God Swears Sample Chapter by Lifetogether Ministries

GOD SWEARS TO KEEP HIS PROMISES

JERRY DI RMA NN

ISBN #: 978-1-945589-12-6 Printed in the United States of America

TA BL E OF CON T EN T S Foreword by Jack Hayford Introduction by Jerry Dirmann Using This Workbook Format of Each Session

5 6 9 10

SESSIONS Session One: Session Two: Session Three: Session Four: Session Five: Session Six: Session Seven:

God Cuts a Covenant Covenant Representative Covenant Love Receiving a Better Covenant The Covenant Meal Covenant Friendship The Marriage Covenant

12 26 38 50 62 74 86

APPENDIX Frequently Asked Questions Small Group Agreement Group Calendar Prayer and Praise Report Small Group Roster Memory Verse Cards

100 102 103 104 105 106

SMALL GROUP LEADERS Hosting an Open House Hosting for the First Time Leadership 101 Host Notes Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Next

110 111 112 114 115

FOREWORD JACK HAYFORD (Excerpts from his full Foreword of the book, God Swears)

Be assured from the start, the title of this study is more than merely a clever means to spark curiosity. God Swears is a stark-yet-firm and soul-settling reminder that God is deeply serious about our truly understanding His love. His is a commitment—one that is pointed, unshakeable, verifiable and costly. Though freely offered through a price He paid, God’s love is provided as a gift—but one that calls us to “buy into it” with our hearts and eyes wide open ... opened with understanding His words. God Swears brings focus, clarity and practical insight to the enriching meaning of “covenant.” It’s a near-forgottenword, an unwelcomed concept in any culture where relativism reigns, while truth, pledge, promise or reliability are optional, redefined-at-will or simply discarded as inconvenient or unrealistic. There’s a reason for the relevance and substance of this content. It’s soundness throughout rises on the foundation of its rock-solid grounding in the truth of God’s word—the Bible. So, dear reader—step beyond this Foreword, if you will. You’ll find you’ve entered a doorway of insight, inspiration and Holy Spirit-graced truth that is certain to enrich your soul, feed your understanding and lead to practical truth. Jack W. Hayford, Chancellor The King’s University—Dallas

INTRODUCTION In my last 30 years of studying, reading and hearing the teachings of God’s word, precious few revelations have deeply and consistently impacted the broad spectrum of listeners like the profound implications of God’s biblical covenants. The reason that understanding God’s covenants is so life-changing — especially His covenants with Abraham and Jesus — is that they were instituted for one primary purpose ... to convince us that He would keep His promises. Though God is absolutely faithful, God’s people throughout history have struggled to believe that this invisible God could be trusted to use His self-described and unlimited power to bring about the Bible’s seemingly-too-good-to-be-true promises. This struggle of unbelief has caused countless unnecessary “forfeits” of God’s promised blessings. Because of this, after deliberately “limiting” His unlimited options by making promises to us, God went further to swear a blood covenant with us to assure us that He would be faithful to His word. His ultimate purpose is to convince us so that we can both believe and receive the promised benefits. So, when it comes to God’s amazing promises, such as, “By His stripes we are healed,” “God shall supply all of your need,” and “Ask and it will be given,” the “big question” is, WILL GOD KEEP HIS PROMISES? And the “big answer” is … GOD SWEARS!

Jerry Dirmann Senior Pastor, The Rock Anaheim, CA

USING THIS WORKBOOK T OOL S T O HEL P YOU H AV E A GRE AT SMALL GROUP E XPERIENCE!

There are three components to this workbook: (1) Sessions; (2) Appendix; and (3) Small Group Leaders. The Sessions contain the small group study materials and outline. The Appendix contains materials and content that will be useful in the sessions. The Small Group Leaders section has information specific to those leading the group.

Use this workbook as a guide, not a straightjacket. If the group responds to the lesson in an unexpected but honest way, go with that. If you think of a better question than the next one in the lesson, ask it. Take to heart the insights included in the Frequently Asked Questions pages and the Small Group Leaders section.

Enjoy your Small Group experience.

Pray before each sessionâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;for your group members, for your time together, and wisdom and insights.

