Are you struggling with an idea for a Sunday morning? Maybe you need a short outline to help in your personal study? If so, here is a short outline that you can use to develop your thoughts for an outline. You might divide this outline up by using each point for a separate outline.
How many times have you heard Hebrews 10.25?
“…not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:25)
Many people focus on Hebrews 10.25 as the reason for church attendance, but I believe the reason occurs before verse 25. There is a deeper meaning than using this verse to speak of attendance on Sundays or Wednesdays. For instance, consider the points below:
- Understand that attendance is more than numbers; it is about faithfulness and open hearts.
- Hebrews 10.25 is only half of a sentence; there is more.
- If you find half a sentence, read the verses before to complete the thought.
Hebrews 10.22 – “let us draw near…”
(Take note that Hebrews 10.22 is only half of a sentence; read the verses before to gain the full thought.)
- …with a true heart.
- …with our hearts sprinkled clean.
- …with our bodies washed with pure water.
Hebrews 10.23 –“ let us hold fast the confession of our hope…”
- …without wavering (the reason: “He who promised is faithful.”)
- Who is the one who made the promise?
- What is the promise?
Hebrews 10.24 – “let us consider how to stir up one another…”
- …to love.
- …to good works.
- Why are we to stir up one another to love and good works? (The reason is verse 25)
After these verses, verse 25 brings on a new meaning. There is a unity factor before the Hebrews writer gets to the “attendance verse.” The unity is in the knowledge that Christians need each other because of the reasons given in verse 22-24. The fact that someone misses services could be for a variety of reasons; work, sickness, a death in the family, traveling, depression, or a personal choice not to attend services. We need to give our brethren benefit that they are trying and not completely stopping.
Attendance is more than numbers. When a church begins to focus on numbers instead of caring for souls, they lose the good news. The good news becomes the number of people instead of the number of open hearts.
I hope you can use today’s sermon starter outline at some point. Also, do not use the sermon starter outlines to replace your own study and work. Use them as a stepping stone for development.
Just my thoughts,
