Tuesday, March 31, 2020

II Samuel Twenty Questions

1. What questions do you have about this week’s reading?

2. After all the bad things that Saul did to David, why do you think David still mourned his loss in II Samuel 1?

3. What was the root cause of the bitter hatred between Joab (David’s general) and Abner (the House of Saul’s general) in II Samuel 2?

4. How did David reward the people who brought him “good news” about deaths in Saul’s family?  (II Samuel 1 and 4)

5. How long was David’s total reign, including his time over Judah and then over all of Israel?

6. What did Uzzah do wrong that he was struck down in II Samuel 6?

7. What did David want to do for the Lord after he had established himself and built his palace (II Samuel 7:2)?

8. How did God respond to David’s desire?

9. How are David’s actions in II Samuel 9 a fulfillment of the covenant he made with Jonathan in I Samuel 20:14-17?

10. Describe how David’s sin kept escalating in II Samuel 11.

11. In II Samuel 12:6, what did David conclude should happen to the man who took and killed his poor neighbor’s only ewe lamb?

12. What ended up happening to the child that Bathsheba had conceived with David?

13. What atrocious sin did David’s oldest son, Amnon, commit?

14. What ended up happening to Amnon?

15. The Bible says that Absalom was very handsome on the outside (II Samuel 14:25).  What was he like on the inside?

16. What horrible thing did Absalom do in II Samuel 16 that was a fulfillment of the prophet Nathan’s decree against David in II Samuel 12?

17. What ended up happening to Absalom?

18. How did David react to the news about the usurper Absalom?

19. What were the three destructive options that God gave David as judgment for him ordering a census (II Samuel 24)

20. Why do you think David made the choice that he did?

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

I Samuel Twenty Questions

1. Samuel’s birth can be considered a miracle.  Can you recall some other previous examples in the Bible of God providing a child in unusual circumstances?

2. What kind of “reversals” is God credited with in Hannah’s prayer in I Samuel 2?

3. What were the sins of Eli’s sons (2:12-17 and 2:22-25)?

4. What was Eli’s sin (3:13)?

5. How did the Philistines’ war trophy of the ark become a snare to them?

6. What were the sins of Samuel’s sons (8:1-3)?

7. What did Samuel warn the Israelites about what a king would do?

8. Why do the people still want a king (8:19-20)?

9. Why do you think God allowed the people to do something that was not in accord with His will?

10. What is Saul’s first victory as king (11:1-11)?

11. What are the two ways that Saul fell out of favor with the Lord (13:8-14 and 15:10-23)?

12. How had God prepared David for his battle with Goliath (17:34-37)?

13. How did David go from being a hero admired by Saul to being viewed with suspicion and fear by him?

14. What was the covenant made between Jonathan and David in I Samuel 20?

15. What ruse did David employ to be safe in Gath of the Philistines (22:10-15)?

16. What did Saul do to the priests at Nob in revenge for their assistance to David (22:6-23)?

17. When David had the opportunity to kill Saul in I Samuel 24, what did he do instead?

18. When David had a second opportunity to kill Saul in I Samuel 26, what did he do instead?

19. When Saul consults a medium to call up the spirit of Samuel, what does Samuel tell him (30:16-19)?

20. How do Saul and three of his sons die in I Samuel 31?

Thursday, March 19, 2020

Judges and Ruth Twenty Questions

1. Joshua was Moses’ successor.  Who was Joshua’s successor? (Note: this may be a trick question!)

2. According to Judges 4:4, what was God’s intention in leaving some enemy nations among Israel’s tribes?

3. According to Judges 4:6, what happened?

4. A. Who is the first Judge raised up in Judges 4:7-11,
B. his lineage,
C. the enemy of Israel (leader and nation) at the time,
D. and how long had Israel been oppressed?

5. A. Who is the second Judge raised up in Judges 4:12-30,
B. his lineage,
C. the enemy of Israel (leader and nation) at the time,
D. and how long had Israel been oppressed?

6. A. Who is the Judge raised up in Judges 5,
B. the enemy of Israel (leader and nation) at the time,
C. and how long had Israel been oppressed?

7. Does the fact that Deborah led Israel in the time of the Judges imply anything about God’s ability to use women in leadership?

8. A. Who is the Judge raised up in Judges 6,
B. his lineage,
C. the enemy of Israel (nation) at the time
D. and how long had Israel been oppressed?

