Apple Bible Study Method | What can we learn?
Updated: Jul 15, 2021
We are back to exploring Hebrews! I chose to explore the entire chapter of Hebrews 12 to give us more insight to work with! I hope this helps to empower and increase your confidence in knowledge of the Word. I know it has helped me! What a blessing to dig so deep! So many hidden treasures in secret places, just for me. I love that promise in Isaiah 43:3!
A: Attributes of God
pioneer and perfector of faith (v2)
disciplines those He loves, chastens everyone who accepts His son (v6)
**Notes: chasten definition: verb- purify, refine, subdue (cause to be more humble), to prune of excess or pretense of falsity.
Our Father (v7)
Judge of all (v23)
Jesus is the mediator of a new covenant (v24)
"a consuming fire" (v29)
**note: a consuming fire...isn't that what life feels like sometimes? But when we shift our thought process to considering the fire and trials of life to be refining inside of destructive: burning all the excess, putting up in flames all the falsity we may not even see in ourselves...well, it probably won't feel the greatest in the middle of it but God promises never to leave us and that it will result in "a harvest of righteousness & peace for those who have been trained" (v11)
P: Promises of God
disciplines those He loves--He prunes, purifies, refines those who accept Jesus (v6)
treats us as His children (v7)
disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness so it can produce a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained. (v11)
"once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens" (v26)
P: Principles for life
throw off all that hinders, run with perseverance (v1)
fix our eyes on Jesus (v2)
consider Jesus and what He endured so that you will not grow weary and lose heart (v3) **note: well I needed that!
don't lose heart when God disciplines you (v5) **yikes! another good reminder!
endure hardship as discipline (v7)
**The word "discipline" is from the Latin word disciplina meaning "instruction and training" It's derived from the root word discere--"to learn". The Hebrew word for discipline is muwcar which means to chastise, literally (with blows) or figuratively (with words); hence, to instruct.
No wonder it sometimes feels like a literal punch in the gut when we are corrected by others or by God!
live at peace with everyone (v14)
no bitter roots (v15)
no sexual immorality (v16)
Be thankful, worship God with reverence and awe (v28)
L: Lessons to learn
What is God teaching me through this passage?
That hardship, discipline, pruning, refining and correction means that God loves me enough to want better for me. To remember that what I am enduring is nothing compared to what Jesus went through.
What can I give to God as a result of studying this passage?
Stop expecting this path of following God to be easy. He literally tells us multiple times that it won't be. But if I am learning, leaning into God and accepting the refinement through His "consuming fire" then I can count it all joy! He also tells us that we are to cast our cares on Him, that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. It's not all up to me.
E: Example to follow
TPT says this about verse 2:
"His [Jesus] example is this: because His heart was focused on the joy of knowing that you would be His, He endured the agony of the cross, and conquered it's humiliation,"
Whoa. Think big picture in your life right now.
I am committed to staying real and transparent through all this with Seed & Root...so I'll share a little about what's been going on. I have been facing a lot of decisions surrounding the future of this gift that God has trusted me with. For me, I don't want it to be about the money or building the business. I want it to be about connecting people to God's Word, helping families bond together over scripture, youth engaging in the Word and building a solid foundation! The money isn't the focus (at least it's not supposed to be) I want nothing more than to be an ambassador, stewarding my gifts well, with my eyes fixed on Jesus! God will handle the rest. He is my business manager, after all! He has really been calling me to wrap up all my worries and anxieties surrounding Seed & Root and laying them at His feet.
The refining fire as of late is for my good, so I will praise Him through the storm!
What is God teaching you lately?
Happy Digging!
