Hebrews (Life Application Bible Studies: NLT) [Paperback]

Tyndale (Producer)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0842334157 | ISBN-13: 978-0842334150 | Publication Date: July 1, 1999

The popular Life Application Bible Studies are now available in the New Living Translation. Each study provides an in-depth examination of a particular Bible book using the New Living Translation text and notes from the $lt;I>Life Application Study Bible.$lt;/I> Charts, maps, and thirteen lessons, complete with questions and notes, are sure to challenge all who enjoy an application-oriented approach to Bible study.

Product Details

• Paperback: 84 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers (July 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0842334157
• ISBN-13: 978-0842334150
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 5.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,365,434 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Life Application Bible Studies- Hebrews, January 29, 2010

By 

J. West (Petros, TN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hebrews (Life Application Bible Studies: NLT) (Paperback)

Life Application Bible Studies: Hebrews

Tyndale has published a massively useful and thoroughly engaging study-guide for those Christians looking for help in understanding one of the more difficult New Testament books. Based on their New Living Translation, the guide is comprised of two major sections. First, the text and notes of the NLT are offered and second, a series of 13 'lessons' naturally based on the 13 chapters of Hebrews.

The lessons consist of a set of questions (called 'Reflections'), a 'quiz' on the content of the biblical text and textual notes (titled 'Read'), a section called 'Realize', one called 'Respond' (which is of course self explanatory) and finally 'Resolve'. The questions are designed either for personal or group use.

The heart of the guide, though, is of course the biblical text. The translational basis is introduced rather thoroughly and then it commences. The text is fair to the original language (here of course that being Greek) and the notes are unashamedly and unabashedly Christian. Unapologetically the editors assert the truth of Christianity's claims, and that's the most refreshing part. In a day when editions of the Bible are often besmirched by rather sterile and uninteresting marginal notes and explanations, the NLT is thoroughly Christian in outlook and result.

For example, in explaining two very difficult and controversial passages, the editors don't shirk from plain speaking. At Hebrews 6:4-6 the notes assert that 'those who persist in believing are true saints; those who continue to reject Christ are unbelievers, no matter how well they behave' (p. 13). Further, at 6:6, the write observes 'However, the author does not indicate that his readers were in danger of renouncing Christ (see 6:9). He is warning against hardness of heart that would make repentance inconceivable for the sinner' (ibid.).

This Christocentric focus continues at 10:26-29 where we learn that '' the point is that there is no other acceptable sacrifice for sin than the death of Christ on the cross. If someone deliberately rejects the sacrifice of Christ after clearly understanding the Good News teaching about it, then there is no way for that person to be saved, because God has not provided any other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them' (p. 22).

No one reading this study guide will be able to come away from it with anything other than a clear and precise understanding of the intention and purpose of the book of Hebrews and a firm grasp of its underlying theology. I highly recommend it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Bible Study Booklet for Group Studies, December 5, 2009

By 

R. Hayton "Bob the book-nut" (St. Paul, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hebrews (Life Application Bible Studies: NLT) (Paperback)

Tyndale House has expanded the reach of its excellent Life Application Study Bible through its line of Life Application Bible Studies. These study books offer the text from the Life Application Study Bible for a specific book of the Bible, and add a study guide and workbook. The result is a perfect Bible Study booklet for use in small group Bible studies.

I was privileged to get the Hebrews NLT Life Application Bible Studies booklet through my participation in the Tyndale Blog Network. This study booklet on Hebrews is packed full of information and provides a wonderful resource to be used in all kinds of different Bible studies or small groups. Students of every level will benefit from the text study notes and the well framed questions in the workbook.

While one could argue against including the introduction to the New Living Translation and the Life Application Study Bible in a simple Bible study booklet, I actually enjoyed reading through that material. It increased my respect for the NLT translation, and made it easier to follow the study notes as presented in the Life Application Study Bible text.

After the text is given, the 13 lessons on Hebrews follow. Don't think the lessons line up perfectly with the chapters of Hebrew (13 lessons for 13 chapters), they don't (which I think is a good thing). The study follows the flow of Hebrews more closely. Each study starts with a reflection section, asking questions which will draw the reader into the topic the lesson is focusing on. Then the section of the text of Hebrews to read for that lesson is noted, along with which study notes are especially helpful to read. Some questions about the reading follow, and then a "realize the principle" section states the main point of the lesson in a few sentences. Several more questions follow and then a "respond to the message" section includes questions designed to help the reader/student apply the lesson to their life. A "resolve to take action" section sums up the application to be gained from that lesson, and a few points for further study are offered.

I found the questions to be both practical and true to the text. The study is careful but it doesn't go too in-depth. The "for further study" section allows Bible study groups who want to, to explore the deeper or more controversial areas of the text. And the study notes in the text that aren't read could provide some help for this.

What's also nice about the study booklet is that there are spaces provided for the answers to each question to be recorded. The text is in the booklet so everything you need is in one handy source. Not every study member is likely to have the NLT text so it is nice to have it in the booklet for one to compare with their own translation. Literal translations will make a great comparison to the NLT and allow the careful reader to observe how and where the NLT makes the meaning of various passages more explicit for modern readers.

The study on Hebrews would make for an excellent adult bible study. It's well done and allows enough of a gap for a small group leader or teacher to add his own unique input into the study. I recommend this study booklet to everyone most heartily.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Introduction to Hebrews, November 16, 2009

By 

George - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Hebrews (Life Application Bible Studies: NLT) (Paperback)

First of all, thanks go out to Tyndale House for this review copy of Hebrews, Life Application Bible Studies (NLT).

I took my time with this book study, and am glad I did. Hebrews points out the supremacy of Christ and the need for the body to persevere corporately and individually as they follow him. Using a bounty of Old Testament Scripture to firmly cement Christ's mission and person, it stands out as a powerful encouragement to trust in Christ alone. As for this study, I really enjoyed the insightful questions that challenge the reader to do more than just regurgitate the text. The lessons were reasonable in length; I would estimate I spent about half and hour on each lesson (not counting the "in-depth" questions), and then more time on my own in Hebrews on the side.

This book covers the book of Hebrews in 13 lessons. It is made up of two parts. Part 1 is the full text of the book of Hebrews, with footnotes at the bottom of each page, and scripture references in the gutter. Footnotes that will be assigned as reading in the lesson are marked with a dot. Part 2 is the lesson questions, with space for notation. Each lesson is divided into 5 basic parts:

1. Introductory questions that do not require reading of the Scripture, but introduce the topics to be addressed. These could be used as warm-up questions if this study was done in a group setting.
2. Scripture assignment, with specific footnotes assigned for review to reinforce and support the reading.
3. Questions that deal with the content of the Scripture
4. Questions that require personal reflection and application of the principles found through part 3. This section has an introductory remark that highlights the major theme of the reading.
5. Additional questions for more in-depth study.

I thought that the reading was divided well, and that the questions were well written to make the reader go back over Scripture and apply it. The fact that the entire text of Hebrews is provided in the text make this a very portable Bible study for someone who is on-the-go. However, this comes with a price. There are many scripture references in the gutter - Hebrews is full of Old Testament references - and if you go the route of only carrying this study with you, deeper study will be impossible at the time. And there is no way of getting around double book-marking with this study if using the provided scripture text, since the lessons are not inline. I'm torn as to whether this is good or bad. Having scripture chopped up throughout the lessons makes me cringe. Overall, I think multiple markers is the lesser of two evils.

I would gladly suggest this study to individuals and groups. Hebrews is a great book for personal study in its own right, and the lesson authors do a great job of bringing the richness of the book to the forefront.