| I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you to me in righteousness and justice, love, and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will know the LORD. —Hosea: 2:19
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The basis of our relationship with God is covenant. A covenant is unlike the agreements in commerce or politics; covenant is the basis of our identity as people of God. The Chief Rabbi of England, Sir Jonathan Sacks, spoke about covenant in his address to the Lambeth Conference in 2008. Read the address and consider the questions below.
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You have asked me to speak about covenant, and that is what I am going to do. We
will discover not only a transformative idea, one that changes us as we
think of it; not only a way forward for faith in the 21st century. We
will also find ourselves better able to answer the question: what is
the role of religion in society, even in a secular society like Britain....Read more here.
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Questions for reflection and conversation:
1. What distinction does the rabbi make between covenantal goods and market goods? How does this distinction challenge or affirm choices that you make? How you see yourself? (Part I of the address.)
2. In light of the image of covenant as a betrothal how does covenant change the world in which you live? What can you or your faith community uphold covenantal relationships? (Part III)
3. What distinguishes a covenant of fate from a covenant of faith? (Part IV)
4. How is the covenant of fate binding people together today? (Part VI)
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| We invite
you to post your responses on the "Conversations" page.
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YFYL Chapter 2, Additional questions for reflection or discussion:
1. Read aloud: “You are a new creation in Christ. In Christ, you are raised. Therefore be.” What are you called to be as a new creation? How can your community support you as a new creation?
2. Find your baptismal and/or confirmation certificates and other items related to these two events (photographs, candles, garments, etc). What do you remember about these events?
3. Read Matthew 3:13-17. God declares this same love for you. How do you respond?
4. To be a disciple of Christ is necessarily counter-cultural, at times risky. What does that mean? Give an example.
5. What does the word “covenant” mean to you. How does it differ from other agreements?
6. What stories do you remember from the Bible about water? How are they connected to the meaning of the waters of baptism?
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