This chapter introduces the concept of covenant and the importance of knowing our story, the story of salvation.

In this chapter, we learn that God created man in His image and likeness, and that this means we are beloved sons and daughters of God. Our relationship with Him forms our deepest identity.

In this chapter, we learn about the dramatic consequences of sin. But, God’s covenant with Noah reminds us that, even in the midst of incredible wickedness, God is faithful to His promises.

In this chapter, we learn that God makes three promises to Abram, each one corresponding to the next three covenants in the story of salvation. God elevates these promises to covenants that extend to Abram’s entire tribe.

In this chapter, we learn that, after taking matters into his own hands and failing, Abraham finally obeys God’s command without question, agreeing to sacrifice Isaac, his son and heir. At the last minute, God intervenes and saves Isaac. He then forms a covenant with Abraham, extending it to his entire tribe.

In this chapter, God calls Moses, an unlikely hero of faith, to lead the Israelites to freedom. This is physical freedom from slavery in Egypt, but more importantly a spiritual freedom from the worship of Egyptian gods. This happens dramatically through the Passover, a do-or-die proposition to be faithful.

In the story of David, we see the terrible fall of a good man. God makes His covenant with David, extending it to the entire kingdom. But David starts neglecting his duty and eventually falls into one serious sin after another. The Lord uses the prophet Nathan and a compelling story to reveal to David his own guilt. David responds with authentic and heartfelt repentance.

In this chapter, we learn how Jesus Christ fulfills all the covenants of the Old Testament. We also learn how we are called to enter into covenant relationship with Jesus Christ within the Catholic Church, the worldwide covenant community.