Hebrews: A 12-Week Study

Knowing the Bible

by Matthew Z. Capps, J.I. Packer (Editor)

The Knowing the Bible series is a resource designed to help Bible readers better understand and apply God’s Word. These 12-week study lead participants through books of the Bible and are made up of four basic (1) Reflection questions help readers engage the text at a deeper level; (2) “Gospel Glimpses” highlight the gospel of grace throughout the book; (3) “Whole-Bible Connections” show how any given passage connects to the Bible’s overarching story of redemption, culminating in Christ; and (4) “Theological Soundings” identify how historic orthodox doctrines are taught or reinforced throughout Scripture. With contributions from an array of influential pastors and church leaders, these gospel-centered studies will help Christians see and cherish the message of God’s grace on each and every page of the Bible.

The book of Hebrews stands apart from other biblical books in its theologically unique portrait of Jesus Christ as the supreme revelation of God—a portrait bolstered by the author’s skilled use of imagery, metaphor, and Old Testament analogy. In this study, readers will be exposed to one of the most beautifully written and stylistically polished books in the New Testament.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christianity, Theology

98 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 30, 2015

Reviews

[LemonLinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this as background information and assistance with the preparation of a women's Bible study that I was leading. It was quite helpful and although I did not read it on a 12 week study level which would have led to a even deeper understanding of Hebrews, it was quite helpful for me as I worked to uncover and discover "Who is Jesus according to the writer of the Book of Hebrews?"

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggle with this series as I feel the questions are asking for 'more' when the answer is simple. I also fee the questions answer themselves most of the time.

With that being said, I am thankful God reveals to us EXACTLY what we are supposed to be learning at JUST the right time! And that doesn't have anything to do with a series author or publishing company! Praise God for that!

[Craig Childs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is called a study guide to the Book of Hebrews, but it is really structured to be a group leader or Sunday School teacher’s guide.

Each lesson includes 10 open-ended questions about the passage, which runs to one or two chapters per lesson.

There is also commentary on each lesson under the common headings "Gospel Glimpses", "Whole-Bible Connections", and "Theological Soundings". These passages are useful in illuminating the dense themes of the letter and its ties to Old Testament prophecies and laws.

It takes 60-90 minutes to prepare a Sunday School lesson using this book as the basis of your discussion. Very useful.

This book is part of the Knowing the Bible series. The series editor is Dane. C. Ortlund. The theological editor is J. I. Packer.

4 stars.

[SK · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sadly, I am retiring this study guide and picking up something new. I gave it the good old college try, but every time I open it up, I feel a sense of futility in trying to answer the study guide questions. Not only are the questions awkwardly worded, but, worse, they often contain the very answer the author is driving at. Feels needlessly frustrating at this point, and not especially helpful in my quest to establish a consistent Bible study routine.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another great study in Crossway's "Knowing the Bible" series. I cannot recommend this series more highly. I have not yet been disappointed.
For more in-depth information of how these studies are laid out, see my reviews on Philippians and Ezra-Nehemiah.

[Keli Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hebrews is a wonderful book of the Bible revealing the New Covenant, only found in Jesus. This study inspires the reader to dig deeper with thought provoking questions requiring various scripture references. My only criticism is that there isn't enough room in the book to write the reflection.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, challenging study of the Book of Hebrews. Really shows the connection between old testament prophecies and Jesus. We read this part of our community bible study.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding resource

The theological depth of each chapter was impressive, considering how short they were. An excellent read, well worth the purchase in my opinion.

[Cindy Marsch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have one meeting left for a seven-session bi-weekly women's Bible study I have been facilitating, using this book, and I am happy to say it's a simple, clear, workable study. It is clear that the series is strictly designed with a certain structure, and that sometimes brings in repetition to fill out a particular chapter or provides open-ended questions that aren't really clearly set up by the material. I suppose the reinforcement is valuable, and on the other hand, I felt some of the cross references were too much for me to pursue--in the end, the variety allows the study to meet different needs. And it is all to the good in that it provides a helpful structure to guide a group of busy people who want to explore the Word together. I feel now that I understand Hebrews much better, though I've always loved that book.

[Linda · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was difficult to know what the author was driving at by the questions he asked in this study of Hebrews. We found Capps' chapter conclusions encouraged discussion and salvaged the study. But my group got half-way through and set it aside. We do not recommend this study.

[Dana · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a hard one to get in to. My small group did it and we struggled with it.