WordLive - Year OneSample

Prepare: My English teacher used to say, ‘Whenever you read the word ‘‘therefore” always stop and consider what it’s there for.’ Today’s passage starts that way, ‘Therefore …’ (NIV). Keep going ‘Draw near to God with a sincere heart’, says the writer (v 22, NIV). How is this possible? The word ‘therefore’ refers to how we are able to draw near to God because the blood of Jesus opened the way to the most holy place (vs 19,20). We are able to draw near because we have a great high priest (v 21). The passage encourages us to ‘hold unswervingly to the hope we profess’ (v 23, NIV). Have you ever taught a child to ride a bicycle? As you run, panting, alongside the new rider, before you let go, you caution, ‘Keep going forward’. The bicycle goes straight for a few pedal turns, then it wobbles and swerves out of control – and the child follows. How does this tie in with verse 23? We need one another In the same way as we run alongside the bicycle, shouting encouragement to the rider, so the writer tells us to do this for one another (v 24). As Christians, we need encouragement, and that is one of the main reasons for meeting together on a regular basis (v 25). We can read the Bible on our own. We can sing and listen to sermons at home. But we need to do these things with one another. We need to worship together, in order to build one another up in the faith. Respond: Who can you encourage in their Christian walk today or tomorrow? http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-05-04