Questions are welcome.
A few honest questions deserve more than a quick answer. Start here, then keep the conversation going.
Is the Old Testament obsolete?
Family Life approaches the earlier Scriptures as essential to the story proclaimed by Yeshua and the apostles. They give us the setting of God’s promises, Israel’s story, and the words later writers use. That does not mean every instruction can be applied without studying its context; it means the first part of the Bible still deserves our attention.1
Is the Old Testament the same thing as the old covenant?
No. “Old Testament” commonly names a collection of biblical writings; “old covenant” refers to a covenant relationship discussed within Scripture. The prophet Jeremiah speaks of a coming new covenant in writings usually included in the Old Testament, while Hebrews discusses covenants in the New Testament. Keeping the categories distinct helps us ask clearer questions.2
What does Torah mean?
Torah is often translated “law” and can refer to instruction or teaching. Depending on context, it can also refer to the first five books of the Bible or to instructions associated with Moses. Ask what the speaker or passage means in context rather than assuming the word has exactly the same meaning every time.74
Does grace mean obedience no longer matters?
Family Life’s teaching describes grace as God’s free gift and speaks of His Spirit enabling a transformed life. It challenges both the idea that we can earn God’s favor by performance and the idea that God’s gift leaves our lives untouched.3
How particular passages and instructions apply calls for patient study. Explore Torah, grace, and the Spirit →
Is Shabbat only about attending a Saturday gathering?
Is keeping Shabbat legalism?
It helps to ask what someone means by “legalism.” Trying to earn acceptance through performance, treating a human custom as a divine command, and studying a biblical command are distinct questions. Family Life’s teaching emphasizes a transformed heart rather than outward performance alone.4
The practical questions deserve respectful conversation. Read the fuller discussion →
Have a question that is not here? Bring it to someone in the Family Life community. This collection is still being developed.
References
Numbers in the text lead here. Links open the original teaching at the indicated point where available.
- Acts 2 — Shimon Kefa Explains the Gift of the Ruach HaKodesh
Acts 2; Joel 2; Jeremiah 31:31–34.
Teaching on continuity in the biblical story, approximately 26:00–30:00. Watch the teaching on YouTube ↗ - God’s Covenant with His People — Exodus 24:1–18
Exodus 19–24; Jeremiah 31:31–34; Hebrews 8:6–13.
Teaching on the covenant setting, approximately 40:00. Watch the teaching on YouTube ↗ - Acts of the Apostles — Introduction
Ephesians 2:8–10; Acts 2:37–42.
Teaching discusses grace as a free gift and covenant faithfulness, approximately 38:00. Watch the teaching on YouTube ↗ - Acts 5 — The Apostles Authenticated by Heaven
Jeremiah 31:31–34; Ezekiel 36:25–27; Romans 8:1–4.
Teaching on instruction, the heart, and the Spirit, approximately 14:00–17:00. Watch the teaching on YouTube ↗ - Remember Shabbat
Genesis 2:1–3; Exodus 20:8–11.
Teaching connects creation and the command to remember, approximately 1:06:00. Watch the teaching on YouTube ↗ - Remember Shabbat
Exodus 20:8–11; Deuteronomy 5:12–15.
Teaching reads and discusses the command, approximately 1:50:00. Watch the teaching on YouTube ↗ - The Altar of Incese & The Half-Shekel — Exodus 30:1–16
Torah: instruction and teaching.
Teaching introduces the term, approximately 15:15. Watch the teaching on YouTube ↗