Melchizedek giving a blessing to Abram

Melchizedek Blesses Abram, by Walter Rane. Gift of the artist

November 6–12

Hebrews 7–13

“An High Priest of Good Things to Come”

As you read Hebrews 7–13, ponder what the Lord’s message was for the Hebrew Saints. Also look for His messages to you and the people you teach.

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Invite Sharing

Before class, invite a few class members to come prepared to share verses from Hebrews 7–13 that help them “draw near [to God] with a true heart in full assurance of faith” (Hebrews 10:22).

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Teach the Doctrine

Hebrews 7–10

Ancient and modern ordinances point to Jesus Christ.

• This week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families suggests searching Hebrews 7 for passages that teach about the Melchizedek Priesthood and testify of Jesus Christ. Invite class members to share what they found. Or you could give them time in class to review chapter 7 and find verses that teach of this priesthood and testify of the Savior. How was Melchizedek like Jesus Christ? (see the titles of Melchizedek in verses 1–2). How do Melchizedek Priesthood ordinances help us come unto Christ? Perhaps class members could look for possible answers in Gospel Topics, “Melchizedek Priesthood” (topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

• Even though we don’t offer animal sacrifices, we do participate in ordinances today that, in a similar way, point our souls to Christ and provide “authorized channels through which the blessings and powers of heaven can flow into our individual lives” (David A. Bednar, “Always Retain a Remission of Your Sins,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2016, 60). Perhaps you could explore together how the ancient ordinances described in Hebrews 8–10 symbolized the atoning sacrifice of the Savior. For example, what does the blood of bulls and goats represent? (see Hebrews 9:13–14). Whom does the high priest represent? (see Hebrews 9:24–26). The video “Sacrifice and Sacrament” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org) could help. How have modern ordinances blessed us and helped point us to Jesus Christ? What can we do to make these ordinances more meaningful and focused on the Savior?

Hebrews 10:34–38; 11

Faith requires trusting in God’s promises.

• To help class members understand Paul’s teachings about faith, you could begin by asking them to think about how they would describe faith in one sentence. Then, read and discuss as a class the definition Paul gave in Hebrews 11:1. You could then assign each person to choose one of the people mentioned in Hebrews 11 to study. Class members could use the footnotes or the Guide to the Scriptures (scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org) to review the person’s experiences in the Old Testament and then share with the class what they found. How did these people show that they felt an “assurance of things hoped for”? (Joseph Smith Translation, Hebrews 11:1 [in Hebrews 11:1, footnote b]). Class members may be able to share other examples of faithful people. When have we exercised faith in promises that had not yet been fulfilled?

• The counsel to the Hebrew Saints who were tempted to “draw back” from their faith can be valuable to class members who may be struggling with their testimonies. It could also help those who are trying to help loved ones in a crisis of faith. To discover this counsel, class members could read Hebrews 10:34–38 and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s statement in “Additional Resources.” Why are we sometimes tempted to cast away our confidence (see Hebrews 10:35) in the Lord and His gospel? What can we do to build and maintain faith and confidence to “receive [God’s] promise”? (Hebrews 10:36). The videos “Good Things to Come” and “An High Priest of Good Things to Come” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org) could supplement this discussion.

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Additional Resources

“Cast not away therefore your confidence.”

Referring to Hebrews 10:32–39, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught:

“Sure it is tough—before you join the Church, while you are trying to join, and after you have joined. That is the way it has always been, Paul says, but don’t draw back. Don’t panic and retreat. Don’t lose your confidence. Don’t forget how you once felt. Don’t distrust the experience you had. …

“With any major decision there are cautions and considerations to make, but once there has been illumination, beware the temptation to retreat from a good thing. If it was right when you prayed about it and trusted it and lived for it, it is right now. Don’t give up when the pressure mounts. … Face your doubts. Master your fears. ‘Cast not away therefore your confidence.’ Stay the course and see the beauty of life unfold for you” (“Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence,” Ensign, Mar. 2000, 8–9).

Improving Our Teaching

Go to the scriptures first. The scriptures should be the primary source for your study and preparation. The words of modern prophets can complement the standard works (see Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 17).