The Story of Salvation 2

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THE STORY
OF SALVATION
Finding Your Place in God’s Plan

By Katie O’Donnell and Kevin Cotter
Introduction 2-3
Adam 5 - 17
Noah 19 - 29
Abraham (Part 1) 31 - 43
Abraham (Part 2) 45 - 57
Moses 59 - 71
David 73 - 85
Jesus 87 - 103
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INTRODUCTION
Goal for this chapter: That all participants know the importance
of understanding God’s story through His covenants.
Note to the leader: Please take a moment to watch the “Story of Salvation”
introduction video (not the leader’s introduction) with your group. This
video introduces the concept of covenant and the importance of knowing
our story, the story of salvation. Let your group know that you will be
watching the video this week to introduce the study. The introductory
video is the only video you will show to your group. The other videos for
chapters 1-7 are meant for your preparation only.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. What were your reactions to Evelyn Waugh’s story?

Answer: Allow the group to discuss.
2. In the video, Kevin talked about the chaos that exists in the
world. Have you ever experienced this before?
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3. How have you experienced God’s plan during your life? How
did these moments change you?
4. If you had to explain a covenant to someone, what would you

say? What’s the difference between a contract and a covenant?
Answer: A contract is an exchange of goods or services (e.g., a cell phone
contract or rental agreement). A covenant is an exchange of persons
where an oath is sworn, and people are changed (e.g., marriage).
5. What does a covenant say about who God is?

Answer: God is willing to give Himself to us, even if we don’t deserve it. He
is overabundant in His desire to give Himself to others.
6. Do you always view God this way? If not, what are some
obstacles that prevent that?
7. In the past, how have you interacted with Scripture? Were you
able to see the whole story?
8. Why do you think understanding the big picture of Scripture

is important?
Answer: Allow the group to discuss. It shows that God has a plan for the
history of mankind and for our own lives as well.
9. Imagine that you are sitting here after finishing the whole
study. What’s one thing that you are hoping to get out of studying
the story of salvation?
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NOTES
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UNDERSTANDING
(for your preparation as a leader)

Page 6 - 11
DISCUSSION
(to use with your group)

Page 12 - 17
Goal: That all participants know that they are beloved sons and
daughters of God through His covenant with Adam, sealed by the
Sabbath.
Note to the leader: Some of the content in this chapter is similar to the
first chapter of “The Crux.” If you have recently studied that chapter, be
sure to highlight some of the key differences. Identity and the Sabbath
might be good subjects to emphasize. Another option is to tell your group
that some of this content is similar and ask them if they have gained any
new understanding of these topics.
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Understanding / Adam
UNDERSTANDING
WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW

ABOUT THIS PASSAGE?
Read Genesis 1:26–28, 2:16–17, 3:1–7, 2:1–3
CONTEXT
Context in the Story of Salvation: Creation Stories
The story of salvation begins in the book of Genesis with creation.

Oftentimes when we approach a text like Genesis, we can start to
think about questions of science and evolution. Those questions are
very good, but those won’t be covered in this chapter. Feel free to
ask a FOCUS missionary or check the catechism for answers to those
questions. Today, we are going to explore the question: Why was the
world created?
Context for Our Story Today: Image and Likeness
Genesis 1:26–28
God sets His very image and likeness in Adam and Eve, as well as in
each of us. But what does “image and likeness” mean? For the ancient
Hebrews, it meant more than just having some godlike qualities.
In fact, the next time this word is used in Genesis, it describes the
relationship between Adam and his own son, Seth: Adam “became
the father of a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named
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him Seth” (Gn 5:3). This shows us that being made in the image and
likeness of God is meant to communicate an intimate relationship.
Adam and Eve, and each one of us, are beloved children of God. Thus,
from their creation, Adam and Eve had a deep, familial relationship
with God as their loving Father.
However, this identity as beloved sons and daughters immediately

comes under attack. Once we see and understand the depth of Adam
and Eve’s relationship with God, their upcoming fall becomes even
more dramatic.
CLIMAX: IDENTITY CRISIS
Genesis 2:16–17
In Genesis 2:16–17, God gives Adam and Eve a commandment: Do

not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Now, why
would God, a loving father, give Adam and Eve this command? We
know that God wants only their good, so He knew this tree was bad
for them. But this raises another question: Why have a bad tree in the
garden in the first place?
The answer is freedom. God gives us the power to choose, and this
free will allows us to love. So God offers His law—only one rule, to
give Adam and Eve the opportunity to love. If they had no choice,
they would be either robots or slaves. God’s desire is for a loving
relationship.
Genesis 3:1–7
The serpent intervenes at this critical moment of choice. In Genesis

3:1, the serpent asks Eve, “Did God really tell you not to eat from any
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of the trees of the garden?” But this isn’t what God commanded; only
one tree was forbidden. The serpent is trying to get Eve to doubt God’s
goodness by exaggerating the command.
Eve responds by affirming God’s commandment—and then she takes

it just a little bit further. She says that even if she touches it, she will
die. But this isn’t specifically what God commanded: He didn’t say
anything about touching the fruit. Eve is already slipping into distrust.
Then comes Satan’s lie: “You will not die. For God knows that when you
eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing
good and evil.” In other words, he is saying, “God is holding out on
you. You could be someone else. You could do better.”
Now, here is the irony: Who are Adam and Eve already like? God! They
are being tempted to pursue something that they already have. But
the lie works: As the Catechism states, “Man, tempted by the devil,
let his trust in his Creator die in his heart and, abusing his freedom,
disobeyed God’s command” (CCC 397). They abandon what they knew
of God’s fatherhood, quickly exchanging it for a false perception of
Him as cruel and distant, limiting their freedom.
APPLICATION: THE SABBATH
Genesis 2:1–3
Since Adam and Eve, the temptation to define ourselves apart from
God is enduring. People often seek their identity in everything but
God: Whether it be sports, academics, relationships, etc., we are
constantly looking to find our value and worth in the things of this
world. How can we get back to trusting in God’s love for us, knowing
that He is taking care of us, and that our deepest identity lies in our
relationship with Him?
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It is almost as if God knew this was going to be a problem for us: In
Genesis 2:1–3, we read that “God rested on the seventh day” and
that He “blessed the seventh day and made it holy.” We know this
as the Sabbath.
Why is this seventh day so special? And what difference does the
Sabbath make for us? Breaking down the word Sabbath can help
give us the answer.
In Hebrew, the word for “Sabbath” is shebbath. At the root of shebbath

is the Hebrew word sheba, which can be translated to mean “oath,”
as in a covenant, or simply “seven.” As you may remember from the
introduction, a covenant is an exchange of persons, wherein the
two parties give themselves to one another so completely that they
actually become family (as in marriage).
The Hebrews would have immediately recognized the use of the

“seven days” imagery as significant: God is making a covenant
with Adam and Eve. In creation itself, He wanted to establish His
fatherhood and remind us of our covenant relationship with Him.
Both ancient and modern Jews celebrate the Sabbath on Saturday.

As Catholics, we refer to the Sabbath as the Lord’s Day, celebrating it
on Sunday, because it is the day of Jesus’ resurrection. God gives us
the Sabbath to remind us to Whom we truly belong. We are sustained
not merely by our work—as slaves would be—but by Him. On the
Sabbath, we remember to trust Him as our Father and provider and
honor the relationship we have with Him as sons and daughters.
Going to Mass on Sunday is our reminder to find our identity in God,
our Father, and not in the things of this world. (For further reading,
see CCC 2168–96.)
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SUMMARY
In this chapter, we learned that God created man in His image and
likeness, and that this means we are beloved sons and daughters of
God. Our relationship with Him forms our deepest identity. We also
saw how Adam and Eve fall into sin by not trusting in God’s fatherly care
for them. Finally, we discussed how the Sabbath is a weekly reminder
of our covenant with God our Father, and that our true identity lies in
Him, rather than other things. The symbol to remember this covenant
is the Sabbath, represented by the number 7 on the calendar.
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NOTES
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Discussion / Adam
DISCUSSION
DISCUSSION GUIDE FOR

YOUR BIBLE STUDY
Genesis 1:26–28, 2:16–17, 3:1–7, 2:1–3
OPENER:
1. Throughout the ages, what are some of the biggest questions
that human beings have asked about life?
(Share aloud with your group.)
Today, we are going to look at a story that answers some of those

big questions: the creation account in Genesis. It’s here that we learn
about God’s first covenant with Adam, and what it teaches us about
who we are and what we were made for.
CONTEXT: IMAGE AND LIKENESS
Read Genesis 1:26–28
2. In Genesis 1:26, God makes man in His image and likeness.

What does this mean?
Answer: Allow the group to discuss. Note: Wait until the next question to
reveal that it means we are sons and daughters of God.
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3. Let’s look at another passage of Scripture to dig deeper into
this concept. Could someone please read Genesis 5:3? In light of
this, what does being made in God’s image and likeness mean?
Answer: It means that we are beloved sons and daughters, and that God
is our father.
4. Genesis reveals that being beloved sons and daughters is our

deepest identity, but oftentimes we struggle to embrace that
identity. What are some other things, good or bad, that can
define our identity?
Answer: Allow the group to discuss. Possible answers may include: careers,
sports, success, social circles, attention on social media, relationships,
sexuality, etc.
CLIMAX: IDENTITY CRISIS
5. Why do you think God gives Adam and Eve the command not to
eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil?
Answer: God wanted to give them an opportunity to express their love for
Him. Without this choice, they would be slaves, not sons—always destined
to do whatever God says. The command gives them a free choice; there is
no love without freedom.
6. In Genesis 3:1, the devil enters the story. Reflecting on the

serpent’s words to Eve in this verse, how does the devil try to
twist Eve’s perception of God’s identity?
Answer: The serpent wants Eve to question whether God is really
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Discussion / Adam
trustworthy and tempts her to doubt God’s goodness. He portrays God

as withholding things from her, as opposed to a loving father who made
her for freedom.
7. What is wrong with Eve’s response to the serpent? Turn back

to Genesis 2:16–17 for God’s original command.
Answer: Eve exaggerates God’s commandment; He says nothing about
touching the fruit. Already she is falling into the trap of identifying God as
a strict, merciless lawgiver.
8. In Genesis, there is a drama between Adam and Eve viewing

God as a loving Father or a restrictive lawgiver. Our own feelings
about God can sometimes be very similar, depending on the
situation. Throughout your life, how have you viewed God?
APPLICATION: THE SABBATH
As we read through the story of salvation, we will see how God’s

covenants grow and expand—each with their own symbol. Here, the
symbol of the first covenant is the Sabbath, a day of rest set aside to
reconnect with God and focus on our relationship with Him.
In Hebrew, the word for “Sabbath” is shebbath. At the root of shebbath

is the Hebrew word sheba, which can be translated to mean “oath,”
as in a covenant, or simply “seven.” As you may remember from the
introduction, a covenant is an exchange of persons, wherein the
two parties give themselves to one another so completely that they
actually become family (as in marriage).
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The Hebrews would have immediately recognized the use of the
“seven days” imagery as significant: God is making a covenant with
Adam and Eve. In creation itself, He wanted to establish His fatherhood
and remind us of our covenant relationship with Him.
9. Does that make sense? Can someone explain the Sabbath?