9. What did Gideon do with his fleece in Judges 6, and why is that not an example of putting the Lord to the test?

10. How many fighting men did Gideon start with, and how many did he take into battle?

11. How did Gideon’s gold ephod become a snare to Israel?

12. What does the example of Jephthah teach us about making a rash vow?

13. What does Judges 14:1-4 teach us about God’s plans?

14. What similarities are there between Samson being worn down by the Philistine woman in Judges 14:16-17 and his experience with Delilah later in Judges 16?

15. What is the connection between Samson’s strength being in his hair and his identity as a Nazirite?

16. What are the similarities between the city of Gibeah in Benjamin (an Israelite town!) in Judges 19 and cities of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19?

17. What were the consequences upon the tribe of Benjamin for what happened in Gibeah?

18. What do you think of the various plans to secure wives for the decimated Benjaminite tribe in Judges 21?

19. What is the consequence of verses like Judges 17:6 and 21:25 where everyone does what is right in their own eyes?

20. What does the story of Ruth and Naomi teach us about God’s providence?

Thursday, March 12, 2020

Joshua Twenty Questions

1. What questions do you have about this week’s reading?

2. How many times (and by whom) is Joshua told in chapter 1 to be “strong and courageous”?

3. Being strong and courageous is necessary for Joshua and the Israelites to succeed, while their opponents “melt in fear.”  Have you ever seen fear play a decisive role in the ability to persevere?

4. Based on the story of Rahab in chapter two, what appears to be most important to God: one’s ethnicity, one’s morality, or which side one is on?

5. How does the testimony of Rahab in Joshua 2:8-11 show that God’s reputation is spreading on account of Israel’s experiences?

6. What happened at Gilgal?  (Joshua 4:19-24)

7. Although fear is generally considered a negative in the book of Joshua, why is it recommended that the people fear the Lord?  (Joshua 4:24)

8. Why does the manna stop in Joshua 5?

9. Whose side is the commander of the army of the Lord on?  (Joshua 5:13-15)

10. What were Joshua’s “marching orders”, and how did they result in the fall of Jericho?

11. What caused the army’s failure at Ai?  (Joshua 7:10-12)

12. With what tactic did Joshua conquer Ai?

13. Which scripture is Joshua 8:30-35 a fulfillment of?

14. What was the ruse of the Gibeonites?

15. According to Joshua 11, how faithfully did Joshua follow the orders given by Moses?

16. How many kings did Joshua and the Israelites successfully defeat?

17. In what town was the tent of meeting set up?  (Joshua 18)

18. After establishing towns of refuge and towns for the Levites, how many of God’s promises to Moses could be said to have gone unfulfilled?  (Joshua 21:43-45)

19. Why did the tribes east of the Jordan build an altar at Geliloth?

20. What ultimately happened to Joseph’s bones?

Deuteronomy 18-34 Twenty Questions

1. What questions do you have about this week’s reading?

2. The Bible takes a very negative view of magic and the occult (Deuteronomy 18:9-13).  Are these practices regarded as “hoaxes”, or is there another reason they are forbidden?

3. What is the test of a prophet? (Deut. 18:21-22)

4. Why is God determined that the cities of refuge should be both accessible and sufficient in number? (Deut. 19:6 and 10)

5. According to the Bible in Deut. 19:16-21, what should happen to one found to be a false witness?

6. What are some reasons that a person might be discharged from going up to battle or war?  (Deut. 20:5-9)

7. What is the penalty for a rebellious son?  (Deut. 21:18-21)

8. How is Deuteronomy 22:8 an early example of the concept of “negligence”?

9. The Bible is sometimes attacked for passages like Deuteronomy 22:28-29 which may offend our modern sensibilities.  Given the context of the culture and surrounding material in chapter 22, why might a provision like this have been included in the Law?

10. What examples of mercy and/or compassion can you find in Deuteronomy 24?

11. What is the connection between Deuteronomy 25:5-10 and the story of Ruth in Ruth 4:1-12?

12. What makes the difference between receiving the blessings of Deuteronomy 28:1-14 rather than suffering the curses of 28:15-68?

