Connect What does it look like each day to live in light of the glory of God?

Warm-Up

1. Do you believe in angels? Why or why not?

2. What are some of the common cultural ideas about angels? How does this compare to the biblical idea?

Read Hebrews 1:1-4

3. Who is the main subject of Hebrews 1? How does that help ʻframeʼ our understanding of angels?

4. What are the various ways that Jesus is described in these verses? Is there anyone greater?

5. How therefore do angels compare to Jesus? Why is this important for us to keep in mind?

Read Hebrews 1:5-14

6. What are some of your top questions about angels? Do you think itʼs possible to answer all of them?

7. As you scan through this chapter, what do we learn about the identity of angels? Is anything a surprise?

8. Who made the angels? What is the significance of this? How are humans ʻmadeʼ different?

9. What type of being are they (cf. verse 14)? Why then are they ʻsometimesʼ seen?

10. How does the presence of angels remind us that there is a realm unseen to us? Do you believe this?

11. What is the realm of Jesusʼ lordship? (cf. Colossians 1:15-20) Why is this such good news?

12. What does the word ʻangelʼ actually mean? How does this relate to their role?

13. If angels are messengers, whose message do they bring? Can you think of examples throughout the Bible of the different ways in which angels have acted on behalf of God in the world?

14. What is significant about Jesus being seated but the angels being sent? Whose work is finished?

15. What does verse 14 say about the role of angels? Have you ever thought about this? Is it good news?

16. What should we not do in our approach to angels? Can you think of warnings in the Bible?

17. Every time we gather we join a song already in progress. How would it change the way you come to church next Sunday to know that you are joining heaven's worship, not starting it?

18. Read 2:14. What helps you to pay the most careful attention to the Gospel, so that you do not drift away?

Apply What is one thing you are tempted to drift toward for security, comfort, or answers, instead of resting in the Son's finished work? What would it look like this week to "pay closer attention" to him instead?

Pray Almighty Lord, thank you that you have sent your holy angels to serve us. Help us never to drift from worshipping the only one who is worthy of our praise. Amen.

On Your Frontline this Week Who do you long to come to know Jesus?

Pray for their heart to be open and for opportunities to share the good news of Jesus.

For Families • Download: some of the family resources to use at home: stbartskids.org

Listen, Watch, and Read • Listen (sermon): “Christ: The Final Word” by Tim Keller: https://gospelinlife.com/sermon/christ-the-final-word/ • Listen (podcast): “Holy Angels” by John Dickson and Graham Cole: https://undeceptions.com/podcast/holy-angels/ • Listen (sermon): “Spiritual Warfare” by Tim Keller: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcPlfM7w-ZE • Watch (video): “What Angels and Cherubim Reveal About Godʼs Presence” by the Bible Project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bMRxQbLUlg&t=5s • Read (article): “The Spirit World” by Thomas Sappington. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/the-spirit-world-angels/ • Read (book): “Against the Darkness: The Doctrine of Angels, Satan, and Demons” by Graham Cole

Series Resources • Book: “A Doubterʼs Guide to the Bible” by John Dickson. • Book: “Against the Darkness: The Doctrine of Angels, Satan, and Demons” by Graham Cole. • Book: “The Message of Ezekiel” by Christopher Wright. • Book: “Reading the Bible for All Itʼs Worth” by Gordon Fee. Available to borrow from the St Bartʼs Library (Toowoomba): stbarts.com.au/library