Answer: Allow the group to answer and discuss.
10. How do you view going to Mass on Sundays?

11. How should we view going to Mass on Sunday?

Answer: Allow the group to discuss. Sunday is a day set apart to remind
ourselves that our deepest identity is in our relationship with God. We
should set aside our earthly pursuits and remember that our worth comes
from God, not the things we have or do.
12. God gives us the Sabbath as time to set aside to rest and
remember our deepest identity: that we are sons and daughters
of God. Do you consider yourself first and foremost a son or
daughter of the Father? Is it your deepest identity, and what
does that mean?
13. Why do you think God commands us to rest on the Sabbath?

Answer: To rest on the Sabbath is a reminder that we are not slaves but
sons and daughters of a loving Father. A slave of a master never has the
opportunity to rest from his work; having a day of rest reminds us that
God desires a fatherly relationship with us and that He has made us for
freedom.
14. Why is it so hard to rest?

Answer: Allow the group to discuss. Many people in our culture today
find their identity outside of their relationship with God, and so they have
come to value other things. Sometimes we cannot or will not rest, for fear
of losing those things we are chasing.
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Discussion / Adam
SUMMARY
(Share aloud with your group)
In this chapter, we learned that God created man in His image and
likeness and that this means we are beloved sons and daughters of
God. Our relationship with Him forms our deepest identity. We also
saw how Adam and Eve fall into sin by not trusting in God’s fatherly care
for them. Finally, we discussed how the Sabbath is a weekly reminder
of our covenant with God our Father, and that our true identity lies in
Him, rather than other things. The symbol to remember this covenant
is the Sabbath, represented by the number 7 on the calendar.
*For a further exploration of the Fall and its consequences, see

chapter 1 of “The Crux, Chapter 1.”
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NOTES
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NOTES
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UNDERSTANDING

Page 20 - 25
DISCUSSION

Page 26 - 29
Goal: That through God’s covenant with Noah all participants

would understand that God is faithful, even when we are not.
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Understanding / Noah
UNDERSTANDING

ABOUT THIS PASSAGE?
Read Genesis 6:11–18, 9:18–28, 9:13–17
CONTEXT
Context in the Story of Salvation: The Growth of Sin
The effects of Adam and Eve’s rebellion against God are swift and
dramatic. Shortly after their exile from Eden, we already find violence
within their family: Their son Cain murders his brother Abel.
After Cain’s violent crime, he is sent into further exile from his
parents and his remaining brother, Seth. God curses Cain’s line of
descendants. The future generations of his line become known for
their crimes, violence, and sexual sins, while Seth’s descendants are
to follow the law of the Lord and remain separated from Cain’s line.
Before long, however, the two lines begin intermarrying, infecting
Seth’s descendants with the sins and behaviors of Cain’s line. Finally,
God looks upon His creation, and where He once “saw that it was
good,” He now sees only worldwide wickedness.
Context for Our Story Today: God’s Covenant with Noah
Genesis 6:11–18
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In looking down upon the earth, God finds only one righteous man:
Noah (Gn 6:8, Gn 7:1). God reveals to Noah His dramatic plan: He
is going to destroy the corrupted earth for the sake of a cosmic
restoration. He asks Noah to build an ark, which will save innocent life,
and promises that after the flood, He will establish a new covenant
with Noah that will extend to his whole family. Through Noah’s family,
the entire human family is to be restored.
The terrible flood comes, but in the midst of the storm, Scripture says,
“God remembered Noah” (Gn 8:1). He remembered the promise He
made to Noah before the flood—that He would spare him and re-
establish His covenant through his family, bringing life back into the
world. For the next 150 days, the waters recede. Finally, nearly a full
year later, Noah and his family are able to leave the ark, by which they
had been delivered from destruction—because God is faithful to His
promises.
In the wake of the flood’s destruction, we see a kind of re-creation, a

new creation, paralleling the old. The first covenant was made with
Adam and Eve, a married couple. This new covenant expands beyond
a couple to an entire family: Noah and his wife, their sons, and their
sons’ wives.
Through this family, God gives humanity a second chance. But

immediately, another attack ensues.
CLIMAX: HAM’S REBELLION
Genesis 9:18–28
Soon after Noah and his family depart the ark and step into the new
creation, Noah gets drunk in his vineyard and passes out, leaving his
wife vulnerable to attack.
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The language used in Genesis is that Ham, Noah’s youngest son,

“saw the nakedness of his father.” The Book of Leviticus gives us
an indication of what this might mean: “You shall not uncover the
nakedness of your father’s wife; it is your father’s nakedness” (18:7,
RSV (Revised Standard Version)). We can understand this verse even
better when we read the same verse in the NAB (New American
Bible), which translates the Hebrew idiom about uncovering the
nakedness of your father: “You shall not disgrace your father by
having intercourse with your mother. She is your own mother; you
shall not have intercourse with her” (Lv 18:7; see also Lv 20:11).
In other words, it was likely that Ham raped his mother while Noah
was passed out, drunk. In ancient times, such a rape would have been
a power play against the head of the family. We see a similar example
of this with David and his son, Absalom, in the second Book of Samuel,
chapter 16. Absalom rebels against David, and in order to usurp his
father’s kingship, he sleeps with David’s concubines in the sight of
all Israel. In the same way, Ham’s sin was an act of rebellion against
his father and his older brother, Shem, the firstborn and, thus, the
recipient of his father’s blessing.
When Noah awakens and realizes what has happened, he cannot

curse Ham, because Ham has been blessed by God through the
covenant. Instead, he curses “Canaan”—an interesting move, because
Canaan is not born until later. It is possible, therefore, that Canaan—
father of the Canaanites, Israel’s enemy for generations to come—is
the son of Noah’s wife, and his conception was the result of Ham’s
incestuous rape.
This sin has disastrous consequences throughout the rest of the

Old Testament, and it shows us that sin has consequences beyond
ourselves. Even our “private” sins can have devastating effects on
those around us. Like Adam in the garden, Noah, who should have
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been guarding and protecting what was entrusted to him, instead

allowed evil to take hold in his family.
APPLICATION: GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
Genesis 9:13–17
Even though the wickedness of human sin is present both before and
after the flood, the Lord has proven Himself faithful. Upon bringing
Noah’s family forth from the ark, God establishes His covenant, as
He promised, and seals it with the sign of the rainbow. Despite how
quickly the human family falls back into sin, the rainbow is a reminder
that God will never allow a flood to destroy the earth again. We are
unfaithful, but He is faithful. When His bow appears in the sky, we can
remember that He fulfills His promises to us, as well.
It is fitting that this covenant extends to Noah’s family. As we saw in

the story of Ham, sin has particularly devastating effects upon the
family—but God promises to be faithful, even in our families.
Interestingly, it always has to be raining to see a rainbow. In other

words, it is when we are tested that we can become most aware
of God’s faithfulness. It is in the midst of life’s storms that we are
reminded of His promises. The seven colors of the rainbow also
remind us of the Hebrew significance of the number seven and the
sacredness of a newly formed covenant.
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SUMMARY
In this chapter, we learned about the dramatic consequences of sin.

But, God’s covenant with Noah reminds us that, even in the midst
of incredible wickedness, God is faithful to His promises. In our own
lives, we can see the terrible effects that sin has had, maybe even
particularly in our own family. But in the midst of our worst sins and
the storms of life, God will be faithful, even when we are not. The
symbol of the rainbow is a reminder that God will never abandon us.
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NOTES
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Discussion / Noah
DISCUSSION

YOUR BIBLE STUDY
Genesis 6:11–18, 9:18–28, 9:13–17
OPENER:
1. Have you ever made a mistake and then wondered whether

people would treat you differently afterward?
In the story of Noah, we are going to hear about how God is faithful,
even when we are not. After Adam and Eve turn away from God,
things start to get even worse for humanity—but God is our father
and does not abandon His children.
CONTEXT: GOD’S COVENANT WITH NOAH
2. What’s happened to the world since Adam and Eve?

Answer: Humanity has grown wicked.
3. What two things does God tell Noah that He is going to do?
Answer: The first is that God is going to bring a flood upon the earth to
destroy all He has made. The second is that God will establish a covenant
with Noah, saving his family so that the human race can continue.
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4. What do you think Noah must have been thinking when he
heard this command?
5. Have you ever felt God asking you to do something that would
require radical trust in His plan?
6. In the midst of the storm, Genesis 8:1 says, “God remembered

Noah.” What does this tell us about God?
Answer: This tells us that God is faithful. We can trust Him, even in the
midst of life’s storms, because He will not forget His children.
CLIMAX: HAM’S REBELLION
7. This sounds like a weird story. What do you think is going on

in this passage?
Answer: Allow the group to discuss. (As the leader, don’t reveal the answer
yet.) Note: For questions 7 & 8 be prepared with different translations of
the Bible. You need both the RSV (Revised Standard Version) and the NAB
(New American Bible). If you don’t have a hard copy in your group, be
prepared to look them up on a phone or computer.
8. In many ways, this passage doesn’t seem to make sense. The

passage says that Noah got drunk and that his son, Ham, saw
his nakedness, told his brothers about it, and then his brothers
covered Noah with a blanket. When Noah wakes up, he curses
Canaan, Ham’s son, who isn’t even born yet. Part of the problem
in understanding this passage is the Hebrew idiom “uncovering
the father’s nakedness.” This idiom hides the exact details of
the story. Let’s Read Leviticus 18:7 to help us understand this
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Discussion / Noah
passage, first in the Revised Standard Version (RSV) of the Bible.

Did this help you understand the passage?
9. Let’s read Leviticus 18:7, the same verse we just read, this time
in the New American Bible (NAB), where the idiom is translated.
In light of this verse, what did Ham do?
Answer: Ham slept with his mother while his Father was passed out drunk,
then he went and bragged to his brothers about it.
10. Why would Ham have done such a thing?

Answer: It was an opportunity for Ham to usurp power. By sleeping with
his mother, Ham was proclaiming that he was the real master of the
household. This was not an unheard-of power play in the ancient world.
(For more, see 2 Sm 16:20–22.)
11. What do Ham’s actions demonstrate about human sin and

brokenness?
Answer: We have all been deeply affected by the fall of our first parents,
Adam and Eve. We can see that our tendency toward wickedness will not
be fixed by improving our external conditions. Only a divine remedy can
change the human heart.
12. Ham’s sin has destructive consequences: His line of

descendants through his son Canaan (the Canaanites) will be a
constant obstacle to Israel’s faithfulness throughout the rest of
the Old Testament. We can sometimes think that our “private”
sins don’t have far-reaching consequences. How do you think our
sins affect the world around us? How would things be different if
we didn’t commit those sins?
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APPLICATION: GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
13. What should we remember when we see the rainbow?

