November 3, 2019 – Hebrews 10:1-27

Lesson Date: November 3, 2019

Focal Scripture Passage: Hebrews 10:1-37

AIM: To lead students to discover the Christian’s new privileges, responsibilities, and consequences, and to give them an opportunity to repent of their sins so they can draw near to Jesus Christ.

Before class: Read the notes on Hebrews 10:1-37 found in the Sunday School Teacher Book. Get enough copies of the Hebrews 10:1-37 Worksheet for your anticipated attendance. Have some pens or pencils on hand for any students who might need one. Write the following three phrases on the marker board or chalkboard: “New Privileges,” “New Responsibilities,” and “New Consequences.”

INTRODUCTION (Create Learning Readiness): Hold up your driver’s license so the students can see it. Ask how many of them are licensed drivers. Ask: “What privilege do you enjoy as a licensed driver that those without a driver’s license do not have?” (the privilege of legally driving an automobile on a public highway). Tell the students before they got a driver’s license they did not have that privilege.

Tell the class that once a person gets a driver’s license he has certain responsibilities and duties that he did not have before he got his license. Ask: “What responsibilities does a licensed driver have that those without a driver’s license do not have?” (a licensed driver is responsible to obey the traffic laws and look out for the safety of pedestrians and other motorists; if the driver owns a vehicle, he or she is responsible to maintain insurance on that vehicle). Tell the class people don’t have those responsibilities before they get a driver’s license.

Ask: “What can happen to a driver who fails in those responsibilities?” (he can get a traffic ticket, be prosecuted, or even go to jail). Ask: “Will a person without a driver’s license face those same consequences for violating a traffic law?” (no; since he does not drive, he is not subject to traffic laws).

Explain that the point of these illustrations is this: A new privilege imparts new responsibilities and carries new consequences for failing to live up to those responsibilities. In today’s lesson we are going to learn about our new privileges in Christ, the new responsibilities we have as Christians, and the new consequences we face if we don’t do the things we are told. Finally, we will learn some steps for getting right with God if we’ve already failed in our responsibilities.

HEART OF THE LESSON (Bible Study):

1. Review.
   • Tell the class we are entering the last month of our study of the book of Hebrews.
   • Ask: “What was last week’s lesson about?” (Christ’s superior sacrifice and how we can trust Him for salvation).
   • Ask if any volunteers would recite last week’s memory verse (Heb. 9:12).
2. Out With the Old – In With the New.
   • Ask a volunteer to read Hebrews 10:1-9. Verse 4 is the key verse.
   • Tell the class these verses reiterate something we’ve learned in previous lessons: the Law and the Old Testament sacrifices could not take away sin.
   • Ask another volunteer to read Hebrews 10:10-18.
   • Tell the class these verses remind us of something we learned last week: Christ’s superior sacrifice purges our sin and places God’s Laws in our heart.
   • Remind the students that in last week’s lesson we gave those who don’t know Jesus the opportunity to receive Him as Savior.
   • Assuming that we already belong to Christ, the remaining verses will tell us about our new privilege, responsibilities, and consequences.
   • Direct the class’ attention to the three phrases written on the board.
   • Give everyone a copy of the Hebrews 10:1-37 Worksheet (and a pen or pencil if needed).
   • Summarize: The Law and the Old Testament sacrifices could not take away sin, but Christ’s superior sacrifice purges our sin and places God’s Laws in our heart.
3. New Privileges.
   • Ask the class to listen for the new privileges they have in Christ, as you read Hebrews 10:19-21.
   • After reading the verses, lead the students to identify the privileges and write them in the appropriate spaces on their worksheets.
   • They should name the following:
     • Boldness to enter God’s presence by the blood of Jesus (v. 19).
     • A new way into God’s presence through the sacrificial death of Christ (v. 20).
     • A new High Priest over the household of God (v. 21).
   • Tell the class that just as a person has new privileges when he becomes a licensed driver, these are new privileges we have because we belong to Jesus Christ.
   • Summarize: Because of Jesus’ superior sacrifice, Christians enjoy special privileges others do not have.
4. New Responsibilities.
   • Remind the class that licensed drivers have certain responsibilities people without licenses do not have.
   • Tell them because we have been given the new privileges described in verses 19-21, we now have some new responsibilities.
   • Ask the class to listen for their new responsibilities as you read Hebrews 10:22-25.
   • After reading the verses, lead the students to identify the responsibilities and write them in the appropriate spaces on their worksheets.
   • They should name the following:
     • We should draw near to God (v. 22).
     • We should hold firmly to our profession of faith (v. 23).
     • We should be mindful of other believers and encourage them to practice love and good works (v. 24).
     • We should remain faithful in our church attendance (v. 25).
   • Tell the students these are clear instructions based upon our new standing in Christ Jesus.
   • Explain that just as a pedestrian is not responsible for obeying the traffic laws, unsaved people are not expected to obey these instructions. Once a person is saved, however, God expects them to do these things.
   • Summarize: Because they have received Christ’s free gift of salvation, Christians have certain responsibilities others do not have.
5. New Consequences.
   • Tell the class the next verses tell about the consequences of disobeying these instructions.
   • Ask them to listen for the consequences of failing to fulfill their responsibilities, as you read Hebrews 10:26-31.
   • After reading the verses, lead the students to identify the consequences and write them in the appropriate spaces on their worksheets.
   • They should name the following:
     • There is no additional sacrifice to cover their willful sin (v. 26).
       • Explain that a believer who sins willfully cannot go to an altar and make an additional sacrifice to cover his sin. Jesus made the final sacrifice. The only way to deal with a willful sin is to take it to the feet of Jesus, the very one the sinning Christian willfully chose to disobey.
     • They are subject to God’s judgment and punishment (v. 27-31).
       • Stress that genuine believers can never lose their salvation; but just as a parent disciplines his child more severely than he does other children, believers are subject to serious chastisement at the hands of their Heavenly Father.

