Hebrews studies series
Hebrews 12:4-11
GOD’S DISCIPLINE
Hebrews Lesson #26 – A complete lesson
·
What methods of correction did your parents
use on you?
·
Did your parents only discipline you when
you were bad? When else did they use
discipline?
·
According to John MacArthur, there are
three kinds of discipline: John MacArthur, MacArthur
New Testament Commentary, Hebrews (Chicago, Moody Press, 1983), pp.
385-389
1. CORRECTIVE – 2 Samuel 12:7-12, 1 Corinthians 11:28-32, 1 John
5:16-17,
Psalm 89:30-34
2. PREVENTIVE – 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
3. INSTRUCTIVE – James 1:2-4, Romans 5:3-5, Job
·
What are some normal reactions for people
who are going through the disciplines of trials and chastisement?
In this passage of Hebrews I find at least 7 facts about God’s
discipline that will help us understand what God is doing and why when He
chastens us.
ð Verses 5-6 are actually quotes from Proverbs 3:11-12.
ð The recipients of this letter were experiencing persecution
because of the Lord Jesus Christ.
ð How does remembering God’s Word help us?
ð Why do we forget God’s Word, and how do we make it more likely
that we will not forget it?
ð Why do we sometimes become “faint” during trials? How do we keep from becoming faint?
ð How does it help to know that God promises discipline for true
believers?
V
How does a
parent’s discipline indicate his or her love?
V
What would God do
if He didn’t love you?
V
“He does not
discipline us to grieve us, but to improve us.” Ibid. p. 392
V
“Whatever the
experience, we can be sure that His chastening hand is controlled by His loving
heart.” Warren Wiersbe, The Bible Expository Commentary, N.T. Volume 2, (Wheaton, Illinois, Victor Books, 1989),
p. 324
J
What does it mean
to “resist unto blood” in verse 4? Who
are some that have?
J
Why should
“resisting unto blood” be a very viable option for Christians to take?
J
What does it mean
to “endure” in verse 7? Is it more than
survival?
J
What are the
first things we should do when trials come our way if we want to more than just
survive?
Ú
What’s the
difference between dealing with your own children and the neighbor’s children
when they misbehave?
Ú
Why is our
behavior different towards the neighbor kids?
Ú
Why should we be
concerned if God never disciplines us?
Ú
What message are
you giving a child that God gives to you when you correct him?
?
When growing up,
I feared my Father. Did you fear
yours? Why?
?
Was your Father
always right? Did that stop you from
fearing Him?
?
Psalm 18:30 - As for God, his way is perfect: the word of
the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
?
According to
verse 9, what is the secret to abundant life? Why does it work?
Ephesians 5:18 - And be not drunk with wine, wherein is
excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
Galatians 5:16 - This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and
ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Hebrews 12:28-29 - Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which
cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with
reverence and godly fear: [29] For our God is a
consuming fire.
?
Vs. 10 – How was
your parents’ discipline imperfect?
?
What is the
purpose of God’s discipline according to this verse? Why should we be encouraged?
v
What piece of
reality is found here?
v
How do the words
“for the present” and “afterward” encourage you?
v
How long will
every act of God’s discipline last?
o
Consider the key
words here. What do they mean?
o
“yieldeth”
o
“peaceable”
o
“fruit of
righteousness”
o
“exercised”
(trained)