
I AM…Promising - Message Study Questions
Message Summary
The Old and New Testaments are two different dispensations, two different periods of time when God’s relationship with humanity changed as God progressively revealed His plan for the redemption of humankind. A Biblical covenant establishes a specific relationship between God and his people and forms the unifying thread of God’s saving action through Scripture. Three of the four covenants God made with Israel are unconditional; that is, regardless of Israel’s obedience or disobedience, God promises to fulfill these covenants with Israel.
One of the covenants, the Mosaic Covenant, given in this passage, is conditional in nature. It brings either blessing or cursing, depending on Israel’s obedience or disobedience. The purpose of the Law was not to grant salvation by doing good works; the Law was given in order to pave the way for salvation. The Mosaic Law revealed the righteousness and holiness of God as well as His standard of righteousness for His people—the sinfulness of people. This failure to be able to uphold every law revealed the need for a savior.
Jesus Himself was hidden within the Law, the sacrificial system and the tabernacle, and ready to be revealed at His coming. Jesus kept the law perfectly. He was “God with us,” and he was the perfect sacrificial lamb to pay for the sins of the world. Now we are living in a different dispensation, the New Testament/New Covenant, where we are saved by grace, living in grace by the power of the Holy Spirit and awaiting the next covenant—the redemption of our bodies and the return of Jesus.
What would you rather do, ask for help, or try to do it yourself? How do these attitudes play out when it comes to being a Christian and living the Christian life?
What is a covenant? How is marriage a covenant?
Consider This
The covenants of God with man in the Old Testament lead us to the redemptive plan of His people through Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. The “New Covenant” reconciled God and man once and for all and is permanent.
What are the qualifications for being a part of the permanent New Covenant? What are the benefits of this covenant?
What did God tell Moses to say to the people of Israel in Exodus 19:3-6?
How d
How do we put distance between ourselves and God? (Isaiah 59:2)
What “gods” to people place before God in our society today? Is there one with which you struggle?
What is the difference between putting something as a god before God and making an idol or an image and then worshiping the thing you made?
Read Exodus 20:7. What does that mean to you? How do people sometimes misuse the name of God?
How is the Sabbath to be honored according to Exodus 20:6-11? Why do most Christians no longer strictly follow this command? (See Mark 16:9, Acts 20:7 and Colossians 2:16-23)
How are the commandments in Exodus 20:13-17 summarized in Romans 13:8-9? How does this apply to us today?
Moving Forward – Application
Healthy relationships and covenant-keeping are matters of the heart. Take some time and look deeply into your heart with God’s help. What are the deep issues that need God’s healing?
What one instruction from God do you want to make a specific effort to obey more consistently this week?
What steps could you take to honor God this week?
What is the benefit of honoring our parents? ( see Exodus 20:12 and Ephesians 6:1-3) How could you honor your parents or their memory this week?
Are there any broken relationships that God is nudging you to try to restore?