Seminary
Hebrews 7–13

Hebrews 7–13

Overview

In the second half of his letter to the Hebrews, Paul emphasized the importance of faith in Jesus Christ. He cited numerous scriptural examples of individuals who acted with faith in Christ and were blessed. He also taught about the character of God, referring to God as “a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6) and as “the Father of spirits” (Hebrews 12:9). He encouraged us to “despise not … the chastening of the Lord, … for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth” (Hebrews 12:5–6).

Prepare to Teach

The following information provides teachers with ideas of what may need to be prepared in advance for each lesson:

Hebrews 11, Part 1

Lesson purpose: This lesson will help students understand what faith in Jesus Christ is and why it matters in their personal lives.

  • Student preparation: Invite students to complete the statement “Faith is ” and be prepared to share their answers in class. 

  • Content to display: Prepare to display the resources and questions for the student study activity at the end of the lesson.

  • Videoconference teaching suggestion: Use the whiteboard function of your videoconferencing software to allow students to write their definitions of faith for the class to see or to write a single definition as a class. Students could be encouraged throughout the lesson to adjust their definitions or the definition they write together.

Hebrews 11, Part 2

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students increase their desire to live by faith in Jesus Christ and recognize the blessings God gives them because of their faith.

  • Student preparation: Invite students to think about how they or someone they know have been blessed by God because they acted in faith. Encourage them to prepare to share an experience with the class.

  • Images: Prepare to show images of individuals in the scriptures or from Church history who demonstrated faith in Jesus Christ.

  • Video: “Pure and Simple Faith” (5:21)

  • Videoconference teaching suggestion: Consider assigning students to study different verses from Hebrews 11 about examples of faith. Students could then be placed in breakout rooms with other students who studied different verses, and they could all share what they learned from the verses they studied.

Hebrews 12

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students learn how humbly submitting to correction from Heavenly Father can help them have peace and become more like Him.

  • Student preparation: Invite students to think of times when they were grateful to have been corrected, whether it was by God or someone else.

  • Images: Prepare to display images of a runner looking tired and a racetrack.

  • Video: “The Will of God” (3:01)

  • Videoconference teaching suggestion: To begin class, consider creating an online poll and inviting students to anonymously share ways that their lives currently feel like a long-distance race.

Hebrews 12:9

Lesson purpose: This lesson is intended to help students come to know Heavenly Father better and understand how their knowledge of and relationship with Him can positively impact their lives.

  • Student preparation: Invite students to read the lyrics of “I Am a Child of God” (Hymns, no. 301) and to think about how this knowledge of their identity influences their lives.

  • Video: “A Regal Identity” (7:13; watch from time code 1:22 to 3:25)

  • Videoconference teaching suggestion: Consider sharing any personal impressions and insights you have about the analogy shared by Sister Clayton that is included at the beginning of this lesson. Testify of how coming to know God and our divine relationship to Him can impact our attitudes and behavior.

Doctrinal Mastery: Hebrews 12:9

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students memorize the doctrinal mastery reference and key scripture phrase for Hebrews 12:9, explain the doctrine, and apply principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge in real-life situations.

  • Student preparation: Invite students to think of situations teenagers face when it would be helpful for them to understand or remember that they are children of Heavenly Father.

  • Videoconference teaching suggestion: Consider putting students into breakout rooms where they can work in pairs or small groups to brainstorm together a few ways they can fill in the blanks for the scenario practice application activity. Allow students to share with the class the scenarios they came up with.