Truth that helps us regain control over fear of death

Hebrews 2: 9-18

Introduction

In this session, Hebrews chapter 2: 9-18, we focus on understanding the dynamics of drifting from the true faith. What causes it and how to prevent it, dangers of drifting. We will consider the importance of understanding the black spots for travelers. The session focuses on understanding the role of God the Son-Jesus, the human messengers, God the Father, and God the Holy Spirit concerning the message of our Great salvation.

Objectives

By the end of this session, the learner will have:

  • Understood the truth about drifting away of believers and how to regain control over their journey.
  • Appreciated the warning on the black spot to the current pilgrim ☠💀⚠
  • Reflected on the concept of terrorism, the devil’s intended purpose of terrorism, and the church having dominion over terrorism in this last phase of their journey.

Outline

  • Drifting of believers
  • Black spots
  • Terrorism and how to deal with it
  • Fear of death

Group Study Time

Hebrews 2: 9-18

Connecting

  • Gather with two or more people for a community discovery bible study session.
  • Start with a heartfelt prayer, inviting God to guide and bless your understanding.
  • Explore the passage by reading it at least twice, using different Bible versions if available, then retell the story together as a group.
  • Reflect and share the challenges and blessings you experienced from the previous study.

Comprehending

  • Read 2: 9-18. What do these verses reveal about Jesus? what was the role of Jesus?
  • What 5 pieces of truth of our Great salvation would cause believers to regain control over the present world instead of drifting away? (Hebrew 2: 9-18.
  • Read Hebrew 2: 14-18. The greatest fear today that causes drifting away is (terrorism) the fear of death ☠. How can the church regain dominion over terrorism? (Ie, help the church to occupy until Jesus comes)

Committing

  • Engage with the Bible—read, study, memorize, meditate, pray, listen, and live it out.
  • List three lessons you have learnt as an agent of change that you would like to put into practice and teach others about.
  • Take time and worship Jesus with the attributes revealed about Christ.
  • Use the SPACEPETS model, to assist you in putting God’s word into practice. Look for:
    • Sin to confess
    • Promise to claim
    • Attitude to change
    • Command to keep
    • Error to change
    • Prayer to make
    • Example to copy
    • Truth to obey and
    • Something praiseworthy

Communicating

  • Identify one person you can connect with and share the valuable insights and lessons you gained from this session.
  • Reach out to a new believer—either in person or by phone—and pray with them to support them through their challenges, including any concerns about attending church.
  • Create a new group and guide others through this study to help them grow in their understanding.

Post Lesson Teaching Summary

Great job completing the study! Take a moment to listen to this summary to reinforce your group’s understanding of the text and ensure you’re all on the same page. We’re here to support your learning journey!

Truth that helps us regain control over fear of death

Hebrews 2: 9-18

Hebrews 2:9-18

Context

  • Continuing from the warning against drifting (2:1-8) and humanity’s destined dominion (Psalm 8), this section focuses on Jesus’ incarnation, suffering, and death as the means to restore believers’ control over the fear of death.
  • God speaks through His Son to plant faith, grace, and freedom; neglecting this voice allows Satan’s voice to sow fear, especially the fear of death.
  • Links to the parable of the sower: hard paths represent neglect and failure to pay close attention, leading to loss of the seed (Word).

Regaining Control Over the Fear of Death (Hebrews 2:9-18)

  • Jesus Tasted Death for Everyone (v. 9): Made lower than angels for a little while, He suffered death so that by God’s grace He might taste death for all; now crowned with glory and honor.
  • Jesus Brings Many Sons to Glory (v. 10): As the pioneer (author) of salvation, He was made perfect through suffering—fitting for God to perfect the Savior of His family through what He endured.
  • Jesus Shares Humanity and Calls Us Family (vv. 11-13):
    • Both sanctifier (Jesus) and sanctified (believers) are of the same family.
    • Jesus is not ashamed to call us brothers and sisters (quoting Psalm 22:22; Isaiah 8:17-18).
    • He declares God’s name, sings praises in the assembly, and trusts alongside us: “Here am I and the children God has given me.”
  • Jesus Breaks the Devil’s Power (v. 14): Shared in flesh and blood to destroy through His death the one who holds the power of death—the devil.
  • Jesus Frees from Lifelong Slavery to Fear of Death (v. 15): Releases those held in bondage by fear throughout their lives.
  • Jesus Helps Abraham’s Descendants, Not Angels (vv. 16-17):
    • He aids human descendants of Abraham.
    • Became fully human in every way to serve as a merciful and faithful high priest.
    • Made atonement (propitiation) for the people’s sins.
  • Jesus Helps the Tempted (v. 18): Because He suffered and was tempted, He is able to help those being tempted.
  • Purpose: By paying close attention to God speaking through the Son, believers receive the seed that germinates into freedom from death’s fear and restores God-given dominion; neglect invites Satan’s control.

