When partnering with your family to know, love, and follow Jesus, we strive to create and share content filtered by the Head-Heart-Hands model.
Head: the knowledge of God and His Word | Heart: the personal connection from scripture | Hands: a missional mindset
HEAD
Chapter 3 tells about what the people of God have accomplished. Paul asks if they need a letter of recommendation showing they are doing the work of God. He tells them that those who have been changed show others who they are and what they believe by their actions. Those who know Christ have letters written on their hearts and not on a piece of paper or a tablet made of stone.
Do you need to read a letter to know if someone has a relationship with Jesus? How can you tell? Paul explains that their confidence in their relationship with Jesus comes from God. He makes it very clear that they can't do this on their own, but that God has made them good ministers of the Gospel through the Spirit. As a family, discuss what this means. Do you think Paul thinks he is reaching people on his own? Or does he give credit to God?
They compare the Old Covenant(The Law) to the New Covenant(The Gospel). The people are asked if the Old Covenant, a promise with God, was glorious wouldn’t the New Covenant, a new promise with God, be even more so? The Old Covenant brought judgment and punishment for not following the rules. The Old Covenant was considered glorious - worthy of praise. (Discuss what "judgment" and "glorious" mean.) How much more wonderful is the promise that makes us right with God and will last forever! Knowing who Jesus was made His followers bold in sharing the New Covenant, the Gospel!
HEART
In the Old Covenant, Moses and the Israelites used a veil to cover themselves when reading God's Word or talking to God. When Jesus died on the cross, the veil was taken away. They didn't have to be separated from God! The same is true for each of us who believes in the Lord. The New Covenant that Jesus brought removes the veil from our hearts. We don't need a veil as we think about how awesome God is and read His Bible! He gave us the Holy Spirit, and He is always with us! He wants to be close to you! Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom!
HANDS
Prayer: Father, thank You for Your Word and help us to live by it daily. Thank You for the blessing of the New Covenant. Help us to use our freedom to reach out to others boldly. You have shown us Your glorious love through the New Covenant. Guide us to follow Your ways to live life to the fullest. Thank You for being a Good Father, Amen.