May 12-16

Overview: Leadership, Sacrifice, Praise (Hebrews 13:7-19)

The primary role of leaders and pastors in the local church is to preach and teach the Word of God. But if the leaders of the church do not live lives that show faithfulness to God’s Word, their credibility is weakened. Pastors and other leaders are given to the church to proclaim God’s Word and to protect her from false teaching. Our pastors are a gift from God to help us and our church grow in godliness and grace. The church, in response, is responsible to help its leaders do their work with satisfaction and delight.

To sacrifice is to give something up for someone else. Hebrews 13:11-16 describes sacrifices in the Old Testament and their similarities to Jesus, the final sacrifice. When Christ offered Himself to be killed, He was the perfect sinless sacrifice for people once and for all. When Jesus died, the curtain dividing the Holy of Holies, the place where God dwelt in the temple, was torn in two from top to bottom. This demonstrated God was now accessible to all people through Jesus, not just the high priest and not just once a year.

Jesus lived a lifestyle of surrender and sacrifice while on earth. Believers in Christ have opportunities each day to live their lives as sacrifices in worship and honor to God.

Day 1: Concluding Instructions (Hebrews 13:7-10)
1. Why did the writer of the Hebrews call on believers to remember their leaders? To which leaders is he referring?


2. What is the outcome that should be considered?


3. To what kind of strange teachings could the writer be referring? What are some strange teachings that exist today?


4. What is “the altar that we have, where those who minister at the tabernacle have no right to eat”?

Day 2: Following the Example (Philippians 3:17-21)
1. Why is it important to follow the examples of mature Christians?


2. Who are people around you whom you strive to imitate?


3. What do you think would happen if the Church abandoned the pattern of following the example of mature believers?


4. Who is the superior example that Christians should strive to imitate?

Day 3: Sacrifices (Hebrews 13:11-16)
1. Which part of the sacrifice happened in the city?
Outside the city?


2. What did the animal sacrifice point toward?


3. What sacrifices does God desire?

Day 4: Sacrifice of Praise (Romans 12:1-2; Psalms 54:4-7, 141:1-2)
1. What does it mean to offer a sacrifice of praise?


2. What should motivate our sacrifices?


3. How have you sacrificed recently for God?


4. When you praise God, where is your focus?

Day 5: Purposeful Prayers (Hebrews 13:17-19)
1. What are the responsibilities of the spiritual leaders?


2. What are the responsibilities of the faith community?


3. How can you support your leaders so they can fulfill Jesus’ commands to your community?

SERMON NOTES