Encounter the Bible

Welcome to Genesis - Week 4! Congratulations on making it through Genesis!  The book of Genesis brings to a close an era in the history of God's people.  As the book of Exodus starts, there is a gap of about 250-400 years.  That's a long time!  A little over 400 years ago, the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock.  Before we enter that gap of time, the biblical narrative focuses on Joseph, who went from slave to property manager to prisoner to second in command in Egypt.  Talk about a roller coaster ride! Last week, I mentioned the phrase, "the LORD was with Joseph."  There's a lot packed into that phrase, but it gives us some understanding of how Joseph could endure all that he did and how he could interpret dreams and develop government policies.  But don't miss the human side of this.  Even though his brothers had rejected him and sold him, he still had love for his brothers and eventually his dream was fulfilled.  God had used him to pro...

Welcome to Genesis - Week 3! In our readings this week, we enter further into the stories of Jacob and Esau and then into the story of Joseph.  God makes an incredible promise to Jacob, after which Jacob and Esau reunite.  The families of Jacob and Esau, while cousins, would be in conflict for generations, even up to the time of Jesus.  As we begin the Joseph story, a phrase is repeated again and again: But the LORD was with Joseph.  Given what Joseph went through, I wonder if he thought that was a good thing. Biblical scholars are quick to point out that the story of Joseph is a foreshadowing to Jesus.  As you read, try to compare and contrast the story of Joseph with that of Jesus.  How is Joseph a "type of Christ" in the Old Testament? As you read, keep in mind our reading questions.  Use these as general questions to keep in mind as you read to help formulate your reflections, observations, and questions. Our guiding questions are these: What stood...

Welcome to Genesis - Week 2 Once again, we cover a lot of ground but we find ourselves focused on Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  Note how little we know about Isaac and how the narrative has focused on Abraham and Jacob. We encounter some well-known stories (Jacob stealing Esau's birthright; Jacob receiving Isaac's blessing) and some lesser-known stories (what's up with all the wells and the treaties?).   An interesting thing about biblical narrative is that stories tend to include only a few named characters.  Why?  Because the biblical author wants us to see God in the story.  As you read these stories, look for what God is doing.  And based on what he's doing, what does that tell you about God? As you read, keep in mind our reading questions.  Use these as general questions to keep in mind as you read to help formulate your reflections, observations, and questions. Our guiding questions are these: What stood out to you in the reading? Was there an...

Welcome to Week 1 of our reading/study of Genesis. There is a TON of material in the opening chapters of Genesis.  We could spend 8 weeks on this section alone!  It begins with the story of creation and quickly moves into the fall.  After detailing a genealogy (and being introduced to the man who lived longer than any other human), we find ourselves in the Noah story, the Babel story, and then Abraham. If you can catch your breath long enough, take some time to reflect on these stories.  What is God up to?  How did things go so bad so quickly?  What takeaways do you have from the flood story?  Why would God choose Abram? I encourage you not to miss the themes because you're so caught up in the details of the story.  As you get through each story, reflect on what God is doing.  After all, the story of the Bible is God's story, so focus on him and what he is doing/saying through these stories. As you read, keep in mind our reading questions....