This quarter will teach how Jesus fulfilled the Law in the sense that it was given full meaning. Jesus emphasized the deep, underlying messages of the Gospel and this same message is continued through the Apostle Paul and the writer of Hebrews. Relationships of faith empower us to live the covenant and spread the Gospel message.

UNIT 1 • A Fulfilled Covenant

In four sessions, this unit reveals a new sign of the covenant for Jewish and Gentile believers, as recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke, Hebrews, and Colossians. During the celebration of the Passover, Jesus explained to the disciples that He would initiate a new covenant through His death. Paul explains that the sign of the covenant is now a relationship of the heart between God and God’s people, not circumcision.

Lesson 1: June 2, 2019

Jesus Institutes the New Covenant

Mark 14:17–24; Hebrews 8:6–7, 10–12

People often make promises to one another seeking lasting, committed relationships. How can one be assured that a relationship will last? In Mark and Hebrews, Jesus is affirmed as the one through whom God’s new everlasting covenant is fulfilled.

Lesson 2: June 9, 2019

Jesus Seals the New Covenant

Mark 15:6–15, 25–26, 33–39

All personal relationships encounter problems that result in division and strife. Who can heal the breaches and restore harmony? Mark describes how Jesus’ crucifixion forges a new covenant and reconciles God and humankind.

Lesson 3: June 16, 2019

The New Covenant’s Sacrifice

Hebrews 9:11–22

People have devised many methods to deal with the sense of moral uncleanness their misdeeds incur. How can we be definitively cleansed of guilt? Through shedding His blood and dying, Jesus once and for all fulfilled God’s new covenant to forgive sins and guarantee eternal life.

Lesson 4: June 23, 2019

Hearts United in Love

Colossians 2:1–15

People bind themselves together by mutual bonds of love and commitment. How can communities avoid losing their identities while under attack? Paul urged the Colossians to be united in love in order to fully understand the rich treasures offered to them by faith so they can resist false teachings and come to appreciate their new spiritual standing in Christ.

UNIT 2 • A Heartfelt Covenant

This unit has five sessions and gives new meaning and purpose to the Law. According to Matthew, Jesus began teaching the Law in a way that gave life to the hearer and doer. Unlike other teachers of the Law, Jesus preached the transforming righteousness of the kingdom. Jesus challenged the mere external observance of God’s Law without internal transformation.

Lesson 5: June 30 , 2019

Jesus Teaches About Right Attitudes

Matthew 5:1–12

Our attitudes determine how we view circumstances in our lives. How can our attitudes bring long-term benefits? Jesus’ Beatitudes taught the crowd and His disciples those heartfelt values

and attitudes required of anyone who seeks to be in a covenant relationship with Him.

Lesson 6: July 7, 2019

Jesus Teaches About Fulfilling the Law

Matthew 5:13–20

People express their beliefs through their actions. How do we express what we believe? Jesus teaches us that we are to do good for others and follow God’s Law.

Lesson 7: July 14, 2019

Jesus Teaches Us to Love One Another

Matthew 5:21–32

Love transforms how we relate to one another. In what form does this transformation come? Jesus teaches us how to be a reflection of His light through controlling our anger, being reconciled with others, immediately dealing with sin, and being faithful.

Lesson 8: July 21, 2019

Jesus Teaches About Transforming Love

Matthew 5:38–48

Many people believe retribution is justified when they are mistreated. What is the appropriate response when people are mistreated? Jesus taught His disciples to love their enemies and pray for those who persecuted them.

Lesson 9: July 28, 2019

Jesus Teaches About Spiritual Discernment

Matthew 7:1–6, 15–23

In a complex world, many become confused in trying to cope with the diversity in beliefs and lifestyles. How can one maintain a sense of stability given such complexity? Jesus taught His disciples the spiritual disciplines of resisting the use of judgment and using discernment.

UNIT 3 • Covenant: A Personal Perspective

This unit has four sessions. It focuses on personal relationships between people in 1 Samuel, Ruth, and Ephesians. Ultimately, those relationships pave the way for the Messiah. After Christ established the New Testament

church, relationships between people have been based on relationship with Christ Jesus. These relationships continue the work of Christ Jesus by spreading the Gospel message.

Lesson 10: August 4, 2019

A Covenant Between Friends

1 Samuel 18:1–5; 19:1–7

Sometimes we are challenged to compromise our loyalty to a beloved authority figure to keep a promise made to a trusted friend. Whom does one choose? Jonathan chose to keep his promise to love and protect David, his intimate friend, despite his father’s insane hatred of David.

Lesson 11: August 11, 2019

A Mother-Daughter Covenant

Ruth 1:6–11, 14–18

When bonded by a strong love and commitment to one another, people who are unrelated by birth may enter into a covenant relationship. What drives and sustains this relationship? Although Naomi begged Ruth to return to her people, Ruth clung to her mother-in-law and vowed her loyalty until death.

Lesson 12: August 18, 2019

A Covenant to Marry

Ruth 3:1–6, 8–12, 16–18

Obedience and commitment to others may bring unanticipated rewards. How should loyalty be compensated? Ruth’s commitment to Naomi and her efforts to obey were rewarded with favor in Boaz’s eyes, marriage to a kinsman-redeemer, and the assurance of a comfortable life in the future.

Lesson 13: August 25, 2019

Marriage: A Covenant of Mutual Love

Ephesians 5:21–33

In an ever-changing and increasingly complex society, the focus on self-indulgence has endangered a healthy concept of family. How do we make commitment to God and family central to our well-being? Paul says a committed relationship must be sought in which husbands, wives, and children love, honor, and respect both God and one another.