Breaking Ground
Who is your oldest friend? How did you meet & what’s kept you connected over the years?
The Dig
This Sunday, we began our new series Covenantal, where we’re exploring the major covenants that God makes with Creation & humanity across the biblical story.
Begin by reflecting on the term covenant.
What first comes to mind when you hear covenant? What associations do you have with this word? Where do you see covenants still being formed today?
In Scripture, covenant refers to a formal agreement from the Ancient World. In particular, the biblical covenants reflect, reorient, & subvert the structure of ancient covenants made between a King & Vassal (a weaker kingdom seeking to gain protection or aid). Usually, these covenants were comprised of three key components:
- A promise of blessing from the King (protection, peace, etc).
- A series of commitments from the Vassal (paying taxes, following the King’s laws, providing troops for the King’s army, etc).
- A sign that sealed the covenant (usually involving both parties walking through two pieces of a sacrificed animal).
What stands out to you about these covenantal agreements? What power dynamics seem to have been involved? What sort of relationship does it establish between the two parties?
The first time that this covenantal structure appears in Scripture is within the Creation Accounts of Genesis 1 & 2; where, despite never directly mentioning the term covenant, we find the framework of God’s own form of covenant making that will appear across the rest of the Bible.
Read Genesis 1:1-2:3, 2:4-9, & 2:15-17. Next, reflect on where this framework of covenant making appears within these two creation accounts.
Who is the King & Vassal in these Creation Accounts? What promise & blessing does the King provide? What commitments are asked of the Vassal in return? What sign is given to seal the covenant? HINT: the 7th Day in the first Creation Account.
How does this account both reflect & subvert those other covenants from Israel’s Ancient World? What differs in terms of the relationship it establishes between God as King & humanity as His subjects?
What does this Creation Covenant reveal about the character of God & original vision or purpose of humanity? How can it guide us in living our lives today?
Getting Out of the Hole
Take time each week to reflect upon the Covenant explored in the Sunday sermon.
- Read Genesis 1:1-2:15. What does God provide in this account? Does He require anything from humanity before doing so? What does this reveal about God’s character?
- What relationship does humanity have with God at the beginning? What does God ask them to do? How does this inform who we are & what God created us to do?
- What sign does God use to seal the Covenant in this Creation Account? What does this reveal about God’s intentions for both us & Creation?
Journal about how this prayer practice makes you feel this week. Share your experience with your group next week.
Additional Resources*
Centered Set Church by Mark D. Baker
Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer
TheBibleProject.com
Coming Up This Week:*
September 13th: Join us next Sunday as we continue our series Covenantal!
* Please see mye3.org for details.