Captives and Slaves

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June 13, 2010 - Colossians 2.6-7 (Hebrews 5.11-6.12)[1]

Open It

1. What are some immature, childlike habits or actions that simply would not be tolerated if seen in an adult?

2. What theological truth or biblical concept is most difficult for you to comprehend?

3. What is the most disgraceful or damaging thing ever done in God's name?

4. What hero did you emulate and imitate as a kid? Why?

Explore It

5. What was wrong with the group of Hebrew believers originally addressed in this passage? (5:11-14)

6. What are the marks of spiritual maturity? (5:11-14)

7. Of what are infant or baby Christians ignorant? (5:13)

8. What is the benefit of "solid food"? (5:14)

9. What challenge did the author give to his readers? (6:1)

10. What fundamental or basic doctrines form the foundation of our faith? (6:1-2)

11. In the end, what enables us to reach spiritual maturity? (6:3)

12. What are maturing, committed Christians like? (6:7)

13. What are those who fall away from the faith like? (6:8)

14. What does it show when Christians help other Christians? (6:10)

15. What danger did the author warn against? (6:12)

Get It

16. What is "solid food"?

17. How would you describe your present level of spiritual maturity?

18. What actions and attitudes would you expect to find in a mature Christian?

19. How have you grown since you first became a Christian?

20. What decisions are you facing that call for extra discernment?

21. Of what does your spiritual diet consist?

22. How does it disgrace Christ when a person lapses back into his or her old way of life?

23. In what way can a Christian become useless to God?

24. What can we do to move forward, or become more mature, in our relationship with Christ a little each day?

25. How can you rely on the goodness of God's Word for discernment in the decisions you must make?

Apply It

26. In what concrete ways can you strengthen your hold on Christ this week?

27. What changes can you make in your daily routine over the next three days to combat laziness and exercise discipline?

NOTES

Hebrews 5:12,13 These Jewish Christians were immature. Some of them should have been teaching others, but they had not even applied the basics to their own lives. They were reluctant to move beyond age-old traditions, established doctrines, and discussion of the basics. They wouldn't be able to understand the high-priestly role of Christ unless they moved out of their comfortable position, cut some of their Jewish ties, and stopped trying to blend in with their culture. Commitment to Christ moves people out of their comfort zones.

Hebrews 5:12-14 In order to grow from infant Christians to mature Christians, we must learn discernment. We must train our consciences, our senses, our minds, and our bodies to distinguish good from evil. Can you recognize temptation before it traps you? Can you tell the difference between a correct use of Scripture and a mistaken one?

Hebrews 5:14 Our capacity to feast on deeper knowledge of God ("solid food") is determined by our spiritual growth. Too often we want God's banquet before we are spiritually capable of digesting it. As you grow in the Lord and put into practice what you have learned, your capacity to understand will also grow.

Hebrews 6:1,2 Certain elementary teachings are essential for all believers to understand. Those basics include the importance of faith, the foolishness of trying to be saved by good deeds, the meaning of baptism and spiritual gifts, and the facts of resurrection and eternal life. To go on to maturity in our understanding, we need to move beyond (but not away from) the elementary teachings to a more complete understanding of the faith. And this is what the author intends for them to do (Heb 6:3). Mature Christians should be teaching new Christians the basics. Then, acting on what they know, the mature will learn even more from God's Word.

Hebrews 6:3 These Christians needed to move beyond the basics of their faith to an understanding of Christ as the perfect high priest and the fulfillment of all the Old Testament prophecies. Rather than arguing about the respective merits of Judaism and Christianity, they needed to depend on Christ and live effectively for him.

Hebrews 6:4-6 In the first century, a pagan who investigated Christianity and then went back to paganism made a clean break with the church. But for Jewish Christians who decided to return to Judaism, the break was less obvious. Their life-style remained relatively unchanged. But by deliberately turning away from Christ, they were cutting themselves off from God's forgiveness. Those who persevere in believing are true saints; those who continue to reject Christ are unbelievers, no matter how well they behave.

Hebrews 6:6 This verse points to the danger of the Hebrew Christians returning to Judaism and thus committing apostasy. Some apply this verse today to superficial believers who renounce their Christianity, or to unbelievers who come close to salvation and then turn away. Either way, those who reject Christ will not be saved. Christ died once for all. He will not be crucified again. Apart from his cross, there is no other possible way of salvation. However, the author does not indicate that his readers were in danger of renouncing Christ (see Heb 6:9). He is warning against hardness of heart that would make repentance inconceivable for the sinner.

Hebrews 6:7, 8 Land that produces a good crop receives loving care, but land that produces thorns and thistles has to be burned so the farmer can start over. An unproductive Christian life falls under God's condemnation. We are not saved by deeds or conduct, but what we do is the evidence of our faith.

Hebrews 6:10 It's easy to get discouraged, thinking that God has forgotten us. But God is never unjust. He never forgets or overlooks our hard work for him. Presently you may not be receiving rewards and acclaim, but God knows your efforts of love and ministry. Let God's love for you and his intimate knowledge of your service for him bolster you as you face disappointment and rejection here on earth.

Hebrews 6:11,12 Hope keeps the Christian from becoming lazy or feeling bored. Like an athlete, train hard and run well, remembering the reward that lies ahead (Philippians 3:14).