Crisis of Identity

• Lesson 1 for the week of March 27 to April 3

Read: Isaiah 1 and 5 Background Considerations The opening discussions about a biblical book always raise the issues of date, historical context, authorship, background, themes, general outline, etc. (see the earlier pages in this booklet)....

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Introduction to the Book of Isaiah

• Introduction

The Eighth-century Prophets Douglas R. Clark The prophets of the eighth century B.C.E. include Amos, Hosea, Isaiah and Micah. Recognized by many as the first of the “writing prophets” and among the most brilliant and…

The New-Covenant Life

• Lesson 12 for the week of March 22 to March 29

Relevant Biblical Passages: John 10:10; Romans 8; 1 John 1:1-4 The New Covenant Life: The final lesson in this series on covenant focuses on the quality of life which the believer can expect when one...

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Covenant Faith

• Lesson 11 for the week of March 15 to March 22

Relevant Biblical Passages: 1 Pet. 1:18-19 Covenant Faith: The lesson in the official study guide focuses on a faith growing out of a knowledge of the Jesus sacrifice. Interestingly enough, the opening paragraphs in the...

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New Covenant Sanctuary

• Lesson 10 for the week of March 8 to March 15

Relevant Biblical Passages: Hebrews 8-9 New Covenant Sanctuary. In the official study guide, the lesson emphasizes Jesus mediatorial. role in the heavenly sanctuary, a focus which highlights the sacrificial aspects of Jesus’ death. Thus blood,...

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The New Covenant

• Lesson 10 for the week of March 1 to March 8

Relevant Biblical Passages: Jer. 31:31-34; Heb. 8; 2 Cor. 3 The New Covenant. When the topic of the New Covenant comes up, it is important to remember that the key passage is found first in...

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Covenant Sign

• Lesson 9 for the week of February 22 to March 1

Relevant Biblical Passages: Exod. 31:12-16 Covenant Sign. In Exodus 31:12-16, the Sabbath is explicitly identified as a “sign” that God makes his people holy. It is significant that this sign is embedded in the decalogue....

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Covenant Law

• Lesson 8 for the week of February 15 to February 22

Relevant Biblical Passages: Deut 7:9; Matt. 7:12; 22:35-40; Rom. 13:8-10 Covenant Law. In some Christian traditions, especially those which place a heavy emphasis on Pauline theology, law and grace are sometimes seen as being antagonists:...

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Covenant at Sinai

• Lesson 7 for the week of February 8 to February 15

Relevant Biblical Passages: Exodus 19-20, 24; 32-34 Covenant at Sinai. In popular Protestant thinking, the covenant at Sinai is often contrasted with the New Covenant which is realized in Jesus. Because of the strong emphasis...

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Abraham’s Seed

• Lesson 6 for the week of February 1 to February 8

Relevant Biblical Passages: Gen 35:12, Deut. 28-29; Ezek. 16; Gal. 3 Abraham’s Seed. One of the most divisive issues in Christianity today is whether or not the church is to be seen as a “spiritual”...

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Children of the Promise

• Lesson 5 for the week of January 25 to February 1

Relevant Biblical Passages: Genesis 12:2, Galatians 3:28-29 Children of the Promise: Israel, the Nations, the Messiah. Christians see themselves as the true inheritors of the promise to the Abraham. From the New Testament evidence, one...

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An Everlasting Covenant

• Lesson 4 for the week of January 18 to January 25

Relevant Biblical Passages: Genesis 12:1-2; 15:7-18; 17; 18:19 An Everlasting Covenant: God’s Covenant with Abraham. In traditional Christian interpretation, especially those systems which contrast the Sinai covenant with the new covenant, it has often been...

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“All Future Generations”

• Lesson 3 for the week of January 11 to January 18

Relevant Biblical Passages: Genesis 6:18; 9:8-17 “All Future Generations” – God’s Covenant with Noah. The idea of “covenant” is one which is especially important to those who are gripped by the idea of divine sovereignty:...

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Covenant Primer

• Lesson 2 for the week of January 4 to January 11

Relevant Biblical Passages: Genesis 6:18, 17:2; Exodus 19:5; Jeremiah 31:31-34 Covenant Primer: Noah, Abraham, Sinai, David, New Covenant. At several specific points in human history, God has established a “covenant” with His people: With Noah...

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