13. What is the connection between Deuteronomy 28:49-57 and II Kings 6:24-29 as well as Lamentations 2:20 and 4:10?

14. When in history have we seen the prophetic words of Deuteronomy 30:1-5 fulfilled?

15. How stark is the choice that Moses lays out for the people in Deuteronomy 30:15-20?

16. Who is told to be “strong and courageous” in Deuteronomy 31?

17. What did God give the Israelites in Deuteronomy 31:19-22 to be a witness against them when they sinned?

18. Is Moses optimistic or pessimistic about the future of the people in Deuteronomy 31?

19. Has a hymn or song ever seen you through a tough time or called you back to a place of faithfulness?

20. What challenges would Joshua face in succeeding Moses, who the Bible says was a one-of-a-kind prophet?

Deuteronomy 1-17 Twenty Questions

1. What questions do you have about this week’s reading?

2. How is Deuteronomy 1:10 a fulfillment of God’s covenant promise to Abraham in Genesis 15:5?

3. What does Deuteronomy 1 say about the role of fear? (See 1:17, 1:21 and 1:28-29)

4. How can the recitation of Israel’s history of wanderings and warfare give them encouragement for the battles ahead? (Deuteronomy 3:21-22)

5. What was Moses’ consolation prize instead of getting to go into the Holy Land himself?

6. What is God’s hope for Israel revealed in Deuteronomy 4:5-8?

7. Deuteronomy 4:9-10 stresses passing on the faith to the next generation by teaching the children.   Why is this important?

8. According to Deuteronomy 4:35, what was the point of Israel’s experience in Egypt and the wilderness?

9. Deuteronomy 6:4-5 is repeated later by Jesus.  What will He say about this teaching?  (Extra Credit: what is the Jewish name for these verses?)

10. What is Moses’ warning about spiritual complacency and satisfaction in Deuteronomy 6:10-12 and 8:10-20?

11. What did God want the people to do regarding the worship of other gods among the peoples they were conquering? (Deuteronomy 7:5)

12. How should we view the discipline of the Lord? (Deuteronomy 8:5 and Hebrews 12:4-13)

13. Would Israel be justified in boasting that its own power or goodness caused God to favor it?  (Deuteronomy 7:7-11 and 9:4-6)

14. What are the similarities between Deuteronomy 10:12-13 and Micah 6:8?

15. Deuteronomy 11:26-28 could be a summary for the book.  What blessings and curses that Moses has described stand out to you?

16. Deuteronomy 12:5-14 is a prophecy of what place?

17. How is Deuteronomy 13 a logical consequence of the First Commandment?

18. What four groups are especially commanded to be remembered in Deuteronomy 14:28-29?

19. Do you think God intends for His people to give generously?  (Deuteronomy 15:7-11)

20. Can you think of any notable kings who did or didn’t follow the guidelines set out in Deuteronomy 17:14-20?

Numbers 19-36 Twenty Questions

1. What questions do you have about this week’s reading?

2. According to Numbers 20 and Numbers 27:12-14, why was Moses not permitted to enter the Promised Land?

3. What is the connection between Numbers 21:4-9 and John 3:14-15?

4. How is the bronze snake on a pole not a violation of the Second Commandment?

5. What do you make of the story of Balaam and the donkey?

6. Why does Numbers 23:1-12 have an almost comical effect?

7. Why or why not do you think Balaam’s fourth prophecy in Numbers 24:15-19 is about Christ?

8. How does the New Testament view the legacy of Balaam?  (II Peter 2:15-16 and Jude 11)

9. Although Balaam was not able to successfully curse Israel, what happens in the next chapter that leads to their corruption?  (See Numbers 31:16 to see who’s behind this.)

10. According to Numbers 27:15-17, how do you think Moses views his role?

11. Why was it important for Moses to have a designated successor?

12. According to Numbers 28:17, the Passover bread is to be made without yeast.  Why?  (See Exodus 12:34 and 39)

13. How is yeast also a metaphor for sin and sinful influences in the Bible?  (See Luke 12:1 and Galatians 5:9)

14. How binding is the vow mentioned in Numbers 30?

15. Why do you think there is a provision for the vows of daughters/ wives to be overruled by their fathers/husbands?

16. Why was Moses angry with the Israelite army leaders in Numbers 31:14?

17. How would you respond to the charge the God orders the genocide of the Midianites and the treatment of their young women as a commodity?

18. What was Moses’ initial reaction to the tribes of Gad and Reuben (and Manasseh) who wanted to stay east of the Jordan and not cross into the Promised Land?

19. What agreement was eventually reached?

20. According to Numbers 33:55-56, what was the risk to Israel if they didn’t cleanse the land of its prior inhabitants?

Numbers 1-18 Twenty Questions

1. What questions do you have about this week’s reading?

2. How many “tribes” are mentioned in Numbers 1?

3. What were the special responsibilities and privileges of the Levites described in Numbers 1?

4. In Numbers 3:5-10, what does Aaron and his sons receive for help in discharging their duties?

5. In Numbers 3:11-13 and 3:39-51, what does God exchange for the Levites?

6. Numbers 5:11-31 prescribes a ritual to determine infidelity on the part of a wife.  What observations would you make about this test?

