Origin Stories: Tough Texts in Genesis
This series will explore familiar stories and people in the opening books of the Bible, asking these primary questions: What do these stories tell us about God? What do they tell us about humanity? What can we learn about our relationship with God?
This week (April 30), we focused on Noah and the Flood (Genesis 6-9) and Abraham, Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18-Genesis 19:1-29). Before diving into discussion around these two somewhat lengthy texts, take a moment to pray together.
Ask God to prepare your hearts and minds for a rich discussion centered on your shared belief in the atoning, sacrificial love of his Son, Jesus Christ.
1. What are your experiences with these two stories? (Did you learn about them as children? If so, how has your understand of them changed? If you have children, do/did you read them with your children?
2. How do you personally understand the nature of texts like the flood narrative and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah? Are you tempted to distinguish between an “Old Testament God” and a “New Testament God”? In other words, do you have difficulty believing that this is the same God we see revealed in Jesus (Colossians 1:15-20)? Why or why not.
3. Discuss the role that mercy (the second part of “God’s Redemptive Arc” that Pete mentioned in his sermon) plays in the midst of passages like these that show the consequences of sin and the righteous judgment of God.
4. Discuss the idea of justice presented in the sermon this week: “punitive justice” versus “protective justice.” You may want to think about Pete’s story about when his son Shepherd was choking. How did Pete react? How did Shepherd respond?
How does a difference in perspective between parent and child affect the interpretation of these events? How might we apply this to the relationship of God and humans regarding punishment versus protection?
5. Read Genesis 9:8-17 and Ephesians 2:1-5. Talk about the covenant God made with Noah, and the ways in which God is faithful, even when we are not. Discuss the connection between God’s covenant, grace, and the forgiveness of sin.
Want to dig deeper into Genesis 6-9? To listen to the BEMA Discipleship podcast on the story of Noah and the flood, click here!
