We have transitioned now to the story of Isaac. This week, we focus on Rebekah's deception to secure the birthright for Jacob (Gen. 27). Then we looked at the ensuing consequences of those actions and the steps God took to grow Jacob in his faith.
Skills:
How can we get better applications of the Bible?
Getting better applications at the top-level, part 2
Activation:
Jacob and Rebekah deceive Isaac and Esau
Jacob meets God and receives the covenant promises
Jacob's time in Haran
At-Home Skills Practice:
Step 1: Read through Genesis 37–50 at least twice this week. This is the account of Jacob and his family. Don’t forget that you can use an audio Bible to help you.
Step 2:We will focus our in-class discussion this week on Genesis 37. So you will want to meditate on the meaning of that part of the larger context.
Step 3: The story of Joseph (and the other patriarchs) is recounted in Acts 7. Read through that account. How did Stephen understand these Old Testament stories? Top level, middle level or bottom level?
Step 4: How is the story of Genesis 37 typically preached? Go online and do a quick search. Write down a few sermon titles or “main ideas” from sermons that summarize or illustrate common approaches to this passage.
Step 5: Evaluate: Do you think the common approach to the story of Genesis 37 reflects the big idea of the text itself (the author’s main idea)? Give me an idea of how you would preach this sermon based on your own study of the text.
This week, we arrive at the end of Abraham's earthly journey. We looked at the events of Abraham's life before his death, the birth of Isaac's sons, Jacob and Esau (Gen. 25), and the passing of the covenant to Isaac (Gen. 26).
Skills:
How can we get better applications of the Bible?
Getting better applications at the top-level, part 1
Activation:
Abraham's children from Keturah
Abraham's death
Birth of Jacob and Esau
Esau trades his birthright for stew
The covenant promises passes to Isaac
At-Home Skills Practice:
Step 1: Read through Genesis 26:34–33:20 at least twice this week. This is the account of Jacob and Esau and their rivalry. We want to read the entire story in its entire context. Don’t forget that you can use an audio Bible to help you.
Step 2:Write out a main idea sentence for this entire section (chs. 26:34–33:20). Remember to include its connection to the larger redemptive story.
Step 3: Create a brief (not detailed) outline of this section. How do these pieces of the Jacob and Esau story fit together?
Step 4: What repetition of previous stories we’ve covered in Genesis do you notice in this section? Make a list. Include references. Why do you think the author includes this information?
Step 5: How is the rivalry of Jacob/Esau used by New Testament writers? Include references. What do you think the top-level application is of the story of Jacob and Esau?
We're nearing the end of Abraham's journey. This week we looked at Sarah's death (Gen. 23) and the search for a wife for Isaac (Gen. 24).
Skills:
How can we get better applications of the Bible?
Activation:
Sarah's death
Abraham's purchase of a burial site
The search for Isaac's wife, Rebekah
At-Home Skills Practice:
Step 1: Read through Genesis 25:19–50:26 at least twice this week. Don’t forget that you can use an audio Bible to help you.
This week we are going to focus on chapters 25 and 26. We are going to do things a little differently. I’m asking the questions and you’re answering. You really shouldn’t need any outside resources to get these answers other than your Bible. I want you to begin to equip you to notice patterns in the text.
What is the purpose of Gen. 25:1–4? How does it push the top-level story of redemption along.
What is the purpose of Gen. 25:5? Why does the author include this information?
What significance is the phrase “…in the east”? Who else went “east” earlier in Genesis? Make a short list and include references.
How is Gen. 25:11 a fitting end to this section (that started back in 11:27)?
What is the purpose of Gen. 25:12–18? How does it push the top-level story of redemption along? What do you think the significance is that there are 12 descendants of Ishmael?
Gen. 25:19 starts a new section of the narrative. What is the purpose of verses 19–23? What is this supposed to remind the reader of? What parallels do you see from previous stories in Genesis? Make a short list and include references.
Gen. 25:27–34 is a famous story about Jacob and Esau. What previous brother “pairs” has the author introduced us to in Genesis? What parallels do you see between those stories and this one? Make a short list and include references.
In Gen. 26:1–6, we read of famine in the land. What is the purpose of this section of scripture? What is the author wanting us to see about the relationship between Isaac and Abraham?
What previous section in Genesis does Gen. 26:7–19 remind you of? Make a short list of parallels. Include references.
What is the purpose of Gen. 26:23–24? How does it push the top-level story of redemption along?
What previous section in Genesis does Gen. 26:26–31 remind you of? Make a short list of parallels. Include references.
We're continuing to follow Abraham's journey of faith. This week we finally reach the long-awaited birth of his son, Isaac (Gen. 21), which is followed by the difficult passage about God's test of obedience (Gen. 22).
Skills:
How do we evaluate novel or creative Bible interpretations?
Activation:
Birth of Isaac
God tests Abraham by telling him to sacrifice Isaac
DiggingDeeper:
Choose a chapter of your choice to read in How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth. So far, we’ve read chapters 1–5 and 9.
