1. Choose one word to describe your earthly father to the group. How do our fathers impact the way we relate to our heavenly Father?

2. Read Luke 11:2, 13. Jesus begins and ends his teaching by referring to God as Father. Robert Stein (NAC) notes that the title Father is associated with God just 15 times in the entire OT, compared to 165+ times in the NT gospels. Why do you think Jesus instructs his disciples to begin with this title?

3. Many scholars believe the requests of v2 are 'eschatalogical prayers.' That is, they are concerned with the end of the age, when the kingdom of God comes in its fullness and the name of God is finally and entirely 'hallowed' or known to be holy. Why do you think Jesus might encourage his disciples to begin prayer this way?

4. Read Luke 11:3-4. In what ways is bread like forgiveness? Why might we fail to ask for one or the other?

5. Read Luke 11:5-13. The central teaching (vv9-10) is surrounded by 2 parables. According to the parables, what might hinder us from faithfully asking, seeking, and knocking? What would it look like to struggle with the issues addressed by the parables? What would it look like to overcome them?

If you would like to read Martin Luther’s guide to praying through the Lord’s Prayer, you can download it here.

• Can you remember a time when you were stubborn?  What was that like?  What did you think about that when you got some space and realized you were being stubborn?

• Jesus said he came to do a number of things in these verses.  Pick the one that feels most meaningful to you and meditate on it.  Consider what life would look like if Jesus hadn't come and done that.  Think about someone you can encourage and share that hope with this week.

• Consider what it means to be in the Year of the LORD's Favor.  How does your currently reality feel like it is not in line with being in God's favor?  It is right to mourn our broken world; feel free to write down or share with a friend where you feel brokenness.  As you mourn, take time to then write or share how the reality of Jesus' second coming can bring hope to us.

1. Read Luke 4:38-41.  What did Simon witness in this section?

2. Read today's passage, Luke 5:1-11.  What was Simon's response to the miracle of fish?

3. Taking Luke 4:38-41 and Luke 5:1-11 into account, what brought Simon to this big moment of realization in 5:8?

4. Discuss the statement Jesus makes regarding Simon in Luke 5:10.  

5. Share a Luke 5:8 moment in your life.  How did it change your spiritual trajectory?

6. Has your response to Jesus' mercy been to "fish" (gather people into God's family)?

1.       Can you remember a time that you had an important task to accomplish and you were single-mindedly focused on completing it?  Share that memory with the group and talk about how it felt to have everything else fall by the wayside as you fulfilled your task.

2.       The pace and tone of Luke change at the baptism of Jesus in chapter three and his temptation in chapter four.  What has changed for Jesus with these events, and is that change simply a result of his messianic role, or is it also informative for us today?  If it is informative for us; how?

3.       In Luke 4:16-30, Jesus makes some people angry.  How does Jesus’ understanding of God’s kingdom and the synagogue crowd’s understanding of God’s kingdom differ?  If we fast-forward today, what pitfalls does our culture and context create to understanding the Bible rightly?  How can we protect ourselves from a culturally and contextually driven understanding of the Bible?

4.       Throughout the combined volume of Luke-Acts, Luke presents describes the Holy Spirit as very active, especially in chapters three and four.  As we see the Spirit leading Jesus in chapter four, what ways can you be confident in the Spirit’s leading and empowerment in your life, and how does that understanding change the ways you invest your time?

5.       Pause for a moment and consider the centuries-long, breath-holding of expectation and fulfillment that Jesus releases in the inauguration of his ministry.  What aspect strikes you personally as most marvelous and amazing about God’s Son?

Other biblical themes to explore:

·       The genealogy of Moses in Exodus 6.

·       The temptation of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3.

·       Israel’s years in the wilderness.

·       The stories of Elijah and Elisha.

Themes in Luke to observe

·       The misunderstood kingdom

·       The work of the Holy Spirit

·       Being “sent”

·       Words and works

Group Questions

1. Take a few minutes to answer the question "Who am I?". Use no more than five words. Share your answers with one another, along with any needed explanation.

2. In Luke 3:21-22, Father Son and Spirit are all manifest. In your own words, describe the quality of relationship between the Father and Son.

