Month: October 2012

BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 7, Day 3: Genesis 6:7-7:24 with Hebrews 11:7

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

Summary of passages:  Genesis 6:7-7:24:  God said He will wipe mankind and everything He has created from the face of the earth for He is grieved He made them.  Except for Noah and his family.  He tells Noah He is going to destroy the world and he needs to build an ark.  God enters a covenant with Noah.  He tells Noah he will need to bring in two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive and every kind of food for him and for the animals.

Noah did everything God commanded.

Genesis 7:  God tells Noah to enter the ark with the animals for in seven days He will send rain for 40 days and nights.  Noah obeys.  Noah was 600 years old when the flood happened.  All the animals came to him.  Then the Lord shut them in and the waters came.  Everything perished.  After the rain stopped, the earth remained flooded for 150 days.

Hebrews 11:7:  By faith Noah obeyed God and built the ark, becoming heir of the righteous.

Questions:

6a)  Noah was righteous, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God.

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  Personally, I’ve never found this very hard.  I don’t really care what others think of me and I do my own thing.  I don’t keep up with the Jones’ (nor do I read about them).  Don’t be of this world but of God’s world.  Put God as your center and He will do the rest.

7)  God told Noah he was going to end all people and destroy the world.  He told Noah to make an ark to exact specifications.  He told Noah how He was going to destroy the world (through a flood).  But He promised to establish His covenant with him and He will save him and his family along with two of every living creature.  He instructed Noah to bring along food for both him and the animals.

8a)  The Bible says all the high mountains under the entire heavens were covered (7:19). Every living thing on the earth perished, which would have to be a worldwide flood.  An ark would be unnecessary if Noah could have merely traveled to a different location.

b)  If you read ancient myths from every culture, almost every culture has a flood myth (from the Ancient Egyptians to the Babylonians to the Native Americans).  Before writing, myths were passed on by word of mouth from generation to generation so somewhere this flood happened.

Since the beginning of written records there have been writings by the ancients of an ark (or an ancient ship) found.  Various people have claimed to have found and/or seen the ark on the mount of Ararat and elsewhere.

Many people believe fossils are a result of the flood.  Did you know there is actually a branch of geology called flood geology?  These people write books and spend their time researching and searching the earth for evidence of a massive flood.  Fascinating.  There is definitely evidence in the fossil record of a flood.

c)  I don’t see any phrases that support upheavals of the earth’s crust or tsunamis (notice the word probably in the question).  All I see is the rain and how for 40 days it kept coming down and the mountains were covered.  In my mind, that’s all that happened.  Water covered everything.  The ark floated.  I see no mention of earthquakes which cause tsunamis anywhere.

Conclusions:  Baffled by the last question, its significance, and what it has to do with the flood.  God created the land as He wanted it.  I see no reason He would change its landscape.  He just wanted to rid the world of the inhabitants.

Not sure why Hebrews was stuck in here either.  The questions did not refer to it (except maybe how Noah was faithful in building the ark) but Genesis tells us that.  If you obey God, you have faith.

I have to admit I have read most of these ancient flood myths to my kids when we study these cultures and they are all strikingly similar to the account of the flood in Genesis.  In my mind, that’s the strongest evidence of all since these stories are the heart of how ancient people preserved their history and explained the world around them.

BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 7, Day 2: Genesis 6:1-12 with 1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 2:4-9; 3:1-10 & Jude 5-7

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

Summary of passages:  Genesis 6:1-12:  The sons of God married any daughters they chose.  The Lord said His Spirit will not contend with (be with) man forever for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years.  The Nephilim were the heroes of old, men of renown and were on earth during this time when the sons of God were as well.

God saw how men’s hearts had become only evil and He was filled with pain.  God said he would wipe mankind from the face of the earth for He is grieved (regretted) He created them.  Except for Noah who was a righteous man and walked with God.  Noah had 3 sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth.

The earth was corrupt and the people were violent.

1 Peter 3:20:  God only saved 8 people in the ark.  He waited patiently while the ark was being built for others to repent but none did.

