COURSE NAME:  Survey of Hebrews  This entry-level course combines Bible study with practical theology.  It is ideal for those expecting to gain a fundamental understanding of the Book of Hebrews as well as basic but practical way to prepare to preach or teach this Book to others. 

WELCOME TO A TUITION-FREE INDEPENDENT LEARNING COURSE.  It is not necessary to enroll at a student or pay tuition. You may begin this study immediately.  However, after you have completed the course, you may elect the option of receiving a Certificate of Recognition to officially document your learning experience.

Before you begin, please note:

• FIRST: This is a comprehensive tuition-free study. You may complete the entire course without cost. After completing the course of study, you will be given the option of receiving recognition.

• SECOND: This study is totally self-contained. You will only need your personal Bible.

• THIRD: This is an independent learning experience, and is therefore self-directed and self-paced.  Move through it the way you find most helpful.

• FOURTH: Even though it is free a free course, this is a serious study of the Bible.

Ten Instructions to Help Guide You

1. Begin each study with prayer. You need to understand what the Bible teaches. God has promised to help you. God keeps his promises. Pray with faith. Put John 16:13 to the test.

2. Utilize any method of study (time of day, place of study, etc.) that will produce good results.

3. First, read all the Underlined Statements but not the Scripture. This is the Subject you are studying.

4. Read carefully! Be sure you know the meaning of each word. Reading aloud may help.

5. Now, read all the Bible verses after the Underlined Statements. As you read, write down any thoughts that you want to add. Write a summary of what the Holy Spirit enables you to learn. Since there are no tests to complete, the more carefully you read, and the more completely you write your summary, the more you will learn.

6. Mark your Bible. Make notations in the margin if that is possible, or in the notes section of an electronic Bible.

7. Meditate! Continue to think about what the Bible teaches. Memorize some verses.

8. Live what the Bible teaches. Obey the Word of God. As you obey what you learn, God will teach you more.

9. Share what you learn. As you teach and tell others what you have learned, God will help you to understand more clearly. You will help others and strengthen yourself.

10. Never give up. With God's help you can be a more faithful and effective Christian witness and worker.

"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth
not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15).

SURVEY OF HEBREWS

Course Objectives: 
1. To trace the important sequence of events, teachings, personalities, and promises in the book of Hebrews.
2. To identify the major spiritual promises in Hebrews.
3. To gain knowledge about each of the major characters in Hebrews. 
4. To gain a spiritual lesson from each of the major divisions in Hebrews. 

LESSON PROCEDURES
I. Get the Big Picture of Hebrews (Read the entire book).  
As you read, make notes in the margin of your Bible or notebook.  Review your notes.

II. Would you agree with this broad division of the book?
A. Jesus Christ is greater than all as a Person, 1:1 - 7:28.
B. Jesus Christ is greater than all in his work, 8:1 - 10:18.
C. Jesus Christ is greater than all in his follower requirements, 10:19 - 13:25 (Would it be better to say, "in the life-style he enables his followers to live?).

III. What is the significance of these facts about Hebrews?
A. Scholars have assigned several (Paul, Barnabas, Apollos) as the human author.
B. Scholars believe the author sought to confirm the faith of Jewish Christians under persecution.

IV. Memorize these key verses in the book of Hebrews:
1:1-3; 2:1; 4:14-16; 8:12; 9:22; 10:12 11:1,6; 12:1, 14; 13:8, 20-21. 

V. Would you accept as the key verse for the book Hebrews 4:14 or would you 
suggest another verse? 
"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess." 
Suggestion: Urge any person who is confused about the Old Testament to read Hebrews because this book will relate the two Testaments.

