1. Near to the Heart of God A Study of the Book of Hebrews Lesson 1: Why Study Hebrews?

2. Introduction The confession of a coward I have lots of company
The time has come to study Hebrews
The approach of this lesson
Why should we study Hebrews?
How will I approach this study?
Why do people avoid Hebrews?
Conclusion

3. Why should we study Hebrews?
Hebrews takes up where we left off last Sunday
Hebrews connects the dots between the Old Testament and the New
Hebrews exalts Christ and fixes our eyes on Him
Hebrews challenges us to confess our complacency and to press on to deeper waters
Hebrews challenges us to live by faith
Hebrews is an exposition of the high priestly ministry of our Lord on our behalf
Hebrews exalts the authority of the Scriptures and their importance to us

4. Hebrews warns us of the dangers that threaten us, and exhorts us to press on
Hebrews focuses our attention and affections toward Christ
Hebrews challenges us to deal with a lethargic, self-centered life by focusing our attention on Christ and on His Word
Hebrews instructs us as to how and why we are to abide in Christ

5. How shall we study the Book of Hebrews?
Seek to track the main argument, and to avoid getting lost in details
Deal with the argument of larger logical sections first, then with smaller segments
Invite and utilize more input and interaction
Seeking the assistance and involvement of others
Seeking interaction with others
Soliciting questions (by ), and responding to those most generally applicable

6. Why don’t we study Hebrews?
Preaching cowardice
Little popular demand – so we avoid it
Hebrews may appear to be so Jewish-centered that it seems to have little application or relevance to Gentile believers
Hebrews is a hard book to understand
Hebrews seems to be shrouded in mystery
Authorship
The recipients of this letter
Place of origin, and the destination
The date of writing
Those difficult warning texts
The author’s use of Scripture

7. Conclusion Controversy and disagreement.
It is difficult to trace the argument of Hebrews.
Conclusion
Copyright © 2008 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. This is the edited PowerPoint
presentation of Lesson 1 in the series, Near to the Heart of God, A Study of
the Book of Hebrews prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh for July 13, 2008.
Anyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with or
without credit.