10: The Two Covenants - Discussion starters

The common view of law and grace. Many Christians accept only the New Testament as the basis for their belief in the gospel of Jesus. How do these Christians view the giving of the law on Mt. Sanai? What is wrong about this approach to salvation? The two covenants, your lesson declares, are not linked to eras of time. What attitudes, then must the these covenants represent to all believers?
Covenant basics. True or False: God’s promise to deliver a coming Redeemer was the gift of the covenant of creation. Explain your answer. True or False: The basis of this covenant was “Obey and live!” If obedience to God was Adam and Eve’s natural inclination, why did they disobey and go against their natural desires? What role does the Savior play in restoring to mankind their lost relationship with God?
The Abrahamic covenant. In Genesis 12:1-5, what were the terms of agreement that God offered to Abraham? Why do these verses qualify as on of the fiercest and most powerful messages of all Scripture? Was Abraham a man of faith? What is the significance of Abraham’s passing through the pieces of slaughtered animals? If Abraham was a “man of faith,” why did he question God’s promises to him?
Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar. Explain in clear and simple language the two covenants described in Galatians 4:21-31. Or is that possible? Sarai had a plan. An ingenious plan, one that Abraham accepted. What was that plan? And its result? “Circumstances,” our lesson writer suggests, “required enormous faith that resulted in the birth of Isaac.” Share, if you can, an experience in your life when you made a promise to God but didn’t fulfill it. What is the result of such a course of action?
Hagar and Mt. Sanai. Your lesson author states, “God desired to share the same covenant relationship with the children of Israel at Sinai that He shared with Abraham.” Was God’s desire fully met? Did God simply ask His people to do certain things and enjoy the merits of salvation? How do we explain our acceptance of the gospel as a response to God’s blessings rather than a reason for receiving them?
Ishmael and Isaac today. Legalists, Paul said, are not the sons of Abraham–even though they followed the rite of circumcision–but are illegitimate sons, like Ishmael. What is the negative effect about being a true descendent of Abraham? How can a true Christian accept all that the gospel contains and still be misunderstood and even persecuted? Can we even get in trouble with fellow believers in the Seventh-day Adventist church by doing what our faith leads us to do? What should we do about that?

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10: The Two Covenants – Discussion starters

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