Single lesson
Hebrews 1: The Supremacy of the Son
Hebrews 1:1–14
Hebrews 1 teaches that God has spoken by his Son and shows that the Son is greater than the angels. This lesson helps children notice the passage’s words about the Son and consider a fitting response.
Before you teach
The passage begins by contrasting God’s earlier speaking through the prophets with God’s speaking by his Son. It then gathers a series of statements about the Son’s greatness, lasting rule, and unchanging nature, while also showing that angels worship and serve.
Students will be able to name at least three truths from Hebrews 1 about the Son and describe one fitting response drawn from the passage.
Welcome: God has spoken by his Son
5 minAsk children to think of different ways messages can be given. Then show that Hebrews says God spoke in the past through the prophets, and in these days has spoken by his Son. Introduce the lesson focus: this passage gives strong reasons to pay close attention to what it says about the Son.
Hebrews 1:1, Hebrews 1:2
Read and explain: What does the passage say about the Son?
8 minRead the opening verses slowly. Help children list the descriptions given here: the Son is heir of all things, God made the worlds through him, he is the radiance of God’s glory, the very image of his substance, and he upholds all things by the word of his power. The passage also says that when he had by himself purified us of our sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
Hebrews 1:2, Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 1:4
Discuss: How is the Son different from angels?
6 minRead the verses about angels and the Son. Point out that the passage asks what God ever said to an angel, then gives words spoken about the Son instead. Angels worship him and are servants, while the Son is addressed with an everlasting throne and sits at God’s right hand.
Hebrews 1:5, Hebrews 1:6, Hebrews 1:7, Hebrews 1:8, Hebrews 1:9, Hebrews 1:13, Hebrews 1:14
Make and respond: Reminder card
7 minChildren choose a key verse or phrase from the passage and make a small reminder card. Encourage them to pick one truth such as ‘has spoken to us by his Son’ or ‘you are the same’. After making the card, each child says one sentence about why that truth is important in this passage.
Hebrews 1:2, Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 1:12
Closing: The Son remains the same
4 minFinish by reading the final part aloud. Explain that the heavens and earth can grow old and be changed, but the Son remains the same and his years will not fail. Review by asking children to name one truth about the Son and one fitting response, such as honour, worship, or careful attention to God’s speaking by his Son.
Hebrews 1:10, Hebrews 1:11, Hebrews 1:12, Hebrews 1:6
Questions to explore
According to Hebrews 1:1 and Hebrews 1:2, what contrast does the passage make between God’s earlier speaking and God’s speaking by his Son?
Use the words of the passage: ‘in the past’ through the prophets, and ‘in these days’ by his Son.
Hebrews 1:1, Hebrews 1:2
Which descriptions in Hebrews 1:2 and Hebrews 1:3 show the greatness of the Son?
Choose directly from the verses, such as heir of all things, through whom God made the worlds, radiance of glory, very image of his substance, or upholding all things.
Hebrews 1:2, Hebrews 1:3
What details in Hebrews 1 show that the Son is greater than the angels?
Compare what the angels do with what is said about the Son: angels worship and serve, while the Son has an everlasting throne and sits at God’s right hand.
Hebrews 1:6, Hebrews 1:8, Hebrews 1:13, Hebrews 1:14
Make, think or respond
Supremacy Reminder Card
What you’ll need
- Card or paper
- Pencils or pens
- Crayons or markers
- Bible
Try it together
- Read Hebrews 1:2, Hebrews 1:3, and Hebrews 1:12 aloud again.
- Let each child choose one phrase or verse to copy onto a small card.
- Ask them to add a simple drawing or border that matches the truth in the verse.
- Invite each child to show the card and say one sentence about what it teaches about the Son.
This activity helps children focus on one clear statement from Hebrews 1 and remember the passage’s teaching about the Son.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, offer two short verse choices only, such as Hebrews 1:2 or Hebrews 1:6, and help them copy just one key phrase.
- For older or more confident children, ask them to sort statements in the passage into two groups, truths about the Son and truths about angels, and explain their choices from the verses.
An optional closing prayer
Suggested prayer: ‘Father, thank you for speaking by your Son. Please help us remember what this passage says about him and respond with honour. Amen.’
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Hebrews 1
1 God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,
2 has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds.
3 His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, who, when he had by himself purified us of our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high,
4 having become as much better than the angels as the more excellent name he has inherited is better than theirs.
5 For to which of the angels did he say at any time, “You are my Son. Today I have become your father?” and again, “I will be to him a Father, and he will be to me a Son?”
6 When he again brings in the firstborn into the world he says, “Let all the angels of God worship him.”
7 Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his servants a flame of fire.”
8 But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your Kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated iniquity; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.”
10 And, “You, Lord, in the beginning, laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the works of your hands.
11 They will perish, but you continue. They all will grow old like a garment does.
12 You will roll them up like a mantle, and they will be changed; but you are the same. Your years won’t fail.”
13 But which of the angels has he told at any time, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet?”
14 Aren’t they all serving spirits, sent out to do service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.