Covenant v. Convenience
Covenant v. Convenience
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be exploring the relational priorities and practices Jesus gives for his church in Matt 5.21-48. We believe that Jesus knows best – he’s the wisest teacher to have ever lived – and doing relationships as he describes them will always lead to flourishing for us and others. We believe that Jesus modeled all of these relational priorities and practices, showing us in his life how we ought to live. And we believe that Jesus has given us – in his life, death, resurrection, and gift of his Spirit – all the resources we need to live this kind of life together.
Text: Matt 5:31-32, Matt 19:3-9
Relationship Homework:
Practical Ways to Build Covenant
Prioritize consistency over intensity
Create rhythms of presence
Endure the changing seasons
Guard your words
Regularly ask: Who is God forming this person into?
Community Discussion:
Discussion Questions
Where do you most see the pull toward “convenience” in relationships — staying only as long as things feel manageable, beneficial, or easy? How does Jesus’ vision of covenant challenge that?
Jesus points back to creation in Matthew 19:4–6, showing that God designed relationships not merely for personal fulfillment, but for faithful union and mutual formation. How have you seen deep relationships — marriage, friendship, family, church community — shape and refine people over time? Why is endurance necessary for that kind of transformation?
How does the covenant love of God fulfilled in Christ make human covenant relationships possible?
What is one concrete way you could move toward greater covenant faithfulness this week — through consistency, presence, guarded words, patience through a difficult season, or seeing someone not merely as they are now, but as God is forming them to become?
May 10th, 2026