Old Testament 150 Reading Challenge week 8

Old Testament 150 Reading Challenge 5 May 2014 to 28th November 2014 Week 08: 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. Week 8 Monday, June 23, 2014 --- Genesis 36 --- The family line of Esau, the father of the Edomites -          V6-7, why do you think it was Esau who moved away, and not Israel? -          Why do you think the descendants of Esau are recorded in this way?  Tuesday, June 24, 2014 --- Genesis 37 --- Joseph, his dreams, and his brothers response! -       This is a very familiar story. As you read through it carefully, is there anything which you had either forgotten or not noticed before? -       V2, note Joseph’s young age! -          V3-4, whatever the reason behind it, do you think this favouritism on the part of Israel is what caused the subsequent trouble ? -          V5-6, how wise was it for Joseph to tell his brothers the dream ?...do you think he didn’t consider how they would react ? -          V9-11, given all the jealousy and favouritism which already existed, how wise was it for Joseph to share this second dream ? …is there anything we could/should learn from this ? -          V12, compared alongside verse 2, do you think Joseph was given the less manual, and more supervisory tasks within the family ?...what effect would this have had on his brothers ?...in your opinion, who would be to blame if this led to a bad outcome ? -          V23, do you think this attack by his brothers took Joseph by surprise, or do you think he saw it coming ? -          V28, is there anyone else you can think of who was sold for 20 pieces of silver ?  Wednesday, June 25, 2014 --- Genesis 38 --- The story of Judah and Tamar -       Are we ever told the name of Judah’s wife? -       V7&10, this seems like quite an unusual thing for God to do…what would be the benefit and disadvantages if God were to carry out such swift and bvious punishment today? -       V14-18, given her predicament, and the cultural context, do you think this was the right thing for Tamar to do or not? -       V24, note the hypocrisy from Judah… -       V29, why was it important for this story to be preserved throughout Scripture? (compare with Matthew ch1v3)  Thursday, June 26, 2014 --- Genesis 39 --- The story of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife -       This is a very familiar story. As you read through it carefully, is there anything which you had either forgotten or not noticed before? -       V10, why do you think Joseph didn’t tell Potiphar about this problem? -        V21-23, even in prison God was with Joseph….is He with you? -       Within this chapter it seems Joseph did little wrong, and yet he was treated unfairly (again) and imprisoned…what can this teach us about what happens to us within our lives and our faith?  Friday, June 27, 2014 --- Genesis 40 --- God interprets the dreams of the cupbearer and the baker in prison. -       This is a very familiar story. As you read through it carefully, is there anything which you had either forgotten or not noticed before? -       V8, Joseph does not take credit for being able to tell them the meaning of their dreams, but gives credit to God. Do we give credit to God for the gifts/talents He has given us? -       V14&23, why do you think the chief cupbearer forgot about Joseph?

Old Testament 150 Reading Challenge week 7

Old Testament 150 Reading Challenge 5 May 2014 to 28th November 2014 Week 07: 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, June 16, 2014 --- Genesis 31 --- Jacob and his family leave Laban and head back to their native land

-v2 why had Laban’s attitude toward Jacob changed? Was it due to jealousy? Hatred? Fear?

- V14-16, does Rachel and Leah’s reasoning here seem to be based on pleasing God or gaining wealth?

- v19, despite everything that had been said in previous verses regarding God blessing Jacob with his success, status, and wealth…evidently Rachel still didn’t want to leave without her father’s household gods. What does this tell us about Rachel and her beliefs?...what does it tell us about Jacob?....what does it tell us about Laban?

- If a stranger were to take a look around your home, is there enough evidence for  them to conclude that you were a Bible-Believing Christian, or would they conclude that your trust/faith, and priorities in life were in something/someone  else? 

Tuesday, June 17, 2014 --- Genesis 32 --- Jacob continues his journey home, and has his name changed by God to ‘Israel’ 

-          V7 why do you think Jacob became afraid?

-          V12, Jacob obviously remembered God’s promise, but seems to be having a moment of doubt!....do we ever doubt God’s promises to us?

-          V22-32, who is the man Jacob wrestles with, and where did he come from?

-          V28, as descendants of Jacob, were you aware that this is where the Jewish nation state of Israel gets its name from? 

Wednesday, June 18, 2014 --- Genesis 33 --- The twin brothers Jacob and Esau are reunited 

-          V4, would you expect that among the greetings and hugs there may also have been an apology for past behaviour?

-          V4, if you are in a fortunate position of seeing family regularly, is it possible to take this for granted?

 Thursday, June 19, 2014 --- Genesis 34 --- Jacob’s daughter is raped, and her brothers take revenge 

-          V3 This sounds rather odd doesn’t it, to rape someone who you have your heart set on?...is it possible to mistreat the ones we love?

-          V11-29, this is quite an amazing story of deceit, bravery and revenge…do you think Simeon and Levi were justified in what they did?

-          V31, it is interesting that we are not told what Dinah thought about all this…how do you think she felt toward Shechem?...what about her feelings toward her brothers?

 Friday, June 20, 2014 --- Genesis 35 --- Rachael dies during childbirth, and then Isaac dies of old age 

-          V2-5, are there any ‘gods’ within your household which need to be discarded?

-          V11-12, Is this promise now void/obsolete…or is it still in effect?

-          V16-18, Rachel was the one Israel originally wanted to marry, and yet she is the first mother of his sons to die. Perhaps this is why later on we find Israel has a bias in favour on her sons – can we sympathise with him?

-          V23-26, can you name the 12 sons of Israel from memory?