Christ & His Rivals: Hebrews 9:15-28

by | Mar 5, 2026 | Discussion Group Guide | 0 comments

Introduction

Faith in Christ is always contested. Ideologies clash, worldviews collide, and truth claims compete for allegiance in the marketplace of ideas, tempting Christians to abandon Christ for His rivals. This is the primary pastoral concern that Hebrews was written to address. The original recipients were being tempted by suffering and social pressure to turn away from Christ and go back to Judaism. Hebrews, then, is to show the supremacy of Christ over every rival claim and to urge Christians to persevere in wholehearted allegiance to Jesus.


Text: Read Hebrews 9:15-28 and pray.


Passage Summary: Jesus’ death brought about a new covenant and secured eternal salvation for his people. 

Discussion Questions

Hebrews 9:15–28 teaches that Jesus, as the mediator of a new covenant, secured the promised eternal inheritance through his death (Heb 9:15–22). Unlike the repeated sacrifices offered in the earthly tabernacle, Christ entered heaven itself and offered himself once for all, decisively putting away sin (Heb 9:24–26). Just as humans die once and then face judgment, Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many and will appear again, not to deal with sin, which has already been accomplished, but to bring final salvation to those who eagerly wait for him (Heb 9:27–28).

  1. Here, the author portrays Jesus as both our priest and our sacrifice. As our priest, he entered into heaven itself to offer a sacrifice on our behalf. But as our sacrifice, his own blood was the offering of atonement for our sins. Many struggle with the idea that God can’t simply forgive us, but instead requires a blood sacrifice. Read Romans 3:21-26. According to Paul, why did Christ “have to die” in order for God to forgive our sins?

     

  2. The author contrasts the repeated sacrifices of the old covenant with the one-time sacrifice of Christ (9:25-26). Why do you think the author stresses this point?

     

  3. At the end of this section, the author says that Christ will return at the end of the age to “save those who are eagerly waiting for him” (9:28). What do you think it means to eagerly wait for Christ? Would you describe yourself as someone who is eagerly waiting for Christ? Why or why not?

     

  4. What are some concrete ways you could begin cultivating an eager longing for Christ’s return?

    Close in Prayer