3. What bearing does Jesus' sonship have on us as his followers? How is our 'sonship' (or daughterhood) similar to his? Different? For help, see Romans 8:9-17

4. What place does sonship have in defining our identity? If you lived every day as a beloved, well pleasing child, how would it impact your life? What keeps us from living in light of this reality?

For further discussion and/or personal study:

1. In the 1st Century, the term 'Son of God' was already full of cultural connotations. Read the following excerpt from Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible:

   • Jesus’ unique sonship is antithetical to concepts of sonship popular in the ancient world. In Hellenism, people believed a man could be a “son of the gods” in many ways: in mythology, by cohabitation of a god with a woman whose offspring was imagined to be superhuman; in politics, by giving generals and emperors high honors in the cult of Roman emperor worship; in medicine, by calling a doctor “son of Asclepius”; and eventually by ascribing to anyone with mysterious powers or qualities the title or reputation of “divine man.”
     
     In the OT, certain men before the days of Noah (Gn 6:1–4) and “the angels” (including Satan, Jb 1:6; 2:1, and other heavenly beings, Ps 29:1; 82:6; 89:6 rsv margin) are called “sons of God.” Israel as a people was the chosen son of God. This corporate sonship became the basis of Israel’s redemption from Egypt: “Israel is my first-born son” (Ex 4:22; cf. Jer 31:9). Corporate sonship was the context for focus on personal sonship in the divine sanction of David as king: “I will be his father, and he will be my son” (2 Sm 7:14). David’s “adoptive” sonship was by divine decree: “I will proclaim the decree … ‘You are my son; today I have become your Father” (Ps 2:7); and it was the prophetic prototype of the “essential” sonship of Jesus, David’s royal son (Mt 3:17; Mk 1:11; Lk 3:22; Acts 13:33; Heb 1:5; 5:5). Other messianic prophecies ascribe divine names to the Davidic messiah: “Immanuel” (Is 7:13, 14) and “Mighty God, Everlasting Father” (9:6, 7). These are fulfilled in Jesus (Mt 1:23; 21:4–10; 22:41–45).
     
     

2. Luke understood the cultural climate of the day, and intentionally builds a new 'theology of Sonship' in his gospel.
   
   Split into groups of 2. For about 5 minutes, have each group explore one of the passages below and record any info that helps shape the identity of Jesus as 'Son'. (If you have less than 12 people, omit or combine passages. If you have more than 12 people, form larger groups)

   • Luke 1:26-38

   • Luke 2:1-21

   • Luke 2:22-40

   • Luke 2:41-52

   • Luke 3:1-22

   • Luke 3:23-38
     
     

3. Compare your findings with one another. In what ways does Luke intend for us to understand the term with regard to Jesus? How does it differ from Hellenist/Roman understanding? From OT Hebrew understanding?
   
   

4. Spend time worshiping Jesus the Son of God in light of all the facets of his glory represented in Luke's narrative.

• Do you like surprises? Share about the biggest surprise you’ve been a part of, either on the giving or the receiving end.

• Luke 2:9 is an example of what Robb called an ‘interrobang (‽) moment’, when people are filled with awe, fear, bewilderment, surprise, etc. Skim through Luke 1-2. What other interrobang moments does Luke record in these opening scenes? What might these moments foreshadow for readers about Jesus’ future ministry?

• What do you think is meant when the angels sing ‘glory to God in the highest’ (v14)? How does the shepherds’ response to the glory of God compare/contrast to the angels’? What does that imply about their relationship to God?

• Biblical peace (v14) is less about tranquility and more about wholeness. In your circles, or in your life, what robs people of peace? How does Jesus bring peace?

1.    Pastor/theologian Bryan Chapell says, "People are like Swiss cheese, full of holes!" It is true of us all, yet most needs go unknown. Without mentioning names, take a moment as a group to recall some of the silent burdens carried by people in your lives. How do these 'holes' affect their lives? Why do you think people are often reluctant to share their needs?

2.    Read Luke 1:5-25. What lack or need did Zechariah and Elizabeth face? How did it affect their lives (v25)?

3.    Zechariah is chosen to enter the temple to burn incense (v9), a symbol for the prayers of the people. What specific prayer does the angel come in response to, according to v13? 

4.    Have you ever had to serve others while simultaneously having a sense of your own profound neediness? How does one's own need impact his or her capacity for ministry? Positively? Negatively?

