Hebrews 9:1-14

1. Read Hebrews 9:1–10. Verse 1 calls the tabernacle an “earthly place of holiness.” What does it mean for an earthly place to be holy? What does it mean for something to be unholy?
2. Notice the word “conscience” in Hebrews 9:9. What is a conscience? What does it mean to have a guilty conscience? For help, see Romans 2:12–16 and Hebrews 7:18–19.
3. If you’re honest, where or to whom do you go for peace when you have a guilty conscience? What would it look like for you to believe that the blood of Christ can actually purify your guilty conscience (Hebrews 9:14)?
4. Read Hebrews 9:11–14. Notice the words “once for all” in verse 12. Think about the thing you are most ashamed of in your life. What sin patterns in your life reinforce your guilt before God? Do you believe that Christ’s one-time sacrifice was truly sufficient for all of your sins? Spend some time honestly reflecting on those questions together.
5. In the old covenant, people did not have direct and continuous access to the presence of God. But in Christ, we do. Hebrews 11:6 says that God “rewards those who seek Him.” Spend some time putting this into practice. Seek the presence of God together through prayer.