Bible Study – Book of Hebrews 4

Jesus is Greater
Exhortation to enter the God’s Rest for His people – Hebrews 4:1-10

Read Hebrews 4:1-10

Additional readings:  Genesis 2:1-3; Exodus 17:1-7; Psalm 95; Hebrews 3:1—4:13.

1. Review ch. 3 and the warning against unbelief.  Especially 3:7-19
2. Look at 4:1 and 4:11.  What is the exhortation?
   Why is it so necessary?
3. How many “rests” are there in these verses?
   How is each different from the others?
4. The author compares Israel’s 40 years in the wilderness with the experience of those to whom Hebrews was written.
   What are the points of similarity, and what are points of difference?
5. What “word” did the ancient Israelites hear (verse 2)?
   What kept the ancient Israelites (and us) from benefiting from hearing?  (see also Romans 10:1-17)
   What kept ancient Israel from entering their “rest”?
6. What can make God’s Word unprofitable (“of no value”) to us?  (4:2)
   Why is this so very important to know?
7. In 4:3, the author cites Psalm 95:11 as making his point.  What is the author’s point, and how does Psalm 95:11 help to prove this? (Note: Don’t miss this very important matter!)
8. What does God’s “rest” on the seventh day of creation have to do with the “rest” the author is talking about?
9. What is the “rest” spoken of with Joshua, and what is a “Sabbath rest” (verse 8-10).

Read Hebrews 4:11-16

1. To what “rest” is the author referring by “that rest” in verse 11?
2. How can one “rest from his works” (verse 10) while at the same time “be diligent/strive/make every effort/labor to enter that rest” (verse 11)?  (see also Eph. 4:1-3 and Heb. 4:14)
3. What does the Word of God have to do with the exhortation which precedes 4:12-13?
4. What are the characteristics of the Word of God that contribute to our entering into God’s rest?
5. What does Christ being our “great high priest” have to do with our entering into God’s rest (4:14-16)?
6. How is our “great high priest” like us, and how is He different from us?
   Why are both important to us?
7. Why can we “draw near/approach the throne of grace” with confidence?
   How can we do this?

Trace the author’s argument from 3:1—4:16.  How does one enter God’s rest?