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Yellow: Direct Response
Light Yellow: Additional Answer
Celeste: Extra Points
“We hold fast to the beginning of our confidence until the end” (HEB. 3:14).
1, 2. (a) How were things in Judea when the apostle Paul wrote the Letter to the Hebrews? (b) Why did this inspired letter come at just the right time?
AFTER Jesus’ death, Hebrew Christians went through difficult years. a). Soon after the Jerusalem congregation was formed, a great persecution began against it (Acts 8:1). And about 20 years later, Christ’s followers in Judea experienced severe economic problems, possibly as a result of a time of great famine in that region (Acts 11:27–30). However, around the year 61, Christians were experiencing a time of relative peace, at least compared to what was about to happen. During that time, they received an inspired letter from the apostle Paul—a letter that would prove to be very timely. 2 b). The Letter to the Hebrews came at just the right time, because the peace they enjoyed was numbered. Paul gave Christians practical advice that would help them endure what was coming. The destruction of the Jewish system that Jesus had spoken of was just around the corner (Luke 21:20). Of course, neither Paul nor the Christians in Judea knew the exact date on which this would occur. But those Christians could use this time to strengthen their faith and endurance, and thus be prepared (Heb. 10:25; 12:1, 2).
3. Why do we do well to analyze the Letter to the Hebrews today?
3 We are about to face a tribulation far greater than that faced by the Hebrew Christians . (Matt. 24:21; Rev. 16:14, 16) The counsel Jehovah gave those Christians can benefit us as well. So let’s look at some of it.
“LET’S MOVE TOWARDS MATURITY”
4. What challenges did Christians of Jewish origin have to face? (See also image.)
4 The Hebrews to whom Paul wrote had left the Jewish religion and become Christians, and this posed many challenges for them. On the one hand, the Jews had been Jehovah’s chosen people. For years, Jerusalem had been a very important place, because it was where the king who represented Jehovah ruled and where the temple was. All faithful Jews followed the Law of Moses and the rules that the religious leaders taught them. They had rules about food, about circumcision, and about how to treat people from other nations. On the other hand, since Jesus died, Jehovah no longer accepted sacrifices offered at the temple. All these changes were not easy for Jews who had become Christians and were accustomed to following the Law. (Heb. 10:1, 4, 10) Even mature Christians, such as the apostle Peter, found it difficult to adapt. (Acts 10:9-14; Gal. 2:11-14) To make matters worse, Jewish religious leaders began persecuting Christians because of their new beliefs.
ILLUSTRATION
At the temple, Jewish religious leaders are upset because Christians are preaching in the area. In order not to be led away from the truth, the Christians had to reject the false teachings of the Jewish religious leaders. (See paragraphs 4 and 5.)
5. Which two groups did those Christians face?
5 There were two groups of people who opposed the Christians in Judea. On the one hand, there were the Jewish religious leaders who considered them apostates. On the other hand, there were some who claimed to be Christians but insisted that certain rules of the Law of Moses be followed, perhaps to avoid persecution (Gal. 6:12). What would help these Christians to endure faithfully?
6. What did Paul encourage the Hebrews to do? (Hebrews 5:14-6:1)
6 In his letter, Paul encouraged the Hebrews to look deeper into God’s Word (read Hebrews 5:14–6:1). He used the Hebrew Scriptures to explain to them that the Christian system of worship was far superior to that of the Jews . a He knew that increasing their knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures would help them be prepared to identify and reject false teachings, so that they would not be led away from the truth.
7. What challenges do we face today?
7 Today, too, there are people who spread information or ideas that go against Jehovah’s righteous standards and oppose us. Many accuse us of being intolerant and cruel because we follow the Bible’s standards for morality. The way this world thinks and acts is increasingly different from how Jehovah thinks. (Prov. 17:15) So we must strengthen our ability to identify and reject the ideas that some use to try to discourage us or divert us from the truth. (Heb. 13:9)
8. How can we move towards spiritual maturity?
8 Paul told those Christians to press on toward maturity, and we should do the same. How? By deepening our knowledge of the truth and striving to think like Jehovah. This process continues even after we are dedicated and baptized. So we should all read and study God’s Word regularly, whether we have been in the truth for a short time or a long time. (Ps. 1:2) A good personal study program will strengthen a quality that Paul spoke about a lot in his letter: faith. (Heb. 11:1, 6)
“THEY HAVE FAITH AND PRESERVE LIFE”
9. Why did Christians need to have a strong faith?
9 These Christians would need strong faith to survive what would soon happen in Judea (Heb. 10:37–39). Jesus had told his followers that when they saw Jerusalem surrounded by encamped armies, they should flee to the mountains. This advice applied to all Christians, whether they lived in Jerusalem or outside the city in the countryside (Luke 21:20–24). Back then, when an invading army attacked, it was normal for people to seek refuge inside a walled city, such as Jerusalem. So fleeing to the mountains seemed illogical and required great faith.
10. What would Christians with strong faith do? (Hebrews 13:17)
10 Those Christians would also have to trust the brothers Jesus was using to lead the congregation. The responsible brothers likely gave everyone specific instructions about when and how to flee. (Read Hebrews 13:17.) The Greek word used in Hebrews 13:17 for “be obedient” implies that a person obeys because he or she is convinced that the person giving the instruction is trustworthy, not simply because he or she has no other choice. Christians needed to build up their trust in the elders before the tribulation came. If they were obedient in times of peace, they would be more likely to be obedient in times of crisis.
