A Hebrew Summer

In just a few moments, we will finish filming A Hebrew Summer, our online Bible study through the book of Hebrews.

Over the last two and a half weeks, I have had the privilege of sitting down with fifteen different teachers as we worked our way through this incredible New Testament book. We didn’t record the lessons in order, but we did record all of them in a relatively short amount of time.

Thirteen of the fifteen teachers are members of our church family. The other two are pastors we invited to join us for this journey.

As we near the end of the recording process, I find myself reflecting on what has been one of the most enjoyable ministry projects I have ever participated in.

When most people study a book of the Bible, they do so through a single teacher, a commentary, or perhaps a small group discussion. There is certainly great value in those approaches. But there is something unique about hearing the same book taught through multiple voices.

Each teacher noticed things that others did not.

Each teacher emphasized truths that stood out to them.

Each teacher brought their own experiences, struggles, victories, and spiritual insights to the text.

The result was something I wasn’t fully expecting.

I have learned a lot of new things about the book of Hebrews during this journey. Part of that came through the teaching of these great men, and part of it came from what the Holy Spirit stirred in my own heart as I listened.

I did not expect to be sad about the thought of finishing this evening.

I did not expect my spiritual life to be this energized by going through this process in such a short amount of time.

There were things I would have never considered on my own that I learned from these men, and more than once I found myself thinking, “I’ve never noticed that before.”

The book of Hebrews is rich enough to reward that kind of study. Every chapter points us to the greatness of Jesus, but each teacher seemed to find a different angle from which to view that greatness.

Some highlighted the faithfulness of Christ.

Others emphasized His superiority.

Some focused on perseverance, while others drew attention to the hope we have because of who Jesus is.

Listening to these lessons reminded me that God often teaches us through the body of Christ. Sometimes the insight we need comes from seeing a familiar passage through someone else’s eyes.

I don’t want to give away what is coming in the lessons themselves, but I can honestly say that I am looking forward to watching them again as they are released throughout the summer on YouTube.

I believe those who participate in this study will be encouraged, challenged, and reminded of what the writer of Hebrews was trying to show us all along:

Jesus is better.

And because He is better, He is worth following no matter what we face.

I hope you’ll join us for the journey.