Chapter Summary

The great salvation provided through Jesus Christ who is above prophets and better than angels.

Discussion Questions for Hebrews, Chapter 1

1. In Hebrews 1:1-2, the writer says that God spoke through the prophets long time ago and through His Son Jesus. How does God speak to humankind now? How does this communication method affect a person's faith in God?
2. Scholars debate who was the author of Hebrews. How does not knowing the human author of Hebrews affect your faith in God?
3. The Hebrews writer says that Jesus was the exact imprint of God's nature (Heb 1:3). How does Jesus reflect the nature of the God that destroyed the world with the flood?
4. Hebrews 1:3 says the entire universe is upheld by the word of Christ. This looks like a peculiar saying by itself but John 1:1 says "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God... All things were made through Him and without Him was not anything made that was made." How does the first chapter of John help us understand Hebrews 1:3? Why is it important to use different parts of the Bible to understand parts of the Bible?
5. How does Christ make purification for sins as mentioned in Hebrews 1:3? Why does Christ's death make purification for sins and another person's death does not do the same thing?
6. According to Hebrews 1, how is Christ higher than the angels? How is this recognition of a person being higher than spiritual beings different from other religions?
7. How does the author of Hebrews use Old Testament references to support the divine nature of Jesus? How often do you rely on the Old Testament to reaffirm your belief in Christ? What is your favorite Old Testament book, other than Psalms? Why?
8. How does the concept of Jesus being the "radiance of God's glory" (Hebrews 1:3) deepen our understanding of his relationship with the Father?
9. How does the imagery of Jesus' reign and his enemies being made a footstool for his feet (Hebrews 1:13) contribute to the portrayal of his sovereignty and victory?
10. The first chapter begins to establish main points of the book of Hebrews. How does the chapter begin to establish that Jesus is the perfect sacrifice for sins?

Key Words/Phrase

Christ's deity, vv. 3, 8.

Characters

God, Christ.

Strong Verse(s)

3, 8.