Answer: The sign of the rainbow symbolizes God’s promise never to
destroy the earth by a flood again. When we see the rainbow, we can
remember that our Father is faithful to His promises.
14. What are some ways you have seen God’s faithfulness play
out during the storms of your life?
15. God makes His covenant with Noah within the context of
his family. Similarly, God offers His covenant to us within the
context of our (often broken and dysfunctional) families. It can
be difficult to see how God is working within our families, but
God will be faithful even when we are not. How can we grow in
our trust of God’s faithfulness, even amidst difficulties within
our families?
SUMMARY
In this chapter, we learned about the dramatic consequences of sin.

But, God’s covenant with Noah reminds us that, even in the midst
of incredible wickedness, God is faithful to His promises. In our own
lives, we can see the terrible effects that sin has had, maybe even
particularly in our own family. But in the midst of our worst sins and
the storms of life, God will be faithful, even when we are not. The
symbol of the rainbow is a reminder that God will never abandon us.
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NOTES
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UNDERSTANDING

Page 32 - 37
DISCUSSION

Page 38 - 43
Goal: That through God’s covenant with Abraham and his struggle
with Lot, all participants would learn to be faithful to God.
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Understanding / Abraham (Part 1)
UNDERSTANDING

ABOUT THIS PASSAGE?
Read Genesis 12:1–5, 12:10–20, 13:14–16, 15:1–6,
15:12
CONTEXT
Context in the Story of Salvation: A Faithful Lineage
After Noah, humanity once again falls into rebellion, culminating

with the Tower of Babel, and the human family is thrust into further
exile. However, the line of Noah’s son Shem remains faithful, and one
of his descendants, Abram, is the next chosen vessel for the Lord’s
covenant.
Context for Our Story Today: Three Promises
Genesis 12:1–3
God gives Abram three instructions, followed by three promises:

Abram is to leave his land, his kindred, and his father’s household. In
return, God promises to bless him with a great nation, a great name,
and bring about a worldwide blessing through Abram’s line. This is an
incredible series of promises, since at this point in time, Abram is 75
years old and has no children.
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In the ensuing chapters of Genesis, God’s promises to Abram will be
made into three covenants. In Genesis 15, God will make a covenant
with Abram regarding land (great nation); in Genesis 17, God will make
a covenant with Abram regarding a royal dynasty (great name); and
finally, in Genesis 22, God will make a covenant with Abram regarding
a worldwide blessing.
These covenants lay out a road map for the rest of the covenants
in the story of salvation. The covenant of land will be fulfilled with
Moses; the covenant of royal dynasty will be fulfilled with David; and
the covenant of worldwide blessing will be fulfilled with Jesus Christ.
(See the chart below.)
Covenant with Fulfillment in

Promise to Abram
Abram Salvation History
Land/Nation Covenant with
Genesis 15
(Gn 12:2) Moses
Royal Dynasty Covenant with
Genesis 17
(Gn 12:2) David
Worldwide Blessing New Covenant
Genesis 22
(Gn 12:3) through Jesus Christ
CLIMAX: ABRAM’S “LOT” IN LIFE
Genesis 12:4–5
God calls Abram to leave everything behind, including his extended

family, and travel to a new land. Amazingly, Abram responds faithfully
to this call—mostly. We read, “So Abram went as the Lord had told
him, and Lot went with him.” But who is Lot? In Genesis 12:5, we learn
that Lot is Abram’s nephew (his brother’s son)—one of his kindred.
Lot isn’t supposed to come.
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Abram was willing to sacrifice so much by traveling to a new land.

Why would he also disobey the Lord’s command by bringing Lot?
First, remember that Abram has no descendants: If he remains
childless, none of God’s promises will be possible. He will have no one
to carry on his name or inheritance—two very important concerns for
the people of Abram’s time. So what is Abram doing? He is trying to
be faithful to God and his own plan. Lot is Abram’s “exit strategy” or
“security blanket,” just in case God’s promises don’t work out. Abram
is keeping his options open by bringing Lot, a kind of surrogate son.
He is being faithful, but he is also covering his bases.
Genesis 12:10–20
Abram travels to the new land to which God had called him, but
almost immediately upon his arrival, a famine strikes. The famine
forces Abram to go to Egypt, where he is met with an array of new
problems. He knows that his wife, Sarai, is beautiful; he worries that
the Egyptians will want to take her, and he fears for his own life as her
husband. Instead of praying to God for guidance, He takes matters
into his own hands and tells Sarai to lie, saying she is his sister. She
does so, and eventually, the pharaoh takes her as his bride.
Finally, God steps into the mess Abram has made and sends a series
of plagues upon Egypt. When the pharaoh discovers the truth about
Sarai, he sends her back to Abram so that the plagues will stop. At last,
Abram and Sarai leave Egypt and return to the land God intended for
them.
This story seems like a strange addition to Abram’s journey, but once
we understand that Abram is only being half faithful, it all makes
sense. Abram is running into trouble because he isn’t following God’s
plan. God can’t fulfill His promises, because Abram isn’t allowing Him
34
to do so. By keeping Lot around, Abram is trying to have it both ways:
God’s and his. It’s much like our lives, where we want to be faithful to
God, but we want to keep our own plans, too.
APPLICATION: OUR “LOT” IN LIFE
Genesis 13:14–16
Finally, upon their arrival in the land to which God sent them, Abram
and Lot part ways. Immediately after Abram lets Lot go, the Lord (who
has been noticeably silent since Abram left home with his nephew)
speaks and reminds Abram of His promise. Only after Abram lets go
of Lot can the promise be fulfilled. Like our own lives, for God’s plan
to fully come about, we need to let go of the things that we look to
for security. When we do, God is able to act in ways that He couldn’t
before.
Genesis 15:1–6, Genesis 15:12
Even after he lets go of Lot, Abram still has more room to grow. The
Lord speaks to him, telling him not to fear, but Abram respectfully
reminds God of his problem: He has no son, no heir to inherit this
promised reward. The name “Abram” means “exalted father,” which
seems more like a cruel joke than anything else to this elderly man.
God responds to Abram by bringing him outside: “Number the stars, if

you can,” He says; “just so shall your descendants be.” The Scriptures
then tell us, “Abram put his faith in the Lord.” This is a breakthrough
moment for Abram, but the author includes a subtle detail later in
the chapter that makes this story all the more dramatic. In verse 12, it
says, “as the sun was about to set.” This means that when God asked
35
Abram to count the stars, it was actually broad daylight. So, in fact,
Abram couldn’t count the stars. He is told that his descendants will be
like these stars…that he can’t see. With this image, God is once again
reminding Abram, “You can trust Me. Even though you can’t see how
this is possible, it will happen.”
Oftentimes we are afraid to let go of our “Lot” because we can’t see

the outcome. Regardless of whether the reward is visible, we must
trust in God’s faithfulness. This does not mean we trust Him to give us
what we want or eventually make our plans come true; when we give
everything to God, we won’t necessarily be rewarded by getting it all
back. But what He promises is far more satisfying: He gives us Himself.
In the face of our problems, His answer is always, “I am with you”—not
necessarily, “I will fix it.”
SUMMARY
In this chapter, we learned that God made three promises to Abram,

each one corresponding to the next three covenants in the story of
salvation. God elevates these promises to covenants that extend to
Abram’s entire tribe. We also discussed Abram’s battle to let go of Lot
and how we need to let go of our own “Lot” in life. Finally, we discussed
Abram’s faithfulness, even though he couldn’t see how God was going
to fulfill His promises. The symbol of the stars reminds us to be faithful
even when we can’t see how things are going to work out.
36
NOTES
37
Discussion / Abraham (Part 1)
DISCUSSION

YOUR BIBLE STUDY
Genesis 12:1–5, 12:10–20, 13:14–16, 15:1–6, 15:12
OPENER:
1. Have you ever known you needed to change or let go of

something in your life, but you just couldn’t do it?
In the last chapter, we looked at Noah and humanity’s second fall

from grace. Now, we will explore arguably the most important figure
of the Old Testament: Abram. With Abram, God is going to lay out a
roadmap for the rest of the covenants within the story of salvation.
CONTEXT: THREE PROMISES
2. What is God asking Abram to do, and what does He promise in

return?
Answer: God asks Abram to leave his land, his kindred (or extended
family), and his father’s house. In return, God promises to bless him with
land, a great name or dynasty, and a line of descendants that will bring
about a blessing for all the families of the earth.
38
3. Reference the Covenant Roadmap Chart below. Explain to
your group how Genesis 12:1–3 is a roadmap for the rest of God’s
relationship with Abram and for the future covenants in the
story of salvation. Show your group the chart, if necessary.
Covenant with Fulfillment in

Promise to Abram
Abram Salvation History
Land/Nation Covenant with
Genesis 15
(Gn 12:2) Moses
Royal Dynasty Covenant with
Genesis 17
(Gn 12:2) David
Worldwide Blessing New Covenant
Genesis 22
(Gn 12:3) through Jesus Christ
4. Later, we learn that Abram is 75 years old, and that he and Sarai
have no children. Yet all of God’s promises to Abram depend on
his having descendants. What do you think Abram was thinking
when God made these amazing promises to him?
CLIMAX: ABRAM’S “LOT” IN LIFE
5. Looking at Genesis 12:4–5, does Abram obey God’s request?

Answer: Allow the group to discuss. Note to leader: Most likely, your group
won’t mention Lot. If they don’t know the answer or don’t give the right
answer, move on to the next question.
6. Small details in Scripture can mean big things. One small detail
in this passage is that Abram brings Lot with him. Who is Lot?
Answer: Lot is Abram’s nephew (Gn 12:5).
39
7. Does bringing Lot go against God’s command?

Answer: Yes! God asked Abram to leave his kindred behind (Gn 12:2).
8. Why do you think Abram brings Lot anyway?

