[Alive Update] 16 Verses: Resurrection Promsed

Resurrection PromisedMEMORY VERSE And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live.” (Ezekiel 37:3–5)

KEY BIBLICAL THEOLOGICAL THEMES New covenant, Spirit, New creation

THE STORY SO FAR God created a kingdom, and he is the King, but he made human beings to represent him in that kingdom. Adam and Eve rejected this call, which led to sin and death. But God promised to defeat the Serpent through the seed of the woman, who is also the seed of Abraham. Through Abraham’s family, and specifically Judah’s royal seed, David, the covenant blessings would come to the world. Because all people were guilty and deserved death, the sacrifices of the Mosaic law revealed more clearly their need for a substitute—the suffering servant. Through the servant and the work of the Spirit, God would establish a new covenant and give lasting life to his people.

STUDY QUESTIONS
1) Why was the new covenant necessary for God’s people to enjoy his covenant presence? In other words, why do you need the new covenant?

2) Ezekiel’s vision might seem distant and strange to us in the twenty-first century. What do the dry bones in Ezekiel’s vision symbolize, and why does it matter for you?

3) According to chapter 10, what is the role of the Spirit in God’s covenant promises? Why is he so essential?

4) Unpack the connections between the suffering servant paying for sin, the Spirit giving life in the covenant, and the promise of Genesis 3:15. Do you tend to read the Old Testament in light of these covenant promises? Why or why not?

BIBLE READINGS
Psalm 37
How does this psalm help you understand the biblical theological themes from this chapter and the big story of the Bible, which culminates with Jesus?

Jeremiah 31:31–34; Ezekiel 37 What are some key insights from this passage that add to your understanding of the story and the biblical theological themes?