THE KEY TO THE BIBLE, STUDENT - 5th SESSION

GET ACQUAINTED - Ask the other half of the group to relate the story of their conversion or tell about their family/church background.

 

What insights did you bring to share?

 

THE COVENANTS

·        A covenant describes a relationship in terms of obligations, consequences and guarantees, much the same as a contract.  Its provisions were divinely imposed and were therefore nonnegotiable and unchangeable.  Human covenants were very common in Old Testament times and therefore were an easily understood concept through which God revealed His plans.  The connection between Christ and the covenants is seen in both the O.T. and N.T.  Isaiah, speaking of the coming Messiah says in Isa.49:8, "I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people."  In Malachi 3:1, God says, "and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple [quoted in Mt.11:10], and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold He is coming…"  In Zechariah's prophecy concerning the Messiah (Lk.1:72-73), His coming is "to show the mercy promised to our fathers; and to remember his holy covenant; the oath that He swore to our father Abraham."  Christ is at the heart of all the covenants because redemption is the unifying theme of the Bible.

·        Read the following covenants in preparation for a presentation in class: Adam - Gen.2:16-17; Noah - Gen. 9:8-17; Abraham - Gen.12:2-3; Moses (Israel) - Ex.19:3-6; David - 2 Sam.7:8-16; New Covenant - Jer.31:33-34.

CHRIST IN THE COVENANTS - OUTLINE [FOR TAKING NOTES]

·        Description of the Seed:

The Offspring that would be the Messiah-Savior

 

·        Identity of the Seed:

A.   Covenant with Adam

Gen.2:16-17

Who are the two parties?

What are the conditions or duties?

What is the guarantee or consequence?

Gen.3:15

Who are the two opposing groups?

What is the significance of the seed being "of a woman"?

What is the significance of her offspring being "he"?

Clue #1

B.   Covenant with Noah

Gen.9:8 - With whom did God make the covenant?

Gen.9:11 - What was the promise?

Gen.9:25-27 - What indicates that the "reversing of the curse" will come through Shem?

Clue #2

C.   Covenant with Abraham

Gen.12:2-3, 7; 17:4-8 - What are the promises?

Who are the three "referents" of the seed (offspring)?

Jn.8:31-33

Gal.3:16

Gal.3:29

Clue #3

Clue #4 Gen.17:19

Clue #5 Gen.26:3-4

Clue #6 Gen.49:10

D.   Covenant with David

2 Sam.7:12 - How would God build a house for David?

Heb. 3:5-6; I Pt.2:5 - Who/what is the house?

Clue #7

·        The Work of the Seed

E.   Covenant with Israel

Gal.3:24; Rom.5:20 - What was the role of the law?

F.    New Covenant

Heb.3:6 - Who inaugurated the New Covenant?

Heb.13:20 - How is the New Covenant described?

·        Covenant "Flags"

Term:

Phrase:

·        Condition for participation in the covenants:

What struck you in this lesson?

 

Further study

·        Reflect and comment on the following summations.  A summation is a conclusion rather than a synopsis of the preceding argument.

Rom.11:36

 

1 Cor.15:20-28

 

 

 

Look at the following verses and describe what they encompass - 1 Cor.8:6; Col.1:15-20; Eph.1:17-23; Rev.1:8 ["beginning and end" can also be translated "originator and culminator"]