VI. A suggested outline of Hebrews
An outline based on the material content of each chapter:

1. Chapter One, a summary of the person and power of Jesus as the central figure in Hebrews,
2. Chapter Two, give greater heed to greater message because of its authority, man's proposed destiny, Jesus' incarnate ministry.
3. Chapter Three, consider Jesus as greater than Moses and obey the call of God in faith. 
4. Chapter Four, enter God's rest at limited time with faith in God's living Word through sympathetic high priest by grace.
5. Chapter Five, Jesus is greater than any other priest and offers an eternal salvation.
6. Chapter Six, an exhortation against falling away and urging to faithfulness.
7. Chapter Seven, the priesthood of Jesus is better than that of Levi because he continues forever with the ability to save to the uttermost. One said, "From the guttermost to the uttermost."
8. Chapter Eight, the new covenant is better than the old because it is inward , merciful, even to the forgiving and the forgetting of our sins.
9. Chapter Nine, the sacrifice of Jesus is better then the animal sacrifices for he has presented his own atoning blood into the very heavenly presence of God.
10. Chapter Ten, Jesus took a body to obey the Father by providing himself as a once for all adequate sacrifice.

Now, using the system and insights provided in the ten chapters above, complete the remaining three chapters. Hint:  Read the chapter and seek to create a very brief [as in the previous ten provided for you] sentence summation of the general content of each of the remaining three chapters.

11. Chapter Eleven

12. Chapter Twelve

13.  Chapter Thirteen

VII.  Using the example below, create two very basic  three-level sermon/teaching outlines for the titles and texts suggested.

Sample Outline

Title:  Why We Should Run the Race of Life With Confidence?
Hebrews 12:1-3

I.  We Should Run the Race With Confidence Because Others Who Have Proven It Can Be Done Are Cheering Us On!  12:1

II.  We Should Run the Race With Confidence Because Jesus Has Already Run It On Our Behalf!  12:2

III.  We Should Run the Race With Confidence Because Christ Provides Us With Both the Example and the Strength to Run On!  12:3

Suggested Titles and Texts

A.  What Every Christian Should Do, Do to Others, and Not Do.  Hebrews 10:23-25

B.  Why Jesus Christ Is Our One and Only High Priest and What We Should Do Because of It.  Hebrews 3:1-11

C.  Now, select three additional texts, assign a title, and create a basic three-level outline for each.  If possible, teach or preach at least one of these to a group.  Ask the group for feedback (both positive and negative).  A good scholar learns from the suggestions of others.
 

VIII.  After Completing the Course Above, Select A Quiet Place Free from Distractions, and Read the Entire Book of Hebrews Out Loud.  This may, at first, seem a strange assignment, but be assured that after you have completed it, you will have realized a certain kind of insight and appreciation for this wonderful Book that cannot be gained otherwise.
 

...end of course

CONGRATULATIONS!

If you have completed the course as instructed, you have achieved an extremely important milestone in your walk with the Lord.  We rejoice with you, and trust that God will use you in an even greater way to minister to a world that is in desperate need of the life-changing Gospel of our Risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  May the Holy Spirit go before you and make every crooked place straight!  (Isaiah 45:2)

YOU CAN NOW APPLY FOR THE OPTIONAL CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION.

Now that you have completed this course,  you have the option of receiving official recognition.   You can receive a Ten Unit Certificate of Recognition (CR), by affirming that you completed the course as instructed, and by paying a $20.00 processing fee.  Continuing education is always recommended by ministry organizations as a means of assuring that team members are keeping up with self-improvement.  Even more common is the Biblical teaching that every Christian ought to be a life-long student of the Word of God.

Complete the Form Below to Request Your Certificate of Recognition
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*By submitting this form, you are affirming that you actually completed the course for which you are
requesting the Official Certificate of Recognition, and that you understand that the fee is non-refundable.

PLEASE NOTE:  Upon receipt of the $20.00 CR processing payment, your official Certificate of Recognition
will be sent to your email address within five business days.  If you have questions: 
Contact Master's International University of Divinity.

YOU COULD QUALIFY FOR AN ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT BENEFIT.

You may also be able to turn CR credits into advanced standing credits.  By completing five (5) of our Independent Learning courses, you may apply to receive one (1) advanced standing credit that could count toward earning an Associate or Bachelor degree at Master's.  Request further details by completing the form at Contact Master's International University of Divinity if this is of interest to you.