Hebrews 13:1–25 (esv)
Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and
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those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. Let marriage be 4
held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. 5Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” 7Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday 8
and today and forever. 9Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. We have an altar 10
from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. 11For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. 12So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. 13Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. 14For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. 15Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 16Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over
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your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to
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act honorably in all things. 19I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner. Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our
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Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have
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written to you briefly. 23You should know that our brother Timothy has
Never Left or Forsaken Pray that the Holy Spirit would work in you to make you content.
Read Hebrews 13:1–16 aloud.
Reread Hebrews 13:4–6. Why do you think that marriage is emphasized next to verses about helping the hurting? What are we asked to do in our marriages (Heb 13:4)? Even if you are not married, how can you live by this commandment and help others to do so? Why must we keep our lives free from the “love of money” (13:5)? What can a “love of money” do to us? How does Heb 13:5 instruct us to break free from the hold finances have on our lives? What can we confidently say when we are content (13:6)? Hebrews 13:6 is a paraphrase of Psa 118:6, combined with a line from Psa 56:4 (or 56:11). How can you live what Heb 13:6 teaches? Continue to reflect and pray through these questions throughout your week.
WEEK 3
strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
WEEK 2
Let brotherly love continue. 2Do not neglect to show hospitality to
Always Consider the Outcome Pray that Christ will show you the right teachers to follow.
Read Hebrews 13:1–16 aloud.
Reread Hebrews 13:7–9. What is the “outcome” of a Christ-centered leader’s way of life (Heb 13:7)? Why should we imitate our Christ-focused leaders? Does Jesus Christ change (13:8)? The natural conclusion of Christ not changing, but remaining the same, is that “strange teachings” are just that—new, strange and not true (13:9). If they were truly of Christ, they would not be absurd or odd. They would align with what is professed in the New Testament through Christ’s apostles and those who recorded His story. The “foods” referred to in 13:9 are the sacrifices that were being offered by the Jewish priesthood in the 1st century ad (13:10–11), and likely those being offered by Greek religious groups. However, it is not by the sacrifice of food that we are strengthened, but by Christ’s grace. The author’s logic here is quite simple: Look at the outcome of what someone is doing. If the religious people are not getting closer to God, what does that tell you? Grace overcomes (13:9). Sacrifices and religion enslave. How can you break out of the mold of religiosity in your life and seek Christ’s grace? Continue to reflect and pray through these questions throughout your week.
been released, with whom I shall see you if he comes soon. 24Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who come from Italy send you greetings. Grace be with all of you.
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Renew Now!
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