GROUP FELLOWSHIP

AUTUMN 2001

October 9/11

STUDIES IN HEBREWS

WHAT SORT OF PEOPLE OUGHT WE TO BE?

KEY VERSE6.1

 "THEREFORE LET USleave the elementary teachings about Christ andGO

 ON TO MATURITY."

God desires Christians who are steadily "growing up".

In Hebrews 5.11 – 6.12, three possible spiritual states are described:-

1. Continual SPIRITUAL RETARDATION ( - a plight!) 5.11 – 6.2

 The danger of never growing up!

 Stuck in Christian babyhood!

QUESTIONS: ( based on 5.11 – 6.3)

• What characterises ‘spiritual babyhood’?
• What is meant by ‘you need milk, not solid food’? (5,12)
• Draw your own parallels between physical and spiritual babyhood and maturity.

REMEMBER: IT’S OK TO BE A BABY WHEN YOU ARE ONE! NOT SO HOT IN AN ADULT!

2. Wilful SPIRITUAL REJECTION (a peril!) 6.4-8

 The danger of deliberately turning back.

 Walking away from the light!

QUESTIONS: (on 6.4-8)

• Share what you think is meant by ‘enlightened’, ‘tasted the heavenly gift’, ‘shared in the Holy Spirit,’ ‘tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age’. Have you experienced these things?
• What are verses 7-8 saying?

BE WARNED! BUT DON’T BE ALARMED. These verses can’t mean that there is no way back for the Christian who back-slides! So many of us have done it – and been restored.

ONLY IN JESUS IS THERE SALVATION FOR US – SO WE MUST HOLD FAST.

3. Gradual SPIRITUAL MATURATION ( - a process) 6.9-12

 The desire to diligently press on

 Keeping on keeping on! Growing from good to better!

QUESTIONS: (on 6.9-12)

• The writer is clearly concerned about the immaturity of his readers’ Christian lives, but some things encourage him to be hopeful about them. What are they?
• What sort of things do you think should ‘accompany salvation’ (6.9) in our spiritual lives?
• What things does the writer desire to see in his readers’ lives? What part does our will play in our growth?
• What things have helped you in ‘growing up’ as a Christian?