Genesis 5 and on (check for updates periodically)

Some of you are already looking at this study guide every day. I wasn't anticipating that, but it's awesome that you would. I can't promise that I can put study questions up every day since I am working on the overall theme of each book instead of the details in each chapter, but I will post a summary each week with the major themes and questions for discussion, journaling, meditation or just plain thinking. My goal is to have you read, think and then apply what you learn. (and maybe feed back sometimes, too!)

Here are some more questions for the next few chapters of Genesis...

We enter now into the confusing part (the "mythology") of Genesis. Now I don't mean mythology as in untrue as we understand Greek mythology, but that these stories are wild in nature, hard to understand, yet they reveal something, something God wants us to understand. Remember that these stories, like many of the parables of Jesus are not meant to tell us exactly how things happened, but to explain why things are. So...

What do the long lifespans of these early ancestors have to say to us?

Giants? What does this mean? What does it tell us about God, the creation, humans?

The Noah story is really about redemption for humanity instead of the destruction of it. How can we understand what God was thinking in the destructive part? How does it affect the relationship between humans and God?

Can you imagine what life might have been like on the ark? What might have been the discussion between those saved by God? How might it have changed during the course of their journey? Who would have been the first one voted off the ark? (if they were doing that whole Survivor thing?)

The story also reveals the depravity of Noah and his sons. (Noah at least was the most righteous human at the time.) What does that reveal about the story's plot and outcome?

The family Tree of Noah (the awesome genologies!) reveal interesting things that shape and frame Israel's story later on. (Remember that these stories and passages were written long after the events. What were passed down through generation after generation as Oral Tradition (stories) were eventually written down (inspired) and became scripture.) What insights do you have reading through Noah's family tree? What interesting connections, rivalries, relationships do you see? How do they have impact on the future development and life of Israel (the people/tribe)?

The main theme of Genesis can be found in Chapter 12. If you've done any study at all in Genesis or the Old Testament you will probably recognize it. What is it? What is so significant about it? What does it mean for us today?

General Discussion Guide
Genesis is a book of beginnings: The Universe, earth, humanity, sin, Israel, God's activity in the Creation.
it is a theological look at these beginnings, of promises, of places.

How does the view that Genesis is a book of theology help your understanding of its stories?

Genesis sets the foundation for what is to come in the rest of the story, how humans fit into the creation and where we fit into God's redemptive work. We read Genesis in order to see God at work in and through the people Israel and recognize that ther is universal scope to this relationship. It is also a reminder that God works in and through the events of human history and this creation, not just outside of it exclusively. That means that God is active and present in the stuff of life.

So reflect on these questions:
What does the Creation story mean to tell us? What is its purpose?
What does it reveal about God? about Humans?
What power or meaning does this story (or stories) have for you, personally?

Humans are created in the image of God. What is that?

What makes us like God? What makes us different?

What are the stories of Genesis (name as many as you can)?
Why these stories? What do they tell us? What if we take them together as one unit, what do they have to tell us now? Is it a different understanding?

A key to understanding Genesis is one of the last verses in it. Look up Genesis 50:20. How does that open up understanding for what took place before and after this story (of Joseph)?

This key, that God works in our lives and that no matter what happens; that God's work will ultimately not be thwarted by humans; that God works in and through human history to bring about God's will and purpose; is a part of the overall theme of Genesis and the main theme in this book of beginnings is God's Promise (Covenant)!

What is God's promise to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Israel and ultimately humanity?

Have a great discovery!
Peace ><>
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