7. What are the three prohibitions, or acts of separation, which accompany a Nazirite vow (Numbers 6)?

8. How would Moses hear from God, as described in Numbers 7:89?

9. What were the “working years” for the Levites, according to Numbers 8:23-26?

10. Can you discern any spiritual principles from the description of Numbers 9:15-23 and the people’s following of cloud and fire?

11. What did the Hebrews miss about their time in Egypt? (Numbers 11:4-6)

12. Based on Numbers 11, what lesson should we draw about complaining against the Lord?

13. What was Miriam’s punishment for speaking out against Moses?

14. What was the majority and minority report of the twelve spies sent to explore the land of Canaan?

15. What do the people want to do instead of going to the Promised Land?  (Numbers 14:1-10)

16. What does God first want to do to the Israelites for their rebellion, and then what does He ultimately do?  (Numbers 14:11-12 and 14:20-38)

17. How do the people respond when God informed them of God’s punishment?  (Numbers 14:39-45)

18. What is the penalty for gathering wood on Saturday?  (Numbers 15:32-36)

19. What is the point of having tassels on their garments? (Numbers 15:37-41)

20. What three kinds of death resulted from Korah’s rebellion in Numbers 16?

Leviticus Twenty Questions

1. What questions do you have about this week’s reading?

2. Several times the Bible points out that sacrifices are to be animals “without defect.”  What’s wrong with offering defective animals to God?

3. What would be a modern-day equivalent of offering something defective to God?

4. That sacrifices produce “an aroma pleasing to the Lord” is mentioned several times in Leviticus.  Do you think God physically and/or literally takes pleasure in smelling the offering?

5. What provisions does Leviticus 5 make for the economically poor?

6. Leviticus commands a system of sacrificial animal offerings.  We say we are Bible-believers.  Why don’t we follow this practice today?

7. Based on Leviticus 10:1-3, why was it important to follow the rituals precisely as laid out?

8. What does Leviticus 12:8 imply about Joseph and Mary later in Luke 2:22-24?

9. Reading Leviticus 13:45-46, how difficult would it be to live with a long-term skin disease in Bible times?

10. In spite of the difficulty placed upon those with skin diseases, why was it mandated?

11. In Leviticus 16, what was the role of the scapegoat?

12. How often was the atonement ritual described in Leviticus 16 to be practiced?

13. How important was the prohibition against eating blood in Leviticus 17:10-14?  (Compare with Acts 15:19-21)

14. Christians do not consider the “kosher laws” of Leviticus 11 to be binding on us.  What about the sexual laws of Leviticus 18?  (Compare with I Corinthians 5:1-5)

15. What is the point of establishing a system of holy days to be observed throughout the year, as in Leviticus 23?

16. What would happen during the Year of Jubilee?

17. Reading Leviticus 25:44-46, would you say that the Bible endorses slavery?

18. What do you think are the best promises for obedience/worst threats for disobedience listed in Leviticus 26?

19. Leviticus 27:30-33 says that a tithe of everything from the land and from the flocks and herds belongs to the Lord.  What right does God have to a tithe?

20. How difficult would you find it to be an ancient Jew and be expected to practice all of Leviticus?  You may indicate which laws in particular would be hardest to follow.

Exodus 20-40 Twenty Questions

1. What questions do you have about this week’s reading?

2. The very first commandment is that we should have no other gods before God.  Why do you think God insists on being first in our lives (Commandment #1 in Exodus 20:3)?

3. Jealousy is not normally considered a positive trait.  How should we interpret that God identifies Himself as a “jealous” God (Commandment #2 in Exodus 20:5)?

4. How would you explain Exodus 20:5 and 6 to someone who objects that God is being unfair by punishing children for the sins of the parents?  (Compare: Ezekiel 18:1-20)

5. How should Christians view the Ten Commandments – binding/ legalistic/optional/helpful?

6. In Ephesians 6:1-3, Paul says that honoring your father and mother is the first commandment with a promise.  What is that promise?

7. Is our entire consumer-driven marketing/economic system based on an inherent violation of the Tenth Commandment to not covet?

