蕭昶欣/英文/CFM/11月11-17日
1As you read Hebrews 7–13, you may receive impressions through the Holy Ghost.
2Consider ways you can record them; for example, you could record them in this outline, in the margins of your scriptures, or in the Gospel Library app.
3Even faithful Saints at times suffer “reproaches and afflictions” that can shake their confidence (see Hebrews 10:32–38).
4Paul knew that Jewish converts to Christianity were experiencing serious persecution because of their new faith.
5To encourage them to stay true to their testimonies, he reminded them of the long tradition of faithful believers from their own history: Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sara, Joseph, Moses—“a cloud of witnesses” that God’s promises are real and worth waiting for (Hebrews 12:1).
6This heritage of faith is shared by all those who look “unto Jesus [as] the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2).
7Because of Him, whenever adversity makes us want to “draw back,” we can instead “draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith” (Hebrews 10:22, 38).
8For us, as for the ancient Saints, Jesus Christ is our “high priest of good things to come” (Hebrews 9:11).
9For centuries, the Jews had exercised the Levitical Priesthood, also known as the Aaronic Priesthood.
10But with the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ came the greater Melchizedek Priesthood, which offered even greater blessings.
11What do you learn about the Melchizedek Priesthood from Hebrews 7?
12Here are some examples of truths you might find:
13Joseph Smith Translation, Hebrews 7:3, 21:Those who are ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood “are made like unto the Son of God” and are “[priests] forever.”
14Hebrews 7:11:The Levitical Priesthood does not offer “perfection” and was therefore superseded by the Melchizedek (see D&C 84:18–22).
15Hebrews 7:20–21:The Melchizedek Priesthood is received through an oath (see D&C 84:19–44).
16What blessings have you received from the Melchizedek Priesthood and its associated ordinances?
17See also Alma 13:1–13; Doctrine and Covenants 121:36–46; Gospel Topics, “Melchizedek Priesthood,” topics.lds.org;
18Guide to the Scriptures, “Melchizedek,” scriptures.lds.org; Henry B. Eyring, “Faith and the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2008, 61–64;
19Dallin H. Oaks, “The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 49–52.
20The original Hebrew readers of this epistle would have been very familiar with the ancient tabernacle and the ordinances Paul described.
21But some did not fully recognize that the purpose of these ordinances was to point to the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
22In biblical times, on a yearly holiday called the Day of Atonement, a high priest entered the holiest place (or Holy of Holies) in the Jerusalem temple and sacrificed a goat or lamb to atone for the sins of Israel.
23Paul explained that Jesus Christ is a high priest who offers a single sacrifice—His own life—to atone for the sins of the world (see Hebrews 9:24–10:14).
24Think about the ordinances you participate in today.
25How do these ordinances point you to Jesus Christ?
26To learn more about ancient Jewish ceremonies and their symbolism, see the videos “The Tabernacle” and “Sacrifice and Sacrament” (LDS.org).
27If someone asked you to define faith, what would you say?
28Sister Anne C. Pingree, former member of the Relief Society General Presidency, drew on language from Hebrews 11 to give this definition: “Faith, the spiritual ability to be persuaded of promises that are seen ‘afar off’ but that may not be attained in this life, is a sure measure of those who truly believe”.
29(“Seeing the Promises Afar Off,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2003, 14)
30Consider developing your own definition of faith as you ponder the ideas in Hebrews 11.
31What do the examples of the people mentioned in this chapter teach you about faith? (See also Ether 12:6–22.)
32See also Alma 32:21, 26–43; Jeffrey R. Holland, “An High Priest of Good Things to Come,” Ensign, Nov. 1999, 36–38;
33Gospel Topics, “Faith in Jesus Christ,” topics.lds.org.
34As you read the scriptures with your family, the Spirit can help you know what principles to emphasize and discuss in order to meet the needs of your family.
35Here are some suggestions:
36You might invite family members to share spiritual experiences when they felt “illuminated” with truth.
37How can these experiences help us “cast not away therefore [our] confidence” in times of trial or doubt?
38How can you help your family members learn from the faithful examples mentioned in Hebrews 11?
39It might be fun to act out the stories of some of these examples.
40Or perhaps your family could discuss the examples of other faithful people you know—including ancestors, Church leaders, and members of your community.
41According to this verse, why was Jesus willing to endure the pain and suffering of the cross?
42What does this teach us about how we can endure our trials?
43President Russell M. Nelson gave some helpful insights on this verse in his message “Joy and Spiritual Survival” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 81–84).
44Why does the Lord chasten and correct us?
45What do family members notice about the way the Lord sees chastisement as you study these verses together?
46How do these verses affect the way you give or receive chastisement?
47For more ideas for teaching children, see this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Primary.
48Use music to invite the Spirit and learn doctrine.
49The First Presidency said, “Music has boundless powers for moving [us] toward greater spirituality”.
50(“First Presidency Preface,” Hymns, x)
51Perhaps a song about faith, such as “True to the Faith” (Hymns, no. 254), would supplement a family discussion from Hebrews 11.