The Book of Hebrews

The Book of Hebrews cover art
Instructor: Multiple Instructors
Lessons: 2
Forums: 2
Discipline: New Testament
Course Group: General Epistles

Hebrews is one of the most challenging books in the New Testament. Many of its topics and themes are difficult to understand, and it tends to approach them differently than other New Testament books do. But it helps when we recognize that the original audience was facing persecution and that they were tempted to turn away from Christ. That’s why the author of Hebrews placed his emphasis on standing strong in the faith, and it’s why this book is one of the most valuable and encouraging to Christians in every age.

Course Goals:

  • Introduce viewers to the background and primary message of the book of Hebrews.
  • Summarize the structure, content, original meaning and modern application of the book of Hebrews.

58 min.

Lesson 1: The Background and Purpose of Hebrews

Introduces perspectives on the author, audience, date and purpose of the book of Hebrews that can help us interpret the original meaning and apply this book to our modern world.
71 min.

Forum 1: The Background and Purpose of Hebrews

A companion video to lesson 1 of the same series that asks the following questions:
  • Who wrote the book of Hebrews?
  • What are your personal thoughts on the authorship of Hebrews?
  • What kinds of things can we learn about the author of Hebrews from the contents of his letter?
  • How did the audience of Hebrews respond to the persecutions affecting their community?
  • How did the author of Hebrews address the concerns facing his readers?
  • When we compare the book of Hebrews with other New Testament epistles, should we still call Hebrews an epistle?
  • How does the structure and content of Hebrews compare to other New Testament epistles?
  • How does the highly rhetorical character of the book of Hebrews support the author's purpose?
  • How much did first century Jewish writings like the Dead Sea Scrolls and the works of Philo influence the writer of Hebrews?
  • What goals did the author of Hebrews intend to accomplish with the many exhortations in his letter?
  • How does the book of Hebrews contrast Jesus with aspects of the old covenant?
  • Who is Melchizedek, and what is his significance in the book of Hebrews?
  • What is the purpose of Hebrews?
71 min.

Forum 1: The Background and Purpose of Hebrews

A companion video to lesson 1 of the same series that asks the following questions:
  • Who wrote the book of Hebrews?
  • What are your personal thoughts on the authorship of Hebrews?
  • What kinds of things can we learn about the author of Hebrews from the contents of his letter?
  • How did the audience of Hebrews respond to the persecutions affecting their community?
  • How did the author of Hebrews address the concerns facing his readers?
  • When we compare the book of Hebrews with other New Testament epistles, should we still call Hebrews an epistle?
  • How does the structure and content of Hebrews compare to other New Testament epistles?
  • How does the highly rhetorical character of the book of Hebrews support the author's purpose?
  • How much did first century Jewish writings like the Dead Sea Scrolls and the works of Philo influence the writer of Hebrews?
  • What goals did the author of Hebrews intend to accomplish with the many exhortations in his letter?
  • How does the book of Hebrews contrast Jesus with aspects of the old covenant?
  • Who is Melchizedek, and what is his significance in the book of Hebrews?
  • What is the purpose of Hebrews?
71 min.

Lesson 2: Content and Structure

Explores the rhetorical tools the author of Hebrews used to exhort his original audience to remain faithful to Jesus, and explains how the author wove recurring elements into persuasive presentations.
65 min.

Forum 2: Content and Structure

A companion video to lesson 2 of the same series that asks the following questions:
  • In what ways did the author of Hebrews believe that history had reached the last days with the coming of Jesus Christ?
  • How did the author of Hebrews affirm the continuing validity of the old covenant for his readers?
  • In what ways did the author of Hebrews motivate his readers to persevere in the faith?
  • How should we understand the warnings against apostasy in Hebrews?
  • How did the author of Hebrews compare and contrast Jesus with the priesthoods of Aaron and Melchizedek?
  • How was Jesus' sacrifice for sin superior to the sacrifices offered in the Old Testament?
  • What is the significance of Jesus being both the priest who offers the sacrifice and the sacrificial lamb?
  • What did the author of Hebrews mean in chapter 12 when he said that we have already come to Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem?
  • What did the author of Hebrews mean when he said that the old covenant was made obsolete by the coming of Christ?
  • Does the book of Hebrews present the new covenant as a covenant renewal or something completely new?
  • In Hebrews 13, how does the author describe the final destination of God's people?
65 min.

Forum 2: Content and Structure

A companion video to lesson 2 of the same series that asks the following questions:
  • In what ways did the author of Hebrews believe that history had reached the last days with the coming of Jesus Christ?
  • How did the author of Hebrews affirm the continuing validity of the old covenant for his readers?
  • In what ways did the author of Hebrews motivate his readers to persevere in the faith?
  • How should we understand the warnings against apostasy in Hebrews?
  • How did the author of Hebrews compare and contrast Jesus with the priesthoods of Aaron and Melchizedek?
  • How was Jesus' sacrifice for sin superior to the sacrifices offered in the Old Testament?
  • What is the significance of Jesus being both the priest who offers the sacrifice and the sacrificial lamb?
  • What did the author of Hebrews mean in chapter 12 when he said that we have already come to Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem?
  • What did the author of Hebrews mean when he said that the old covenant was made obsolete by the coming of Christ?
  • Does the book of Hebrews present the new covenant as a covenant renewal or something completely new?
  • In Hebrews 13, how does the author describe the final destination of God's people?