13 chapters. Pick a chapter, then pick a grade.
Hebrews 1 begins by saying that God spoke in the past through the prophets, and now he has spoken by his Son. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory. He made the worlds and holds all things up by his powerful word. After purifying sins, he sat down at God’s right hand. The chapter shows from the Psalms that the Son is greater than the angels, who are serving spirits.
Hebrews 2 warns readers to pay close attention to what they have heard so they do not drift away. It quotes Psalm 8 about people being crowned with glory and honor, and shows that Jesus was made a little lower than the angels. He suffered death for everyone. He is not ashamed to call his people brothers. Because he was tempted himself, he is able to help those who are tempted.
Hebrews 3 compares Jesus with Moses. Moses was faithful in God’s house as a servant, but Jesus is faithful as a Son over God’s house. The chapter quotes Psalm 95: Today if you will hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts. It remembers how the people in the wilderness did not trust God, and it urges believers to encourage one another day by day.
Hebrews 4 says a promise of entering God’s rest still stands. There remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. God’s word is living and active and sharper than a two-edged sword. Nothing is hidden from God. Because Jesus is a great high priest who was tempted in every way yet without sin, believers can draw near with boldness to the throne of grace.
Hebrews 5 explains what a high priest does. A high priest is chosen from among people, deals gently with those who go astray, and is called by God, as Aaron was. Christ did not glorify himself; God called him a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. Though he was a Son, he learned obedience through suffering. The chapter ends by urging readers to grow from milk to solid food.
Hebrews 6 urges readers to press on to maturity. It warns seriously about falling away, then says the readers are expected to show better things. God does not forget their love shown in serving the saints. God made a promise to Abraham and swore by himself. Because God cannot lie, believers have hope as an anchor of the soul, sure and steadfast.
Hebrews 7 tells about Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High, who blessed Abraham. His name means king of righteousness, and Salem means peace. The chapter shows that Jesus is a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek, not because of family line but by the power of an endless life. Jesus lives forever to pray for those who come to God through him.
Hebrews 8 says the main point is this: believers have a high priest who sat down at the right hand of God’s throne in heaven. Earthly priests served a copy and shadow of heavenly things. Jesus is the mediator of a better covenant built on better promises. The chapter quotes Jeremiah’s promise of a new covenant, when God will put his laws on people’s hearts and remember their sins no more.
Hebrews 9 describes the tabernacle: the Holy Place with the lampstand, table and bread, and the Holy of Holies with the ark of the covenant. Only the high priest entered the inner room, once a year. Christ entered heaven itself, once for all, with his own blood, obtaining eternal redemption. His sacrifice cleanses the conscience to serve the living God. He will appear a second time to save those who eagerly wait for him.
Hebrews 10 says the law was a shadow of the good things to come. The same sacrifices offered year by year could never take away sins. Jesus came to do God’s will, and by one offering he perfected forever those who are being sanctified. So believers can draw near to God with a true heart, hold fast their hope, encourage one another, and keep meeting together. The chapter ends by urging them not to throw away their boldness, because they need endurance.
Hebrews 11 explains that faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen. Without faith it is impossible to please God. The chapter remembers people who trusted God: Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, the people at the Red Sea and Jericho, Rahab, and many more. They did not receive everything promised in their lifetime, but they looked forward to a better country, a heavenly one.
Hebrews 12 pictures the life of faith as a race. Surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, believers should lay aside every weight and run with endurance, looking to Jesus, who endured the cross. God disciplines his children because he loves them, and discipline later yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Believers have not come to a mountain of fire and fear but to Mount Zion and the city of the living God. So they should be thankful and serve God with reverence.
Hebrews 13 closes the letter with practical teaching. Let brotherly love continue. Show hospitality to strangers, remember prisoners, honor marriage, and be free from the love of money, because God says he will never leave or forsake his people. Remember your leaders and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. Offer God a sacrifice of praise, do good and share. The letter ends with a blessing from the God of peace.