2 Peter 2:4-9:  God punished the wicked:  He sent angels to hell when they sinned.  He brought the flood but saved Noah.  He burned Sodom and Gomorrah but rescued Lot, a righteous man.  The Lord rescues godly men but condemned the unrighteous.

2 Peter 3:1-10:  The writer is imploring the people to wholesome thinking.  In the last days, scoffers will come, skeptical and evil, questioning God, forgetting the creation.  The world was destroyed in the flood and the day of judgment will come when the world will be destroyed by fire.

The Lord’s time is not our time; He is patient, giving everyone a chance to repent.  But the Day of Judgment will come and everything will be destroyed.

Jude 5-7:  The Lord delivered His people out of Egypt but later destroyed those who didn’t believe.  He bound angels who did not keep their positions of authority.  Sodom and Gomorrah were burned as punishment for sin.

Questions:

3)  There are two main ideas about who the sons of God and the daughters of men were.  Some say the sons of God were from the line of Seth and the daughters of men were from the line of Cain, which would represent a mixing of godly with ungodly which the Bible later does not permit (Deuteronomy 7:1-4 and 2 Corinthians 6:14).

The more popular theory is the sons of God are fallen angels or demons or demon-possessed men and the daughters of men are human women.  This is supported by other passages in the Old Testament that refer to the sons of God as angels (Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7).

Jude seems to support this claim as well, saying the angels in a similar way committed sexual immorality and thus God kept them in darkness and bounded them in chains.

1 Peter 18-20 tells us Jesus went and preached to these spirits in prison.

Scholars refute this angel idea with Matthew 22:30 where Jesus says angels do not marry.  However, he is speaking of obeying angels not disobeying/Fallen angels.

The idea is Satan tried to thwart God’s plan for the Messiah by polluting the Seed of the woman where the Savior will come from (Genesis 3:15).  This could be a reason for the flood.  Man was so corrupt and polluted God had to start over with Noah.

4a)  Morals are the principles of right and wrong behavior and the goodness or badness of human character.

How great man’s wickedness had become and how every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil.

b)  Well, if you believe the sons of God are demons and they mixed with humans than the flood succeeds in purifying the human race again.  God started over with Noah, ridding the world of all the violence and beginning anew.

c)  Personal Question.  My answer:  That God will punish evil and evil-doers but He will show grace to the righteous.

5a)  Personal Question.  My answer:  Sin.  Every sin I commit causes God grief and pain.

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  Speculation since God hasn’t spoken to me directly but I believe I have found favor by seeking Him, repenting from sin, asking for forgiveness, striving to be more like Jesus every day, learning from my mistakes, reading God’s word, doing His call on my life, praying, putting Him center, following His commandments, etc.

Conclusions:  The Nephilim were believed to be the offspring of the sons of God and the daughters of men.  Of course, this is debated as well, depending upon which theory you believe the sons of God to be.  So they are either the offspring of Seth or of angels.  You can read a good explanation of both theories HERE

If you did the study of Isaiah, you will remember me saying how the whole book was how bad and evil man was and how God was going to judge all.  And it was depressing due to man’s sin.

Here, we see God again (as we see Him often in the Old Testament) judging the evils of man and exercising punishment.  But we also see God’s goodness in preserving a remnant with Noah.  Preserving the righteous.  In rewarding those who do good.

God could have wiped us all out and been done with man.  Fed up with us and given up. Ended His grief and pain over His creation.  But He didn’t.

God is always good even when He is exercising justice in this world.

All sin grieves God.  I saw no need to be specific in 5a.  We all know what we do to cause God grief as He knows.  The key is recognizing it, repenting, asking for forgiveness, accepting His forgiveness, and making changes in your life to do better.  That’s all Fallen Man can do.

Remember when we fall, God will pick us up.  Again and again and again.

The Miracle of Saint Nicholas

by atozmom, posted in Book Reviews

Alexi is walking with his babushka on Christmas Eve in a small village in Russia. He wonders why they won’t celebrate Christmas in church.

