Hebrews: Holding On To The Faith, Drawing Near To God Course Syllabus June 22-29, 2013

Instructor: George H. Guthrie, Ph.D., Union University Course Code: 130637 (This syllabus is available in Simplified Chinese for downloading.) Course Credit: 3 Semester Hours Course Description This course presents an introduction, exposition, and application of the New Testament book of Hebrews, with special emphasis placed on understanding the book's structure and theology, in order that the message of Hebrews might be lived and communicated more effectively in the modern church. Course Objectives 1. The student will grow in knowledge of the historical, conceptual, and methodological foundations of Hebrews study, including matters of authorship, genre, recipients, purpose, rhetorical style, uses of the Jewish Scriptures, and the background of the author's thought. 2. The student will grasp the basic theological and hortatory content of Hebrews and gain a comprehension of the book's overall structure. 3. The student will grow in ability to interpret Hebrews in light of context, word meanings, stylistic features, background issues, and genre, and will grow in both the understanding and practice of Hebrews message. 4. The student will engage in attempts at applying Hebrews to contemporary life (both personal and church). Textbooks Guthrie, George H. Hebrews. NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998. (Available in hard copy and Kindle at Amazon, TTi jiaowuzu@timotai.org ) OBrien, Peter T. The Letter to the Hebrews. Pillar New Testament Commentary Series. William B. Eerdmans, 2010. (Available in hard copy and Kindle at Amazon) 1995( TTi jiaowuzu@timotai.org ) Course Requirements (Email all questions and assignments to: Heb@timotai.org) A. In preparation for the course: 30% of the course grade, due on May 15, 2013 1. Read Hebrews four or more times using different Bible translations and write down your questions on the biblical text as you read. (Refer to our small group discussion questions.) 2. Read the Introduction to Dr. Guthries commentary on Hebrews. 3. Submit a report in which you:
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a. Affirm that you have finished all the required readings in A#1, 2; b. Choose 7 questions from your reading of the Hebrews text and answer these questions in your report. Use your own questions preferably and no more than three from those in the Discussion section. Your answer to each question must be between 400 500 words. Look for answer in Dr. Guthries commentary and in the other textbooks. If your answer is short, consider using other question for this report. In general, the grading of your report will base on your increased understanding of and ability to apply the Book of Hebrews (such as those listed in the course objectives). B. During the Week of Class, read Hebrews three additional times, reflecting on the notes you are taking in class. Write three reflective summaries, each about half a page (approx. 250 300 words), describing three separate instances in which the instruction in class has helped you understand certain difficult passages in Hebrews, or shed light on some ministry concepts. These three summaries, including a statement that you have read Hebrews three times during the week, are due before you depart the camp on Jun 29. (10% of course grade) C. Post-course assignments: 60% of course grade, due on September 17, 2013 1. Practicum: 30% of course grade a. Based on what you learned in class choose a passage on which to write a detailed sermon/teaching outline, and preach/teach the passage (15% of course grade) b. Carefully select a second passage from Hebrews and write another sermon/teaching outline and preach/teach this second passage. (15% of course grade) c. Turn in the outlines and complete manuscripts of both messages/lessons, including the required sermon critique/lesson evaluation forms as stated in TTi Guidelines for assignment submission. d. Preaching/teaching of both sermons/lessons must be finished by September 8. Outlines, complete manuscripts and evaluation forms are due on September 17, 2013. 2. Papers: 30% of course grade, due on September 17, 2013 a. Position paper on Hebrews 6:4-8 (6-7 pages, 20% of the course grade) b. A clear essay on forms of exhortation in the preaching/teaching ministry of the church (3-4 pages, 10% of grade) OR c. Reflection paper on one major theological theme in Hebrews (3-4 pages, 10% of the course grade). Course Schedule June 22 Introduction, Heb. 1:1-2:9 June 23 Heb. 2:10-4:10 June 24 Heb. 4:11-6:20 June 25 Heb. 7:1-8:13 June 26 Heb. 9:1-10:25 June 27 Heb. 10:26-12:17 June 28 Hebrews 12:18-end of the book

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Discussion Questions June 22 1. How did the story of Antonius help you grasp the intent of the book of Hebrews? 2. What are the patterns of those who have drifted from the faith in your church context? What has led to their drifting? What have you tried to do to help them hold onto the faith? 3. What role has theology played in the Chinese church in helping people endure in the Christian life? 4. What are the implications of Hebrews craftsmanship, its artistic nature as a sermon, for modern preaching? What are the artistic means of communication that are most effective in Chinese culture? 5. How are angels viewed in Chinese culture generally? In the church? Explain why the author compares Jesus to angels in 1:5-14. June 23 1. What are false views about Jesus incarnation in the church today? 2. Why did Jesus have to become human according to Heb. 2:10-18? 3. What are the reasons people fear death? How does the gospel answer this fear? 4. Hebrews uses both positive and negative examples in exhorting people to endure in the faith. What are the positive and negative tools a preacher or teacher can use to exhort people? 5. Explain the concept of Sabbath rest according to Hebrews 4. What are the implications of this concept for how we share the gospel with people? June 24 1. What does it mean to hold on and draw near in Hebrews 4:14-16? What are the practical implications for helping people in the church endure in the faith? 2. How does Jesus time in the Garden of Gethsemane set a pattern for a modern believer who is suffering persecution? 3. What training methods are you using to educate people in the faith in your church or ministry? What characterizes those who are embracing deeper teaching of the Word? 4. Which views of Heb. 6:4-8 seem most valid to you and why? What are the practical implications for ministry of the various positions? Does a particular interpretation of the passage change the way you minister to a struggling congregation?
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June 25 1. Why does the author use Melchizedek to lay the foundation for his argument about the superiority of Christs appointment as High Priest? 2. How does the authors arguments of Hebrews 7-8 affect your understanding of the nature, the inspiration, and the interpretation of the Old Testament Scriptures? 3. How should we understand the relationship of the Old Testament to the New Testament Scriptures? 4. How might we share the gospel more effectively in light of the 3 key dynamics of the new covenant according to Heb. 8:7-13? June 26 1. What does the structure of the tabernacle tell us about God? 2. Why is Jesus blood superior to the blood of bulls and goats? How might this truth be used in sharing the gospel with a Chinese person who still offers sacrifices? 3. What is a biblical view of heaven? Why is it significant that Jesus entered a heavenly Holy of Holies? 4. In light of the decisiveness of Jesus sacrifice, how do we talk to God about our sins today? Do we ask for forgiveness? Confess our sins? What are the implications of this for ministry? 5. How does Jesus high priesthood lay the foundation for endurance in the faith? 6. What are the most effective ways of encouraging one another (Heb. 10:25) in the church? June 27 1. In light of the very harsh warning of Heb. 10:26-31, how should we warn those who are drifting from the faith? 2. How can we celebrate the past successes and victories of church communities that have stood for the faith in the midst of persecution? 3. What is the nature of biblical faith according to Hebrews? What are the outcomes of faith according to Hebrews 11? 4. What are the implications for the message of endure discipline as sons for how we face trials and persecution today?

