Church Covenant Bible Study Series

Baptist Church of All Nations – Church Covenant Course

Nine-Week Study Summer Series Plan: July 5 – August 30

Course Overview

Sunday	Session Theme	Covenant Paragraphs	Related Character	Scripture References
5-Jul-26	Introductory Session	—	Jesus	Matt. 25:21 • Eph. 4:11-16 • Rom. 10:9-11
12-Jul-26	Our Call and Confession	1–2	Paul (Saul)	Luke 9:23-26 • 2Cor. 5:17 • Rom. 10:9-11 • Eph. 3:20 • Matt. 28:19-20 • Rom. 6:4
19-Jul-26	Our Common Life Together: Fellowship, Worship, and Accountability	3–4	Barnabas	Acts 2:41-42, 47 • Eph. 4:11-16 • Psalm 119:133 • 2 Tim. 3:16-17 • I Cor. 11:23-28 • Heb. 10:24-25
26-Jul-26	Stewardship and Generosity	5–6	Lydia	Matt. 25:21 • I Cor. 15:10 • Rom. 8:28 • I Cor. 9:22 • Phil. 3:12 • I Cor. 16:1-2
2-Aug-26	Family and Discipleship at Home	7–8	Timothy	2 Tim. 3:15 • James 1:16-18 • I Peter 1:22-25 • Eph. 6:18 • Deu. 30:6 • Eph. 6:4*
9-Aug-26	Christlike Living in the World	9–11	Daniel	Rom. 13:1-7 • Titus 3:1 • I Peter 2:13 • Rom. 6:16 • Gal. 5:22-23 • Rom. 3:31
16-Aug-26	Relational Care and Conflict Resolution	12–14	Joseph	Matt. 18:15-20 • Gal. 6:2 • James 4:7-10 • Heb. 13:5 • Rom. 16:17-20 • I Thess. 5:22*
23-Aug-26	Continuity of the Covenant	15	Ruth	Jer. 32:40 • Heb. 10:24-25 • John 8:31 • Ps. 121:3 • Matt. 28:20
30-Aug-26	Reflection and Application	—	Jesus	Matt. 25:21 • Eph. 4:11-16 • Rom. 10:9-11 (revisited) • Luke 10:1-3*
Total		15		48 Scripture References (41 Unique)

Week 1: Introductory Session

Church Theme 2026: Faithful Stewardship   |   Thematic Verse: Mat. 25:21

Session Scriptures: Mat. 25:21 • Eph. 4:11-16 • Rom. 10:9-11

Related Bible Character: Jesus

Covenant Reference: See Covenant Document (Introductory Session: no assigned paragraphs)

Narrative: Jesus in Gethsemane

(based upon Matthew 26:36-46; Luke 22:39-44)

Context

It was the night before the cross. Jesus had just shared the Passover meal with His twelve disciples — the meal we now remember through communion — and told them plainly that one of them would betray Him, that Peter would deny Him, and that His hour had come. From the upper room, they walked together to a garden called Gethsemane, at the base of the Mount of Olives, a place Jesus often went to pray. He knew what the next hours would bring: arrest, false trial, and death. He did not walk into it unaware. He walked into it with open eyes.

What Happened

Jesus brought Peter, James, and John deeper into the garden, telling them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death; stay here and watch with Me.” Then He went a little farther, fell facedown, and prayed: “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

He returned to find the three disciples asleep. “Could you not watch with Me one hour?” He asked. “Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” He went away a second time, and a third, praying the same words. Luke records that His anguish was so great that His sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground, and that an angel appeared to strengthen Him.

Each time, He returned to the same sleeping friends. He did not walk away from them, and He did not walk away from what the Father had asked of Him. When He finished praying the third time, He woke the disciples one final time: “Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.” The soldiers were already approaching, torches lighting the dark garden. What began in the quiet dread of prayer would end, that same night, in arrest — the first step of a path Jesus had already chosen, alone, on His knees, hours before anyone came to take Him.

Connection to Session Theme (let’s read together)

Faithful service begins on our knees, in the same surrendered prayer Jesus prayed first: not my will, but Yours.

Discussion Questions

1. Both the Old and New Testaments use the word “covenant” — Jeremiah 32:40 describes God’s promise as an “everlasting covenant,” while 1 Corinthians 11:25 has Jesus calling the cup at the Last Supper “the new covenant in My blood.” What’s the same about how these two passages use the word, and what feels different about “everlasting” versus “new”?

2. In Gethsemane, Jesus prayed “not as I will, but as You will” before anyone came to arrest Him. What does it tell us that His surrender happened in private, alone, hours before the public test came?

3. Ephesians 4:11-16 describes the church as a body that grows and builds itself up “as each part does its work.” What’s one way you hope to contribute to this church family, even before you’ve become a member?

4. In Gethsemane, Jesus modeled the posture of a servant fully submitted to His Master’s will. Matthew 25:21 promises “well done, good and faithful servant” to those found faithful. What would it look like for you to be more motivated by hearing those words from the Master than by anything this world offers?

5. If Jesus, who was without sin, needed to pray earnestly before facing what was ahead of Him, what does that suggest about our own need for prayer before facing hard obedience?

6. Jesus went to the same familiar place — the Mount of Olives — to pray, so much so that Judas knew exactly where to find Him. What are the “familiar places” in your own life where you consistently meet with God?

7. What made you decide to take this class? What are you hoping to walk away with after nine weeks?