1. • Tell the students it is a very serious thing for a believer to ignore God’s commands and sin willfully. In fact, verse 29 says those believers who fail to do the things named in verses 22-25 are trampling Jesus under their feet, considering His blood unholy, and insulting the Holy Spirit.
   • Explain that just as being a licensed driver carries the potential for serious punishment, believers who do not obey God’s commands are in danger of severe consequences.
   • Summarize: Because of their relationship with Jesus Christ, believers face serious consequences if they willfully choose to sin.

6. How to Get Right and Stay Right.
   • Ask: “What if we have already messed up in one or more of those areas? How can we get right with God and stay that way?”
   • Tell the class the Bible gives us the answer in the next verses.
   • Ask them to listen for how to get right and stay right, as you read Hebrews 10:32-37.
   • After reading the verses, lead the students to identify the things they discovered and write them in the appropriate spaces on their worksheets.
   • They should name the following:
     • Remember the former days when we were faithful to God (v. 32a). In other words, go back to living for the Lord like you used to.
     • Endure afflictions (v. 32b-34).
     • Hold onto the confidence we have in Christ (v. 35).
     • Be patient (v. 36).
     • Look expectantly for the return of Jesus Christ (v. 37).
   • Tell the students that doing those things will get us right again and keep us right.
   • Summarize: When we have strayed into sin we must be proactive to take the steps necessary to restore and renew our fellowship with the Lord.

PERSONAL APPLICATION: Direct the students’ attention to the phrases on the board. Tell them because of our position in Christ we have been given new privileges. Ask: “What are those privileges?” (boldness, access, and a new High Priest). Tell the students because we are Christians we have new responsibilities that we didn’t have before we were saved. Ask: “What are those responsibilities?” (draw near to God, hold fast our profession, consider other believers to try to motivate them to love and good works, and faithfully attend church). Tell them if we fail to do those things, there are serious consequences. Ask: “What are those consequences?” (there is no other sacrifice for our sins and we will face God’s chastisement).

Tell the students that thankfully, God’s forgiveness is available for believers who humbly repent and want to be right. We learned in verses 32-37 that we should go back to doing the right things, cling to Jesus, and look forward to his return.

Urge any who have failed to follow God’s instructions to repent of their sins and draw near to Jesus Christ right now. Ask everyone to bow their head and close their eyes. Encourage everyone to repent and draw near to God. Voice a closing prayer.

CONCLUSION: Ask everyone to memorize Hebrews 10:25. Ask everyone to put their worksheet in their Bible as a reminder to do the things God has told us.