Covenant & Shema Parenting
That day the LORD made a covenant with Abram… (Genesis 15:18)
…for this is my blood, the blood of the covenant, that is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 26:28)
Though the Bible has a continual ‘thread’ of God making covenants with various persons at many different moments, the word and its meaning may not be very familiar or known particularly well. Yet, a proper understanding of it is crucial for our daily living as a follower of Christ as well as in the task of being a Shema parent and family.
A biblical covenant is a binding relational agreement God establishes with a chosen people. God, Himself, establishes the guidelines of who He will be and what He will do in the relationship between Him and the chosen people. God also outlines to those chosen on how they are to follow and obey God’s guidelines to experience His presence and promises. A covenant is initiated by God and solely determined by God for both His purposes and His best for His people.
Below are listed some of the various covenants God made with His people at various moments in His unfolding story revealed in the Scriptures:
Adamic Covenant (Genesis 1:28-31—before sin; Genesis 3:14-19—after sin)
Noahic Covenant (Genesis 6:18; 9:9-17—renewed Adamic Covenant in Genesis 1)
Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:18; Acts 7:8). Though the word ‘covenant’ is not mentioned in Genesis 12 this initial moment of God calling Abram is shaped with covenant language and promises. Furthermore, the covenant God made with Abraham would continue through son, Isaac and grandson, Jacob. The generational aspect of covenant surfaces to identify God for later generations. (Exodus 2:24; Leviticus 26:42)
Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 19:5; 24:7-8; 34:27-28; Deuteronomy 5:2-3)
Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 23:5; 2 Chronicles 13:5; Psalm 89:3)
New Covenant in Christ (Jeremiah 31:31; Malachi 3:1; Matthew 26:28; 1 Corinthians 11:25; Hebrews 12:24)
Two additional and powerful thoughts on covenants: First, each covenant made after sin would be ratified or sealed in a moment of blood sacrifice. A cost had to be given for the covenant to be enacted (Hebrews 9:18-20). The ultimate life blood given was Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross which established God’s New Covenant of grace in which God fulfilled, through Christ, fulfilled the human side through the perfect righteousness and sacrifice of Jesus.
Second, is how the covenant clearly displays God’s character of love and faithfulness. A covenant relationship manifests the purposes God will work into those with whom He has made the covenant. The covenant becomes God’s guarantee and anchor of His nature and activity. Thus, a covenant God provides hope, security, of a God who will work to ensure both sides of His relational agreement. Covenant relationship, when followed with dependence upon the Lord, brings forth trust, joy, and oneness with the LORD God in Jesus Christ.
These covenant truths and dynamics perfectly fit and wonderfully relate to Shema Parenting. As biblical marriage (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5; Ephesians 5:28) and family (Genesis 1:27-28; Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:2-3; Deuteronomy 6:7) are built upon this covenant foundation of God’s relational agreement. The Shema Parenting study makes a big deal about covenant! Deuteronomy 6:4-9 centers our lives and families to hear God in such a way that we love and obey Him and thus, “primes the pump” for the vital work of teaching and nurturing children the covenant commands of God.
Dear Dads and Moms, there is no need to settle for a marriage or family life that is “getting by” or “better than so-and-so’s marriage or family.” In and through Christ, an awesome covenant relationship is available! Allow your lives to experience the fullness in God’s marriage and family covenant for your lives! Shema Parenting will be a meaningful resource to build your life in God-confidence to experience Him doing His work more fully through you to your spouse and children.