Key Thought : Both the Old and New Covenants are a restatement of the covenant of grace in which salvation is given to sinners through faith in Christ’s atoning sacrifice.

[Lesson plan for Christ, the Law and the Covenants June 2, 2014]

1. Have a volunteer read Genesis 9:12-17.

a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
b. How does the rainbow show that God’s covenant with mankind was an eternal, or unchangeable covenant?
c. Personal Application: What do you think of when you see the rainbow in the sky? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “Why did God flood the earth instead of forgiving mankind through grace anyway? The rainbow can remind us of God’s grace, but it also can remind us that He flooded the earth and destroyed almost all mankind.” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Galatians 3:15-19.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
b. What law was added because of transgressions? How does it relate to the covenant confirmed by God in Christ to Abraham?
c. Personal Application: Why was the law added until Christ came? If the law cannot annul the promise, does the promise annul the law? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “If Jesus confirmed the covenant by His death, then nothing could be added or subtracted after He died. So the New Covenant must have been established before Jesus died. What does that mean to us?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

3. Have a volunteer read Hebrews 10:14-18.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. What does it mean that by one offering He has perfected those who are sanctified?
c. Personal Application: How is God’s law hidden in your heart and mind? What does this mean? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study: One of your friends states, “If Jesus died for our sins once and there is no more offering for sin, then all we have to do is accept Jesus. Then we are eternally safe. We don’t need to worry about our sins anymore. We are safe in Jesus.” How would you respond to your friend?

4. Have a volunteer read Hebrews 9:15-17.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. God’s covenant was by promise and given to Abraham, and yet here it says it didn’t go into effect until Christ died. How did Christ’s death establish God’s covenant with Abraham?
c. Personal Application: How do we keep our focus on Christ’s sacrifice and not on our own obedience and actions for salvation? Share your thoughts.
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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