TRINITY 10 – Sunday, August 20, 2017
Liturgical Colour: GREEN
1030 Hrs: Pre-Service Bible Study 34
Conductor: Mrs. Ijeoma Chuks-Okoye
SUB-THEME: PREREQUISITES FOR HEALING THE LAND
TOPIC: Keeping God’s Covenant.
TEXT: Exod. 19:5-8; Heb. 9:11 – 15.
AIM: To
* be able to explain the word “covenant”;
* understand the different types and their implications to our faith;
* harvest the benefits of keeping God’s covenant.
INTRODUCTION
The word ‘covenant’ means mutual agreement between two or more parties. In the Old Testament, it is an agreement between God and His people Israel. It stipulates that if the Israelites will do according to all the commandments of God, He will bless them and subdue their enemies before them, Exod.19:5-8. In the New Testament, the covenant is between God and all who believe in the Lordship of Jesus Christ (Luke 22:19-20; Heb. 9:11-15). Old Testament covenants were often enacted by means of the blood of animals while the NT covenant was enacted with the blood of Jesus. Covenants move God to act in man’s favour.
QUESTION FOR DISCUSSION
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- Explain the word “covenant” in your own words.
- Discuss the different types of covenants from Gen 9: 8-11, 16; Exod. 24:8; 15:26.
- Enumerate the details of God’s covenant in the Old and New Testaments. Deut 5:2-22; Heb 8:7-10; 9:11-15.
- Enumerate the blessings that follow when we keep God’s covenant in our lands, according to Deut.28:1-14; Exod. 19:5, 6.
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- What are the consequences of breaking God’s covenant? 1 Kings 11:4 – 11.
- What will help Christians to keep God’s covenant? John 14:15; 15:4, 5.
CONCLUSION
God is the God of covenant who makes and keeps covenant with His people. Men and women may enter into covenants with Him. Indeed, all who have believed in Christ Jesus have entered into a covenant relationship with Him. May we build our faith, knowledge and determination to keep and sustain our covenant with Him! He hates the breaking of covenant. We should avoid breaking covenant with God.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Keeping covenant with God helps us to realize or achieve our destiny.
MEMORY VERSE: Exodus 19: 5 – Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine.