Religion 9 New Covenant

Covenant

A covenant invites humanity into God’s family.

Noah’s Covenant of Life/Mercy

Promise: Never to Flood the Earth again

Sign: Rainbow

Noah’s Ark/Flood was God’s attempt for a fresh start which links to Baptism because this sacrament welcomes humans into God’s family by cleansing your sins.

Abraham’s Covenant of faith

Promise: Land, descendants, blessing

Sign: Circumcision

Abraham’s respond was an act of faith because he believed even when it seems impossible.

Moses’ Covenant Law to love

God gave Moses the Ten Commandments to guide the Israelites to live in close relationship with God and each other. This teaches people to live the covenant by forming a nation and teaching moral responsibility.

David’s Covenant of Kingship

Promise: A king/messiah will come from David’s lineage

This fulfills the promise as Jesus as the eternal King of Kings who will reign forever.

Jesus as the New Covenant

Jesus embodies the New Covenant through His life and death, uniting humanity. The New Covenant is sealed written in His own blood. “This cup is the new covenant in my blood” -Last Supper

New Covenant

The New Covenant is stronger because it deepens God’s grace not human success. It is written on hearts, not stone tablets.

Law to Love (Moses)

Fulfillment of Moses’ Covenant as he creates the Beatitudes the law to love, corresponds with how we view the commandments. “The hard law written on stone, to the law written on our hearts.” “Love God and love your neighbour”, sums up the commandments and the law to love.

Prophecies of Fulfillment (Isaiah 53)

Suffering servant, fulfilled in Jesus’ Passion

Prophecies of Fulfillment (Jeremiah 31:33)

“Law written on hearts”, fulfilling through the Holy Spirit

Prophecies of Fulfillment (Micah 5:2)

“Born in Bethlehem”, fulfilled at Jesus’ birth

Last Supper

Jesus shares bread and wine as His body and blood, symbolizing the covenant sealed by His sacrifice.

Cross the sign of the New Covenant

The cross symbolizes mercy and justice. When Jesus died on the cross, He fulfilled all covenants through self-giving love.

Four Views of the Cross (Matthew)

The king who rules by mercy

Four Views of the Cross (Mark)

The obedient servant of God

Four Views of the Cross (Luke)

The forgiving savior, “Father, forgive them”

Four Views of the Cross (John)

The Divine Son who freely gives His life

The Resurrection

It fulfills the promise of eternal life and shows that love is stronger than sin.

Paschal Mystery

Pattern of life, suffering when united with love, leads to new life.

Cross and the New Covenant

Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, He reconciles heaven and earth. On His dying breath is says “If is finished”, He means if is fulfilled which completed all the covenants. The cross is a sign of completion of God’s plan.

Living the New Covenant

We love the New Covenant whenever we keep faith, forgive others, and love as Jesus loved. Fulfilling the covenant means to bring mercy, justice, and hope wherever we go.

1. Apostles Teaching

2. Fellowship

3. Breaking of Bread

4. Prayer

4 practices which shaped the Church’s rhythms of learning, sharing, worship, and communion.

Witnesses of Faith (Peter)

Was one of the Apostles and denied Jesus 3 times but preached boldly at Pentecost

Witnesses of Faith (Stephen)

Forgave his killers and became the first martyr

Witnesses of Faith (Paul/Saul)

Former persecutor but turned into the Church’s greatest missionary and caddies the Gospel to the Gentiles.

Gifts of the Spirit

Wisdom: Helps see things through God’s perspective

Fortitude: Courage to act justly

Piety: Reverence for God and others

Each gift strengthens discipleship and peace-building.

Pentecost

During Pentecost the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples and lit theirs hearts aflame with courage and the ability to speak multiple languages. The Holy Spirit continues to guide empowers and sanctify the Church.

Disciple

A Disciple means live faith daily through self-sacrifice, moral courage, and love.

Faith and Forgiveness

Faith trusts God’s plan and forgiveness frees the heart.

Prayer and Mission

Prayer connects us to God’s guidance and renews our strength. It helps disciples act with compassion and make good decisions.

Fulfillment of Covenants

Paschal Mystery, Passion, Death, Resurection, and Ascension.