Answer: Abram brings Lot because he has no children: At 75 years old, his
biggest fear is that he will have no heir (despite the fact that, for any of
God’s three promises to come about, He would need to give Abram a son).
Lot was Abram’s back-up plan, in case God’s promises didn’t work out.
Abram thinks that if he holds onto Lot, he can still have a surrogate son.
9. Because Abram is only being half faithful, he starts running

into trouble. What kinds of problems arise once Abram leaves
his homeland?
Answer: First, he is met with a famine. Abram tries to avoid the famine by
leaving for Egypt, but upon arriving he fears for his life because he knows
the Egyptians will want his beautiful wife, Sarai. So Abram spins a web of
lies and, pretending to be her brother, gives Sarai to the pharaoh.
APPLICATION: OUR “LOT” IN LIFE
10. Like Abram, each of us can sometimes have our backup plans
to God’s plan—our own “Lot”—and keeping our “Lot” can lead us
into trouble. What is your “Lot” in life?
Answer: Allow the group to discuss. Note to leader: This can be a tough
question. Don’t be afraid to wait for an answer. Be prepared to give an
example from your own life if necessary. Feel free to re-word the question
to get your group to share.
40
11. Abram and Lot have just parted ways. Immediately after Lot
leaves, God speaks to Abram. What does this tell us about God’s
ways?
Answer: God was simply waiting for Abram to let go of his own plans and
fully place his trust in Him. We should remember that God will not force
His plan on us; He waits patiently for our participation because He made
us free. However, as long as we hold onto our own plans or securities, we
do not allow God to act in our lives. He will not violate our freedom.
12. God speaks to Abram, telling him not to fear, but Abram is
still frustrated that he does not yet have an heir. So God tells
Abram to go outside and count the stars, at which point Scripture
says, “Abram put his faith in the Lord.” Why do you think this
experience was so meaningful for Abram?
13. Now, there is a twist to this episode with Abram and God. We
get an interesting piece of information just a few verses later.
Could someone please read Genesis 15:12? What does this tell
us about the moment when God asks Abram to go outside and
count the stars?
Answer: It was daylight, so Abram couldn’t see the stars.
14. With this added piece of information, what is God showing

Abram?
Answer: God is showing Abram that he will have an heir, even though
Abram can’t see how it is possible. God is helping Abram to place his trust
in Him to accomplish what seems impossible.
41
15. Sometimes it’s difficult to let go of something, because we

don’t know what will happen next. Have you ever experience
this before?
16. After Abram has let Lot go, God starts to work powerfully in
His life. In what ways might God be able to work in your life if you
let go of your own plans?
SUMMARY
In this chapter, we learned that God made three promises to Abram,

each one corresponding to the next three covenants in the story of
salvation. God elevates these promises to covenants that extend to
Abram’s entire tribe. We also discussed Abram’s battle to let go of
Lot and how we need to let go of our own “Lot” in life. Finally, we
discussed Abram’s faithfulness, even though he couldn’t see how God
was going to fulfill His promises. The symbol of the stars reminds us
to be faithful even when we can’t see how things are going to work
out.
42
NOTES
43
NOTES
44
UNDERSTANDING

Page 46 - 51
DISCUSSION

Page 52 - 57
Goal: That all participants would be in awe of God, recognizing

the amazing way He fulfills promises through His final covenant
with Abraham.
45
UNDERSTANDING

ABOUT THIS PASSAGE?
Read Genesis 16:2–4, 17:1–11, 22:1–18
CONTEXT
Context in the Story of Salvation: Abraham Continued
The story of Abraham continues.
Context for Our Story Today: Taking Matters into Their Own Hands
Genesis 16:2–4
Ten years go by, and Abram still has no heir. In a moment of

desperation, Sarai tells Abram to take matters into his own hands:
Sarai gives her maid, Hagar, to Abram to start a line of descendants.
Abram doesn’t object; he sleeps with Hagar, as a kind of “surrogate
mother.” She conceives a son, Ishmael. This was not what God had in
mind, but because this child is an offspring of Abram (and God keeps
His promises), Ishmael’s descendants will become an entire nation—
traditionally, the Arab people.
Initially, God seems silent about Abram’s behavior, but the

consequences will be revealed later in the details of the narrative.
Immediately after the Hagar incident, the narrative jumps 13 years—
to the next time Abram hears God speak.
46
Genesis 17:1–11
This time, God has a different tone: “I am God Almighty; walk before
me, and be blameless…” (Gn 17:1). At this point, Abram reverently falls
prostrate. God refers to His second promise—that He will expand His
covenant so that Abram’s line will bring forth not just a nation but a
royal kingdom—and He makes another covenant to prove it. At first,
it may seem like Abram’s misbehavior is rewarded. But a closer look
shows that, like a good father, the Lord is using this as a teaching
moment for Abram.
God spells out the terms for this covenant: circumcision. It is a sign of
the covenant, but it is also God’s response to Abram’s sin. Where the
crime was committed, there also the punishment is given.
God also changes Abram’s name to Abraham—from “exalted father”

to “father of many nations.” Sarai’s name is changed to Sarah. A
change in name signifies a change in mission, and these “many
nations” will be the fruit of both his sons—Ishmael and Isaac (who
is not yet conceived). In other words, God will bless Abraham with
descendants, but His plan includes Sarah as the mother.
Abraham and his household respond with obedience. God is faithful,

and within the year, Sarah at last conceives and gives birth to Isaac—
the son of the promise (Gn 21:1–3).
CLIMAX: ABRAHAM’S FINAL TEST
Genesis 22:1–18
Years pass, and God gives Abraham one final test to prove his trust in
his Father’s plan. This time, God calls Abraham to take his son Isaac,
heir of the promises, and sacrifice him as a burnt offering. In the
47
past, Abraham had kept his backup plan, but here we see something
different: silent obedience.
Abraham straps the wood of the offering to Isaac’s back, and together,
they go up the mountain. When Isaac asks his father, “Where is the
lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham responds with total trust: “God
will provide Himself the lamb” (Gn 22:7–8). Abraham then builds an
altar and lays Isaac upon it.
Abraham then lifts the knife to slay his son—but at the last minute, an
angel calls to him: “Do not lay your hand on the lad or do anything to
him; for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld
your son, your only son, from me” (Gn 22:12). Abraham is finally
willing to trust the Lord in everything. Ultimately, a ram caught in the
thicket is used for the burnt offering instead of Isaac.
God tests Abraham’s willingness to detach himself from his own plan.
Seeing this internal change within Abraham’s heart, God seals His
final promise with a covenant oath: Abraham’s descendants will be
the means by which all the families of the earth are brought into the
covenant blessing—the family of God.
APPLICATION: THE LORD WILL PROVIDE
More than just a test of wills, God the Father offers these events as a
foreshadowing. As, you can see in the chart below, the near sacrifice
of Isaac parallels the future sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.
48
Sacrifice of Isaac Sacrifice of Jesus
Sacrifice to take away sins Sacrifice to take away sins
Abraham’s only son God the Father’s only Son
Rides a donkey to mountain of Rides a donkey into Jerusalem
sacrifice to die (Palm Sunday)
Isaac carries wood to the top of Jesus carries cross of wood to
mountain top of mountain
Jesus crowned with thorns as
Sacrificed ram caught in thorns
He is crucified
Agrees to be sacrificed, does Agrees to be sacrificed, does
not resist not resist
Mt. Calvary (of the hills of
Mt. Moriah outside city
Moriah) outside Jerusalem
of Salem
(“Jira”-Salem)
God will provide the lamb Jesus is the “lamb of God”
However, not only does the sacrifice of Jesus parallel the story of
Isaac, it also fulfills it.
The sacrifice of Isaac took place near the city of Salem. And, because
God provided a ram for the sacrifice, Abraham called the place by
that name: “So Abraham called the name of that place The Lord
will provide; as it is said to this day, ‘On the mount of the Lord, it
shall be provided’” (Gn 22:14). But, notice that the verse reads, “shall
be provided,” not “was provided.” Not only had God provided for
Abraham, but He will provide in the future. Abraham trusted that
God would provide the world-wide blessing that He promised.
Therefore, in order to remember how God would provide, the Israelites

changed the name of the town of Salem: They added the prefix Jira,
which means, “the Lord will provide.” This is where we get the name
Jerusalem. God’s promise was so important to the Israelites that they
changed the name of the city so that they would never forget it.
49
Now, how was God going to provide? As we read in the story,

Abraham trusted that “God will provide Himself the lamb” (Gn 22:8,
Some translations omit this phrasing. The Revised Standard Version
(RSV) captures it well.). Not only was God going to one day provide a
lamb, He also intended to give Himself.
In Jesus Christ, these promises reach their fulfillment. Jesus is the true
lamb of God, God Himself, offered as a sacrifice for sins. What God
stopped Abraham from doing to his beloved son, He would not stop
from happening to His beloved Son. Jesus’ sacrifice happens outside
the city of Jerusalem, in the exact same place as the near sacrifice of
Isaac. And finally, Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is the promised blessing
for the entire world, saving humanity from sin and death.
SUMMARY
In this chapter, we learned that, after taking matters into his own hands
and failing, Abraham finally obeys God’s command without question,
agreeing to sacrifice Isaac, his son and heir. At the last minute, God
intervenes and saves Isaac. He then forms a covenant with Abraham,
extending it to his entire tribe. This covenant is dramatically fulfilled
by Jesus Christ; He is the Lamb that God provides. The symbol of stars
reminds us of how amazingly God fulfills His promises.
Special thanks to and recommendations for further reading:
Hahn, Scott: A Father Who Keeps His Promises. Cincinnati: Servant Books, 1998.
Gray, Tim, and Jeff Cavins: Walking with God. West Chester: Ascension Press, 2010.
Sri, Edward and Curtis Martin: The Real Story. Golden: Epic Publishing, 2012.
50
NOTES
51
DISCUSSION

YOUR BIBLE STUDY
Genesis 16:2–4, 17:1–11, 22:1–18
OPENER:
1. Have you ever been in complete awe of something? What was

it, and what made it so amazing?
Today we are going to continue with the story of Abram. When we left
off, Abram was staring up at the sky, in broad daylight, hearing God
say that his descendants would be like the stars. Abram believed in
God. Today, we are going to look at the amazing way that God fulfills
his covenant with Abram.
CONTEXT: TAKING MATTERS INTO THEIR OWN HANDS
2. What does Sarai tell Abram to do?

Answer: She tells him to sleep with her maid, Hagar, in order to start a line
of descendants.
52
3. Abram has been walking with God for a while now. What do you
think he was trying to do?
Answer: It is another instance of coming up with an alternative plan, taking
matters into his own hands, instead of waiting upon the Lord to act.
4. After Abram’s disobedience, God renews His covenant with him.

Does it seem to you like Abram is getting off the hook without any
punishment?
5. What does God tell Abram, now Abraham, that he must do as

part of this covenant?
Answer: He and all his household must be circumcised.
6. After Abram’s sin with Hagar, why is this a fitting action for this
covenant?
Answer: Abram’s punishment is given where the crime was committed. God
wants Abraham to remember where he failed in trust, and so He gives a
sign, with Abraham’s own body, as a reminder that he should not repeat
the same action again.
CLIMAX: ABRAHAM’S FINAL TEST
7. What does God ask Abraham to do in this passage?

Answer: He asks Abraham to kill Isaac—to sacrifice him as a burnt offering.
8. This is dramatic. What do you think Abraham was thinking

when he heard this command from God?
53
9. When Isaac asks Abraham about the lamb to be sacrificed,

how does Abraham respond?
Answer: Abraham says, “God will provide Himself the lamb.”
10. What does this response tell us about Abraham?

