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Jesus is better than the OT messengers

Hebrews 1:1-14

  • Session: 1
  • Week: 1
  • Day: 1
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Introduction

Outcomes for Hebrews

The Christian journey of faith, love, and hope could take at least three outcomes: first, those who press on and grow up, second, those who give up and fall away, and three, those who give in and stagnate.

The letter of Hebrews was written to Believers in Christ from a Jewish background （BJB） who were in danger of falling away from Faith （Salvation）, Love （service）, and hope （steadfastness） because of the Persecutions they encountered on the way. The author wrote this letter to both encourage and warn or challenge them to continue in the race because the New Way/Covenant called relationships with Jesus is better than the Old Way/Covenant called religion. This message of encouragement and warning emphasized the following realities

  1. Jesus, the son of God, is superior to the OT Messengers
  2. Jesus, the son of God, is superior to the OT Moderator
  3. Jesus, the son of God, is superior to OT Mediators
  4. Jesus, the son of God, is superior to the OT Ministry

In his summary in Hebrews 10: 32-39, the author reminded them of the earlier days after they had received the light. He, pointed out five things to encourage or to warn believers that the NEW is better than the OLD.

Enjoy the journey

Introduction

In this session, Hebrews 1: 1-14. We focus on understanding the qualities of Jesus Christ that made him better than the OT prophets and angels. We understand why God speaking through Jesus, the Son of God, is better than other messengers. We will consider the principles and the power of Media in communication to the Target audience and how that media could influence the message.

Objectives

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

  • Appreciated that Jesus, the Son of God, is better than both the prophets and the angels by comparing their written attributes.
  • Compared God speaking to his people through Jesus the Son as a better Way than speaking to his people through the prophets and through the angels.
  • Understood the principles and the power of Media in communication to the Target audience.

Outline

  • Jesus is better than other OT messengers
  • The prophets and the angels

Group Study Time

Hebrews 1:1-14

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

  • Who is a prophet of God? Who is the Son of God? Who are the angels of God?
  • Read Hebrew 1: 1-3. The NEW way of God speaking to His People (through Jesus) is Better than the OLD Way (through prophets). List at least 5 things revealed about Jesus Christ (the Son of God) being the better way than the Prophets?
  • Read Hebrews 1: 4. Compare Jesus, the Son of God, being better than the Angels
  • Read Hebrew 1:5-14. What did God say to Jesus, His SON, to show that He is better than His Angels?
  • List 6 things revealed about the angels of God. Hebrews 1: 4-14.

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!

Jesus is better than the OT messengers

Hebrews 1:1-14

Hebrews 1:1-14

Context

  • The letter to the Hebrews is addressed to Jewish-background believers facing persecution and at a crossroads in their faith journey, tempted to turn back to old ways.
  • Written to encourage steadfastness by showing that the new covenant in Christ is superior to the old covenant.
  • Chapter 1 establishes Jesus as a better messenger than Old Testament prophets and angels, using a communication model where the medium affects the message.

Jesus: The Superior Messenger (Hebrews 1:1-14)

  • God’s Past Communication: In the past, God spoke to ancestors through prophets at many times and in various ways—fragmented and mediated.
  • God’s Present Communication: In these last days (from Christ’s first coming to His return), God speaks directly through His Son, making Jesus the ultimate medium.
  • Jesus Superior to Prophets:
    • He is the appointed heir of all things.
    • Through Him the universe was made.
    • He is the radiance of God’s glory and exact representation of His being.
    • He sustains all things by His powerful word.
    • He provided purification for sins and sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
    • He inherited a name superior to angels.
  • Jesus Superior to Angels (supported by seven Old Testament quotations):
    • Angels worship Him as the firstborn Son (Psalm 2:7; 2 Samuel 7:14; Deuteronomy 32:43).
    • Angels are ministering spirits and flames of fire—servants and created beings.
    • Jesus has an eternal throne, loves righteousness, is anointed with joy, laid the earth’s foundations, remains unchanging, and sits at God’s right hand until enemies are His footstool (Psalm 45:6-7; Psalm 102:25-27; Psalm 110:1).
  • Communication Principle: The medium influences the message; speaking through the Son (who is God, Creator, King, and Redeemer) is clearer, more authoritative, and more effective than through prophets or angels.
  • Purpose: To warn against drifting and encourage pressing on in faith, knowing Jesus is the better way forward at life’s “roundabouts” of persecution, success, or false teaching.

Application

  • Listen to God through Jesus—the perfect medium—rather than relying on lesser messengers; persevere in the new covenant, rejecting shortcuts, stagnation, or turning back.
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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

  • Mobile Friendly PDF
  • Print Friendly PDF
  • Full Study PDF

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!