1. The Big Picture
Covenants of Promise

2. ~ Alister McGrath, Surprised by Meaning, Conclusion
“The Christian way of seeing things makes cognitive and existential sense of reality, offering us a powerful, persuasive, and attractive account of ourselves and our universe. Christianity does not simply make sense to us; it also makes sense of us. It positions us in the great narrative of cosmic history and locates us on a mental map of meaning. It offers us another way of seeing things, offers us another way of living, and invites us to share these.”
~ Alister McGrath, Surprised by Meaning, Conclusion

3. ~ Stanley Hauerwas & William Willimon, Resident Aliens, ch. 5
“Christian ethics is about following this Jew from Nazareth, being a part of his people. Therefore, this ethics will probably not make much sense unless one knows that story, sees that vision, is part of that people. … It is not something that comes naturally. It can only be learned.”
~ Stanley Hauerwas & William Willimon, Resident Aliens, ch. 5

4. The Covenants
Watch & Discuss

5. Covenants of Promise OT (2Co 1:20) (Eph 1:3) Adam Hos 6:7 1Co 15:45
Col 3:9-11
Noah
Gen 6:18
1Pe 3:18-22
2Pe 2:5, 9
Abraham
Gen 12:1-3
Gal 3:16
Gal 3:7
Israel
Exo 19:5-6
Mat 5:17-18
1Pe 2:9-10
David
2Sa 7:12-13
Rev 5:5
Rom 8:16-17
“… you were at that time … strangers to the covenants of promise …. But now in Christ Jesus you … have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace” (Eph 2:12-14).

6. Covenants of Promise
God always takes the initiative, electing and calling by grace (Rom 11:29).
Individuals are called into covenant with God to a life of faith and fidelity (Rom 4).
Election is individual and collective (Eph 1:3-4).
Covenant history is your history (Heb 8:8-12).

7. – Everett Ferguson, The Church of Christ 1-2
“God initiates the covenant relationship in calling a people; God rules in the affairs of human beings for the redemptive purpose of saving a people; God anoints (selects and empowers) his chosen representatives to lead his people; and God’s goal is to build a community of people who acknowledge him as their God.”
– Everett Ferguson, The Church of Christ 1-2

8. Three Big Questions How is God revealing himself?
How does this make sense of us?
Where do you stand in this story?

9. The Big Picture
Covenants of Promise