Key Thought: Self-righteousness is referred to as the old covenant. The new covenant is the everlasting covenant of grace ultimately fulfilled in Christ.

[Teaching Plan for “The Two Covenants” November 30, 2011]

1. Have a volunteer read Galatians 4:21-23.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Why was the child born of the freewoman called the child of promise? And the child of the bondwoman called after the flesh?
C. Personal Application: What are some areas now where you have to reach out by faith and believe what seems impossible.
D. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “What then does it mean to be under the law? I thought everyone was under God’s law as the rule of His government? Aren’t we under the law today?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Galatians 4:24-26.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What is the focus of the two covenants spoken of here that shows their differences? Is this one covenant with two different understandings, two covenants given by promise from God, or two covenants with a focus on different performances and application?
C. Personal Application: Why is it so hard to trust everything to God’s promises, and so easy to try and bring about results by our own efforts? Do we really trust in miracles and His promises?
D. Case Study: One of your friends states, ”Is this speaking of Jerusalem in the Middle East and the Jews? Aren’t they still in bondage to the law? What does it mean that Jerusalem is above? Above what? What Jerusalem is this speaking of?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Galatians 4:27-29.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What does it mean that the desolation has many more children than she which has a husband?
C. Personal Application: Have you ever been persecuted for your faith in Christ? Was it physical, verbal, social, or economic? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “Yeah, Christians of all denominations throughout the world are being persecuted. We need to stick together against those who are against Christ and His people.” How do you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Galatians 4:30,31.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Why are the children of the bondwoman cast out? Why can’t they receive salvation with the children of the promise?
C. Personal Application: Have you ever “persecuted” anyone else because of their faith? Is it justifiable to do so against false religion? Share.
D. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Note: “Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.” MH p. 149)

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