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June 28 1. How does the vision of the 2 mountains in Heb. 12:18-24 relate to the way we share the gospel with people today? 2. How does the vision of the 2 mountains affect our understanding of Christian discipleship and our training of people in the faith? 3. What are the core moral teachings of the Chinese church? How are those teachings the same as and different from the list in Heb. 13:1-6? 4. What is your view of submission to leaders in the church? How can believers live in such a way so as to avoid making a leader groan? 5. What have you learned about encouragement from the author of Hebrews? What have you learned about the importance of the Old Testament? About the importance of theology? POLICY ON THE "DUE DATES" FOR COURSE ASSIGNMENTS: 1. Every student is required to turn in all assignments as stated in the course syllabus. 2. Students who do not turn in pre-course assignment will automatically be dropped from attending our seminar. 3. Those who do not turn in post-course assignments will automatically receive an "F" in their course grade. Students who receive an "F" in any two courses will not be considered for any future enrollment. 4. No late pre-course assignment is accepted. Permission for late post-course assignment can be given due to illness or extreme ministry pressure but not for any other reason. The grace period is one month maximum. Application for turning in late assignment must be submitted within one week before the due date. TYPING, FORMATTING AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS IN ASSIGNMENTS 1. Use Word to write your assignment; A4 paper size; Times New Roman font and size 12; single line space; top/bottom margin 26mm, and left/right margin 32mm. 2. Each sermon or lesson plan must be prepared for at least 45 minutes in preaching or teaching. The number of pages required for each assignment does not include the cover page or the bibliography page. 3. Assignments can be written in either Chinese or English with length as specified in the respective language of the syllabus. 4. Assignments found with plagiarism will automatically receive an "F" grade and the assignment will not be graded. Use the following references as standard in preparing formats for writing essays and typing assignments. FORMATTING REFERENCE FOR WRITING ESSAYS AND ASSIGNMENTS Kate L. Turabian. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertation, 7th ed. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2007.

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George H. Guthrie, PhD Dr. George Guthrie serves as the Benjamin W. Perry Professor of Bible at Union University in Jackson, TN. A respected New Testament scholar and a deeply committed churchman, he is the author of numerous articles and eleven books, including The Structure of Hebrews: A Text-linguistic Analysis in Supplements to Novum Testamentum (E. J. Brill, 1994), the NIV Application Commentary: Hebrews (Zondervan, 1998), and the soon to be completed 2 Corinthians in the Baker Exegetical Commentary series. As the architect of the Read the Bible for Life biblical literacy initiative, he has written or edited four tools, including, Read the Bible for Life: Your Guide to Understanding & Living Gods Word (B&H, 2011), Readers Guide to the Bible (LifeWay, 2011), and Reading Gods Story: A Chronological Daily Bible (B&H, 2011). Dr. Guthrie has participated in translation projects, such as the revision of The New Living Translation, and has served as a consultant on the Holman Christian Standard Bible, the New Century Version, and the English Standard Version. At Union University he led in the establishment of, and serves as Senior Fellow in, the Ryan Center for Biblical Studies, which is committed to promoting sound Bible reading, study, and interpretation at the grassroots level of the church. Dr. Guthrie and his family attend Northbrook Church, which he and his wife helped plant and where he served as co-pastor for ten years. Dr. Guthrie holds both the Ph.D. and the M.Div. degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Th.M. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He, his wife Pat, and their two children, Joshua and Anna, live near Jackson, TN. Publications
The Structure of Hebrews: A Text-linguistic Analysis. Supplements to Novum Testamentum, 73. Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1994. Preface by J. P. Louw. Released in paperback by Baker Book House, Fall 1998. Hebrews. NIV Application Commentary Series. Zondervan. 1998. Translated into Chinese, 2006. Biblical Greek Exegesis: An Inductive Approach to Learning Intermediate and Advanced Greek, co-authored with J. Scott Duvall, Zondervan Publishers, June 1998. Hebrews. In Hebrews-Revelation. Zondervan Illustrated Backgrounds Commentary. Zondervan, Spring 2002. Holman Guide to Interpreting the Bible, co-authored with David S. Dockery, Broadman & Holman, 2004. Spanish Translation: Guia Holman De Interpretacion Biblica, May 2005. James, in Hebrews-Revelation. Revised Expositors Bible Commentary. Zondervan, 2006. Hebrews in Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament, edited by D. A. Carson and G. K. Beale, Baker Book House, 2007. Read the Bible for Life: Your Guide to Understanding & Living Gods Word, Broadman & Holman Publishers, January 1, 2011. Read the Bible for Life: Listen. Understand. Respond. Video Curriculum, LifeWay, January 2011. Reading Gods Story: A Chronological Daily Bible, Broadman & Holman, 2011. Readers Guide to the Bible, LifeWay, 2011.

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