Prepare your heart for the Sermon by looking through these suggestions that will assist you in making the most of our time together hearing God's Word.

You will find suggestions for thinking more critically through the passage, meditating more intently on the text, and prayerfully seeking wisdom to deepen your understanding of the passage to be preached this Sunday.

Carefully Think

• Read Hebrews 4:1-16. What has been the argument of this chapter up to v. 14? How does this fit into the larger argument of the book? How do vv. 14-16 fit into the argument of the chapter?
• What is the command given in v. 14? What does this command mean?
• Where has the high priesthood of Jesus been mentioned thus far in the book of Hebrews? Why would the author of Hebrews mention it here?
• What is said about Jesus as our high priest in v. 15? In what ways was Jesus’ temptation similar to ours? How was it different?
• What conclusion is drawn in v. 16? What throne is he talking about? How do we “draw near with confidence to the throne of grace”? What does this mean?

Prayerfully Meditate

• Why does this section follow vv. 12-13? How do vv. 12-13 point us to our need for mercy and grace? How does this section answer that need?
• How does the high priesthood of Jesus compel us to hold fast our confession? What would this look like on a daily basis?
• How does the sympathy of our high priest bring you comfort? How can you personally meditate on this passage to embolden your confidence to approach the throne of grace?