15 – praise and thanksgiving; verse 17 – following and obeying godly leaders; verse 18 – prayer).
   • Tell them to write those verses in the appropriate spaces on their handout sheets
   • To help the students think about and discuss ways to apply these instructions to real life, ask some of the following (or similar) questions:
     • “What effects will praise and thanksgiving have on us? What effects will they have on others?”
     • “What are ways we can obey and submit to those who rule over us in the church? Why should we do this?”
     • “What happens when we pray for others?”
   • Tell the class that the rest of the chapter is a closing benediction about the supremacy of Jesus Christ.
   • Read Hebrews 13:20-25.
   • Summarize: Superior, Christ-like living includes praise and thanksgiving, obeying our godly leaders, and prayer.

PERSONAL APPLICATION: Direct the students’ attention back to their completed “Superior Living” handout. Tell them they have found that each of the instructions listed on the handout are clearly commanded in Hebrews 13.

Encourage everyone to privately answer the last two questions on the handout sheet. Ask them to bow their heads, and then encourage them to confess their shortcomings and ask the Lord to enable them to obey all of His instructions. Voice a closing prayer.

CONCLUSION: Give each of the students a copy of the Sunday School Member Quarterly for next quarter. Share your excitement about studying 1, 2, 3 John and Jude, and learning about the “Tests of True Salvation.” Urge everyone to begin the Daily Bible Reading Guide tomorrow and follow it every day, and then to read and answer the questions in their quarterly each week.