Answer: An internal change has taken place within Abraham. With
strengthened trust, he now fully believes that God will provide and that,
somehow, He will fulfill the promises He has made.
11. After Abraham proves his trust, God makes His third and final
covenant with Abraham. What does He promise?
Answer: God promises that all nations will be blessed through Abraham’s
line of descendants. Through Abraham’s seed, the whole world will be
invited into the covenant family of God.
APPLICATION: THE LORD WILL PROVIDE
This is a pretty incredible story, but what is perhaps even more

amazing is the way that God fulfills the promise that he makes to
Abraham. Let me share with you how it happened.
More than just a test of wills, God the Father offers these events as a
foreshadowing. As, you can see in the chart below, the near sacrifice
of Isaac parallels the future sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.
54
Sacrifice of Isaac Sacrifice of Jesus
Sacrifice to take away sins Sacrifice to take away sins
Abraham’s only son God the Father’s only Son
Rides a donkey to mountain of Rides a donkey into Jerusalem
sacrifice to die (Palm Sunday)
Isaac carries wood to the top of Jesus carries cross of wood to
mountain top of mountain
Jesus crowned with thorns as
Sacrificed ram caught in thorns
He is crucified
Agrees to be sacrificed, does Agrees to be sacrificed, does
not resist not resist
Mt. Calvary (of the hills of
Mt. Moriah outside city
Moriah) outside Jerusalem
of Salem
(“Jira”-Salem)
God will provide the lamb Jesus is the “lamb of God”
However, not only does the sacrifice of Jesus parallel the story of
Isaac, it also fulfills it.
The sacrifice of Isaac took place near the city of Salem. And, because
God provided a ram for the sacrifice, Abraham called the place by
that name: “So Abraham called the name of that place The Lord
will provide; as it is said to this day, ‘On the mount of the Lord, it
shall be provided’” (Gn 22:14). But, notice that the verse reads, “shall
be provided,” not “was provided.” Not only had God provided for
Abraham, but He will provide in the future. Abraham trusted that
God would provide the worldwide blessing that He promised.
Therefore, in order to remember how God would provide, the Israelites

changed the name of the town of Salem: They added the prefix Jira,
which means, “the Lord will provide.” This is where we get the name
Jerusalem. God’s promise was so important to the Israelites that they
changed the name of the city so that they would never forget it.
55
Now, how was God going to provide? As we read in the story,

Abraham trusted that “God will provide Himself the lamb” (Gn 22:8,
Some translations omit this phrasing. The Revised Standard Version
(RSV) captures it well.). Not only was God going to one day provide a
lamb, He also intended to give Himself.
In Jesus Christ, these promises reach their fulfillment. Jesus is the true
lamb of God, God Himself, offered as a sacrifice for sins. What God
stopped Abraham from doing to his beloved son, He would not stop
from happening to His beloved Son. Jesus’ sacrifice happens outside
the city of Jerusalem, in the exact same place as the near sacrifice of
Isaac. And finally, Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is the promised blessing
for the entire world, saving humanity from sin and death.
12. Looking at all of these parallels and the amazing way that
God fulfills His promises, what stands out to you the most, and
why?
13. Last time we talked about our “Lot” in life, and this week we
got to see the amazing way that God fulfilled His promises once
Abraham was completely faithful. Have you seen God’s blessings
in your life as you tried to be more faithful to Him?
56
SUMMARY
In this chapter, we learned that, after taking matters into his own hands
and failing, Abraham finally obeys God’s command without question,
agreeing to sacrifice Isaac, his son and heir. At the last minute, God
intervenes and saves Isaac. He then forms a covenant with Abraham,
extending it to his entire tribe. This covenant is dramatically fulfilled
by Jesus Christ; He is the Lamb that God provides. The symbol of stars
reminds us of how amazingly God fulfills His promises.
57
NOTES
58
UNDERSTANDING

Page 60 - 65
DISCUSSION

Page 66 - 71
Goal: That all participants would be inspired by God’s covenant

with Moses to take a stand against idolatry in their life and in
the world.
59
Understanding / Moses
UNDERSTANDING

ABOUT THIS PASSAGE?
Read Exodus 3:1–10, 3:18–20, 12:21–23, 32:1–6,
32:25–26
CONTEXT
Context in the Story of Salvation: Into Slavery
Several generations have passed since the time of Abraham and

Isaac. Isaac’s son, Jacob (also called “Israel”), carries on the covenant
blessing. After an amazing series of events, all 12 of Jacob’s sons leave
the Promised Land of their forefather, Abraham, and end up in Egypt.
While they are there, the Egyptians turn against the Israelites and
make them their slaves. Four hundred years go by, and now slavery is
all the Israelites know. The land promised to their forefather Abraham
is a mere memory—but God remembers His promise.
Context for Our Story Today: Moses and the Passover
Exodus 3:1–10
God appears in a burning bush to a man named Moses, telling him

that he will lead God’s people out of Egypt. Now, Moses is an unlikely
candidate for this mission: In chapter 2 of Exodus, we learn that he is
60
a murderer, for one. Additionally, even after God calls him from the
burning bush, Moses gives all kinds of excuses for why he can’t do
it. But this is part of God’s plan—that even an “unfit” candidate can
become a faithful leader.
Exodus 3:18–20
I’m sure you remember the story from here. God commands the
Egyptians to free the Israelites, and Moses boldly proclaims to
Pharaoh, “Let my people go!” But is that the whole story? Take a
look at your Bible. The command that God actually gives is to let the
Israelites go on a three-day journey to worship.
Why is this so important? In Exodus, the key problem is not physical

slavery but spiritual slavery. While in Egypt, the Israelites have begun
to worship other gods; they have forgotten God’s promises. And so,
by getting the Israelites out of Egypt, God is trying to get the Egyptian
idolatry out of the Israelites.
When Moses finally asks Pharaoh to let the Israelites go and worship,
Pharaoh refuses. It is only after this repeated refusal by Pharaoh that
Moses and the Israelites must leave completely.
The Lord is zealous for His people and sends ten plagues upon the
Egyptians in order to free the Israelites. Now, these plagues were not
just annoying circumstances to persuade the Egyptians; the plagues
were a direct assault upon Egyptian gods. For instance, the Nile River
was considered a god, and when it turned to blood, it was as if God
were saying, “Your god is dead; I am the true God.” And during the
plague of frogs—another god to the Egyptians—they might just find
one of their gods stuck to the bottom of their sandals. The final plague
would test not only the Egyptians but the Israelites, as well.
61
Exodus 12:21–23
With the tenth and final plague, an angel of death was sent to pass
through Egypt, killing all the first-born sons. However, the Israelites were
instructed to sacrifice a lamb and, in a very public statement, spread the
lamb’s blood on the doorposts of their home. When the angel of death
saw the blood of the lamb, he would pass over it, and the death of the
lamb would take the place of the son.
Now, putting lamb’s blood on their doorposts was more than just a
strange sacrifice for the Israelites; the lamb was another Egyptian god,
and to kill it was a capital offense. This was a do-or-die proposition: If
the Israelites refused to sacrifice the lamb, their firstborn sons would be
lost. If they did sacrifice the lamb, the Egyptians would come after them.
It was a dramatic invitation to trust that God would be faithful. This
series of events is called the Passover, and it is a sign that reminds us to
sacrifice the idols in our own lives, even if doing so seems impossible or
has drastic consequences.
This final plague works. The Israelites leave Egypt, crossing through the
Red Sea. Shortly after the Exodus, God renews His covenant with Moses,
extending it to the entire nation, the people of Israel (Ex 24:1–11).
CLIMAX: DEFIANCE IN THE DESERT
Exodus 32:1–6
In what seems to be a family tradition throughout history, almost as

soon as God renews His covenant, its recipients rebel. Moses goes up
the mountain to pray, and while he is gone, the Israelites get impatient.
They gather around Moses’ brother, Aaron, and make a request: “Make
us a god who will be our leader,” they ask, because “we do not know
what has happened to [Moses].”
62
This might seem like an odd request, but even though the Israelites
are now free, their hearts are still enslaved; they miss their old ways.
Aaron agrees and makes a golden calf, an Egyptian fertility god. And
then we read, “And the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up
to play.” To “rise up to play” is a Hebrew idiom for sexual immorality.
In other words, the Israelites turned their camp into a massive,
idolatrous orgy.
Meanwhile, up on the mountain, Moses hears from God about Israel’s

misbehavior, and the Lord sends him back to the camp to punish
them (Ex 32:9–15).
APPLICATION: TAKING A STAND
Exodus 32:25–26
At the heart of idolatry is a fear that God will not satisfy us, and so
we need to find satisfaction in other things. This is a temptation even
after we experience God in our lives: As soon as He seems silent,
prayer becomes dry, or we lose our “retreat high,” we can slip back
into our old patterns of sin. But we have a responsibility to fight
against idolatry, both in our own lives and in the lives of others. In
Moses, we have a model of how we are to do this.
When Moses witnesses the people’s sin, he takes action immediately.

He does not participate, and he doesn’t try to win the people’s favor;
he simply calls them to holiness. Moses asks the entire nation of
Israel, “Who is on the Lord’s side? Come to me” (Ex 32:26). He draws a
line in the sand, forcing the Israelites to make their allegiance known.
Sadly, only the Levites respond (the Levites are the tribe of Levi, one
of Jacob’s twelve sons generations earlier). Like Moses, we may not
always get a good response, but we are still called to invite others to
be holy.
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SUMMARY
In this chapter, God calls Moses, an unlikely hero of faith, to lead

the Israelites to freedom. This was physical freedom from slavery in
Egypt, but more importantly a spiritual freedom from the worship of
Egyptian gods. This happens dramatically through the Passover, a do-
or-die proposition to be faithful. However, almost immediately after
the Israelites are liberated and the entire nation enters into covenant
with God, they become impatient and fall back into idolatry. In Moses,
we have an example of how we are to call others to holiness. The
Passover is the symbol for this chapter, represented by the image of
a door.
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NOTES
65
Discussion / Moses
DISCUSSION

YOUR BIBLE STUDY
Exodus 3:1–10, 3:18–20, 12:21–23, 32:1–6, 32:25–26
OPENER:
1. Have you ever been in a situation where you didn’t feel free to
be yourself?
Today we are going to move into the second book of the Bible,
Exodus, where God’s people are now enslaved in Egypt. God desires
to save them, but the Israelites have fallen into many pagan practices.
They are physically enslaved, but also spiritually enslaved. They are
not free to be the people God intends for them to be, so God calls a
man named Moses to liberate them.
Context: Moses and the Passover
Read Exodus 3:1–10
2. Moses was simply doing his job, tending sheep, when he comes
across a burning bush that is not consumed by the fire. Not
only that, but from this burning bush he receives a specific and
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intense call from God. What do you think Moses is thinking right
now?
3. We don’t get to read about it much here, but in chapter 2 of