11. Why do we need to have a strong faith?
11 We need to have faith like that of the Christians to whom Paul wrote that letter. We live in a time when most people do not believe that the end of this system is near and even ridicule us for believing in it. (2 Pet. 3:3, 4) In addition, although the Bible gives some details about what will happen during the great tribulation, there are many things we do not know. We need to have a strong faith that the end will come just when Jehovah has decided and be convinced that he will take care of us. (Hab. 2:3)
12. What will help us survive the great tribulation?
12 We also need to strengthen our faith that Jehovah is using “the faithful and wise slave” to guide us today. (Matt. 24:45) Just as the Hebrew Christians likely received instructions when the Romans arrived, we may receive specific, life-saving instructions when the great tribulation begins. Now is the time to strengthen our trust in those who lead Jehovah’s organization. If we are not obedient and trusting now, it will be more difficult for us to obey their instructions during the great tribulation.
13. Why was the advice in Hebrews 13:5 so timely?
13 As the Hebrew Christians waited for the signal to flee, they were to live simple lives and avoid the “love of money.” (Read Hebrews 13:5.) Some of them had experienced times of hunger and poverty. (Heb. 10:32–34.) While they were once willing to endure hardship for the sake of good news, some may have begun to focus on earning more money to protect themselves from poverty and danger. But there was no money in the world that could save their lives when Jerusalem was destroyed. (James 5:3.) In fact, if someone had a love of money, it would be very difficult for them to flee, leaving their home and possessions behind.
14. What kind of decisions will we make if we have a strong faith?
14 Having a strong faith that the end of this system will come at any moment will help us avoid falling into materialism. During the Great Tribulation, money will have no value. The Bible says that people will “throw their silver into the streets” when they realize that “neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of Jehovah’s anger.”—Ezek. 7:19. Instead of focusing on making more and more money, it is best to make choices that help us live a simple, balanced life. This includes resisting the temptation to get into unnecessary debt or to get so wrapped up in so many material things that we no longer have time for anything else. We must also be very careful not to become too attached to what we own.—Matt. 6:19, 24. As the end approaches, we may have to prove whether we trust more in Jehovah or in our belongings.
“YOU NEED TO HANG IN THERE”
15. Why was it so important for Christians to have endurance?
15 As the situation in Judea became increasingly grim, Christians would have to endure trials of faith. (Heb. 10:36) Although some had endured persecution in the past , many had accepted the truth during a period of relative peace. But Paul warned them that persecution would become more intense and that they would have to be ready to be faithful to the death, just as Jesus was. (Heb. 12:4) As more and more Christians became more and more numerous, many Jewish fanatics were becoming more and more angry. A few years earlier, when Paul was preaching in Jerusalem, a mob attacked him. And more than 40 Jews “bound themselves with a curse not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul” (Acts 22:22; 23:12–14). Even though they were surrounded by so many people who hated them, these Christians would have to continue meeting together, preaching, and keeping their faith strong.
16. How does the Letter to the Hebrews help us to see persecution from the right perspective? (Hebrews 12:7)
16 What would help these Christians endure persecution? Paul knew they needed to view trials in the right light. So he explained that God may allow people to go through hardships to help them become better Christians (read Hebrews 12:7). They should view these trials as part of a training program that would help them develop and hone essential qualities. They would find it easier to endure trials if they focused on how they would grow as Christians (Heb. 12:11).
17. What did Paul know about enduring persecution?
17 Paul encouraged these Christians to endure and not give up. And his words carried a lot of weight. Why? For one thing, he had persecuted Christians in the past, so he knew what they were up against. For another, he had experience enduring persecution, because after becoming a Christian he had been attacked in many ways. (2 Cor. 11:23-25) Paul knew what it took to endure. So he reminded them not to rely on themselves but on Jehovah. He himself boldly said: “Jehovah is my helper. I will not be afraid.”—Heb. 13:6.
18. What should we be clear about, and what should we do from now on?
18 Today, some of our brothers and sisters are enduring persecution. We can show that we care for and support them by praying and, in some cases, doing practical things for them. (Heb. 10:33) The Bible says bluntly: “All who desire to live a godly life in union with Christ Jesus will also be persecuted.” (2 Tim. 3:12) That means we all need to prepare for difficult times when they come. We should rely completely on Jehovah and be confident that he will help us endure no matter what. He will provide relief for his faithful servants in due time. (2 Thess. 1:7, 8)
19. What things can we do to prepare for the great tribulation? (See also image.)
19 Paul’s letter to the Hebrews must have done much to help them prepare for what was coming. Paul encouraged them to increase their knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures. In that way, they would be ready to identify and reject teachings that might weaken their faith. He also told them to strengthen their faith so that they would obey without question the instructions of Jesus and those leading the congregation. And he showed them that they would find it easier to endure if they viewed trials in the right perspective—that is, if they saw them as opportunities given to them by their loving Father to improve as Christians. If we too apply this inspired advice, we will be able to faithfully endure to the end. (Heb. 3:14)
ILLUSTRATION
A group of first-century Christians at an outdoor meeting. Jehovah blessed the faithful Christians for their endurance. After they fled Judea, they continued to meet together. What do we learn? (See paragraph 19.)
HOW WOULD YOU RESPOND?
What will help us move towards maturity?
By deepening our knowledge of the truth and striving to think like Jehovah. This process continues even after we are dedicated and baptized. So we should all read and study God’s word regularly, whether we have been in the truth for a short time or a long time.
Why do we need to have a strong faith?
We live in a time when most people do not believe that the end of this system is near and even mock us for believing in it. Furthermore, although the Bible gives some details about what will happen during the great tribulation, there are many things we do not know. We need to have a strong faith that the end will come just when Jehovah has decided.
Why is it important for us to have endurance?
It is important that we have endurance because, in times of persecution and difficulties, our faith and resistance are essential to continue forward in the midst of adversity.
Endurance in difficult times strengthens faith, helps maintain unity in the congregation, and enables us to remain faithful to Jehovah, no matter how harsh the persecution.
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