THE HIGH PRIEST OF A NEW COVENANT

Hebrews 8:1-13

Key verse:  8: 6

“But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is a mediator  is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises. “

1. “We do have such a high priest” (1) refers to the description of Jesus in 7:23-28. What additional facts do we learn about him? (1-2)

2. Why would Jesus not be a priest if he were still living as a man on earth? (3-4)What is the relationship of the earthly priesthood and sanctuary to the heavenly ones? (5)

3. Why is Jesus’ ministry superior to that of the old Aaronic priesthood? (6) What is a covenant?

4. What were the promises on which the old covenant was founded? (Cf. Ex. 3:5-11; 19:5,6)

5. Who were the parties of the old covenant and how was it sealed? (Ex. 24:8) What does it mean for the people of Israel to have a covenant relationship with God? (Cf. Isa 54:3; Jer. 3:1; Hos. 9:1)

6. Why was a new covenant needed? (7,8) What does Jeremiah teach us about the new covenant (10-12, Jer. 31:31-34)?

7. What are the main characteristics of the “better promises”? (10, 11, 12)The distinctive mark of God’s children is that they know him (11). How does such knowledge transform our life? How is the covenant promise of forgiveness better than the old covenant? (12) Why is the old covenant obsolete? (13)