Good morning and welcome to our new study, The Israel of God.

This is a summary overview of our lesson. It is intended to help you catch up if you missed the class and will summarize the main points we covered.

Class Format

This first session is primarily an introduction. The class will be largely discussion-based with some teaching. Everyone is encouraged to read the weekly blog posts in advance. These posts (normally Fridays) lay out the main Scriptures (usually 2–3 key passages) and include helpful “sawdust” links at the bottom for extra context.

Opening Question

“When you hear the phrase ‘the Israel of God,’ what initially comes to mind?”

The Cultural & Theological Landscape

We live in a Christian culture heavily shaped by dispensationalism (dominant for ~200 years). This framework divides history into separate eras, treats ethnic Israel as having a distinct future, and views the Church as a “parenthesis” in God’s plan.

Our study takes the opposite approach: continuity.

Scripture tells one unfolding story. The New Testament does not discard the Old — it fulfills and centers it completely on Jesus Christ.

Key Resources for the Series

Deep Dive: John 3 as the Illustrative Example

Nicodemus expected affirmation of Israel’s special status. Jesus immediately pointed to the need to be born again — of water and Spirit — echoing Genesis 1 and John 1.

The kingdom of God is not primarily about land, but about new creation and restored fellowship with God, now open to people from every nation.

“For God so loved the world…” — not just the Jews.

Closing Thoughts

We will move back and forth between the Old and New Testaments, showing how everything promised to Israel is fulfilled in Christ. The narrow focus on one nation always pointed to wide, cosmic redemption for all who are in Him.