Exodus, we learn that Moses isn’t exactly a great candidate to be
God’s chosen messenger—he is a murderer for, example. Have
you ever felt like God was calling you to do something, but you
didn’t think you were good enough to do it?
4. The rest of the story of Moses and the Exodus is probably

familiar to you. When Moses goes to Pharaoh, what does he ask
for the Israelite people?
Answer: Allow the group to discuss. If your group answers that Moses is
supposed to ask Pharaoh to let the people go, just let them run with that
answer.
5. From these verses, what does God ask Moses to say to Pharaoh?
Answer: Moses is supposed to ask Pharaoh to allow the Israelites to take
a three-day pilgrimage into the wilderness so that they can worship God.
This is different than what we usually hear about the Exodus, but it
is really important: Even more than physical slavery, Exodus is really
about spiritual slavery. (We will see this more later.) It is only after
Pharaoh refuses to let the people worship that the Israelites must
leave completely. After Pharaoh refuses to let them worship, God
sends a series of plagues upon Egypt to persuade the Egyptians
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Discussion / Moses
to let the Israelites go. Now, these plagues are not just annoying
circumstances; the plagues were a direct assault upon Egyptian gods.
For instance, the Nile River was considered a god, and when it is
turned to blood, it was as if God were saying, “Your god is dead; I am
the true God.” And during the plague of frogs, another Egyptian god,
they might just find one of their gods stuck to the bottom of their
sandals. God is trying to free His people, but He is also trying to set
them free from the worship of these Egyptian gods. The final plague
is a test of that faithfulness.
6. This describes the last of the plagues God sends down on the
Egyptians. Based on what we just discussed about the plagues,
why do you think each family has to kill a lamb?
Answer: Sheep were worshipped as Egyptian gods. This is the Lord’s way
of helping the Israelites reject the idolatry of the culture that surrounded
them.
7. Killing a lamb was a capital offense in Egypt, punishable by

death. It was the killing of a god. Why do you think the Israelites
were instructed to put the lamb’s blood on their doorposts?
Answer: This would have been a very public statement, indicating that
this household serves the God of Israel and does not worship the gods of
Egypt. It forced the Israelites to take a side, putting their lives at stake. If
their Egyptian neighbors saw this, the Israelites would likely be killed, so
there was no turning back once they marked their doorposts. God was
asking for total faithfulness.
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8. What would happen if they didn’t put the lamb’s blood on the
doorpost?
Answer: Their firstborn son would die.
9. This is a tough situation. Either the Egyptians will come after

them or they will lose their firstborn sons. How do you think you
would respond if you were an Israelite?
CLIMAX: DEFIANCE IN THE DESERT
10. Now that the Israelites are safely out of Egypt, Moses leaves
them temporarily to go and pray. After getting impatient for his
return, what do the Israelites do?
Answer: They ask Aaron to make them gods.
Just to note, the phrase “rose up to play” is another Hebrew idiom.

The Israelites weren’t just having some fun. Bulls and calves were
fertility gods in the Egyptian culture, and the worship of these gods
included sexual acts. “Rose up to play” is a veiled description of an
idolatrous orgy.
11. Why do you think they would ask for gods?

Answer: They got tired of waiting for the Lord and for their leader, Moses.
They easily fell into their old, bad habits from their time in Egypt.
12. The Israelites are still stuck in their old, idol-worshipping

ways. Our bad habits, our idols, can be difficult to give up. How
can we overcome the idols in our lives?
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Discussion / Moses
APPLICATION: TAKING A STAND
13. What does Moses do when God tells him what the Israelites
are doing?
Answer: He asks those who are still faithful to the Lord to come to him.
14. When you are in a situation where other people are sinning,
how can you respond faithfully?
15. How might God be asking you to take a stand and call others
to holiness?
SUMMARY
In this chapter, God calls Moses, an unlikely hero of faith, to lead

the Israelites to freedom. This was physical freedom from slavery in
Egypt, but more importantly a spiritual freedom from the worship of
Egyptian gods. This happens dramatically through the Passover, a do-
or-die proposition to be faithful. However, almost immediately after
the Israelites are liberated and the entire nation enters into covenant
with God, they become impatient and fall back into idolatry. In Moses,
we have an example of how we are to call others to holiness. The
Passover is the symbol for this chapter, represented by the image of
a door.
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NOTES
71
NOTES
72
UNDERSTANDING

Page 74 - 79
DISCUSSION

Page 80 - 85
Goal: That inspired by the story of God’s covenant with David, all
participants would desire to repent and seek out the Sacrament
of Confession.
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Understanding / David
UNDERSTANDING

ABOUT THIS PASSAGE?
Read 2 Samuel 7:8–17, 11:1–15, 12:1–7, Psalm 51
CONTEXT
Context in the Story of Salvation: Changes in Leadership
Moses’ successor, Joshua, leads the nation of Israel into the land of
Canaan, the Promised Land. After Joshua dies, a series of judges, who
were military leaders, lead the nation until Samuel anoints a king for the
people. God first chooses Saul and then David, his successor, as king
over Israel. Through David, God again desires to renew and expand His
covenant, calling him to be a great king who will restore Israel.
Context for Our Story Today: David’s Virtue
In the early stories of David’s life, we see great virtue: As a mere

shepherd boy, he shows courage and a willingness to sacrifice his
life for the kingdom when he meets Goliath. Later, Saul, the king of
Israel, seeks to kill David, and yet David responds with respect for the
current king. Even at the time of Saul’s death, David truly mourns for his
predecessor. We know David to be a man of strong virtue, a man after
God’s own heart.
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2 Samuel 7: 8–17
Today we are going to look at some of the later episodes in David’s

life. In this chapter, God sends the prophet Nathan to speak to David.
His words are a reminder of both David’s call and God’s promise: “I
took you from the pasture…that you should be prince over my people
Israel.… And I will make for you a great name, like the great ones of
the earth.… He [David’s son] shall build a house for my name, and I
will establish the throne of his kingdom forever” (2 Sam 7:8, 9, 13).
Hearing this, David would be thinking of the second promise made to
Abraham—that of a kingly line. God also makes the incredible promise
that this kingly line will never be removed; it is an unending dynasty.
CLIMAX: TROUBLE IN THE KINGDOM
2 Samuel 11:1–15
During his reign, David falls into sin. It’s a gripping story: All the able
men of the city are away at battle, but King David stays home. As
king, he should be leading his soldiers. This is the subtle beginning
of David’s fall: laziness, a failure to do his duty. His idleness seems to
grow: One afternoon, he rises from his couch and goes out to the roof
of his palace. There, he sees a beautiful woman, Bathsheba, bathing on
her roof. He sends for her, and when she comes to him, he sleeps with
her and she becomes pregnant.
David hears the news of Bathsheba’s pregnancy and tries to cover up

his crime: He sends for Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah, to come back from
the battlefield for a few days, hoping that Uriah will have relations with
his wife during his visit, and no one will question her pregnancy.
But Uriah is such an upright man that when he comes back to Jerusalem,
he sleeps outside David’s house, explaining that he cannot justify the
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luxury of going home while his fellow soldiers are encamped on the
battlefield. The next night, David redoubles his efforts and gets Uriah
drunk. Still, Uriah refuses to go home, instead sleeping at David’s
doorstep.
Finally, David takes drastic and devastating measures. He sends a

message to Uriah’s commander, Joab, telling him to send Uriah on
a suicide mission: Uriah is to be sent to the front lines, where the
fighting is heaviest, and then Joab will tell the other soldiers to draw
back. Joab follows the order. Uriah is killed in cold blood, and David
bears the guilt.
How could a man so full of virtue fall into such disastrous sin? The
answer: small steps in the wrong direction. When we find ourselves
in the midst of sin, we can wonder, “How did I get here?” Almost
always, it began with small steps away from God. The sooner we take
responsibility for our sins, the sooner we can repent of them and be
healed; conversely, the more we try and cover up our sins, the greater
they become.
APPLICATION: REPENTANCE
2 Samuel 12:1–7
The Lord is very displeased: David, whom the Lord had called to be
Israel’s king and to lead God’s children, has abandoned his duty. So
God sends the prophet Nathan to deliver a message.
Nathan begins simply by telling the king a story about a beloved lamb
stolen from its poor owner and fed to a rich man’s guest. The lamb is
an intentional symbol. Remember, David grew up as a shepherd, so
he could easily place himself in this story. When David hears it, he is
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enraged: He goes so far as to invoke the Lord’s name and say that this
man deserves death.
Then, Nathan delivers the punch: “You are that man” (2 Sam 12:7).
You can see the drama of the situation: It is as if David’s own words
are now directed toward himself. Nathan tells David that the Lord will
not abandon His covenant, but now David’s line will suffer violence,
oppression, and tragedy.
Psalm 51
As soon as Nathan finishes speaking, David responds, struck to the

heart: “I have sinned against the Lord” (2 Sam 12:13). He doesn’t try to
blame someone else, as many of his forefathers did. When confronted
with his sin, he simply admits it. This was the moment that inspired
David to write the beautiful Psalm 51—his cry for God’s mercy, and a
great example of authentic repentance.
The words of Psalm 51 give us a great starting point for finding the
words to repent: “Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy steadfast
love; according to thy abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin”
(Ps 51:1-2).
Confession is a great opportunity to admit our guilt and confess our

sins to God. In this sacrament, we receive God’s forgiveness, our
consciences are unburdened, and we are given the grace to heal.
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SUMMARY
In the story of David, we see the terrible fall of a good man. God
makes His covenant with David, extending it to the entire kingdom.
But David starts neglecting his duty and eventually falls into one
serious sin after another. The Lord uses the prophet Nathan and a
compelling story to reveal to David his own guilt. David responds with
authentic and heartfelt repentance. Like David, we too should repent
from the heart, taking advantage of the sacrament of confession to
draw closer to God. The symbol of the crown is a reminder of David’s
kingship and how we should repent when we sin.
Note to the Leader: This is a good opportunity to recommend the sacrament

of confession to your group. As the leader, you may need to teach the
participants how to make a good confession. Help them find the right
time and place for confession, perhaps even setting up arrangements with
a priest. Don’t let logistical difficulties prevent them from receiving the
sacrament; give them encouragement and assure them of the incredible
benefits of a good confession. Also, lead by example: Share with your
group your own need for confession. Be vulnerable and go to confession
yourself, especially if you have serious sins to confess.
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NOTES
79
Discussion / David
DISCUSSION

YOUR BIBLE STUDY
2 Samuel 7:8–17, 11:1–15, 12:1–7, Psalm 51
OPENER:
1. Have you ever been caught doing something you shouldn’t

have been doing?
Today we are going to read about David. In him, we see a man of virtue
with whom God makes his covenant. David receives the amazing promise
that his descendants will be an unending line of kings. We will also see
David make a series of terrible mistakes, but through them, we will learn
how we can respond when we fail.
CONTEXT: DAVID’S VIRTUE
2. We can learn so much about David from the stories in the Bible
of his early life: We learn that he trusts God’s faithfulness and
that he has courage when he meets Goliath. We also learn that
David is merciful when he refuses to kill King Saul, even though
Saul is trying to kill him. With the information from these stories
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and any others that you know, what kind of man do you think
David was?
Answer: We know that he was a man of virtue and close to the heart of
God.
Read 2 Samuel 7:8–17
3. Here, as the Lord is establishing His next covenant with David,

He recounts the works He has done for David and for Israel. What
sticks out to you?
4. Thinking back to previous chapters and the three promises

God made to Abraham, which one is God setting out to fulfill
with David?
Answer: To Abraham, God promised: (1) land, (2) a kingdom, and (3)
worldwide blessing. Here, God is establishing a kingly line—the second
promise.
CLIMAX: TROUBLE IN THE KINGDOM
5. The first three sentences of this chapter give us a picture of

David’s activities. What is he doing, and what should he be doing?
Answer: He is resting in Jerusalem when he should be leading his men on
the battlefield.
6. What does David do next?