Application

  • Reject neglect of God’s voice in Christ; embrace Jesus’ suffering, death, priesthood, and victory to live free from fear of death, as beloved family members destined for glory and dominion.

How to use these studies

These lessons are designed as short, 25-minute studies based on Bible truths, and meant for self-learning or small group study. The study sets systematically cover different books of the Bible. 

Each lesson follows a simple structure:

  • Introduction (Including the outline and objectives)
  • Step 1: Connecting
  • Step 2: Comprehending
  • Step 3: Committing
  • Step 4: Communicating

These sections include questions to help you reflect on the bible passage and how it applies to your life. 

Use these lessons to disciple others by journeying together over time and allowing God’s word to penetrate your heart and bring transforming change to your life. As a leader, pray for wisdom in leading and for modelling the truths in your own life.

Sharing offline

Each lesson has three buttons allowing you to download a easily saveable and shareable PDF version of the study. You can choose either a Mobile-friendly PDF version, and Print-friendly PDF version, or a print version of the Full Study PDF (for example all the lessons in the current book of the Bible).

These are free and can be easily copied and shared from one person to another!

Gathering a Small Group

Start small to build a safe space for sharing and growth.

  • Pray first: Ask God to show you 3-6 people who need encouragement in faith, like family, neighbors, or fellow believers facing hardship.
  • Invite personally: Meet one-on-one, explain how the lessons are designed to help people grow in their faith and knowledge of God and his Word.
  • Keep it simple: Meet in a home or quiet spot; no need for fancy setup – just willing hearts.
  • Aim for consistency: Suggest weekly meetings, but be flexible for busy lives or safety concerns in persecuted areas.

Trust helps everyone open up, reflect, and apply truths without fear.

  • Start with sharing: In the first meeting, share simple stories of your own faith struggles to show vulnerability.
  • Set ground rules: Agree to listen without judging, keep stories private, and focus on encouraging each other.
  • Build bonds: Begin each session with a short prayer or song inviting God to be present with you.
  • Be patient: Trust grows over time – encourage quiet members gently, and celebrate small steps of honesty.

Good preparation makes the lesson flow and helps discipleship.

  • Read ahead: Study the lesson before; pray over the Bible passage and think how it fits your group’s challenges.
  • Adapt for the group: Use simple words; if literacy is low, read aloud slowly and explain questions or stories.
  • Gather basics: Have a Bible (in your language) and paper for notes.
  • Reflect personally: Ask yourself the study questions first – lead from your own growth and experience.
  • Pray: Pray for your group members.

Guide the group through the lesson structure to encourage discovery and commitment.

  • Step 1 – Connecting: Start the group meeting by praying together. Thank God for his Word and ask for open hearts to receive it. Read the Bible passage together (Read it aloud twice; ask someone to repeat in their words.)
  • Step 2: Comprehending: Use the provided questions to help you grapple with the truth of the Bible passage.
  • Step 3 – Committing: Consider how the passage might apply to your lives and what simple steps of obedience you can commit to. The goal of these studies if life-change! Not just knowledge!
  • Step 4 – Communicating:  Think of who you can share the truths you have learned with.
  • Close with Prayer: Let group members pray short prayers of thanks or commitment. Pray for one another.

For many of the lessons, there is a short summary teaching voice-note at the end of the lesson (together with a text summary). This is designed to be a recap and reminder of the key lessons you should have learned through the lesson. 

As a leader, you might like to use these summary teaching resources to help you in preparation for leading your group, though ideally not before you have spent time prayerfully reflecting on the passage.

This is an ongoing discipleship journey aiming to transform lives and help people to live victorious Christian lives. Focus on growth, not just finishing lessons.

  • Meet regularly: Join together at least once a week. Review past actions at each start to build accountability.
  • Encourage reflection: Between meetings, urge personal time with the lesson – read, pray, and try complete commitments made.
  • Support one another: If your group members are facing challenges, use lessons to pray together and share burdens; become “agents of change” by helping others in your community.
  • Multiply groups: As trust grows, encourage members to start their own small groups with family or friends.
  • Keep it short: Stick to 15 – 25 minutes per lesson to fit busy, challenging lives.
  • Handle challenges: If fear or hardship arise, encourage members by always pointing back to God’s love. 
  • Stay safe: In persecuted areas, meet discreetly; focus on heart change over big displays.
  • Celebrate progress: Note how people have grown in faith; allow time for sharing testimonies of what God has done. Take note of what you pray for, and give thanks when God answers prayer.

Final encouragement

Leading these lessons is serving like Jesus – humble, loving, and truthful. As you journey together, God will build growing faith into each person’s life. Pray often, and watch lives transform!

If you would like to share stories of faith from your own communities, please get in touch with us!