Hebrews 6: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Hebrews 6 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

The readers are to leave the first principles of Christ and press on to perfection, not laying the foundation again (vv. 1-3). Some were once enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift, and then fell away. It is impossible to renew them to repentance, since they 'crucify the Son of God for themselves again' (vv. 4-6). Land that drinks the rain and bears a crop receives blessing. Land that bears thorns is near being cursed and burned (vv. 7-8).

Key verse

“We desire that each one of you may show the same diligence to the fullness of hope even to the end, that you won’t be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and perseverance inherited the promises.”
Hebrews 6:11-12 (WEB)

Outline

Hebrews 6:1–3 Call to Spiritual Maturity
Hebrews 6:4–6 Warning Against Apostasy
Hebrews 6:7–8 Metaphor of the Land
Hebrews 6:9–10 Assurance of Better Things
Hebrews 6:11–12 Encouragement to Persevere
Hebrews 6:13–15 God’s Unchangeable Promise
Hebrews 6:16–20 Hope in Christ as Anchor

Discussion questions

In v6, why is it said that renewal to repentance is impossible for those who fall away?
What does the author mean by 'the land which has drunk the rain' in v7?
In vv. 9-10, why does the author express confidence in better things for the recipients?
In vv. 17-18, what does the author mean by 'two immutable things' concerning God's promise?
When have you felt the need to 'press on to perfection' as mentioned in v1?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Hebrews 6: Hebrews 10, 1 Corinthians 15, Hebrews 11.

Before next time: read Hebrews 7.