5.    Review the songs of Mary and Zechariah (Luke 1:46-55, 67-79). Mary sings to "God my Savior" and Zechariah praises him for raising up a 'horn of salvation."  What verbs are attributed to God in these verses? What implications can be derived about the nature of our Savior/salvation?

6.    Spend time confessing your needs to one another and to the Lord in corporate prayer. Don't be afraid to pray desperate-sounding prayers! Consider one verb from question 5 to pray back to the Lord on behalf of someone in your group, or for yourself.

1. Read Ezekiel 36:22–38. Discuss what God’s role will be in Israel’s restoration.

2. Locate the verses where God highlights the importance of His word in the equation. Find the verse where He promises to place His Spirit within Ezekiel.

3. Ezekiel 37:4-5 reinforce the importance of God’s word and His Spirit in the process of bringing the bones to life. Have you ever considered these as the two essentials for equipping believers for ministry?

4. In your own life and ministry, do you elevate other resources (money, your house, cars, etc.) in a way that hinders your reliance on the word and the Spirit? Discuss.

5. Jesus declared that we don’t live on bread alone but on God’s word. Are you feeding on the scripture in a regular fashion? If you were arrested and imprisoned for your faith today, would you be spiritually sustained by what you have taken in?

6. If you still have time, read Romans 8:1-11 as a benediction.

1. After the tabernacle is constructed, God commands Moses to anoint it “so that it may become holy” (40:9). Before this in Exodus, only one location has been described as holy: Mount Sinai (3:5; 19:23). Significantly, both of these verses describing God’s presence at Sinai emphasize the distance required between God and his people. However, through the tabernacle God brings his holy presence right into the midst of his people. In what ways does this foreshadow the gospel?

2. After God’s glory cloud fills the tabernacle (40:34–35), the final verses of the book describe how God leads Israel throughout all their journeys (vv. 36–38). What might be considered a New Testament counterpart to this idea of God accompanying his people as they journey? (For help, see John 14:15–17.)

3. At the end of Exodus, God’s glory has entered the midst of the people, but the people cannot enter the midst of God’s glory. It is hidden behind the curtain of the tabernacle. Review the verses from this morning’s sermon (below), and explain how each verse helps trace the story of God’s glory & presence among his people:

   • Exodus 40:35

   • 2 Chronicles 5:14

   • Ezekiel 11:21-23

   • Ezra 3:12

   • John 1:14

4. As we have studied the book of Exodus, what has most challenged you or encouraged you? How has your understanding of God changed? Spend some time sharing and then offer prayers of thanksgiving for God’s work among us through the book of Exodus.

• Some questions adapted from Matthew Newkirk’s Exodus: A 12-Week Study (Knowing the Bible) Crossway.

1. Read Exodus 34:1-7. Discuss the signs of mercy and judgment that can be seen. 

2. In verse 8 Moses bows his head and worships. Take a few minutes to shout out statements of gratitude for mercy and discipline God has granted in your life. 

3. Verse 7 explains the concept of blessings for 1,000 generations and judgment for three to four generations. Have you seen evidence of this is your family? Explain. 

4. How can this cycle of sin and negative consequences be broken? Give Bible references to support. 

5. Are you willing to take these difficult steps toward being a cycle-breaker?

6. God identifies Himself as abounding in loyal love (hesed) and faithfulness/truth (emet) for us. Discuss how these themes re-emerge throughout scripture. 

MISSIONAL MOMENT

March 31 – Identify your group strategy and timeline for inviting neighbors to the Easter Egg Hunt &/or to a worship service at VBCC. (Printed invitations will be provided at your request and you may also want to post on neighborhood social media, community bulletin boards and/or newsletters.) Pray for the Holy Spirit to prepare the way and soften hearts before your neighbors even receive invitations to the Egg Hunt or worship services.

1. What is your basic want in life? Select one of the following questions and give your answer to the group: What do I consider to be the goal of my life? What would it mean for me to do something really significant? When it’s all over, what do I hope I will have accomplished? What do I want for my epitaph?

2. Read Exodus 33:1-6. Biblical writers often repeat information to emphasize a point. What information is repeated in these verses? Given the flow of Exodus, why is this such a devastating problem? See Exodus 3:12; 19:4; 25:8 for further insight.

3. Read Exodus 33:7-11. What affect does God’s presence have on the people? Is there a parallel for the New Testament believer’s experience?

