Why This Topic Matters for Teenagers
Today, we’re diving into a topic that might seem a bit complex, but don’t worry; we’ll break it down together. Understanding the Old and New Covenants is essential for us as teenagers because it helps us grasp God’s incredible plan for humanity throughout history. It shows us how God’s love and grace have been revealed and fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
As we grow in our faith, it’s essential to understand God’s evolving plan and how it impacts our lives today. The Old and New Covenants connect us to our spiritual roots, help us recognize the unchanging character of God, and inspire us to live as followers of Christ in a world that often pulls us in different directions.
So, let’s dive in, explore the Scriptures, and discover the beauty of God’s unfolding plan!
Bible Reading 1: Jeremiah 31:31-34 (The Promise of a New Covenant)
“The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD. “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the LORD. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”
Explanation For Teenagers:
- God promises a new covenant that will be different from the one made after leading the people of Israel out of Egypt.
- The new covenant will be written in their hearts and minds, allowing them to know God intimately.
- In this new covenant, God will forgive their sins and remember them no more, showing His boundless grace.
Youth Group Discussion Questions:
- What is a covenant, and why is it significant in our relationship with God?
- How does God’s promise of a new covenant in Jeremiah relate to the coming of Jesus Christ in the New Testament?
- In what ways do you experience God’s law written on your heart as a follower of Jesus?
Bible Reading 2: Hebrews 8:6-13 (Jesus: The Mediator of a Better Covenant)
“But in fact, the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one since the new covenant is established on better promises. For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. But God found fault with the people and said: ‘The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them,’ declares the Lord. ‘This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time,’ declares the Lord. ‘I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.’ By calling this covenant ‘new,’ he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.”
Explanation For Teenagers:
- Jesus serves as the mediator of the new covenant, which is far better than the old covenant based on better promises.
- The old covenant had its flaws due to the people’s unfaithfulness, leading God to establish a new covenant.
- The new covenant allows us to know God personally and experience forgiveness of sins through Jesus.
Youth Group Discussion Questions:
- How does Jesus fulfill the promises of the new covenant mentioned in Jeremiah 31?
- In what ways does the new covenant offer better promises than the old covenant?
- How does knowing Jesus as the mediator of the new covenant impact your relationship with God?
Youth Group Game: Covenant Connection
In this fun game, form pairs of students, and give each pair a set of cards. On each card, write either an event from the Old Testament or its corresponding fulfillment in the New Testament. For example, one card could have “Passover (Old Testament)” and another could have “Jesus’ Crucifixion (New Testament).” The goal is for each pair to match the Old Testament event with its New Testament fulfillment as quickly as possible. The pair with the most correct matches wins!
Closing Prayer
Dear God, thank you for revealing Your unchanging love and grace through the Old and New Covenants. We are amazed by how Your plan for humanity has unfolded through history. Help us to understand the significance of Jesus as the mediator of the new and better covenant. May we grow in our faith, knowing that You have forgiven our sins and desire a personal relationship with each one of us. Empower us to live as faithful followers of Christ in this ever-changing world. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
Remember, you are loved, valued, and part of God’s incredible plan. Go out and shine your light brightly, impacting the world around you for His glory!
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” – Ephesians 3:20-21