Hebrews 8: God's "New Deal"
Back in 1932, President Franklin Roosevelt sought to rescue the country from the pit of the Great Depression by launching the New Deal. The concept caught the imagination of the people. The time was ripe for a radically new economic and social program. In this chapter, the writer of Hebrews announces God's "new deal"—a covenant, or agreement, between God and humanity. It offers far superior promises to those of the "old deal" (Old Testament laws and regulations).
Warming Up to God
What does knowing you are God's child mean to you?
Read Hebrews 8. »
Discovering the Word
- "We do have such a high priest" (v. 1) refers to the description of Jesus in 7:23-28. What additional facts do you learn about him (vv. 1-2)?
- What is Christ's heavenly ministry (vv. 3-6)?
- Verse 6 looks back to prove Christ's superior ministry and ahead to prove that we have a superior covenant with God. The key is "better promises." What was the problem with the first covenant (vv. 7-12)?
- What guarantees God's "new deal" (v. 12)? (See also vv. 1-3; 9:14.)
Applying the Word
- Do you function better under external restraint (the law) or inner constraint (God's Spirit) (v. 10)? Why?
- What happens to you when you say to God, "Thank you for forgiving and forgetting my sin"?
- A magazine ad for dishwashers offers more power, more pizzazz and more performance. How could your understanding and application of God's "new deal" offer all of that to you in your walk with him?
Responding in Prayer
Ask God to forgive your sins, naming those you can think of specifically.
For Further Study
Meeting Jesus (LifeGuide Bible Study) by Leighton Ford