Some questions to ponder, when reading Genesis 18: 16-33.
Is Abraham’s appeal addressed to God’s justice or to God’s mercy?
Would you be afraid to tell God he was not acting appropriately?
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Genesis Chapter 17
May 10, 2009
Genesis 17
Today we talked about the happy topic of circ*umci*sion!
This is also the passage where God changes Abram's name to Abraham, and Sarai's name to Sarah. A few of the questions we discussed are:
In what ways does baptism for Christians serve a similar function as circumcision for Jews?
Can ceremonies and rituals (e.g. sacraments) become powerless and perfunctory, or do they have power in themselves whether or not the participants take them seriously?
Next week: The Three Visitors (Genesis Chapter 18)
Genesis 17
Today we talked about the happy topic of circ*umci*sion!
This is also the passage where God changes Abram's name to Abraham, and Sarai's name to Sarah. A few of the questions we discussed are:
In what ways does baptism for Christians serve a similar function as circumcision for Jews?
Can ceremonies and rituals (e.g. sacraments) become powerless and perfunctory, or do they have power in themselves whether or not the participants take them seriously?
Next week: The Three Visitors (Genesis Chapter 18)
Saturday, May 2, 2009
May 3, 2009 Hagar and the birth of Ishmael
Genesis 16 : The Birth of Ishmael
One commentary states that in this passage “the basic conflict is between certain specific legal rights and natural human feelings.” What are the feelings of the major characters, and how do these feelings influence their actions?
What action does Hagar take and what does she learn about the Lord in this traumatic experience (16:6-14)?
One commentary states that in this passage “the basic conflict is between certain specific legal rights and natural human feelings.” What are the feelings of the major characters, and how do these feelings influence their actions?
What action does Hagar take and what does she learn about the Lord in this traumatic experience (16:6-14)?
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
April 5: Belief, covenant, and ritual
Genesis 15
Abram is still bopping around without any kids, and in this passage he asks God what's up with that promise. This passage includes a description of an ancient covenant ritual. The Bible says in verse 6 that Abram believed, and in verse 9 Abram begins the ritual, at God's direction. If Abram believed, why did God have him perform this ritual?
Abram is still bopping around without any kids, and in this passage he asks God what's up with that promise. This passage includes a description of an ancient covenant ritual. The Bible says in verse 6 that Abram believed, and in verse 9 Abram begins the ritual, at God's direction. If Abram believed, why did God have him perform this ritual?
Friday, February 27, 2009
March 1: Abram goes on a trip
Genesis 12:1-9
Imagine yourself as a nomad temporarily camped at the edge of the urban world in Mesopotamia. How would you react to a message from God to pack up and head south to someplace yet to be determined?
How would you even know it was God who had spoken to you?
Imagine yourself as a nomad temporarily camped at the edge of the urban world in Mesopotamia. How would you react to a message from God to pack up and head south to someplace yet to be determined?
How would you even know it was God who had spoken to you?
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Babble, Babel, Babble
Genesis 11:1-9
The Tower of Babel
A few study questions:
3. In what way is the desire of the builders of the Babel tower similar to that of Adam and Eve?
5. By dispersing the people of Babel over the face of the earth, did God accomplish something more than just punishing them?
The Tower of Babel
A few study questions:
3. In what way is the desire of the builders of the Babel tower similar to that of Adam and Eve?
5. By dispersing the people of Babel over the face of the earth, did God accomplish something more than just punishing them?
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