COVENANT lecture 5

How do we practically live a “holy life”? Today’s lesson will involve wrestling with some real-life issues so we can begin to be open to practicing “dying to self.” The first part of the lecture involves our study groups taking on specific scenarios and talking through responses. You might want to read through the scenarios (listed below) and come up with your own answer before listening to the lecture. The second half of the time will be lecture with visuals (also included below)

Exercise:

Choose a scenario from below and put it on as if this has happened to you. First answer with your initial reaction – what do you feel you want to do to make the situation better or even go away? Then answer with a covenantal response–how can you act as an image bearer, a treasured possession and a holy people in this situation? Base this answer on all we’ve learned about identity and status, about defense and strength, about Torah and benevolent instruction for participating in God’s holy life.

Scenario #1:  Your child, or student you mentor and have poured your life into, makes a life choice that goes against everything you’ve taught them and what you understand the Bible to teach.

Scenario #2:  Your spouse or parent or best friend has betrayed you by giving to another what has been promised to you–a month-long vacation for which you have rearranged your schedule a year ago, have bought the clothes and set up people to take over daily chores at home and work, and have talked about it ad nauseam to everyone you know, so that your friends just threw a big surprise “bon voyage” party for you.

Scenario #3: A colleague has stolen the credit for the project you have worked on diligently for a year and has implied that you were uncooperative and undermining of her/his efforts.

Scenario #4: Your group of friends, with whom you have shared both the little victories and hurts of your life, as well as the momentous ones, went on a trip of a lifetime together without inviting you. In fact, you learned about it on Facebook.

To listen to the lecture, “The Sacrifice of Covenant: Dying to Live,” click below:

For outline notes:

COVENANT Lecture 5

For visuals:

covenant visuals