8. How is the understanding and punishment of homicide becoming more nuanced in Exodus 21:12-14?

9. How should we understand the concept and application of retributive justice (“eye for eye, tooth for tooth”) in Exodus 21:23-25?

10. Do any of the various laws strike you as strange or disproportionate?

11. Reading Exodus 23:23-33 and Exodus 34:10-17, what is the basis of God’s command for the Canaanite nations to be wiped out entirely?

12. Does reading Hebrews 9:16-20 help you to better understand Exodus 24:4-8?

13. Can people look upon God?   Check out Exodus 24:9-11 and Exodus 33:11 and 33:18-23.

14. Why was it important for Moses and the Israelites to build the Tabernacle exactly to the specifications that God laid out?

15. What did God do for Bezalel and Oholiab?

16. What do you suppose motivated the people to want to follow other gods in Exodus 32:1?

17. Do you believe Aaron’s story in Exodus 32:24 that the golden calf just happened to come out of the fire?

18. What kind of punishments came upon the people because of their sin with golden calf?

19. Based on Exodus 36:1-7, how well was the building project of the Tabernacle supported by the people?

20. How did the Israelites do in actually assembling the Tabernacle according to the vision God had given Moses?  (Hint: See Exodus 39:42-43)

Exodus 1-19 Twenty Questions

1. What does Exodus 1:15-21 reveal about lying and absolute honesty?

2. How do you see the providence of God at work in the story of Moses in Exodus 2:1-10?

3. Based on Exodus 2:11-15, would you describe Moses as a murderer?

4. What are Moses’ two questions to God in Exodus 3?

5. What meanings do you find in God’s revelation of His name as “I AM WHO I AM”?

6. In Exodus 4, what three signs did God give Moses to show the Israelites as proof of his story?

7. How would you describe Moses’ reaction to his call?

8. What is the difference in the elders’ attitude toward Moses and Aaron at the end of Exodus 4 and Exodus 5?

9. What are the odds of success for Moses’ mission at the end of Exodus 6:12?

10. According to Exodus 7:22-23, how did Pharaoh respond to the first plague of the water turning to blood? 

11. In Exodus 8, how did Pharaoh respond to the second plague of frogs?

12. How did Pharaoh’s magicians describe the plagues after they could not replicate the gnats?

13. Which do you personally feel would have been the worst plague?

14. Was it wrong for God to harden Pharaoh’s heart in Exodus 9:12 considering Pharaoh had already hardened his heart several times?

15. What parallels do you see between the Passover in Exodus 12 and the sacrifice of Christ?

16. The firstborn of the Egyptians were killed in the final plague.  What did God require be done to the firstborn of the Israelites instead?  (See Exodus 13:1-2 and 13:14-16)

17. How does Exodus 13:9 resolve the ending of the Book of Genesis?

18. Some have proposed various naturalistic explanations for the plagues and the parting of the Red Sea.  Does the Bible leave any room for acceptance of these events apart from the supernatural work of God?

19. What were some of the special rules regarding manna, and how did the Israelites break them?

20. How do the stories in Exodus 17 and 18 reveal that Moses needed help?

Genesis 34-50 Twenty Questions

1. What stood out most to you from this week’s reading? 

2. What do you think of the sons of Jacob’s plan against Hamor and Shechem?  (i.e. just or unjust, cleverness of the plan, what was the fall-out, etc.)

3. What is the background behind Benjamin’s name?

4. What is the connection between Rachel’s burial place and the New Testament?  (See Jeremiah 31:15 and Matthew 2:18)

5. In Genesis 37, what were Joseph’s brothers reasons for hating him?

6. What were the various plans the brothers hatched to do to Joseph?

7. Can you name three examples throughout his life that show Joseph’s excellent administration abilities?

8. In the time of Joseph, the meaning of dreams could be interpreted, often with a prophetic message.  Do you think God still speaks in dreams today?

9. What do the trials of Joseph (betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, unjustly accused, forgotten in prison) teach us about living an upright life?

10. What does Joseph’s answer to Pharaoh about dream interpretation in Genesis 41:16 reveal about Joseph?

11. If it hadn’t been for (God working through) Joseph, what would have happened to Egypt and its people, as well as Joseph’s family back home?

12. Based on the meaning of the names of Joseph’s sons (Manasseh and Ephraim), how do you think Joseph was feeling during the seven years of plenty?

13. What do you think were Joseph’s motivations in the mind games he was playing with his half-brothers?

14. How is Judah’s offer in Genesis 44:33 a picture of the gospel story in miniature?

15. Do you agree with Joseph about who he feels has been working behind the scenes throughout the events of his life (Genesis 45:8 and 50:20)?