4. Why do you think Moses sets up the tent ‘far off from the camp’ (v7)? Why is the soon-to-be tabernacle able to be set up ‘in their midst’ (Exodus 25:8)? What do these arrangements tell us about God’s holiness?

5. In Exodus 33:18, Moses asks to see God’s ‘glory.’ God responds with a qualified ‘yes.’ He will hide Moses in a safe place and let his glory ‘pass by’. What do you think Moses was thinking and feeling as he prepared for this momentous event?

6. Read 2 Peter 3:18 and 1 John 3:2. What do these verses tell us about Christ’s role in our own meetings with God? How does the hope of seeing him ‘purify us’?

MISSIONAL MOMENT: Ask your group members to bring donations of plastic Easter Eggs and individually wrapped pieces of candy to VBCC by the end of this week (if they have not already done so). We will need a minimum of 500 candy filled eggs for each of the VBCC Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunts. Pray for each of the VBCC sponsored Easter Egg Hunts.

Some questions adapted from:

Newkirk, Matthew R.. Exodus: A 12-Week Study (Knowing the Bible) . Crossway.

Aronis, Alex B.. Developing Intimacy with God. AuthorHouse.

1. Read Exodus 32:1–6. In these verses, which of God’s commands do they break? What other aspects from the earlier covenant ceremony are alluded to here? (For help, see Ex. 20:2; 24:3–11.)

2. In response to the people’s violation, God indicates he will destroy them and start over with Moses (32:7–10), but Moses intercedes and God relents (vv. 11–14). What are the two main reasons Moses gives for why God should relent? What is Moses primarily concerned with in this act of intercession?

3. Moses and Aaron are sharply contrasted in this chapter. First, whereas Moses led the people in the true covenant ceremony of chapters 19–24, here Aaron leads them in a mutated version, in 32:1–6. Second, Moses is singled out by God as the one to continue the covenant people (32:10), while Aaron is singled out twice as the one who allowed the covenant people to go astray (32:25, 35). Third, while Moses uses fire to destroy Israel’s idol (32:20), Aaron claims that it was the fire that produced the idol (32:24). These contrasts highlight Moses’ faithful role as Israel’s mediator in this chapter. In what ways do Moses’ actions here foreshadow the work of Jesus?

4. The killing of 3000 people in vv 27-28 is especially troubling to many modern readers. Theologian Douglas Stuart writes:
   
   At first glance it might seem that God was ordering the Levites to kill everyone else, but the wording is actually not intended to imply that. What the Levites were to do was to “go back and forth through the camp from one end to the other,” which means carefully and systematically approaching everyone and finding out whether or not they intend to return to Yahweh, abandoning their idolatry. Those found to be committed to idolatry must be killed. Those sorry for being caught up in it but now actively repenting must be spared.
   
   Even still, we recoil when God’s holiness is expressed in judgment. What does that indicate about us? Do you think it would be better for God to conform to our sensibilities, or for us to conform to his? Why?
   

5. In Exodus 32:30-32, Moses tries to make atonement for the sin of the people. How does this story prepare us for the coming of Jesus? (See Romans 3:23-26). Why is the atonement found in Jesus greater than the atonement offered by Moses, or in the Mosaic Law? (See Hebrews 9:11-15)
   

EASTER OUTREACH: Confirm if your group will host an Easter Egg Hunt on April 13th or 20th and identify one or two of your group members as the point-person(s) to coordinate event details with Lillian Parisher (Point person should email lparisher@vbcc.us by Wednesday, March 20th). Pray for other Christian neighbors who may need to connect with other believers and ask God to help you encourage them.

* Some questions adapted from Exodus: A 12 Week Study by M Newkirk, and New American Commentary: Exodus by Douglas Stuart

1. God clarifies and contextualizes the 10 commandments in chapters 21-23. Scan over those chapters and discuss ways that the laws apply to our current culture.

2. Read Exodus 24:3-8. Discuss the response of the people and the serious nature of the agreement.

3. Read Exodus 26:26-37 just to get a glimpse of the details outlined for God’s dwelling place. What do these details express about God’s character?

4. Read Exodus 29:38-46. This is just one excerpt on sacrificial laws to highlight what was necessary for the people to approach God. What emotions do you feel when you examine these details?

