BIBLE READING PLAN: 40 DAYS ON COVENANT

Transcription

1 PRODUCED (2011) BY THE SALVATION ARMY AUSTRALIA SOUTHERN TERRITORY CORPS PROGRAMME DEPARTMENT SALVATIONARMY.ORG.AU/CORPSRESOURCES BIBLE READING PLAN: 40 DAYS ON COVENANT

2 Notes

3 Notes BIBLE READING PLAN: 40 DAYS ON COVENANT THE COVENANT-MAKING, COVENANT-KEEPING GOD In the Ancient Near East covenants were a way people solidified relationships and responsibilities. When God met with people and formed covenants with them, he was using a form of agreement which they were very familiar with. There were various kinds of covenant, usually with attached benefits and penalties; much like the blessings and curses that appear in the Mosaic Covenant. One of the key threads that run through the bible are the various covenants that God made with various people, including Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, David, and the New Covenant in Jesus Christ. The bible shows God both making and keeping covenant with people that he chose. This bible reading plan focuses on the Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic and the New Covenants and shows how the earlier covenants are all fulfilled in Jesus Christ, and in the New Covenant.

4 Day 37 The Certainty of God s Promise Read Hebrews 6 Contemplate What does this passage say about the certainty of God s promise? What is the relationship of faith to the certainty of God s promises? How do we maintain covenant faithfulness? Is there any chance at all that God will not do what he has sworn by himself to do? Day 38 Jesus, High-Priest of the New Covenant Read Hebrews 8 Contemplate How does this passage show that Jesus fulfils the Mosaic covenant? How are the terms of the new covenant different from the old? What does this passage say about the relationship between promises and covenant? Day 39 Sacrifice Under the New Covenant Read Hebrews 9 Contemplate How does this passage show about how the sacrifices in the old covenant are fulfilled in Jesus? What does this passage say about the permanence of the effectiveness of Jesus sacrifice? Under what circumstances then, might the covenant-relationship with God be damaged? Day 40 The New Covenant in Action Read Hebrews 11:1 12:3 Contemplate What does this passage tell us about the importance of faith for maintaining covenant-faithfulness? How does this passage sum up the covenants God made with the people of Israel? What does it mean that These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect (11:39-40)?

5 Day 32 Abraham Was Justified By Faith Read Romans 4 Contemplate To what does this passage attribute Abraham s righteousness? Was Abraham justified with God before or after circumcision (see Days 1 to 4)? How did Abraham obtain the promises from God? How are we called to follow in Abraham s footsteps? What does this tell us about a continuity between the covenant with Abraham and the new covenant? How does the new covenant fulfil, and upgrade the covenant with Abraham? Day 33 The Way of Righteousness Read Romans 9 Contemplate What does this passage tell us about the way to be righteous, and remain in covenant relationship with God? How does Paul say the Jews missed the mark? How does God want both Jew and Gentile to be in covenant relationship with him? Day 34 God s Call is Irrevocable Read Romans 11 Contemplate Has God rejected Israel? Will God break his covenant with them? What is the relationship of Gentiles to the Jews in the covenant structure? Under what terms will the branches that have been broken off, be grafted back in? Is God going to fulfil his covenant with Israel? Day 35 The Greater Glory of the New Covenant Read 2 Corinthians 2:12-3:18 Contemplate How does Paul compare the old covenant with the new covenant? How do you think the Spirit brings freedom under the new covenant, compared to the law (letter) bringing death? How do you think the transformation described in verse 18 might be linked to the Sermon on the Mount s emphasis on heart-attitudes, and the promise of the law being written on our hearts? Day 36 Those Who Have Faith Are Children of Abraham Read Galatians 3 Contemplate How does Paul link the new covenant to Abraham? How is faith and life in the Spirit different to observance of the Law? How does the new covenant fulfil the promises to Abraham? How does Paul show that the covenant with Abraham is fulfilled in Christ? What makes a person an inheritor of the promises made to Abraham? GOD S COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM Day 1 God Calls Abram Read Genesis 12:1-9 Contemplate What did God call Abram to do? Are there any conditions on God blessing Abram? Are the blessings only for Abram, or is God hinting at a bigger plan? What is Abram s response to God s call? What can we learn from the way God approached Abram and Abram s response? What can we learn about the purpose of blessing? Day 2 God Gives the Land to Abram Read Genesis 13:14-18 Contemplate How does this promise from God differ or expand on the promises made in Genesis 12:1-9? How does God expect Abram to live knowing that the land would be his? Day 3 God Makes a Covenant with Abram Read Genesis 15:1-21 Contemplate What does God tell Abram will happen in the years to come? Does God require anything of Abram in this covenant, are their any conditions? The passing of the blazing torch between the halves of the animals by God indicates that God will take on any penalties or curses that would eventuate from the breaking of this covenant. What does this tell us about the character of God that he would take those curses on? Day 4 The Covenant of Circumcision is Instituted Read Genesis 17:1-27 Contemplate How long is this covenant going to last? Does God put a limit on it? What conditions does God now introduce to the relationship? What are the penalties for breaking the covenant by not being circumcised? What does the renaming of Abram and Sarai indicate? Day 5 God Tests Abraham Read Genesis 22 Contemplate How must Abraham have felt when God asked him to sacrifice the son that he and Sarah had waited so long to have? How confused do you think you would be if God wanted to take away the very thing that he had promised you? What does God s test of Abraham reveal about the priority he places on obedience? What relationship do you think obedience has to covenant?