5. Read the format for each session on the next pages so that you understand how the sessions will flow.

FORMAT OF E ACH SES SION A typical group session for the God Swears study will include the following sections. Read through this to get a clear idea of how each group meeting will be structured:

TITLE OF SESSION AND SCRIPTURE. Each session opens with a verse that emphasizes an important truth from the session. This is an optional exercise, but we believe that memorizing these verses can be a vital part of filling our mind and heart with God’s will for our lives. We encourage you to give this important habit a try. The verses for our six sessions are also listed in the Appendix. GETTING STARTED TOGETHER. This section includes some simple questions and activities to get you talking—letting you share as much or as little of your story as you feel comfortable. Each session typically offers you two options. You can get to know your whole group by using the listed activities, or you can check in with just one or two group members for a deeper connection and encouragement in your spiritual journey. INTRODUCTION. Each lesson opens with a brief thought that will help you prepare for the session and get you thinking about the particular subject you will explore with your group. Make it a practice to read these before the session. You may want to read them aloud with your group. WATCH THE DVD TOGETHER/DISCUSS THE TEACHING TOGETHER. In this section, you’ll read the Bible and listen to a teaching. When the study directs you to do so, you’ll pop in the DVD and watch a short teaching segment. You’ll then have an opportunity to reflect 10

on the teaching and the texts. The focus isn’t on accumulating information, but understanding the truths taught and then applying the insights to your life. TAKE NEXT STEPS TOGETHER. God wants you to be a part of His Kingdom—to weave your story into His. By making small, simple choices, we can begin to change our direction in a positive way. The Bible says, “Be doers of the word, not just hearers.” (James 1:22) Many people skip over this aspect of the Christian life because it can be intimidating or awkward or simply too much “to do” for their busy schedules. But Jesus wants all of His disciples to know Him personally and to help others connect with Him. This does not necessarily mean that you have to preach on street corners, but it could simply mean welcoming newcomers, hosting a short-term group in your home, or walking through this study with a friend. Take Next Steps Together will also have a question or two that will challenge you to live out your faith by serving others, sharing about Jesus, and walking with God. You will have opportunities to go beyond Bible study to biblical living. DAILY DEVOTIONS. Each week on the Daily Devotions pages, you will be provided with scriptures to read and reflect on during the week. This provides you with a chance to slow down, read a small portion of scripture each day, and reflect on what you read. You’ll then have a chance to write your insights in a journal of your choice. This time at home should begin and end with prayer. Don’t be in a hurry; take enough time to hear God’s direction.

GOD CUTS A COVENANT Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.

DEU T ERONOMY 7:9

GE T T ING STA RTED T OGE THER

Begin your time together by participating in the following questions and activities. • What is your name? Tell the group a little bit about yourself.

• How did you hear about the group, and what brought you here?

• What do you hope to get out of this group?

INTRODUCTION Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments. Deuteronomy 7:9

We’re all familiar with contracts. We’re required to sign or agree to them when we buy a house or a car, start a new job, open an account or install some new software. And though the pages may be numerous, and the fine print painfully binding, contracts seem to be broken more and more often. Our culture, however, is much less familiar with covenants. A covenant, and especially a blood covenant, is much more binding than a contract, and it can last many generations. Today we’re going to explore this ancient and biblical practice called covenant, and discover why understanding it can (and should) completely change your life. Through this series, you will discover both the seriousness and reliability of a blood covenant, and that God Himself made some bold promises, and then entered into a blood covenant to convince us that He would keep His promises.

WATCH THE DVD TOGE THER Use these pages to take notes from the teaching.

DISCUSS THE TEACHING TOGETHER

WHAT ARE SOME CON T R AC T S YOU H AV E SIGNED? WHY ARE THOSE CONT R AC T S VA LUA BL E ? Historically, covenants were most often made for one of two reasons: strengths and weaknesses, or love. Strengths & weaknesses: One tribe may be good at raising crops, but be quite weak at defending their harvested food, while another tribe may be strong and powerful warriors but very poor farmers. This scenario could be ideal for a covenant. By joining our tribes together in covenant as one tribe, we can have the best of both worlds—plenty of food to eat and adequate defenses to protect it. Love: Like in a solid marriage or friendship, love is often the most enduring and secure motive of covenant. Because of deep love, covenant commitments are often kept for a lifetime, even when they require great sacrifice or inconvenience.

