The author of Hebrews continues to warn us in Chapters five and six to check our souls to make sure we are not deceiving ourselves. We need to acknowledge that there is something at stake and that we always need to be progressing, growing, and moving towards the cross. If we are not responding to truth and moving forward, we are drifting away from God. The Christian life is about persevering and enduring through life’s battles and our war against our own flesh.

Scripture References

Hebrews 5:11-14
Hebrews 6:1-12
Ephesians 4
Ephesians 5

Found | Austin Stone Worship
Philippians 3:8-9 • 1 Corinthians 15:43 • Colossians 3:3 • Matthew 10:39

O Praise the Name | Hillsong Worship | iTunes

Be Thou My Vision | Grace Church Worship Version

The Rock Won’t Move | Vertical Church Band | iTunes
Psalm 62:5-8 • 1 Peter 2:4-8 • 2 Samuel 22:47 • Matthew 7:24-27 • Psalm 18:2

Fully Devoted | Life.Church Worship | iTunes
Romans 12:1, 1 Corinthians 6:19, Philippians 1:20, Deuteronomy 6:5

1. We can posture ourselves as people either resistant to truth or receptive to truth. Would you characterize yourself as resistant or responsive to truth? What things in your life tempt you to push truth to the side?

2. As we mature in our faith, our lives should increasingly reflect the truths of Scripture. When you look over the past five years, what progress do you see in your character, motivations, how you feel, what you think, or how you process? In what areas of your life has your growth been stunted?

3. We tend to make our faith all about us, but as believers, our spiritual DNA should be all over those around us. Who has your spiritual DNA on them? Who are you caring for, loving, and teaching? What do you need to do differently or better to care for others’ souls?

4. Whether you are not a believer, a new believer, or have been for many years, the challenge is the same: move. We always need to be progressing in our faith and growing in a deeper understanding of who Jesus is. What are you currently doing to facilitate your growth and to take responsibility for your soul? What discipline, structure, or habits could you build into your life to reflect the maturing nature of your heart?

5. How can your community come alongside you as you seek to grow in your faith over the next few months? What specific challenges can your community group help you overcome?

Thoughts to Consider

– Some believers are like adults still getting all their nourishment from milk. They are hearing truth and dismissing it with no movement in their spiritual life. They should be maturing, growing, and moving away from the basics.

– Having sincerity while remaining ignorant to God’s truth will not end well. Storms of life will tear sincerity apart; we have to accept the Truth that anchors.

– This writer is writing to a sea of people who are gathering to worship and warning them to search their souls to determine if they are really believers—that their hearts are not hardened. Make sure that you are not studying the passage in a way that creates a false sense of security and a theological framework that ensures this passage is not talking about you.

– Confidence in our faith comes from perseverance: embracing truth, enduring trials, struggling, warring against sin, entering into community, and when your idols are torn down—not blaming God but trusting Him in everything.

– The good fruit that should flow out of your life is that you work hard for Him and care for others, not to earn salvation, but to serve Him.