Old Rules about Worship

Hebrews 9:1-10

Biblegateway (NIV) (My choice of all-round site. Best on computers)

StepBible (ESV) (Great on phone or computer with good resources.)

Topics:

#Worship

Potential Sermon Titles: ??

Intro Questions to get us thinking:

In your childhood home, what place was off-limits? What thing were you told, "Don't touch"?

The Earthly Holy Place

9 Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness. ²For a tent was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. It is called the Holy Place. ³Behind the second curtain was a second section called the Most Holy Place, ⁴having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron's staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. ⁵Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

⁶These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties, ⁷but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. ⁸By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing ⁹(which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, ¹⁰but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.

ebible (NLT) (Best for having Bible sections divided by "pericope" or sections by thought)

Thematic Bible (Books and Chapters Structure)

NETBible (New English Translation) (Great for original text information)

THE REVIEW OF EACH SANCTUARY (9:1–15)

A. The earthly sanctuary (9:1–10)

1. The information (9:1–7)

a. The objects in the Tabernacle (9:1–5): The author describes the location of the gold lampstands, the incense altar, etc.

b. The overseers of the Tabernacle (9:6–7): The duties of both priests and the high priest are listed.

2. The illustration (9:8–10): The Holy Spirit used the many regulations surrounding the use of the Tabernacle to illustrate the fatal weakness of the earthly Tabernacle—namely, its sacrifices could not cleanse the hearts of the people.

StudyLight (LEB) (Great site with commentaries by Burton Coffman)

BibleHub (HCSB) (Good on computer or phone with lots of information well organized.)

BlueLetter (KJV) (A variety of resources and good on Phones / better on Computers)

Literal Word (NASB) (Works well on a smartphone or computer + for searching for words like a printed concordance)

Biblia.com (NCV) (Great on a computer especially if you have a logos account)

KnowingJesus (Parallel Versions) (Phone / Computer and great for comparing translations)

God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
How do you picture the earthly sanctuary described in verses 1-15? What is the significance of each item in the Holy Place? In the Most Holy Place? If your group wants to "discuss these things in detail now" (v 5), read Exodus 25-31 and 35-40.
What goes on in the outer room (vv. 6-10)? In the inner room (see Leviticus 16:14-16)?
What did not happen here at this time (vv. 8-9)? Why were their gifts and sacrifices not sufficient to clear their consciences?

Heartlight (Great for practical application of scripture)

The Message (MSG) (An easy-to-read paraphrase that helps some with application)

Scripture Graphics

Does church ever feel like a labyrinth (intricate combination of paths) to you? Why?
When you feel guilty, how do you try to clear your conscience?
I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.