COVENANT IMAGERY & LANGUAGE Covenants have been documented throughout history on every continent of the world, and many modern-day ceremonies, such as weddings and inaugurations, still contain covenant practices. Covenants were usually made between two or more people, families, tribes, or nations. In this session, Pastor Jerry shares ten common elements of covenant ceremonies found in Scripture and what each element symbolizes.

TAK E A FE W MINUTES TO REVIEW THESE COVENANT CEREMONY ELEMENTS: Coat Exchange: “All that I am—my authority or influence—I am giving to you.” Weapon Belt Exchange: “All of my strength—my ability, might and strength —now belongs to you. If someone comes against you, I will come against him.” Dividing an Animal: “To break or separate from this covenant means death.” Walk of Blood: “I willingly enter, understand and will remember the seriousness and consequence of this commitment.” Cutting of the Flesh: “My wrist or hand is cut to draw blood, showing my personal commitment. My covenant counterpart does the same.” Searing an Oath: “With my right hand raised and my blood flowing down, I swear to keep each term of the covenant. After swearing my oath, I join my wound to that of my covenant partner and, because blood represents life, now my life is your life and yours mine.” Seal of the Covenant: “My scar from the cut of my wrist or hand marks a permanent covenant.” Name Exchange: “I share my name with you, and take your name, to communicate that we have become one family, tribe, or nation.” Covenant Meal (Bread and Wine): “As a symbolic point of contact, I feel your life coming into me, and you feel mine coming into you.” Memorial: This may be a large pile of stones or perhaps the gift exchange of a reproducing sheep or goat; “These will remind us—and anyone—that we are in covenant.” 19

Which of these covenant ceremony elements seem most surprising, and why?

Which of these covenant ceremony elements seem to be the most impactful to you, and why?

What element(s) of covenant do you see in Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s statements to Abram?

What question provoked God to make a blood covenant with Abram? Do you sometimes have the same question?

What was Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s primary purpose for initiating a blood covenant? Does God want us to believe He will be faithful to keep His promises?

Do you know of any promises in the Bible that God made to you? Do you believe God wants to keep them? Why?

TA K E NE X T STEPS T OGE THER

This week, will you commit to spending time in daily prayer and the study of God’s word? You may use the Daily Devotions section to guide you. Tell the group how you plan to follow through with your Bible reading this week, and then, at your next meeting, talk about your progress and challenges. Also consider someone—in this group or outside it—that you can begin to develop a healthier relationship. This may be your mom or dad, a cousin, an aunt or uncle, a roommate, a college buddy, a coworker or a neighbor. Choose someone who might be open to “doing life” with you at a more personal level, and pray about that opportunity. Write the names of two or three people you know who need to know Christ. Commit to praying for God’s guidance and an opportunity to share with each of them. Perhaps they would be open to joining the group. Share the names with the group so you can all be praying for the people you’ve identified.

1. 2. 3. 4.

How can we pray for you this week? Take time to pray for one another. Be sure to write prayer requests on your Prayer and Praise Report on page 104.

D A I LY D E V O T I O N S

1 2 3 DAY

DAY

R E A D G E N E S I S 1 7 : 7.

READ HEBREWS 6 :17 (NLT ).

READ HEBREWS 6 :18 (NLT ).

God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind.

So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.

And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you.

This devotional will encourage you in your relationship with the Lord and help you meditate on the truth of God’s covenant. Each day you will find a verse. Read and reflect on each verse. You may choose to write your insights in a journal of your choice. This time at home should begin and end with prayer. Don’t be in a hurry; take enough time to hear God’s direction.

4 5 6 DAY

DAY

RE A D 2 T IMO T HY 2:13.

RE A D NUMBERS 2 3:19.

If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.

God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?

Use the following space to write any thoughts God has put in your heart and mind about the things we have looked at in this session and during your Daily Devotions time this week.