Hebrews 3:12-19 “Daily and Together”

Hebrews 3:12-19 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• Crowder – Come As You Are
• By Our Love – for King & Country
• Faithful To The End – Paul & Hannah McClure
• Feast Community – Think of you, Jesus (Korean Praise w/ ENG SUB)

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• The Church Is the People | A Sunday School lesson for kids
• Jump Around | Preschool Worship Song
• I Am Yours by Elevation Church Kids performed by Grace Chapel Kids – Song for Kids
• Watching Over You | Outback Rock Music Video | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth located in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

Quoting Psalm 95, the author reflects on the incident when the Israelites rebelled against God in the wilderness. The author warns the readers to be careful so that the same thing does not happen to them (verse 12). By using the expression “the living God,” the author emphasizes that God is still actively working among them today. In Hebrews 2:1, the author urges, “We must pay the most careful attention… so that we do not drift away.” Here, however, the author warns them to be careful “so that none of you may turn away.” While “drifting away” (or “being carried away”) refers to something that happens when one becomes careless, “turning away” is a conscious decision made intentionally.

The author again refers to the word “Today,” which was mentioned earlier (verse 13). The only certain time given to humanity is “Today.” By faithfully living out each “Today” that is given to us, we ultimately reach “eternity.” The ancestors of Israel neglected the “Today” that was given to them, resulting in their loss of salvation. The readers must ensure that such a tragedy does not repeat in their own “Today.” By emphasizing the phrase “encourage one another,” the author highlights the importance of community. The Christian faith is not an individual battle. The life of faith is meant to be lived “together,” and salvation is also experienced “together” (verse 14).

The author then revisits Psalm 95:7-8 and poses six questions in three pairs. Each pair consists of a question followed by its answer. The people who heard God’s voice yet rebelled were the ones who had been led out of Egypt by Moses (verse 16). Those with whom God was angry for forty years were those who sinned and died in the wilderness (verse 17). God swore that those who were disobedient would not enter His rest (verse 18). Ultimately, they failed to enter that rest “because of their unbelief” (verse 19).

Meditation:

The central theme that runs throughout the book of Hebrews is maintaining faith. In chapter 2, the author used the imagery of a ship moored at a dock, whose ropes come loose in a strong wind, causing it to drift away unnoticed — a warning against allowing one’s faith to grow cold without realizing it. Here, the author warns against deliberately turning away from God with a hardened heart. The author urges the readers to remember that God is still alive and actively present, encouraging them to “hold firmly to the confidence we had at first until the end” (verse 14).

The author suggests two practical ways to achieve this. The first is to focus on “Today.” If you think about it, the only time given to us is today. Our lives are made up of one day at a time. Yesterday has already passed, and tomorrow has not yet come. All we need to do is keep our faith for just this one day. As we faithfully live each day, they add up — 80 years, 100 years — and eventually lead us to eternity. While keeping faith until death may seem challenging, keeping faith just for today is much easier.

Another essential way to maintain our faith is found in the phrase “encourage one another” (verse 13). The Christian faith is not about striving alone to achieve spiritual enlightenment. While God desires the salvation of each individual, He also desires His people as a whole. Accepting Jesus Christ as Lord unites us to form His body with other believers. We become “members of God’s household” (verse 6), with God the Father as our Father. This is why the author states, “We have come to share in Christ” (verse 14).

In this way, our spiritual journey involves living each day as if “Today” is the only time we have been given. It also requires walking alongside our brothers and sisters in faith — supporting, encouraging, and helping one another along the way. When we live like this, we will surely reach our destination.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for granting us the gift of another day of life. Please help us to live this day in full communion with you. Lord, we are grateful for the brothers and sisters in faith you have given us, allowing us to live as members of your body. Help us to encourage one another, intercede for one another, and serve one another so that we may all partake in your salvation. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: Faith is something we build each day by trusting God and encouraging one another.

• For Preschool-Lower Elementary
  • What does it mean to trust God just for today? Can you think of one way you can trust God better today?
  • If you see a friend feeling sad or alone, what could you say or do to help them feel encouraged?
• For Upper Elementary-Middle School
  • If you see a friend feeling sad or alone, what could you say or do to help them feel encouraged?
  • Have you ever felt like your faith was drifting away? What helped you find your way back?
• For High School
  • What does it mean to live like “Today” is the most important day for your faith? How could that change the way you spend your time?
  • When you feel disconnected from God or others, what’s one small step you could take to rebuild that connection?