The Letter to the Hebrews:
An Explanation of the Mechanism
of Our Salvation

The Letter to the Hebrews: An Explanation of the Mechanism of Our Salvation looks at the only book of the Bible to address how it is that Jesus Christ is able to accomplish the task of bringing about salvation to all humanity. This 18-lesson Catholic Bible study, written by Jennifer McGaw Phelps and Matthew Phelps, provides an in-depth look at how salvation works. The Letter to the Hebrews: An Explanation of the Mechanism of Our Salvation has been granted an imprimatur from the Most Reverend Richard E. Pates, bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Des Moines. It’s currently being expanded; the content will again be available for purchase in a different study at a later date. Please contact us if you’re interested in purchasing a digital copy of the existing study.

Meanwhile, if you already own a copy of The Letter to the Hebrews: An Explanation of the Mechanism of Our Salvation, you can check out our online study pages for additional commentary and to view the original video overviews for each lesson. A separate online page links to Revised Standard Version (Catholic Edition) cross references in the primary biblical text. The cross references can be accessed at the top of every supplemental study page for The Letter to the Hebrews: An Explanation of the Mechanism of Our Salvation. Additional videos about the foundation and role of the priesthood recorded at our 2016 summer Bible study retreat are linked on our video directory. Another resource is Turning to God’s Word co-founder Tami Palladino’s visual-meditation journal, which includes illustrations and personal reflections based on the Letter to the Hebrews: An Explanation of the Mechanism of Our Salvation. 

Following is a list of all the lessons in The Letter to the Hebrews: An Explanation of the Mechanism of Our Salvation, each linked to a corresponding study page with a free video overview.

Lesson 1 Superior to Angels*
Lesson 2 Like His Brethren in Every Respect
Lesson 3 More Glory Than Moses
Lesson 4 Rest for the People of God
Lesson 5 He Learned Obedience Through What He Suffered
Lesson 6 A Steadfast Anchor of the Soul
Lesson 7 Power of an Indestructible Life
Lesson 8 A Better Hope Is Introduced
Lesson 9 Enacted on Better Promises
Lesson 10 Mediator of the New Covenant
Lesson 11 By a Single Offering Perfected
Lesson 12 Let Us Draw Near with a True Heart
Lesson 13 By Faith, We Too Live
Lesson 14 Strangers & Exiles on the Earth
Lesson 15 Abuse Suffered for the Christ
Lesson 16 God Had Foreseen Something Better
Lesson 17 The Pioneer & Perfecter of Our Faith
Lesson 18 The Same Yesterday & Today & For Ever

*includes a sample lesson

check out all of our in-depth Catholic Bible studies

• You Shall Have No Other Gods: The Book of Exodus (2023)—an extensive look at how the second book of the Old Testament prefigures Christianity. Read the supplemental online study page and link to a video related to Lesson 1, “The More the People Are Oppressed, the More They Multiply.”
• The Revelation of Jesus Christ: The Faithful Witness (2022 revision)—an expanded study of the final book of the New Testament, including illustrations of images appearing throughout the biblical text, as well as relevant maps and an online glossary. Read the supplemental online study page and link to a video related to Lesson 1, “The Ruler of Kings on Earth.”
• Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption (2021) looks at biblical prophecy from the time of the Babylonian Exile through the book of Revelation. Read the supplemental online study page and link to a video related to Lesson 1, “How the Divided Kingdom Came to an End.”
• The Gospel According to John: An Encounter with Grace & Truth (2019 revision)—a study of the life of Jesus Christ presented in the Fourth Gospel. Read the supplemental online study page and link to a video related to Lesson 1, “In the Beginning Was the Word.”
• Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume I: A Kingdom Divided (2018)—a study of biblical prophecy from Creation until the Babylonian Exile. Read the supplemental online study page and link to a video related to Lesson 1, “The LORD Announces He Is About To Do a New Thing.”
• The United Kingdom of Israel: Saul, David & Solomon Foreshadow Christ the King (2017)—a study of the reigns of Saul, David, and Solomon. Read the supplemental online study page and link to a video related to Lesson 1, “God’s People Ask for a King.” The print version of this study is temporarily unavailable.
• In the Beginning: The Book of Genesis (2016)—a study of the first book of the Old Testament. Read the supplemental online study page and link to a video related to Lesson 1, “And God Said, Let There Be Light.”
• Sing a New Psalm: Communicating with God Through the Prayers of the Church—Volume I: Lauds & Vespers (2015)—a study of Psalms prayed for Lauds and Vespers using The Abbey Psalms and Canticles translation prepared by the Benedictine monks at Conception Abbey and published by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Read the supplemental online study page related to Lesson 1, “Set a Guard on My Mouth.” No videos accompany this Bible study. The print version of this study is temporarily unavailable. Sing a New Psalm: Communicating with God Through the Prayers of the Church—Volume II: Vigils, Day Prayer and Compline is scheduled for publication in late summer of 2025.
• The Letter to the Hebrews: An Explanation of the Mechanism of Our Salvation (2014)—a study of the Letter to the Hebrews. Read the supplemental online study page and link to a video related to Lesson 1, “Superior to Angels.” The print version of this study is temporarily unavailable.
• Scripture & the Rosary: New Testament Mysteries, Old Testament Parallels (2012)—a study of the biblical foundations of the Rosary in both the Old and New Testaments. This study has been converted to a digital version with the first six lessons available free year-round. The remaining 20 lessons, also now free, alternate throughout the year based on the liturgical season (the Joyful Mysteries during Advent and the Christmas season, the Sorrowful Mysteries during Lent, the Glorious Mysteries during the Easter season, and the Luminous Mysteries during Ordinary Time). No videos accompany this Bible study, but the study directory includes links to supplemental online study pages for posted lessons.
• Jesus’ Passion: The Story of Redemptive Suffering (2004; second edition 2014)—an in-depth explanation of the biblical accounts of Jesus’ Passion, death, and Resurrection. This Catholic Bible study, which has been granted an imprimatur, is based on Scripture and designed to be used with or without the film The Passion of the Christ. A free digital version of Jesus’ Passion: The Story of Redemptive Suffering is posted each year during Lent, along with supplemental study pages. No videos accompany this Bible study.