5. Jesus fulfilled the details on your behalf. Is your response to thank Him and obey the law joyfully, or do you still feel the need to perform the law to earn God’s favor?

Discuss and pray with your group about whether you will host a Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt. Pray for neighbors who may not yet be followers of Christ and ask God to guide you to know how and when you can shine a light in their world of darkness.

1. In introducing the Ten Commandments, God recalls what he has done for Israel (20:2) before calling them to obey him (20:3–17). Based on this, how should we understand the role of obedience in Israel’s relationship with God? How does this parallel the role of good works in relation to the good news of Jesus?

2. When Jesus was asked what the most important commandment is, he said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:37–39; see Deut. 6:5; Lev. 19:18). How are these two emphases—love for God and love for neighbor—reflected in the Ten Commandments?

3. Read Romans 7:7-12. What is the role of the commandment in the work of God’s dealing with our sin? What is the role of the Gospel (see Rom 7:24-8:4)?

4. Read Romans 13:8-10. How does this passage simplify the commandments? How does it intensify them?

5. Spend some time praying through the Ten Commandments as a group. Each person pick one commandment, and respond in prayer with:

   • PRAISE for the character of God reflected in the command.

   • CONFESSION of the ways we/I fall short of this particular command and fail to reflect God’s holy nature.

   • REPENTANCE in light of the forgiveness, security and freedom of Christ.

   • THANKSGIVING for the command and Christ’s fulfillment of it.

* Some questions adapted from Exodus: A 12-Week Study by Matthew R. Newkirk, Crossway.

1. Read Exodus 17:8-16. Israel’s battle against Amalek contains the last appearance of the “staff of God” (17:9), which was the instrument used to bring the plagues against Egypt (e.g., 4:17, 20; 7:17; 8:5, 16; 9:23), to part the Red Sea (14:16), and to bring water from the rock (17:5). What do these prior uses of the staff suggest about the nature of the battle that ensues?

2. At the Red Sea, God fought Egypt for Israel (14:14). At Rephidim, however, God fights Amalek through Israel (17:8–16). What might these two types of physical warfare illustrate for us concerning God’s role and our role in the spiritual battles we face today?

3. Read Exodus 18:1-12. How does Jethro’s worship of the LORD relate to God’s purposes for the exodus, expressed in Exodus 9:13-16?

4. Read Exodus 18:13-27 and Acts 6:1-7. In his book, Old Paths New Power, Daniel Henderson notes three essential tasks for spiritual leaders expressed in both pf these passages. Study the two passages and identify the following three items in each. What might stand in the way of Christian leaders following in these paths today?

   • Prayer

   • Teaching the word

   • Empowering gifted leaders

5. In Exodus 17-18, the success of God’s mission is contrasted with the weakness of God’s people. Why does God choose to work through our weaknesses? Take some time to share weaknesses with one another and pray together for God’s power to be evident in your lives.

* Some questions derived from Exodus: A 12-Week Study (Knowing the Bible). Crossway. by Matthew R. Newkirk

1. Read Ex. 16:1–5. These contain elements of sin, grace, and law. Identify each of these elements in the verses. Of the latter two, which comes first, grace or law? Why is this significant?

2. Twice in Exodus 16:6–8, Moses interprets the people’s grumbling against him and Aaron as grumbling against God. What does this suggest about the nature of Moses’ leadership over Israel? How does this then inform our understanding of the people’s actions in 16:19–20?

3. In Exodus 16:16–26, God gives the people instructions for how to gather the manna. They are to gather just enough for each day’s consumption, and enough on the sixth day for two days’ consumption. According to Moses’ later interpretation of this in Deuteronomy 8:2–3, what were these instructions supposed to teach Israel?

4. Read Exodus 17:1-7. Is this just another episode of grumbling for water? What does v7 suggest is the deeper sin problem?

5. Compare Ex. 15:25–26; 16:4, and 17:2, 7. How does the testing change in chapter 17? What is the significance?

6. Read Hebrews 3:7-13 – How do these verses help us apply the story of Exodus to our own lives today? Can you think of a way someone has effectively encouraged/exhorted you?  How did they do it?  Might you have opportunity to do the same for someone else this week?  Spend some time praying with one another.

