Old Testament 150 Reading Challenge week 3

Old Testament 150 Reading Challenge 5 May 2014 to 28th November 2014 Week 03: Bible Reading Plan and Discussion Starters

Welcome to The Salvation Army's Challenge to read
150 popular chapters from the Old Testament within 7 months,

reading just 5 chapters per week.

 

Monday, May 19, 2014 --- Genesis 11 – The Tower of Babel, and Shem’s descendants down to Abram.

-       Would you agree that only the Bible provides an adequate explanation of why we have different languages? If not, what other explanation would be adequate?

-       V9, does this explain why humankind is so widespread geographically?

-       V31, this verse tells us how Abram and Sarai came to live in Haran.

Tuesday, May 20, 2014 --- Genesis 12 – Abram receives a promise from God, and tricks Egypt’s Pharaoh.

-       V13, Is this promise still active today? If Abram’s promise was fulfilled through his descendants, the Jews, and the land of Canaan is Israel, then does this promise urge us to bless the Jews and Israel?...or did the promise die with Abram?

-       V10-20, does this story condone lying?...or is it an example of Abram’s fallibility?...or are we missing a piece of this puzzle (see also Ch20:12)

-       Why do you think this story of the famine and Abram’s deceit was included in Scripture?

Wednesday, May 21, 2014 --- Genesis 13 – Abram and Lot part company

-       V4, Abram ‘called on the Name of the LORD’…what do you think this means?

-       V13, Lot chose to live in a land which looked appealing, but contained much wickedness…are there parallels with decisions regarding where we choose to ‘live’ or spend our time today?

Thursday, May 22, 2014 --- Genesis 14 – Lot is captured and then rescued by Abram

-       V14, the first mention of the Hebrews!

-       V1-17, Have you noticed how already life had become very tribal, with various kings waging war against each other?

-       V18-20, for more about the mysterious Melchizedek read Hebrews chapter 7!

-       V20, was Abram’s tithe compulsory or optional?

Friday, May 23, 2014 --- Genesis 15 – God’s covenant with Abram

-       V1-6, God made Abram a promise which by worldly standards and human experience looked unlikely to be fulfilled…but Abram believed God, and his faith was accounted for righteousness. You and I are given a promise by God, that all who seek forgiveness from God through faith alone in the salvation of Jesus Christ shall receive eternal life…to many who underestimate the power of God this may seem unlikely to be fulfilled, and so do we have the faith of Abram?

-       Is there a link between the blood/sacrifice of these animals, and the blood of the Passover Lamb, and the blood of Jesus in their respective covenants?

-       V13, the slavery in Egypt is foretold…does this add to the Bible’s credibility?