God Makes All Things New [A New Covenant] Discussion Guide

Summary
This sermon explores God's new covenant through Jesus Christ, contrasting it with the old covenant of law and performance. Jonathan explains how the old covenant, given through Moses, was like external instructions that revealed our need for a savior but provided no power to follow them perfectly. The new covenant, prophesied in Jeremiah 31 and fulfilled through Jesus, is written on our hearts and characterized by grace, forgiveness, and intimate relationship with God. Rather than trying to earn salvation through works, believers are called to live in response to God's love and sacrifice, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

The message emphasizes that salvation is a gift from God, not a reward for good deeds, and that our relationship with God should be based on what Jesus has done for us, not on our performance. Jonathan challenges listeners to examine whether they are living under an old covenant mentality of rules and checklists, or embracing the freedom and boldness that comes from the new covenant relationship with Christ.

Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come before You with grateful hearts, thankful for the new covenant You have established through Jesus Christ. As we gather together today, we ask that You would open our hearts and minds to receive what You want to teach us. Help us to set aside any distractions or preconceived notions, and give us ears to hear Your voice speaking to us through Your Word. Lord, we invite Your Holy Spirit to guide our discussion and reveal to us the depth of Your love and grace. Show us how to live more fully in the freedom of the new covenant You have given us. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

Ice Breaker
What's one rule or instruction you had to follow as a child that seemed really difficult at the time, but now you understand why it was important?

Key Verses

• Jeremiah 31:31-34
• Hebrews 8:6-13
• Ephesians 2:8-10
• Galatians 2:20-21
• 2 Corinthians 3:7-12

Questions

• What are the main differences between the old covenant and the new covenant as described in this sermon?
• How does the illustration of the swimming instructors or the illustration of the old and new cars help you understand the difference between law and grace?
• In what ways might we still be living with an 'old covenant mentality' in our relationship with God today?
• What does it mean that God's laws are now 'written on our hearts' rather than on tablets of stone?
• How does understanding that salvation is a gift rather than a reward change the way we approach our faith?
• Paul says in Galatians 2:20, 'It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.' What does this look like practically in daily life?
• How can we live with the boldness and confidence that comes from the new covenant?
• What are some ways we can respond to God's love and grace rather than trying to earn His favor through works?

Life Application
This week, examine your relationship with God and identify any areas where you might be operating under an 'old covenant mentality’… trying to earn God's favor through performance, rules, or checklists. Choose one specific area where you've been striving to earn God's approval and instead practice resting in His grace and responding to His love. Each day, remind yourself that your identity and acceptance come from what Jesus has done, not from what you do.

Key Takeaways

• The old covenant was based on law and performance, while the new covenant is based on grace and relationship through Jesus Christ
• Salvation is a gift from God that cannot be earned through good works or keeping the law perfectly
• The new covenant provides an intimate relationship with God where His laws are written on our hearts through the Holy Spirit
• We are called to live boldly in response to God's love rather than out of obligation to rules and regulations
• Jesus fulfilled the old covenant perfectly so that we could have restored relationship with God through the new covenant

Ending Prayer
Father God, thank You for the incredible gift of the new covenant through Jesus Christ. We are amazed by Your grace and the intimate relationship You have made possible for us. Help us to live each day in the freedom and boldness that comes from knowing we are Your beloved children, not because of what we have done, but because of what Jesus has done for us. Transform our hearts and minds to reflect Your love, and empower us by Your Holy Spirit to live as new creations in Christ. May our lives be a response to Your great love and sacrifice. Thank You for making all things new in our lives. In Jesus' precious name we pray, Amen.