Faith & Love: A One Year Bible Reading Plan - Part 7Sample

The writer of Hebrews here deliberately focuses on the community within the church. The addressee of the letter to the Hebrews is unknown but a possible group is the Jewish part of the Roman church that suffered persecution at that time.

While Christians were being killed, the Jewish faith was legal in Rome. Jewish Christians were allowed to convert to Judaism. They only had to renounce the confession that Jesus is the Messiah in the synagogue. Thus, they could save their families from persecution within minutes. Even though we don't know if the letter actually was written for them, we are all aware of how important open and honest relationships are in such moments. Like someone to encourage you, someone to pray for you or a friend to walk with you through this time.

This verse for me, is about living in good relationships and in real friendships. I enjoy sharing my heart with friends and knowing that they wish me nothing but the best.

They pray for me and encourage me to grow deeper into my relationship with God.

A key for me is that they not only spend time with me and have fun but also honestly tell me where I have character weaknesses. These can also be painful moments when you admit to yourself that you're not as amazing as you always thought you were as a person after all.

Do you live in relationships that are good for you?

Are there points that need to be addressed in love with one of your friends? But you've been avoiding them for a long time because you don't have the courage.

Have you developed a "root of bitterness" that you want to give Jesus?