Introduction
The Covenant Process defines who we are and what we are called to do through Covenant Conversation. For many of us, the idea of “covenant” is not something we think of often. According to Webster’s Dictionary, a covenant is a “binding agreement” between two (or more) parties. In Christian terms, the notion of covenant is two actually becoming one in marriage, as Jesus mentioned in Mark 10:7-8 (NIV). And so, getting to covenant requires a covenant process – a movement with clear steps from one state to another. As such, we have identified 4 clear steps we have defined as “The Covenant Process” to facilitate your journey to covenant.
Step 1: Breaking Old Covenants
Before we can even begin a discussion about the new, we must first do away with the old! This is the example of Jesus – that there was first a conclusion of the old, before the new could come to fruition, told in parable form with the story of the “old” and “new” wineskins (Matthew 9:17 NIV). Breaking old covenants is the first step in the Covenant Process, because we cannot enter the new if we are still holding onto the past – the past relationships, past experiences, past regrets, and past soul ties. There must first be an intentional breaking from everything and everyone we joined ourselves to that was not God’s will for our lives. This requires courage, honesty, transparency with ourselves and with God.
Step 2: Establishing a New Covenant with God
The assumption is that after we break old covenants that we’re ready for a relationship with someone, but in reality, we in prime position to renew our relationship with God. This step is often overlooked and we end up repeating cycles as we further entangle ourselves from one empty relationship to the next in search of something only God can provide! Jesus invites us to remain one with an in him with the image of a vine and its branches (John 15:5 NIV). Once we break old covenants, it’s time to plan ourselves deeper in our relationship with God. Even in the final book of the New Testament, Jesus is pictured as wanted to come into our homes (our hearts) and dine with us – which was one of the ancient ways covenant was made, over a meal (Revelation 3:20 NIV, Exodus 12:1-28). God wants to “break bread” with us as we establish a new covenant with him – which requires a deeper time of prayer, study, worship, fasting, and ultimately – obedience. This time is private time with God alone, free of the distractions (and temptations!) of a relationship.
Step 3: Allowing God to Bring Us into Covenant with the One He has for us
After we have broken old covenants, established a new covenant with God, then we are ready for God to bring us into covenant with the one he has for us – in his time. This was the process in the very beginning! In Genesis, when God determined that Adam was ready for covenant, he put him asleep and made Eve, and presented her to Adam as his gift (Genesis 2:22 NIV). We read this story beyond the genders and more so illuminating a process and God’s involvement and our being uninvolved! Too often, we get ahead of God and we jump into a relationship outside of his timing and shorten the process of “Step 2”. Of course, there are many, many people on planet earth, so interacting with people, dating, and getting information about people are important aspects of the journey to covenant – but the most important aspect is realizing that God has one person he had in mind from the beginning. That one person God designed for us will bring us into a godly, whole, healthy, and fulfilling relationship that glorifies and reflects Him in every way. And in God’s timing, he will bring him/her to us at the moment we are truly ready for covenant.
Step 4: Living in Covenant
The final step in the covenant process is living in covenant. This is the culmination of “doing it God’s way!” We move from the elation of dating and a wedding to life together joined as one. This is ultimately our walking out the promises of God, the principles of God, and expressing the Kingdom of God in our decisions, our interactions, and our activities as a family unit. We live not just in covenant with each other, but also in covenant with God – both individually, and as a family. God guides the home, setting the agenda, determining the goals, and most of all – ensure his purpose for bringing us together is fulfilled. Living in covenant is more than about our happiness (it’s the byproduct!), but it is about God’s glory and his purpose being fulfilled. God gave purpose to the covenant he established with Adam and Eve – which was to represent him on earth (Genesis 1:26-28 NIV)! And we too, in our covenant marriage, are called to represent him through our relationship as we live in covenant, together.
Covenant Coversations is a community to help single Christians navigate the process of finding Covenant. We realized that there has been no clear blueprint to date “God’s way” and prayerfully we developed our model, our strategies, and our process to assist singles on their journey to covenant ~ Tiffany & Imhotep Newsome
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