Thursday, 12 June 2014

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?

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