Youth Teacher: 4th Quarter 2015

By Vanessa Snyder

Youth Teacher is a quarterly publication used to help the Sunday school teacher discuss issues pertaining to youth ages 12-17. Sections such as Biblical Emphases give background knowledge of the lesson. All lessons include relevant life concerns and lesson applications to help the teacher relate the Bible to the lives of young people.

• Language: English
• Publisher: R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation
• Release date: Sep 5, 2015
• ISBN: 9781681670454

Book preview

HEBREWS 1:1–9

RESOURCES NEEDED

• New National Baptist Hymnal, 21st Century Edition, #172 (NNBH, #371)

• God’s Promises Bible

• Boyd’s Commentary for the Sunday School

UNIFYING PRINCIPLE

People seek guidance for their lives but may question who is the appropriate person to give direction. Who should they trust to provide direction in their quest for guidance? Christ, the reflection of God’s glory, is the One who addresses life’s questions with a powerful and sustaining word.

BIBLICAL EMPHASES:

1. God spoke in previous revelations.

2. As the Son of God, Jesus is superior to angels.

3. Christ as sovereign is the image of perfection that serves as a guide for human behavior and character.

TARGET EMPHASIS

SEEKERS FOR JESUS: Youth are encouraged and strengthened in their faith by knowing that God still speaks today.

TEEN SCENE: Older youth take great comfort in the sovereignty of Christ, especially when facing trials and temptations of many kinds.

LESSON OVERVIEW

What is Christianity? What makes up its fundamental identity? What do we stand for? Identity is the concept at the center of today’s lesson. The opening chapter of the letter to the Hebrews is closely focused on one question: Who is Jesus? Is He a mere human being? Is He an angel? Today’s lesson will explore this question, a question as relevant today as it was in the beginning of the first century.

Hebrews remains one of many mysteries of the Bible because of how little we know about it. Its authorship is unknown, but various scholars have suggested Barnabas, Silas, Paul, or John Mark. The specific audience is also unknown. Hebrews was written for Jewish Christians encountering persecution. The letter serves as a means of exhortation and encouragement. What is clear is that whoever the author was, the writer had a keen understanding of Judaism and the Torah. There are multiple references to Jewish themes such as temple worship, sacrifices, and Moses. Though most Jewish believers had accepted Jesus as their Savior, many found themselves slipping back into old religious habits. The letter reads like one long sermon that seeks to motivate the faith of the saints. A theme that runs throughout the book is that Christ is far superior to any created being. Because of this, the way to authentic faith is to follow Him.

I. God’s Voice Through The Ages

(Hebrews 1:1–2)

The writer of Hebrews wanted the Jewish believers to know that Jesus was unlike anyone who had ever lived because He was God’s Son. Jesus is God’s full and final revelation. Not even the prophets of the Old Testament could compare, Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things (vv. 1–2, NRSV). When God wanted to speak to His people before His Son was born, He used the prophets, such as Moses, Elijah, Isaiah, and Jeremiah. When God spoke through them, He sometimes used visions, dreams, and direct communication to His people. However, when Jesus came to earth, God used only Him to speak to us.

II. The Son Is Superior to Angels

(Hebrews 1:3–9)

Many Jews had an idolatrous respect for angels, because they looked upon them as mediators between God and humankind and some went so far as to worship them. Therefore it was necessary that the writer would emphasize not simply that Christ is the Creator of all things, and therefore of angels themselves, but as being the risen and exalted Messiah, to whom all beings, including angels, become subjects.

Given the persecution that Christian Jews suffered at the time of this letter, many of them were likely to relinquish their faith in exchange for an easier life. The Hebrews writer reminded the readers the importance and superiority of Jesus. He wanted to ensure they knew why the Church needed Jesus. While it was true that a Roman official could cause trouble for the believer—and saying the words to deny Jesus could spare him or her—but such grief is only temporary. People try to justify their denial of Jesus, regardless of the circumstances, but faith requires obedience to the Son of God no matter what because of who He is and what He has done for us. If even the mightiest and glorious angels bow down to worship Jesus, then we should too.

To prove this, several verses are highlighted from the Old Testament. On comparing what God says of the angels, with what He says about Jesus, the inferiority of the angels to Christ is clear. The purpose of the angels is to serve as God’s ministers or servants, to do His pleasure. But, how much greater things are said of Christ by the Father! It is written and proclaimed how Christ was divinely appointed for the office of Mediator, and how He was confirmed in it: He has the name Messiah. He is above all prophets, priests, and kings that were ever employed on earth. And let us honor Him as God.

Many youth will struggle to remain connected to Christ because of the distractions and activities in which they are involved. Talk to them about the reason Jesus should be the most important part of their lives. Youth who put their faith in Jesus can experience a joy in knowing that Jesus is the reflection of God’s glory and that He is worthy of our full attention. Emphasize that Jesus is God and the Creator of all things. This truth is echoed in Colossians 1:16–17, for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together (NRSV).

Jesus reveals what God is like because Jesus is God. Verse three in Hebrews 1 says that Jesus is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and He sustains all things by his powerful word (NRSV). Jesus is not merely an image of God; He is the authentic representation of God’s being. John wrote, And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth (John 1:14, NRSV).

Youth can be taught how easy it is to get discouraged and even want to turn back from following Jesus. They can be reminded that Jesus never turns away from us. His voice can still be heard when we meditate with Him. During those times of uncertainty, they can encourage themselves in faith by remembering why Jesus is worthy of our dedication and loyalty.

When Jesus finished His work on earth, He provided everything we needed to have a perfect relationship with God. He then went to heaven where He sat down at the right hand of the Father. This is a place of honor that is reserved for Christ Jesus alone. This position made Jesus more important than even the angels. We know that Jesus is more important than the angels because God never called any of the angels His Son like He did Jesus. Instead, God said that the angels were to worship Jesus, His Son, because He is far superior.

Hebrews 1 emphasizes what God said about His Son, Jesus. God said