His babushka explains how long ago soldiers closed the church and threatened to take anyone away who are found inside.  Shortly afterwards, all the items in the church disappeared.

Curious, Alexi visits the church a bit later and finds it open.  He enters and begins cleaning up inside.  He collects pine boughs and places them near the altar.

Soon, the whole village comes to see what Alexi is doing.

After dinner, Alexi returns to the church to find how all the villagers have brought relics and church items their grandparents had taken when the church closed.  His own babushka even had the painting of Saint Nicholas kept safe in her barn.

All wait in the church for the priest who turns out to be the shoemaker.  He was hidden from the soldiers by the people.

Candles were lit and the Christmas service was just how babushka remembered.

This childrens’ book by Gloria Whelan will surely delight with it’s surprise ending.  I loved how all it took was one little boy to bring God back into a little village that had forgotten.  It was as if the villagers were all just waiting for someone to take the first step.

Like God waits for us to say “Yes” to Him.

BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 6, Day 5: Genesis 5:25-32

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

Summary of passage:  Methuselah became the father of Lamech who was Noah’s father. Noah fathered Shem, Ham and Japheth.  All lived long lives.

Questions:

11)  Methuselah and he was 969 years old.

12)  God kept Seth’s descendants alive longer than others so they would have a chance to repent before he sent the flood (right after Methuselah died).  Also, Seth’s descendants lived right after the Fall.  God had intended man to live forever so because it was so close to the Fall, God kept man alive longer.

I would speculate God wanted the earth populated so he allowed man to live longer so he could procreate more.

Also, the atmosphere/environment was very different before the flood destroyed everything.  Think of the differences say in the times of Dinosaurs and Ice Ages.  The world was a different place.  Everything was teeming with life.  No pollutants or hazards in the environment.  Probably little illnesses and diseases as of yet.  Abundant food.  We don’t hear of starvation during this time.  Genetically, there probably wasn’t a lot of harmful mutations yet.  God is still very, very close to His people here–physically–so they lived longer.

As more and more generations passed, more and more turning from God entered the world.  Sin accumulated.  Thus, I would say God decided to shorten man’s life in accordance.  To lessen the evil we do to ourselves and in the world.

Ultimately, it’s God’s will and grace that determines how long we live.  The rest is just speculation.

Conclusions:  The only day I liked in this lesson.  It shows how everything is God’s will and is in His grace.  Perfect lesson for me today.

BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 6, Day 4: Genesis 5:18-24

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

Summary of passage:  Jared had Enoch and then he died.  Enoch had Methuselah.  Enoch walked with God and was taken up to heaven.

Questions:

8 )  Jude says Enoch prophesied.  Hebrews says he was commended as one who pleased God.  Genesis says Enoch walked with God.

9)  No.  He was taken up to heaven but did not experience a physical death.

10a)  Enoch was just taken up to heaven as those of us who are living in Christ (the faithful) shall be taken up to heaven when the Lord comes.

b)  We will all rise and be changed and given a new body.  The Lord will come down from heaven and with a loud command and trumpet call the dead in Christ will rise.  Then the living in Christ will rise and be with the Lord forever.

c)  Personal Question.  My answer:  Rising again to be with Christ forever.  Gives me hope.

Conclusions:  I’m REALLY not liking this lesson.  I just feel like BSF is spending way too much time on Genesis 5 and an obscure guy named Enoch.  Furthermore, we discussed all of this in Acts last year.  We read Hebrews, 1 Corinthians, and 1 Thessalonians and discussed Enoch as well.  I just don’t see his importance like BSF does.

Question 8 had no specifics.  We don’t know why Enoch was commended with God or how he exactly walked with God.  We just know he did something to be taken up to heaven by God.  I just don’t see how this applies to my life.

For me, I didn’t get anything out of this lesson and am ready to move on to Lesson 7.

BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 6, Day 3: Genesis 5

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

Summary of passage:  A written account of Adam’s line.  God created man (Adam) in His likeness.  Then Adam had a son, Seth, in his likeness instead of God’s since Adam had ushered sin into this world.  Seth had Enosh.  Enosh had Kenan.  Kenan had Mahalalel.  Mahalalel had Jared.  Jared had Enoch.  Enoch had Methuselah.  Methuselah had Lamech.  Lamech had Noah.  Noah had Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Enoch walked with God so he did not die we are told.

Questions:

5a)  “And then he died”

b)  John 3:6-8: You must be born again in the Spirit

John 8:24:  If you don’t believe in Jesus, you will die in your sins

Romans 5:14:  Death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses.  Adam was the pattern of the one to come.

Romans 6:23:  The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus

6)  That Adam was created sinless but Seth was not.  Once Adam sinned, all man was born into sin; thus, Seth was as well.  But if you believe in Jesus and what he did for us on the cross, you will be made righteous and be justified before God.

Conclusions:  All men are born sinners.  But all men can be redeemed through Jesus Christ our Savior.

7a)  “Enoch walked with God; then he was no more because God took him away.”  He did not die.  The writer of Hebrews thus commends Enoch as a man of faith since “without faith it is impossible to please God.” Hebrews 11:5-6

b)  In Genesis 5, we only have one example of faithfulness (Enoch) and we know nothing about him except he walked with God.  There could have been others but none are mentioned specifically.  So, it encourages me to walk with God.

Conclusions:  I see Genesis 5 as nothing more than a genealogy to Noah.  So, I re-read the questions and am trying to think about what I’m supposed to get out of this besides we all die but can be redeemed through Jesus.

Enoch walked with God but that is all we are told–no specifics.  So a guy who’s mentioned a handful of times in the Bible doesn’t really encourage me.

I think the question would have been better asking who has encouraged us in our commitment to God and how instead of pointing to a dead guy none of us know.

Again, not getting much out of this one either.  Either I am struggling to get a personal application out of a list of names or BSF is struggling to get a personal application question out of a genealogical record.

Either way I’m not getting much.

BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 6, Day 2: Genesis 4:25-26 with Psalm 34

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

Summary of passages:  Genesis 4:25-26:  Adam and Eve had another son named Seth.  Seth had a son named Enosh.  At that time men began to call on the name of the Lord.

Psalm 34:  David says he will extol the Lord at all times so the afflicted may hear and rejoice.  He sought the Lord who answered him and delivered him from all his fears. Those who look to Him are radiant and never in shame.  The Lord heard the poor man call and He saved him out of all his troubles.

Blessed are those who take refuge in Him.  Fear the Lord and you will lack nothing.  Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.  Do good; seek peace and pursue it.

The Lord’s ears are attentive to the righteous’ cry.  He delivers them from all his troubles.  He protects him.  He is against those who do evil.

He redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who take refuge in Him.

Questions:

3a)  Well, the only possible answer is men began to call on the name of the Lord.

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  Bring all my troubles to God.  Pray.  Continually talk about God.  Shine His light into society through my actions.

4a)  If you seek the Lord, He answers you and delivers you from all your fears.  Those who seek Him lack no good thing.  The Lord hears those who cry out and He delivers them from all their troubles.  His ears are attentive to your cry.

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  That the Lord hears me and delivers me from ALL my troubles.  Knowing I can bring every little thing to Him gives me peace of mind.

Conclusions:  Not a fan of this lesson either especially 3b.  It’s a stretch.  Now I’m assuming we’re only talking about Genesis and NOT Psalm here because it’s a 3b and question 4 discusses Psalm.  Could be wrong here though.

Calling on the Lord, to me, is a personal thing.  It’s when I’m on my knees, pouring my heart out.  It’s not in a grocery store where people think I’m a freak.  Yes, showing my family how to call on Him is very important.  Influencing society?  Not quite sure except to tell others how you rely on Him.

You have to walk that fine line where people don’t think you are a freak.

Just my take again.  Could have missed the point completely.

BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 5, Day 5: Genesis 4:17-24

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

Summary of passage:  Cain lay with his wife and she gave birth to Enoch.  Cain then built a city and named it after his son.  Enoch had Lamech who married two women.  These sons raised livestock, invented the harp and flute, and all kinds of tools.  Lamech bragged to his wives about killing a man and how he will be avenged.

Adam and Eve had a son named Seth to replace Abel.  Abel had a son named Enosh.

Questions:

12)  It had to have been his sister.  No other people were on Earth at the time.

13a)  Cain was then building a city, and he named it after his son Enoch.

b)  Jabal was the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock

c)  Tubal-Cain forged all kinds of tools out of bronze and iron

d)  Jubal was the father of all who play the harp and flute

e)  Same as d:  Jubal was the father of all who play the harp and flute

14a)  Lamech married two women, against God’s original plan of one woman and one man for marriage (Genesis 2:24) and he boasts of killing and retribution.

b)  Same answer as a.

15a)  It shows how mankind has a choice:  to obey God or not and how many choose to not obey Him.  This has been the same since the beginning of time.  It shows the ingenuity God gave man in terms of invention and the arts as man fulfills his role of caring for the world.  This is still the same today as we see new inventions since the beginning of time.

Murder is the same.  Sin is the same.  Pride, boasting, and polygamy are the same.  The sins never change.

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  I don’t think I’ve ever boasted of evil especially as an adult.  Not sure how I’ve defied God.  It’s not like I’ve ever said, “Yeah, God.  I hear you but I’m going to do it anyway.”  Nope.  In fact, still waiting on God’s words and I’d love to have a conversation (that’s not quite so one-sided) with Him.

I think most of us it’s the same:  we pray; we ask God; we wait for an answer; we go the way we think He wants us to go.  It’s not defiance if we choose wrong–not by any stretch of the imagination.

Defiance according to the Internet is “open resistance and bold disobedience.”  According to Webster’s it’s “disregard and withstand.”

By these definitions, I haven’t defied God.

Conclusions:  This lesson was vague to say the least.  Twice I thought the question repetitive of one already asked and the last question (which is personal and I’m unsure why it’s not marked as such) is out of place in my opinion.  This passage is about Cain.  And he’s a murderer.  I’d like to think I’m a bit better than that.

As a Christian, I like to think I obey God.  I can see this question applying to non-Christians.  Sometimes I think these questions are negative in connotation and make us wonder if we are bad people.  It makes us doubt ourselves.

I get defensive with such questions.  Defy is a very, very strong word.  Most of us do not “defy” God.  If we do, we probably wouldn’t be in a bible study.

I would hope we don’t go around boasting of the evil we do.  I know I’m ashamed of my sins (not evil mind you) and I confess and ask for forgiveness.  I definitely don’t tell my best friend about it.

Am I wrong here?  What do you think?  Am I just getting way too defensive?  Or maybe I have defied God and just don’t know it?  See….doubting here.  I’d rather spend my time focusing on the good I do and not the bad.

This question just does not sit right with me.  It gives me a funny, uneasy feeling that I don’t like.  It seems with all the “changes” going on in BSF (of which none are official–just from what my leader has told me) I would hope questions such as this would be re-thought.  For me, I’m trying to think of what it would be like to defy God and boast of evil crimes against humanity.  And I don’t like thinking about that.  Way too much negativity in this world as it is.

Now, I could say I have defied God in the little things.  Like not loving others as I should.  Not giving as much.  Not honoring my father and mother at times when I was a teenager.  Those type of things.

It’s hard to say because 1)  We are speaking of heinous crimes such as murder and 2) the word “and” in the question could refer to only those times you have defied God AND boasted.

We all Fall.  That’s  a given.  But defiance?  Outright?  That’s much more complicated.

Still, I’ve never boasted.  If you have the Holy Spirit, even the little defiances should prevent you from boasting.  Instead, you should feel an overwhelming guilt and repentance.

I don’t know.  Interpretation of the question and speculation of its intentions.  I’m just saying how this question hit me.

Just my opinion, of course.

BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 5, Day 4: Genesis 4:9-16

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

Summary of passage:  The Lord asked Cain where was his brother.  Cain replied, “I don’t know.  Am I my brother’s keeper?”  (Hence, where our saying comes from).  The Lord says his blood cries out to Him from the ground and He curses Cain, saying no crops will grow for him and he will be a restless wanderer on the earth.

Cain complains, saying his punishment is unbearable and someone will kill him.  The Lord forbids anyone to kill Cain and marked him as a warning.  Cain lived in Nod east of Eden out of the Lord’s presence.

Questions:

9a)  Cain never once asked God for forgiveness for his crime.  He never apologized or even admitted wrong-doing.  He only cared about the punishment he received and then it was still all about him.  I picture Cain groveling to God how horrible his life will be and how he’ll be killed.  Don’t you deserve it?  After committing the first murder EVER?

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  God took pity on Cain (out of His grace and love) and protected him even though he deserved a death sentence like Cain had given Abel.  God’s love is greater than man’s evil.

10a)  Cain selfishly complains.  David admits he “sinned against the Lord” and even composes a song about repentance!  David asks for God’s mercy and fully confesses his sins and asks for forgiveness.  He asks to be made better, to create a “pure heart” and then tells God he will teach others His ways so sinners will turn to Him.  He says he will praise God.

David has “a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart.”  He humbles himself before the Lord.  Cain is still full of pride.

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  I get defensive cause I’m in denial.  Yet as I grow in God, I get better and better at admitting my wrong-doings, truly repenting, and asking for forgiveness as I strive to do better.  Sure, I fail.  But I do see humility more than pride now.

11a)  We all have sin and we all sin.  If we believe otherwise, we are merely deceiving ourselves and the truth (Jesus) is not in us.  If we confess our sins, God will forgive us and purify us.  If we claim to have Jesus in us but we still walk in the dark (commit evil willingly), then we do not have Jesus.  If we walk in the light, we will have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus will purify us from all sin.

b)  Accept the blood of Jesus, have faith in Him, confess our sins, and we will be righteous with God.

Conclusions:  Good lesson on sin and the importance of confessing sin and making it right with the Lord.  Loved reading David’s Psalm.  Great, great prayer for us sinners!

As human beings, we all sin.  No way of getting around that.  We were born sinners.  Yet what matters to God is how you handle sin.  When you fall, admit it humbly to Him and ask Him for forgiveness.  He will grant it.  All you must do is accept Jesus’ blood and have a willing heart.

Cain’s attitude saddens me but I can see myself in him too.  Gives me something to work on!

BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 5, Day 3: Genesis 4:6-8

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

Summary of passage:  The Lord confronted Cain about his feelings, asking him why he was angry and downcast.  God told him if he did what was right, he’d be accepted.  If you don’t do what is right, sin will prevail so you must master it.

Cain lured Abel out to the field and murdered him.

Questions:

7a)  God told him if he did what was right, he would be accepted.  If he didn’t do what was right, sin would win and he must master sin.

b)  God understands the power of the devil and sin and is trying to encourage Cain to resist.  God does what every good psychologist does:  acknowledges the hurt and offers up a solution and encouragement.

8a)  If you believe in me, I will accept you.  If you turn from me, sin will consume you.  The choice is yours.

b)  1 John 3:10-16 explains that Cain did not have God and was thus a child of evil for he did not love his brother nor did he do what is right.  Cain was jealous of his brother who was righteous and thus he committed evil when he murdered him.  Do not be surprised if the world hates you because you believe and have eternal life.  Unbelievers are in death.

Jesus defined love when he gave his life for others.  We are called to do so as well.

Conclusions:  God always reaches out a hand to those who turn from Him but God cannot make us choose Him.  God knew Cain would kill Abel; yet, He offered him a chance.  Cain refused.  Cain did not have love in his heart.  He was evil.

One of the worst crimes against humanity and it’s been around since Genesis 4 (page 8 in my Bible out of 1370 pages).  Disheartening to think about.

Love truly does conquer all.  It never fails.  1 Corinthians 13