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Warning of drifting away

Hebrews 2: 1-8

  • Session: 2
  • Week: 1
  • Day: 2
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Introduction

In this session, Hebrews chapter 2: 1-8, 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

Group Study Time

Hebrews 2: 1-8

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

  • What is a black spot warning ⚠? Why is it given to the motorist or drivers? What does it remind the current motorist or road users?
  • What is the meaning of drifting away? What causes pilgrims (believers on the WAY) to drift away from the truth they have heard? What are the results of drifting away?
  • Read Hebrews 2:1-4. What warning lessons are revealed about the messages, or the truth concerning what we have heard? “That Jesus is superior to prophets and angels”
  • Read Heb. 2 :3-4. What is 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?
  • Read Hebrews 2: 5-8. What is the privilege of man in the world to come and the present world? Why don’t we see man dominating the present world as God has promised and desired?
  • What type of message would cause the church to occupy until Jesus comes again without drifting away?

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!

Warning of drifting away

Hebrews 2: 1-8

Hebrews 2:1-8

Context

  • Building on chapter 1’s superiority of Jesus as God’s messenger, chapter 2 issues the first warning to Jewish-background believers at risk of drifting from faith amid persecution.
  • Emphasizes paying careful attention to the gospel to avoid drifting, using the analogy of a ship unanchored at harbor.
  • Highlights the roles of God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) and human messengers in delivering and confirming the message of salvation.

Warning Against Drifting (Hebrews 2:1-8)

  • Dynamics of Drifting: Drifting occurs gradually when the anchor (hope in Jesus as superior) is unhooked; waves of persecution, false teaching, or neglect move believers off course—like a docked ship swept to sea without its anchor.
  • Prevention: Listen Carefully: Must go beyond hearing to active listening—comprehending, committing to, confessing sin, claiming promises, changing attitudes, praying, and avoiding error in response to the truths heard.
  • Dangers of Drifting (Blackspot Warning):
    • The message delivered through angels (Old Testament law) stood firm; every violation and disobedience was punished.
    • How shall we escape if we ignore the great salvation announced by the Lord Jesus?
    • No escape for neglecting a message from a superior messenger (Jesus vs. angels).
  • Delivery and Confirmation of Salvation:
    • Announced first by the Lord Jesus Christ.
    • Delivered by those who heard Him (apostles/human messengers).
    • Confirmed by God with signs, wonders, miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit.
  • Humanity’s Role and Privilege (Quoting Psalm 8):
    • Not angels, but humans will control the future world.
    • Question: What is man that God is mindful of him, or the son of man that God cares for him?
    • Answer: Made a little lower than angels, yet crowned with glory and honor; given authority over all things (nothing left out).
    • Present reality: We do not yet see everything under human authority due to the fall.
    • Future fulfillment: Seen in Jesus—who was made lower than angels for a little while, suffered death for everyone by God’s grace, and is now crowned with glory and honor.
  • Purpose: Believers are called on purpose to take dominion in the present world and future world under Christ’s leadership; drifting forfeits this privilege and invites judgment.

Application

  • Anchor firmly in the Word by listening carefully and committing fully; reject neglect to escape judgment, fulfill humanity’s God-given dominion through Jesus, and press on without drifting back.
Close

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!