Covenant Review and Discernment
WEEK 1
January 1-5, 2025
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Covenant Review and Discernment
WEEK 1
January 1-5, 2025
Download Links:
I. Introduction
II. Our Covenant
Preface
In Christ God has made a covenant with us, a covenant which we have joyfully received and entered into by faith and baptism. He has become our God and we have become His people. As members of Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon, He has called us to express in a special way this covenant established by His Son, Jesus, through His sacrifice on the cross. We do so by making a covenant with one another as a response to the call He has given us. He has joined us together in the bond of steadfast love and faithfulness, and has given us a particular call and mission.
As we enter into this relationship with one another and accept this call and mission He has given to us as a people, we do so as faithful members of our Church and we support one another in this commitment. Although this covenant is intended to be a stable commitment, we understand that it does not necessarily mean for everyone a lifelong commitment to being part of our community. We can foresee that changing circumstances in a person’s life may make active involvement in Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon no longer possible, although such change would be undertaken only with serious prayer and counsel.
It is with deep joy and gratitude, realizing the overwhelming goodness of God in giving us this opportunity that we enter into the life of this people that God has called together. We accept the particular covenant relationship that God has established among us as a community, and we express this acceptance publicly as individuals and as a people.
III. In other words
The Covenant of the Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon is a further expression of the New Covenant with Christ that we received in our Baptism. It is like “a Covenant within the New Covenant,” a particular way of living the latter.
Our Covenant is our grateful response to God’s particular call to us to become a community together, united in his love and faithfulness, with a particular mission from him.
For us, the Covenant is permanent, effective for as long as we live. Any change in our permanent commitment due to changed circumstances will need serious prayer and guidance.
We publicly express our particular covenant relationship with God and with one another through public Covenant Acceptance.
IV. In God’s Word
Our goal in discernment is to see things through God’s eyes through God’s Word that we may see things as they really are. Ask the Lord for good judgment and understanding of his will (Psalm 119:66).
1. Read the following scriptures more reflectively.
Jeremiah 29:13 Seeking God and finding him
Luke 14:28-29 Counting the cost before committing
1 Thessalonians 1:2-8 Your work of faith, labor of love, endurance in hope
1 Thessalonians 3:9-10 Progress in love
2 Thessalonians 1: 11-12 Be worthy of your calling
2. What is the Lord saying through these Bible passages?
3. How are these words related to our present Review of the Preface of the Covenant? Ask the Holy Spirit for clarity and guidance.
4. Bring all these to prayer.
V. In my own words
1. What is the personal message of those words to me as a member of the Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon?
2. After __ years of being a member, what honest convictions/beliefs do I have about the Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon as a Covenant Community?
3. Are the current or changed “circumstances” in my personal life urging me to consider being released from my Covenant Commitment to the Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon Community or, on the other hand, further strengthening my conviction to continue to stay the course of this covenant life? What are these “changed circumstances”, specifically? What help do I need in order to discern well?