Answer: He sees Bathsheba while she is bathing, invites her to the palace,
and sleeps with her, after which she becomes pregnant.
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Discussion / David
7. When David finds out Bathsheba is pregnant, what do you

think he is most concerned about?
Answer: He seems most concerned about his own reputation and
concealing his guilt.
8. How does David attempt to conceal his sin?

Answer: He has Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah, brought home from
the battlefield, hoping he will sleep with Bathsheba and provide an
explanation for her pregnancy. When Uriah refuses to go sleep at his
own home, David ensures he is killed on the battlefield—a premeditated
murder, in cold blood.
9. This is a terrible sin. But, like David, our small sins can lead to
bigger ones, especially when we try to cover them up. Can you
relate to David in this situation?
APPLICATION: REPENTANCE
10. In this passage, the prophet Nathan confronts David in a

powerful way. What does he do?
Answer: Nathan tells a story to help David recognize the gravity of what
he has done.
11. Why do you think this story was so effective in leading David
to repentance?
Answer: Allow the group to discuss. This story has particular significance
for David because it was about a lamb, and David is a former shepherd.
David would have loved and cared for many lambs in his younger life.
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12. We’ve read many stories in this Bible study. How have these
stories helped you live faithfully?
13. Typically, what is your first reaction when confronted with

your sins?
14. Nathan helps David turn back to God. Do you have anyone
in your life who can help when you are struggling to follow God
faithfully?
Take a minute to read or pray with Psalm 51
15. Psalm 51 was written by David after Nathan confronts him

with his sins. What stood out to you in these verses?
16. Confession is a great opportunity to repent and receive

forgiveness. I want to invite each of you to go to confession this
week. Is there anything I can do to help you prepare to go to
confession?
Note to the Leader: As the leader, you may need to teach the participants
how to make a good confession. Help them find the right time and place
for confession, perhaps even setting up arrangements with a priest. Don’t
let logistical difficulties prevent them from receiving the sacrament; give
them encouragement and assure them of the incredible benefits of a good
confession. Also, lead by example: Share with your group your own need
for confession. Be vulnerable and go to confession yourself, especially if
you have serious sins to confess.
83
Discussion / David
SUMMARY
In the story of David, we see the terrible fall of a good man. God
makes His covenant with David, extending it to the entire kingdom.
But David starts neglecting his duty and eventually falls into one
serious sin after another. The Lord uses the prophet Nathan and a
compelling story to reveal to David his own guilt. David responds with
authentic and heartfelt repentance. Like David, we too should repent
from the heart, taking advantage of the sacrament of confession to
draw closer to God. The symbol of the crown is a reminder of David’s
kingship and how we should repent when we sin.
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NOTES
85
NOTES
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UNDERSTANDING

Page 88 - 95
DISCUSSION

Page 96 - 103
Goal: That all participants would understand how Jesus fulfills

all the covenants and that they reaffirm their decision to live in
covenant relationship with Jesus, particularly in the Eucharist.
Also, complete the overall goals for the study: 1) That all
participants know all 6 covenants and 2) That all participants
know their place in God’s plan.
Note to the Leader: This chapter may take more than one week to
complete. Please plan and prepare accordingly.
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Understanding / Jesus
UNDERSTANDING

ABOUT THIS PASSAGE?
Read Luke 22:14–20; 22:39–46; 23:33–49
CONTEXT
In the Context of the Story of Salvation: The Coming Messiah
After David, the Kingdom of Israel was torn in two by civil war. The
Northern Kingdom consisted of the ten tribes of Israel; the Southern
Kingdom was populated by the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. Both
kingdoms would eventually be conquered and taken into exile—the
Northern Kingdom by the Assyrians and the Southern Kingdom by
the Babylonians. The ten northern tribes would never return to their
homeland: They assimilated into Assyria and are known as the ten
lost tribes of Israel. The Southern Kingdom, commonly known as
the Jews, would eventually return from exile, but they would remain
under the authority of the Babylonians, then the Persians, then the
Greeks, and finally the Romans.
Through it all, prophet after prophet reminds the people that God has
not abandoned them. An anointed one—a messiah king—will come
to restore the covenant and set them free.
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Then, in the fullness of time, God sends His own beloved Son, Jesus
Christ, to establish one final covenant in order to bring the whole
world back into covenant relationship with God.
In the Context of Our Story Today: The Passion
Luke 22:14–20; 22:39–46; 23:33–49
During Jesus’ life and ministry, we see how He fulfills the promises of
the Old Testament and expands God’s covenant to all nations. Take
some time to read the above passages from Luke’s Gospel. You’ll
read about Jesus’ establishment of a new covenant with the Eucharist
during the Passover. You’ll be by Jesus’ side during the agony in the
garden as you contemplate the suffering set before Him. You’ll walk
with Him as He journeys towards His death on the cross.
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REVIEW
But, before we explore the ways Jesus fulfills the Old Testament
covenants, this is a good opportunity to test your memory of the
major covenants in the story of salvation. Fill in the chart below
(we’ve already filled in the information about the sixth covenant as
an example).
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CLIMAX: COVENANTS FULFILLED
After the resurrection, Jesus meets two people along the road to
Emmaus. They are discussing all they’ve seen over the last few days
and how they “had hoped that He was the one to redeem Israel” (Lk
22:21). Jesus then spends the rest of their journey walking with them
and explaining to them how the Christ had to suffer and die in order
to fulfill the Scriptures. Let’s look back at each of the five covenants in
the Old Testament to understand how Jesus does this.
Adam: The first covenant with Adam is broken when he falls into the
devil’s temptation in the garden. Jesus, too, is tempted by the devil in
a garden, but where Adam is unfaithful, Jesus shows that He is the
faithful Son (Lk 22:39–46). Jesus takes on Adam’s covenant curses
of sweat, thorns, and death (Gn 3:18–19) when He sweats blood in
the Garden of Gethsemane, is crowned with thorns by the Roman
soldiers, and dies on the cross at Calvary.
Noah: Through Noah, God chooses to make His covenant with one
who is faithful in the midst of a corrupted world. Noah’s obedience
gives rise to an ark, through which his household is spared. Like Noah,
Jesus offers salvation to the human family through the waters of
baptism, by which we pass through the waters of death and emerge
in the newness of life with Christ: “God waited patiently in the days
of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in
all, were saved through the water, and this water symbolizes baptism
that now saves you also.… It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus
Christ” (1 Pt 3:20–21).
Abraham: Like Isaac, Jesus is the “beloved Son of the Father,” but while
God stopped Abraham from sacrificing Isaac in atonement for sins,
He does not stop His own Son from being sacrificed for the sins of the
world (Lk 23:33–49). (See Chapter 4 for a chart of other similarities.)
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In Jesus, the third promise to Abraham, that of worldwide blessing,

is finally fulfilled. He establishes the Catholic Church (which means
“universal” or “worldwide”), which opens its arms to the whole world.
Moses: With Moses, God initiates His covenant through the Passover
meal the night before they are freed from slavery. Jesus also
establishes the new covenant at the Passover (Lk 22:14-20). He is
the unblemished lamb of sacrifice—the Lamb of God. Just as with
the Israelites, the Passover is not just a sacrifice but a meal wherein
one had to eat the flesh of the lamb; so too with Jesus. He offers His
flesh and blood to nourish our souls in the Eucharist. Through this
sacrament, we renew our participation in the new and everlasting
covenant.
David: Finally, Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection reveal that

He is the long-awaited Davidic king promised by the covenant who
establishes His royal throne upon the cross. What was meant to
be a mockery is the source of our salvation: They scourge Him and
robe Him in purple, they crown Him with thorns and pretend to pay
homage to Him as royalty, but His enthronement is a cross of wood
(Lk 23:36). Finally, they hang the sign that unintentionally reveals His
Davidic kingship: “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” It is the good
thief, crucified next to Him, who proclaims his own belief in Jesus’
kingship: “Jesus, remember me when you come into Your kingdom”
(Lk 23:36–43).
What looks like God’s greatest defeat is, in fact, the greatest victory.
The cross is our final freedom from the bondage of sin and death.
The debt we owed in neglecting the covenant is paid by the Son, who
is faithful. In Jesus, we now have the opportunity to become adopted
sons and daughters within the Father’s household.
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APPLICATION: ENTERING THE COVENANT
As we have seen, all the covenants reach fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

But the story of salvation doesn’t end there: Each of us is called to
enter into a covenant relationship with Jesus, to receive the promises
of God and promise our fidelity to Him.
The Eucharist is the sign of this new and everlasting covenant: “And
he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave
it to them, saying, ‘This is my body which is given for you. Do this in
remembrance of me.’ And likewise the cup after supper, saying, ‘This
cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood’” (Lk
22:19–20). In the Eucharist, we recommit ourselves to living in a deep,
personal covenant with God.
As members of the Church, we are participants in the new covenant.

