Hebrews 6:1-20

What is the theme of this chapter?

Hebrews 5:11 through 6:20 is a parenthetical warning which blames the Hebrews for their dullness.

What is the key verse(s) of this chapter?  Verses 11-12

And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 

What can I apply to my life from this chapter (things to do/avoid)?

Judgment belongs to Hebrews who abandon Christ's salvation and return to Mosaic rudiments, but an application of the principle affects all who forsake the realities of spiritual experience for the rudiments of sacramental shadows.

Additional observations/questions:

Back to chapter two's question: "Verses 3 and 4 are the hardest verses for me to understand; is the audience unsaved Hebrews or slothful, believing Hebrews?  For now I'm leaning toward unsaved Hebrews, but maybe I'll change my mind as I study more of this book."  Two week's ago question:  "Have I come any closer to a conclusion on this?  Maybe the audience is neither.  Maybe it was just Hebrews who had believed Jesus Christ is the Messiah but now needed to understand all that the cross had accomplished, partly because Judaism as a religion (sacrifices, etc) was about to come to an end in 70 AD, but mostly because it was the next step in increasing their understanding.  I think McLean was probably right when he said, "...the book of Romans explains the cross to the body of Christ, Hebrews explains the cross to Israel."  Last week's observation:  Williams rather confirmed this interpretation this week.  Are he and McLean right?  This week's observation:  Williams and McLean are still pretty much on the same track, though Williams seems to be saying that the book of Hebrews was to bring the Hebrews from Judaism to Christianity (the Body of Christ); not sure Williams is saying this, though.

New question this week:  Everybody except McLean seems to be saying that this chapter is hypothetical.  I must confess it bothers me to read it hypothetically.  In view of the context, I'm not sure it's warranted.  But can McLean be right and EVERYBODY ELSE be wrong?  That bothers me, too.