Read Exodus 15:1-12. The majority of Israel’s song of praise recalls God’s destructive judgment against Israel’s enemies, as does the reprise of verse 21. How might we apply this emphasis to our understanding of our own salvation? For clarification, see Eph. 6:10–13.

Read Exodus 15:13-17. How do the themes of these verses relate to the verses in the first half of the song?

Moses sets his trajectory for the future based on God’s faithfulness in the past. What does this look like for the Christian? What future hopes to we await? How can we be sure they are secured for us? (For help, see 1 Peter 1:3-9, but only if you need help!)

After describing Israel’s future entry into the Promised Land (15:13–17), the song ends by proclaiming God’s everlasting kingship (15:18). Why might the song connect these two themes? What does this suggest about the nature of God’s kingship?

Take some time together as a group to RECOUNT graces from this past year and REJOICE in them through prayer or singing. Then, share what you anticipate for 2019 and pray for one another.

• Some questions adapted from EXODUS: A 12-WEEK STUDY by Matthew R. Newkirk

1. What do you love most about the Christmas season?  What do you find challenging?  

2. Read Exodus 12:3–13.  These verses contain a series of instructions for Israel to follow in preparing the Passover lamb. Why do you think God didn’t simply pass over the Israelite houses automatically? 

3. In Exodus 12:12, the Lord says Passover is a judgment ‘against all the gods of Egypt.’  What emotions might the Israelites have felt as they prepared for this highly unusual event, designed as an affront to Pharaoh’s authority and state religion?  

4. Read Heb 2:14-15.  How does Jesus’ death relate to our experience of God’s power?

5. In Exodus 12:13, the word translated ‘pass over’ can also be translated ‘hover/protect’.  Read John 16:6-7.  How does Jesus’ death relate to God’s remaining presence today?  

6. In what way does promise/fulfillment framework of Exodus contribute to the Passover story?  To Jesus’ story?  Why do you think God chooses to work in a promise/fulfillment framework, where promises often take a very long time to come to fruition?

7. Like Passover, Advent is a season of remembering God’s past work while also looking forward to promises yet to be fulfilled.  What promise are you most eager for Christ fulfill at his next coming?  

For more info on the American Dialectical Society’s ‘Word of the Year’, visit: https://www.americandialect.org/woty/all-of-the-words-of-the-year-1990-to-present

1. This morning we watched a video of the invisible gorilla experiment,where the distraction of passing balls can keep viewers from noticing a gorilla walk into view.  In real life, what distractions most often keep us from being aware of life’s biggest, most important things?

2. Read John 1:1-18, and mark any reference to light or seeing.  What does this passage have to say about spiritual sight as it pertains to Jesus?  To us?

3. In John 1:5-12, the theme of Light is prevalent, but there is no reference to seeing.  What verbs does John use instead of ‘see’ to describe how people interact with the light of Christ?  What do these verbs tell us about what it means to ‘see’?

4. John 1:19-34 is an account of John’s testimony.  According to v31, why did John come baptizing with water?

5. In John 1:34, what did John do before bearing witness?  What would it look like for us to follow his example this advent season?  To whom might you bear witness if the Lord opens your eyes to new spiritual realities?

6. End with a time of intercession and thanksgiving.  Consider singing a carol like “O Come All Ye Faithful”

Split into 4 groups.  Each group examine one of the 4 passages below.  If you don’t have enough people for 4 teams, you can cover fewer passages or have each group cover multiple passages. 

• 9:1-12

• 9:13-35

• 10:1-18

• 10:21-29

For each passage, locate the following, then come back together and share with one another:

• Purpose statements (“So that”, “in order that”, etc)

• Judgements (plagues)

• Examples of mercy in the midst of judgement

• Evidence of Pharaoh’s heart condition

Most people think of Jesus as focusing on the heart in a revolutionary way, vs the OT pattern of rules and regulations. What do we make of this constant narrative about the heart, before the law is given?

A hardened heart is one that does not listen, and does not let go.  When do you think it is hardest for you to listen or let go?  If you have a family member present, ask them to check your answer!

How is God portrayed as supremely sovereign in Exodus 11:1–3? What does he control? How does this inform our understanding of our own salvation?

Hebrews 3 is a chapter encouraging Christians to be soft-hearted.  What truths and commands does the author of Hebrews give to help us fight against hardened-heart-syndrome?