Lesson 1 - The Blessing of Having a Covenant with God by Larry Rouse - 121124 - N. Cville church

Meeting Purpose
To begin a new series on God's covenants, focusing on their nature, development, and significance.
Key Takeaways
• God's covenants are unilateral, reflecting His character and aimed at our good
• Covenants with God are blessings that require faith, love, and obedience to fully benefit from
• Understanding God's covenants is crucial for appreciating the difference between Old and New Testaments
• God uses words to communicate His covenants, making Bible study essential for comprehension
Topics
Nature of God's Covenants
• Definition: A disposition or arrangement God wishes to be valid
• Unilateral: God offers or imposes the covenant, not negotiated
• Reflects God's character: merciful, gracious, long-suffering, abounding in goodness and truth
• Includes promises and expectations, not just rules
• Examples: Noah's covenant (rainbow), Abraham's covenant (land, nation, blessing)
Benefits of God's Covenants
• Provide assurance, forgiveness, and mercy
• Offer protection and guidance
• Establish a relationship with God
• Bless those who faithfully follow the covenant
Human Response to Covenants
• Requires faith, love for God, and obedience
• Involves being teachable and continually learning
• Necessitates reading and understanding God's words (Bible study)
Covenant Signs and Remembrances
• Rainbow: Sign of God's covenant with Noah and all creation
• Circumcision: Sign of God's covenant with Abraham and his descendants
• Importance of physical signs to remember and honor the covenant
Next Steps
• Continue the series, exploring specific covenants in more depth
• Examine the debate around circumcision and covenants in future lessons
• Clearly distinguish between Old and New Testament covenants
• Provide links to online lesson recordings for those who missed parts