Hebrews 12:14-29

1. Read Hebrews 12:14–17. This passage provides two closely related categories for personal introspection: broken relationships and sexual purity. Spend some time reflecting on each of those categories in your life. Who are you struggling to live at peace with? With whom is bitterness threatening to take root in your heart? So persistent is the temptation of sexual immorality that we must be continuously striving for holiness in our thoughts, conduct, and lifestyle. When it comes to pursuing holiness and sexual purity, is there anything in your life you need to confess, change, or repent of? Be honest.
2. God’s holiness is the very essence of His being. It’s not merely about moral purity, although His holiness certainly includes that. God’s holiness is synonymous with His absolute perfection in everything—His complete separation from sin and His unrivaled majesty and glory. We must call upon the supernatural grace of God to pursue the Lord in holiness so that we will see God and rejoice in Him forever.
3. As those who have been united with Christ, our striving for holiness is never a striving to earn what God has already purchased and freely given to us. Jesus has already accomplished our redemption; we do not earn it. If that is true, then why should we care about pursuing holiness?
4. Read Hebrews 12:18–24. Take a moment to imagine yourself at the scene described in verses 18–21. Now, how do you feel as you read in verse 22, “But you have come to Mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem”? What is the picture painted here of the new heavenly Zion/Jerusalem (see Isaiah 62:6–12)? What aspects of this imagery provoke longing within you?‍
5. Read Hebrews 12:25–29. As you contemplate the holiness of God, is there anything that needs to change so that you can more fully and purely “offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe” (Hebrews 12:28)?