6 Day 6 God Gives Isaac the Promises He Made to Abraham Read Genesis 26:1-5, Contemplate What does God promise Isaac, Abraham s son? Is this the same as what he promised Abraham? What does God say about the way Abraham kept covenant? What happens when Abimelek sees that God has blessed Isaac? How do you think this relates to God s promise to Abraham that all peoples on earth will be blessed through you (Gen 12:3)? Day 7 God Gives Jacob the Promises He Made to Abraham Read Genesis 28:11-22 Contemplate What does God promise Jacob, Abraham s grand-son? Is this the same as what he promised Abraham and Isaac? Does God put any conditions on Jacob? What is Jacob s response to God s promises? Day 8 God Gives Jacob a New Name Read Genesis 32:22-30 Contemplate Jacob means supplanter. What is the significance of Jacob s new name, Israel? What affect does this meeting with God have on Jacob? How can we begin to see God s promises to Abraham being fulfilled in the name God gives to Jacob? Day 9 God Confirms the Promises to Jacob Read Genesis 35:9-15 Contemplate How many times has God now told Abraham and his descendants about the covenant and the promises? What does this tell us about God s determination to do what he has said he will do, even across many generations? Day 10 Jacob Blesses His Children Read Genesis 49:1 50:14 Contemplate How can we begin to see the promises to Abraham being fulfilled in his great-grandchildren? How is what God told Abraham would happen to his family in Genesis 15 starting? Day 28 Jesus Came to Fulfil the Law I Read Matthew 5:17-6:4 Contemplate In what way does Jesus not abolish the law but rather fulfil it? Does this passage read similarly to the law in Exodus? How does Jesus fulfil the old law by requiring not only external compliance, but inward heart-change as well? How does this inner change relate back to Jeremiah s prophecy of a covenant where the laws are written on people s hearts? Day 29 Jesus Came to Fulfil the Law II Read Matthew 6:5-7:29 Contemplate Given the background of God expecting certain behaviour from his people when they are in covenant with him, do you think that Jesus expects people under the new covenant to obey his teaching in the Sermon on the Mount? How seriously should we take Jesus statements in Matthew 7:13-27? Does this indicate something about how the new covenant functions? Does Jesus mention any penalties for non-compliance? Day 30 Jesus Indicates The Price of the New Covenant Read Luke 22:7-38 Contemplate Similarly to the covenant with Abraham, where God took on himself the curses of the covenant if it were broken, how does this passage show Jesus taking on the curses of the covenant being broken? What does this mean for our security under the new covenant? If Jesus blood has been shed once and for all, can we now break covenant with him? Day 31 The Terms of the Covenant For Gentiles Read Acts 15:1-21 Contemplate In the early church there was much controversy over whether Gentile Christians should be circumcised and made to obey the Mosaic Law. What does this passage show us was the conclusion of that debate? Are Gentiles required to observe the Law given to Moses? What requirements are given to Gentiles? What is the link between circumcision and faith? Why do you think it was sufficient that God had purified their hearts by faith? In what way was circumcision a symbol of purification by faith?