God has given us everything—His only son, and the promise of our
every happiness. We can live as sons and daughters, accepting God’s
amazing promises and entering into covenant relationship with Him,
or we can refuse. The story of salvation is not a thing of the past, but
something that we are in the midst of right now. How will we respond?
When we receive Holy Communion, we hear the words, “Body of

Christ.” We then say, “Amen.” The word “Amen” signifies affirmation
or agreement. In other words, it is a promise. As you may remember
from the introduction, a covenant is an exchange of persons, wherein
those who were not family become family. A covenant is sealed with
an oath. By saying, “Amen,” we are renewing the covenant made at
our baptism, promising once again to be faithful. The next time you
go to Mass, take seriously the promise you are making, and strive to
give yourself to Jesus completely.
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SUMMARY
In this chapter, we learned how Jesus Christ fulfills all the covenants
of the Old Testament. We also learned how we are called to enter into
covenant relationship with Jesus Christ within the Catholic Church,
the worldwide covenant community. In the Eucharist, we renew our
pledge to be faithful: Jesus gives Himself to us completely, and we
promise to give ourselves back to Him completely. The Eucharist is
also the sign and symbol of this new and everlasting covenant.
Note to the Leader: If any of your Bible study members have not yet
received a gospel presentation, this is a good opportunity to meet with
them individually and, after the completion of the study, offer them the
chance to make a decision about living in a faithful covenant relationship
with God, in Jesus Christ.
The Ultimate Relationship is a helpful tool when presenting the gospel. You
may also use an appropriate passage of Scripture, such as the Prodigal
Son in Luke 15:11–32.
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NOTES
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Discussion / Jesus
DISCUSSION

YOUR BIBLE STUDY
Luke 22:14–20; 22:39–46; 23:33–49
OPENER:
1. Have you ever had to wait for something really amazing?
Today we are going to do things a little differently. First, we are going

to take a minute to read a few passages about Jesus’ passion and
death. Second, we will review the covenants of the Old Testament.
Next, we will see how Jesus fulfills the Old Testament covenants. Then
finally, we will talk about our place in God’s covenant as His sons and
daughters. Also, there is quite a bit here, so we might not get all of it
completed this week.
CONTEXT: THE PASSION
Read Luke 22:14–20
2. What stands out to you about what Jesus says and does in this
passage?
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3. How does Jesus set the stage for the establishment of the new
covenant in this passage?
Answer: Within the context of the Passover meal, He tells them that His body
and blood, about to be sacrificed, will be the source of the new covenant.
4. In the story of salvation, with each new covenant there is an

increase in scope—from Adam and Eve and a single couple to David
and an entire kingdom. In Jesus Christ, the covenant extends to
the whole world. This is where we get the term “Catholic”: It
means “universal” or “worldwide.” The Catholic Church is the
worldwide covenant community. Does this change the way you
see the Church?
5. It is not uncommon for members of the Church to fail in

faithfully living out its mission to bring people into the covenant.
What can we do to more effectively bring others into the Church?
Read Christ’s Passion account in Luke 22:39–46 and Luke 23:33–49.
6. In light of what you’ve learned in this study, did anything strike

you that you never noticed before?
Answer: Allow the group to discuss. Don’t worry if they don’t have a lot to
say; you are going fill in some details in the following section.
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Discussion / Jesus
REVIEW
7. Now that we have read about the Last Supper, passion, and
death of Jesus, we are going to explore the ways Jesus fulfills the
Old Testament covenants. Before we can do this, let’s see if we
can remember all of the covenants—the person God made them
with, the recipients of the covenant, and the symbol for each
one.
Note to the leader: Hand out the Covenant Worksheet to all of your
participants and take some time to fill it out. If you did not make copies in
advance, fill it out together.
Note to the leader: In the following section, you will read aloud how Jesus
fulfills each of the previous covenants. You may discuss each covenant
separately or all together at the end.
CLIMAX: COVENANTS FULFILLED
Here is brief description of how Jesus fulfills each of the previous

covenants.
Adam: The first covenant with Adam is broken when he falls into the
devil’s temptation in the garden. Jesus, too, is tempted by the devil in
a garden, but where Adam is unfaithful, Jesus shows that He is the
faithful Son (Lk 22:39–46). Jesus takes on Adam’s covenant curses
of sweat, thorns, and death (Gn 3:18–19) when He sweats blood in
the Garden of Gethsemane, is crowned with thorns by the Roman
soldiers, and dies on the cross at Calvary.
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Noah: Through Noah, God chooses to make His covenant with one
who is faithful in the midst of a corrupted world. Noah’s obedience
gives rise to an ark, through which his household is spared. Like Noah,
Jesus offers salvation to the human family through the waters of
baptism, by which we pass through the waters of death and emerge
in the newness of life with Christ: “God waited patiently in the days
of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in
all, were saved through the water, and this water symbolizes baptism
that now saves you also.… It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus
Christ” (1 Pt 3:20–21).
Abraham: Like Isaac, Jesus is the “beloved Son of the Father,” but while
God stopped Abraham from sacrificing Isaac in atonement for sins,
He does not stop His own Son from being sacrificed for the sins of the
world (Lk 23:33–49). (See Chapter 4 for a chart of other similarities.)
In Jesus, the third promise to Abraham, that of worldwide blessing,
is finally fulfilled. He establishes the Catholic Church (which means
“universal” or “worldwide”), which opens its arms to the whole world.
Moses: With Moses, God initiates His covenant through the Passover
meal the night before they are freed from slavery. Jesus also
establishes the new covenant at the Passover (Lk 22:14-20). He is
the unblemished lamb of sacrifice—the Lamb of God. Just as with
the Israelites, the Passover is not just a sacrifice but a meal wherein
one had to eat the flesh of the lamb; so too with Jesus. He offers His
flesh and blood to nourish our souls in the Eucharist. Through this
sacrament, we renew our participation in the new and everlasting
covenant.
David: Finally, Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection reveal that

He is the long-awaited Davidic king promised by the covenant who
establishes His royal throne upon the cross. What was meant to
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Discussion / Jesus
be a mockery is the source of our salvation: They scourge Him and

robe Him in purple, they crown Him with thorns and pretend to pay
homage to Him as royalty, but His enthronement is a cross of wood
(Lk 23:36). Finally, they hang the sign that unintentionally reveals His
Davidic kingship: “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” It is the good
thief, crucified next to Him, who proclaims his own belief in Jesus’
kingship: “Jesus, remember me when you come into Your kingdom”
(Lk 23:36–43).
What looks like God’s greatest defeat is, in fact, the greatest victory.
The cross is our final freedom from the bondage of sin and death.
The debt we owed in neglecting the covenant is paid by the Son, who
is faithful. In Jesus, we now have the opportunity to become adopted
sons and daughters within the Father’s household.
8. What stood out to you as you heard how Jesus fulfilled these
covenants?
9. When you understand these similarities—viewing the New

Testament in light of the Old—does it change the way you view
Jesus?
APPLICATION: ENTERING THE COVENANT
10. We’ve been discussing the last covenant, established in Jesus

Christ, which fulfills all the others. As we saw, the scope of each
successive covenant becomes larger and larger. Who is invited
into this new and final covenant?
Answer: Everyone.
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11. Have you ever thought of yourself as being in a covenant
relationship with God? What does that mean?
Answer: Allow the group to discuss. It means that we have become beloved
sons and daughters of God, members of His family, the Church, inheritors
of His promises and all the blessings it entails. It also means that we ought
to be faithful to that covenant.
12. The Eucharist is the sign of the new covenant. When we receive
Holy Communion, we hear the words, “Body of Christ.” We then
say, “Amen.” The word “amen” signifies affirmation or agreement.
In other words, it is a promise. As you may remember from the
introduction, a covenant is an exchange of persons, sealed with
an oath, wherein those who were not family become family. By
saying “amen,” we are renewing the covenant, promising once
again to be faithful. How does receiving the Eucharist renew our
covenant relationship with Jesus Christ?
Answer: In the Eucharist, Jesus gives Himself to us completely, and we,
in turn, give ourselves completely back to Him. We are invited into His
sacrifice and receive the grace to be more faithful to Him. By receiving
Him in Holy Communion, we promise our fidelity.
13. Does this understanding of the Eucharist as a covenant sign

change the way you think about Mass?
14. What can we do to receive the Eucharist more faithfully?

15. We are now at the end of our study. Compare your life now to
where you were at the beginning of the study. What is different?
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Discussion / Jesus
SUMMARY
In this chapter, we learned how Jesus Christ fulfills all the covenants
of the Old Testament. We also learned how we are called to enter into
covenant relationship with Jesus Christ within the Catholic Church,
the worldwide covenant community. In the Eucharist, we renew our
pledge to be faithful: Jesus gives Himself to us completely, and we
promise to give ourselves back to Him completely. The Eucharist is
also the sign and symbol of this new and everlasting covenant.
Note to the leader: If any of your Bible study members have not yet
received a gospel presentation, this is a good opportunity to meet with
them individually and, after the completion of the study, offer them the
chance to make a decision about living in a faithful covenant relationship
with God, in Jesus Christ.
The Ultimate Relationship is a helpful tool when presenting the Gospel.

You may also use an appropriate passage of Scripture, such as the
Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11–32.
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COVENANT WORKSHEET
Directions: See if you can name each of the covenants in order:
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FOCUS Equip
‘FOCUS Equip’ is based on Ephesians 4:12 “for the equipment of the

saints, for the work of the ministry, for building up the body of Christ.”
These materials seek to equip you for lifelong Catholic mission.
We would love to hear your feedback at: [email protected]
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The Story of Salvation 2

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What is the goal of this chapter?

What is the goal of this chapter?

What are covenants and how do they differ from contracts?

What are covenants and how do they differ from contracts?

1

Copyright © 2012, 2016 – FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students).

Finding Your Place in God’s Plan

1. What were your reactions to Evelyn Waugh’s story?

4. If you had to explain a covenant to someone, what would you

5. What does a covenant say about who God is?

8. Why do you think understanding the big picture of Scripture

(for your preparation as a leader)

(to use with your group)

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW

Context in the Story of Salvation: Creation Stories

The story of salvation begins in the book of Genesis with creation.

Context for Our Story Today: Image and Likeness

However, this identity as beloved sons and daughters immediately

CLIMAX: IDENTITY CRISIS

In Genesis 2:16–17, God gives Adam and Eve a commandment: Do

The serpent intervenes at this critical moment of choice. In Genesis

Eve responds by affirming God’s commandment—and then she takes

APPLICATION: THE SABBATH

In Hebrew, the word for “Sabbath” is shebbath. At the root of shebbath

The Hebrews would have immediately recognized the use of the

Both ancient and modern Jews celebrate the Sabbath on Saturday.

DISCUSSION GUIDE FOR

(Share aloud with your group.)

Today, we are going to look at a story that answers some of those

CONTEXT: IMAGE AND LIKENESS

Read Genesis 1:26–28

2. In Genesis 1:26, God makes man in His image and likeness.

4. Genesis reveals that being beloved sons and daughters is our

CLIMAX: IDENTITY CRISIS

Read Genesis 2:16–17

Read Genesis 3:1–7

6. In Genesis 3:1, the devil enters the story. Reflecting on the

trustworthy and tempts her to doubt God’s goodness. He portrays God

7. What is wrong with Eve’s response to the serpent? Turn back

8. In Genesis, there is a drama between Adam and Eve viewing

APPLICATION: THE SABBATH

Read Genesis 2:1–3

(Share aloud with your group.)

As we read through the story of salvation, we will see how God’s

In Hebrew, the word for “Sabbath” is shebbath. At the root of shebbath

9. Does that make sense? Can someone explain the Sabbath?

10. How do you view going to Mass on Sundays?

11. How should we view going to Mass on Sunday?

13. Why do you think God commands us to rest on the Sabbath?

14. Why is it so hard to rest?

(Share aloud with your group)

*For a further exploration of the Fall and its consequences, see

(for your preparation as a leader)

(to use with your group)

Goal: That through God’s covenant with Noah all participants

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW

Context in the Story of Salvation: The Growth of Sin

Context for Our Story Today: God’s Covenant with Noah

In the wake of the flood’s destruction, we see a kind of re-creation, a