Topical Outline of Hebrews
—With links to study pages
This outline collects together portions of the book of Hebrews under ten topics. Each numbered heading is linked to a study page.
1. Jesus Crowned with Glory
Hebrews 1:1-14, Hebrews 2:5-18, Hebrews 3:1-6
Jesus had to be made like his brethren, a little lower than the angels. But now he is a Son over his own house, above the angels, above Moses, equal with God.
2. A Rest for God’s People
Hebrews 3:7-19, Heb4:1-13, Hebrews 6:13-19, see Hebrews 11:13-16, Heb13:14
God created a rest for his people. One people rejected that rest, and God swore in his wrath that they would not enter it. Yet he had sworn that some people would enter it. So a rest remains for the people of God. It is our Sabbath, and the Day of entering it is coming. We have this hope as an anchor of the soul.
3. Going On to Perfection
Hebrews 2:1-4, Hebrews 3:12-14, Hebrews 4:1, Hebrews 5:12-14, Hebrews 6:1-12, Hebrews 10:23-39
The hope held out in the gospel is conditional upon our diligence. Nobody remains spiritually static. We either backslide, or we advance in growth. Spiritual maturity should be our aim. Fear of God’s wrath should be our motivation.
4. A Priest Like Melchizedek
Hebrews 4:14-16 Hebrews 5:1-11, Hebrews 6:20, Hebrews 7:1-28, Hebrews 8:1-6
Melchizedek was a priest of God whose royal priesthood was superior to the Levitical priesthood of the law of Moses. In the same way, Christ is superior in his heavenly priesthood. The arguments in favour of this proposition are stunning.
5. Jesus the Intercessor
Hebrews 4:14-16, Hebrews 5:1-11, Hebrews 6:20, Hebrews 7:1-28, Hebrews 8:1-6
We are greatly blessed in having a great High Priest, one who ever lives to make intercession for us. He understands our weaknesses without himself being weak. Through him we can come to God and find utmost grace.
6. Jesus the Mediator
Hebrews 8:7-13, Hebrews 9:1-28, Hebrews 10:1-22, see Hebrews 7:12, Hebrews 12:24
There has been a change of covenants. The promise of a new covenant, as soon as the promise was uttered, rendered the first covenant old and obsolete and set to disappear. This old temporary covenant, the law of Moses, was merely symbolic of the permanent new covenant. Christ’s law is a new and living way.
7. Jesus the Perfect Sacrifice
Hebrews 8:7-13, Hebrews 9:1-28, Hebrews 10:1-22, see Hebrews 13:12
The body and blood of Jesus, because he was without sin, made an offering that satisfied God once and for all. By that perfect offering we are perfected and are being sanctified. (These concepts need to be properly understood).
8. Author and Perfecter of Our Faith
Hebrews 10:23-39, Hebrews 12:1-29
The Christian life is fraught with temptation to sin and with much struggle and suffering. Why does God allow this? We should see this not as abandonment by God, but as Fatherly discipline to correct and strengthen us (yet not taking that analogy further than intended). We should run our race with endurance, looking unto Jesus (who himself suffered), and to the glories of his kingdom.
9. A Great Cloud of Witnesses
Hebrews 11:1-40, Hebrews 12:1
The Old Testament provides us with inspiring examples of faith even unto death. Time might not permit all their stories to be considered, but to be reminded again of some of these men and women of God helps us to share in their faith.
10. Giving Thanks to Jesus
Hebrews 13:1-25
At the end of Hebrews, we are reminded of some of the Christian duties that those who respond to God’s grace will not forget to do. In keeping such commandments as these, we show gratitude toward God, and will realise the benediction, "Grace be with you all, Amen".