Hebrews 4: Rest, the Word, and the Throne of Grace

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.

Go to worksheets ↓

Bible:

Read Hebrews 4

World English Bible · 16 verses

¹ Let’s fear therefore, lest perhaps anyone of you should seem to have come short of a promise of entering into his rest.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
² For indeed we have had good news preached to us, even as they also did, but the word they heard didn’t profit them, because it wasn’t mixed with faith by those who heard.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³ For we who have believed do enter into that rest, even as he has said, “As I swore in my wrath, they will not enter into my rest;” although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴ For he has said this somewhere about the seventh day, “God rested on the seventh day from all his works;”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵ and in this place again, “They will not enter into my rest.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶ Seeing therefore it remains that some should enter into it, and they to whom the good news was preached before failed to enter in because of disobedience,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁷ he again defines a certain day, “today”, saying through David so long a time afterward (just as has been said), “Today if you will hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁸ For if Joshua had given them rest, he would not have spoken afterward of another day.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁹ There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁰ For he who has entered into his rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from his.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹¹ Let’s therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹² For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹³ There is no creature that is hidden from his sight, but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him to whom we must give an account.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁴ Having then a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let’s hold tightly to our confession.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁵ For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁶ Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

Worksheets

1Pick a grade below
2Look over the worksheet
3Tap Print worksheet. Print the answer key separately.

Pick a grade:

Answer key (print separately)More print options ↓

Open Preschool on its own page

Hebrews 4 · Preschool

Come to God

Name Date

Color the throne and the light. You can always come to God!

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.”

Hebrews 4:16 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Explain that a throne is where a king sits, and God’s throne is a throne of grace, where we find kindness and help. Pray together and tell God about your day.

Open Grade 4 on its own page

Hebrews 4 · Grade 4

A Great High Priest

Name Date

Read and Think

The wilderness generation missed God’s rest, but the promise was not cancelled. Even Joshua’s entry into the land was not the final rest, because God later spoke through David about another day. There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God. Whoever enters God’s rest stops striving in their own strength, as God rested from his works.

Verse 12 describes Scripture. For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword. It reaches deep inside, discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. It is not just old words on a page. God uses it to show people what is really going on inside them, and all things are open before his eyes.

That could feel scary, but the next verses bring comfort. Having then a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let’s hold tightly to our confession. Jesus has been tempted in every way, yet without sin. So believers do not have to hide. Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.

Show What You Know

Why was Joshua’s entry not the final rest?
What does verse 12 say God’s word can discern?
Why can believers come boldly to God?
What do they receive at the throne of grace?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

restwordGod

There remains therefore a Sabbath for the people of God.
For the of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword.
uses it to show people what is really going on inside them, and all things are open before his eyes.

Think About It

What does resting in God look like on a busy day?
When is a time you need to draw near to the throne of grace?

Memory Verse

“Having then a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let’s hold tightly to our confession.”

Hebrews 4:14 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for today's Bible story. Help me to . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

What does diligence mean?
How can you let God’s word guide you this week?

Open Grade 5 on its own page

Hebrews 4 · Grade 5

There Remains a Sabbath Rest

Name Date

Read and Think

Hebrews 4 continues the reading of Psalm 95. The good news was preached to the wilderness generation, but the word they heard didn’t profit them, because it wasn’t mixed with faith. The letter links God’s rest to the seventh day of creation, when God rested on the seventh day from all his works. Because the psalm still says today centuries after Joshua, the rest must be more than a piece of land. There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God.

Verse 11 calls for diligence: let’s therefore give diligence to enter into that rest. The rest is received by faith, yet faith is active. Then verses 12 and 13 explain why the warning matters. God’s word is living and active, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit. It judges the heart’s thoughts and intentions. Before God all things are naked and laid open. No one can hide behind outward religion.

The chapter turns from warning to welcome. Jesus is a great high priest who has passed through the heavens. He is not distant: he can be touched with the feeling of human weakness, having been in all points tempted, yet without sin. The throne of God is now called a throne of grace. Believers are invited to come with boldness, not because they are strong, but because their high priest is faithful. There they receive mercy for the past and grace for help in time of need.

Show What You Know

Why did the good news not help the wilderness generation?
Why must God’s rest be more than the land?
What does the word of God do according to verses 12 and 13?
Why can believers come with boldness?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

mercyrestGodgrace

Because the psalm still says today centuries after Joshua, the must be more than a piece of land.
There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of .
The throne of God is now called a throne of .
There they receive for the past and grace for help in time of need.

Think About It

God’s word sees deeply. How can that be both a warning and a comfort?
What keeps people from coming to God boldly, and how does this chapter answer that?

Memory Verse

“Having then a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let’s hold tightly to our confession.”

Hebrews 4:14 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for today's Bible story. Help me to . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

What does boldness mean?
When do you most need grace for help?
What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

More print options

Student sheets have no answers on them. The answer key is a separate document for teachers and parents.

This gradeOnly the Preschool sheet

Whole chapterEvery verse of the chapter, in the translation you pickOpen & print

All student sheetsEvery grade, preschool to grade 5Open & print

Answer keyAll grades in one, each grade labeledOpen & print

‹ All Hebrews chapters · All books

Hebrews 4: Rest, the Word, and the Throne of Grace

Read Hebrews 4

Worksheets

Come to God

Prayer

Take It Home

God’s Rest

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Mini Maze

Draw It

Prayer

Take It Home

Throne of Grace

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Prayer

Take It Home

God’s Rest and Help

Read the Story

Show What You Know

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

Draw Near With Boldness

Read the Story

Answer the Questions

Story Order

Prayer

Take It Home

A Great High Priest

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Word Bank Fill-In

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

There Remains a Sabbath Rest

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Word Bank Fill-In

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

More print options