Hebrews: Hope for Such a Time as This

As we launch into fall, it is an unusual time, isn’t it? Some of us feel anxious and overwhelmed as we navigate masks, social distancing, distance learning, uncertainty at work, and anxiety in the news. It may sound strange to say that it’s exactly because of all of this that you should add one more thing to your calendar. But this fall in our women’s Bible studies we will dive into the book of Hebrews together, and I want to encourage you to join us. I think Hebrews is the perfect gift we need right now, and I am excited to share it with you.

The Hebrew Christians were tired and discouraged. They had begun their walk with an excitement to follow Jesus. They had willingly sacrificed jobs, possessions, family connections, and even physical safety for the sake of the Gospel. But they were beginning to wonder how long they could persevere. Does that feel familiar at all during our current time? What would give them strength to persevere?

That is the question the author of Hebrews wants to answer. Is Jesus really enough? How is he enough? How does looking to him strengthen us practically in these real, daily challenges we face? We might say, “Look to Jesus!” But how? Hebrews shows us Jesus is enough. And it gives us practical tools to apply that truth to our daily lives.

If you have been around our women’s ministry for long, you have heard us say, “The Bible is one, big story.” There are few places we see this more than Hebrews.

Imagine you are 1.5 hours late to watch a mystery-murder thriller with me. You walk into the theater, sit down, and the detective is about to explain how he solved the case: who did it, why, and how. Because you didn’t see the first 1.5 hours of clues, you look at me and ask me to catch you up.

In some ways, the Old Testament is the “clues” to God’s big, redemptive drama. It is the foreshadowing. The Bible says the Old Testament is full of shadows and copies of the reality of what Jesus is going to fully realize in the New Testament.

The original recipients of this book would have known about all these Old Testament “clues” as part of their daily cultural life—the same way we know about culturally-pervasive things like Coke and TV and cell phones. But you and I have to play a little catch up to get ready for the “big-reveal” of Hebrews because the Old Testament is not part of our cultural language. So, I will provide some summaries of how the original recipients would have thought about some of the Old Testament imagery. At the end of some of the days, I’ll offer verses you can look up in the Old Testament if you want to learn more of the backstory.

The study is divided up into five days for each week with opening and closing prayers to help you use the study as your devotional if you like. Some days unexpected things happen. We have worked hard to make this study short and accessible because life is a little crazy right now. But some days you can’t even do a short study. If you find yourself in a pickle during your normal study time one morning, don’t rush off to your tasks without coming before the Lord. We have a “bite-sized” question every day so you can begin or end your day with God’s Word and prayer even if your Bible time has gotten a little squeezed that day.

There are in-person and virtual small group options and morning and evening studies. For morning studies we are excited to be able to offer a nursery for children ages 0-4 and a supervised School Study Hall in the Redeemer fellowship hall for students who are at home for distance learning. However you choose to participate with us this fall, it is the prayer of our women’s ministry that this study would help us, “Look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” and be strengthened for the journey.

Join us for Fall Women’s Bible Study! All studies meet at the RPC building.

• Tuesday Morning Bible Study: 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Tuesday Evening Bible Study: 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Wednesday Morning Bible Study: 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

There are options to participate in person or virtually. The Redeemer Nursery is open for the morning studies by reservation to children ages 0-4. A supervised School Study Hall will be offered in the fellowship hall for students who are distance learning.

Click here to register. Books can be purchased online HERE and made available for porch pick up (email Tara Gibbs for details) or purchased in the church foyer on Sundays.