16. Speculation question – do you think anyone ever told Jacob what had really happened to Joseph?

17. Beersheba had a profound spiritual influence on Abraham’s family.  Compare the experiences in Genesis 26:23-25 and Genesis 46:1-5.

18. What was the first tax rate in Egypt?  (Hint: See Genesis 47:26)

19. What do you make of Jacob’s crossed-arm blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh in Genesis 48?

20. What “unfinished business” does Genesis end with?

Genesis 12-33 Twenty Questions

1. What stood out most to you from this week’s reading? 

2. In Genesis 12:1-3 and 12:7, what did God ask of Abram, and what did He promise him?

3. In Genesis 12:8 and 13:3-4, Abram builds an altar to the Lord at Bethel and calls on His name.  What does “Bethel” mean?

4. In Genesis 14:18-20, what intriguing details do you find about Melchizedek?  (Look up Hebrews 7 for more insights.)

5. In Genesis 15, God establishes a covenant with Abram.  What is the significance of Genesis 15:6?  (Look up Romans 4 for more insights.)

6. What is the meaning of cutting the animals in half and the appearance of the smoking firepot with the blazing torch?

7. How is Genesis 16 a cautionary tale about thinking we know better than God and taking matters into our own hands?

8. What do Abraham and Sarah’s new names mean, given in Genesis 17?

9. Do you find any parallels between God’s deliverance of Noah and His rescue of Lot in Genesis 19?

10. What is the connection between Isaac and laughter?

11. What was the point of God testing Abraham in Genesis 22? 

12. What parallels do you see between the almost-sacrifice of Isaac and the sacrificial death of Jesus?

13. Abraham called that place “The Lord Will Provide.”  What has the Lord provided for you?

14. What does Genesis 24 tell us about God’s ability to work through circumstances?

15. Describe the sibling rivalry between Esau and Jacob.  What were the character flaws of each?

16. Jacob wrested the birthright and the blessing from Esau.  What were these ancient customs?

17. What was Jacob’s dream in Genesis 28 and his response to it?

18. Describe how Jacob was deceived in Genesis 29.  Do you think he had it coming?

19. What about Jacob’s experience provides a great example of why plural marriage is not a good idea?

20. Describe the events surrounding Jacob’s name change to Israel.  What does Israel mean?

Genesis 1-11 Twenty Questions

1. What has been your past experience in reading through (or attempting to read through) the Bible?  

2. Why do you think the Bible doesn’t tell us “where God came from?”

3. Some suggest that Genesis 1 and 2 are actually two different Creation stories.  What are the similarities and differences between them?

4. In attempting to explain our origins, Science has advanced the theories of the Big Bang and Evolution.  In what ways are these concepts compatible and/or incompatible with a biblical Christian faith?

5. What would you say to someone who argues that we should be honoring Saturday as the seventh day rather than Sunday?

6. It is sometimes said of the Fall of Man that God blamed Adam, Adam blamed Eve, Eve blamed the serpent, and the serpent didn’t have a leg to stand on!  Where do you think the blame lies in Genesis 3?

7. In Genesis 3:22, why do you think God keeps humankind from the Tree of Life and living forever, when He later permits access in Revelation 22:2?

8. According to Genesis 4, what was God’s punishment for Cain’s sin of murder?

9. In the news headlines of this current week, do you see any evidence of sin in the modern world?  Cite specific examples.

10. How should we reconcile the very long lives of ancient people in the Bible (such as recorded in Genesis 5) with the shorter lives in more recent history?

11. According to Genesis 6:5, how corrupt was the world?

12. What does it say about God that He chose to spare Noah and his family instead of destroying them along with the rest of the world?

13. Many ancient cultures have flood stories.  Does the existence of so many flood stories weaken or strengthen the case for the Bible?

14. Genesis 9:6 indicates a change in the application of the death penalty from Cain’s experience.  Why or why not is this inconsistent?

15. In Genesis 9:9, God establishes a covenant with Noah, his descendants, and every living creature.  What is a covenant?

16. Can you name some examples of other covenants?

17. Why do you think covenants are often accompanied by signs?

18. Considering Genesis 11, have you ever experienced a situation where language was a barrier? Describe it.

19. Do you see a correlation in humankind’s growing ability to communicate with each other and the speed of progress/industry that has taken place as a result?

20. What will help you to get this week’s reading done?