7 Day 24 The Breadth of the New Covenant Read Isaiah 49 Contemplate To which people groups does God say the new covenant will apply? What will be the outcome of the new covenant? What blessings are described? Although God is promising a new covenant, does he say that the old covenant is out of date? Is there any indication God will cease to be faithful to the old covenant? On what basis does God say that the people s hope in him will be vindicated? What does this show us about God as covenant-maker and covenant-keeper? Day 25 The Graciousness of the New Covenant Read Isaiah 55 Contemplate What does it mean to buy without cost? How is this a picture of grace? How is grace something where God s thoughts are not our thoughts, nor God s ways are our ways? What kind of new covenant is God going to make? How long will the new covenant last? How will the new covenant be like the covenant with David? To which people groups will the new covenant apply? What does this new covenant reveal about the character of God? Day 26 God Will Be Shepherd To His People Read Ezekiel 34 Contemplate In the Old Testament, the term Shepherd is used to describe human leaders who God has put over his people. What does God say about the leaders who have been over his people? How does God intend to replace those leaders? How will God shepherd his people? What does God expect of his sheep? Who will God place over his sheep? How does this link with the Davidic covenant? What will be the blessings of the new covenant? Day 27 Jesus, Son of David, Son of Abraham Read Matthew 1 Contemplate Why do you think Matthew is at such pains to show that Jesus was the descendant of both Abraham and David? How do you think this links with the covenants with Abraham and David? In what ways do you think Jesus fulfils the covenant with Abraham? What about the covenant with David? GOD S COVENANT WITH ISRAEL AT SINAI Day 11 God Gives Moses the Law I Read Exodus Contemplate What does God promise Israel if they keep his covenant? What do you think of Israel responding that they will do all that God commands them? What will it mean to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation? What would that look like? If a priest is an intermediary between God and humanity, what is the significance of holiness (observance of the law) for that role? Day 12 God Gives Moses the Law II Read Exodus Contemplate Given that slavery was very normal in the Ancient Near East, why do you think issues of justice like slavery were something that God felt the need to regulate? How significant is it that God gave slaves rights under the law? How is breaking the law coupled with covenant curses (or consequences)? Day 13 God Gives Moses the Law III Read Exodus Contemplate How many of these laws are about personal sin, how many about social responsibility and living well with others? Why do you think God had to institute people resting in law? How does this relate to justice and mercy? Why do you think God put festivals into law? Day 14 The Blessings and Curses of the Covenant Read Deuteronomy 27:1-31:29 Contemplate On what basis does God pronounce these blessings and curses? To whom does this covenant, its blessings and curses apply to? What benefit do you think there was in renewing the covenant? Day 15 The Israelites Receive the Promised Land Read Joshua 21 Contemplate How does this passage show the fulfilment of God s promises to Abraham? What does this show us about God as a covenant-keeper?

8 Day 16 Joshua Renews the Covenant Read Joshua 24 Contemplate This passage shows the covenant being renewed again. What value do you think there is in going back over the terms of the covenant? What assistance would it be to the people to have memorials set up to remind people of the covenant with God? Day 17 Daniel Asks God to Be Faithful to the Covenant Read Daniel 9:1-19 Contemplate In the book of Daniel the people of Israel have been taken into captivity in Babylon. What reason does Daniel give for the people being punished in this way? What remedy does Daniel believe will bring about an end to the exile? How is the covenant giving Daniel hope that God will show mercy on Israel? Day 20 The Terms of the Covenant With David Read Psalm 89 Contemplate What does this Psalm say about the terms of the covenant with David? What will happen if his descendants rebel against God? Will God ever break this covenant? This Psalm was written during a period where the Davidic line appeared to have failed. How then does the covenant with David give the Psalmist hope and basis to pray for the restoration of the Davidic monarchy? Day 21 The Psalmist Calls On God to Remember David Read Psalm 132 Contemplate Why do you think the Psalmist is appealing to God on the basis of the covenant? What can we learn about prayer from this Psalm, using covenant as a basis for determining the will of God? Day 22 God Promises Restoration GOD S COVENANT WITH DAVID Day 18 God Makes a Covenant With David Read 2 Samuel 7 Contemplate What does God promise to David? Are there any conditions on God s promises to David? How long does God say that the house of David will rule for? Day 19 Israel and Judah Have Been Unfaithful Read Jeremiah 3:6-4:4 Contemplate What does this passage reveal about how God feels about people breaking covenant with him? What does God want people to do after being told of their unfaithfulness? What does God say the outcome of faithfulness will be? What does God say the outcome of unfaithfulness will be? How are the blessings and curses of both the Mosaic and Davidic covenants shown here? Read Jeremiah 33 Contemplate How does this passage show God being faithful to his covenant commitments? How does it show him being faithful to the Mosaic covenant? And the Davidic covenant? To what fixed things does God compare his covenant with Israel and Judah? Is there, therefore, anything that would lead God to completely break covenant with people? THE NEW COVENANT IN JESUS CHRIST Day 23 God Promises a New Covenant Read Jeremiah 31:31-37 Contemplate How will the new covenant be different from the old covenants? How permanent is God s commitment to Israel? Is there anything that they could do to be permanently put out of favour with God? What then is the basis of their relationship with God?