First Assignment!

First Assignment! 01/30/2010

Hello, all our participants! We're ready to begin.

Reading Assignment: The first three chapters of Genesis. If possible, read a chapter a day and then re-read them in their entirety. There is so much information in these chapters, our goal is not to skim over important points. Feel free to read these chapters from various versions; King James, New International, The Message, the Contemporary English, etc....insights can be gained from different styles of writing.

Note: If you are using the NCV, please take time to read the General Introduction, The General Editor's Acknowledgements (written by Max Lucado), How to Study the Bible and the Preface. This will enable you to have a much better understanding of the additional insights provided for you by the publishers.

What to look for in the reading: Grab your notebooks!
Chapter 1: List the order of creation and any significant facts the Holy Spirit lays on your heart. Note that in this chapter, verse 27, human beings are created. Then in the following chapter more specifics are given about the creation of humans. Breathe it all in, friends!

Chapter 2: Reflect on your list dealing with the order of creation. Are there additional facts you should add to your original list? When and to whom did God first give instructions concerning the forbidden tree? Describe in your own words the Garden of Eden. Why take a rib from Adam to create Eve...what do you believe is the significance?

Chapter 3: Take some time to explore Eve's encounter with the snake. Do you believe you would have acted with more wisdom? Why? How do we spot temptation before it gets a foothold? What was the one sentence that Eve couldn't refuse? Can you understand her yielding to the persuasion of the snake? What action was taken by God once the freedom to choose was submitted to evil and disobedience (read carefully verses 14-19 in this chapter). Who inevitably was affected?

Feel free to write or ask questions throughout the coming week using the "comment" at the top right of this blog. I will be returning by next Monday, February 8th, addressing the questions presented in this posting and various details God lays on my heart. God bless, my friends. Let's remember to pray for one another and for the anointing power of the Holy Spirit to enlighten our minds to understand His Word.

Father, thank you so much for the opportunity to study your word through the waves of technology. We know, Lord, you have promised to multiply your word whenever two or more are gathered in your name. May this gathering of participants, for the purpose of learning more about you, be to your honor and glory and may we be given a touch of knowledge and wisdom from above. In Jesus' precious name, I pray...Amen!

Comments

Jan

02/03/2010 04:55

Okay Cookie - you already taught me an important lesson...I had not even noticed the General Editor's Acknowledgments or the guide on How to Study the Bible, and they both are such treasures! Much to learn - beginning with taking one page at a time and not rushing - I don't want to miss anything!! :)

02/03/2010 07:55

Yes, Jan, there is much to learn...we'll do it together!

Jan

02/06/2010 11:20

Okay, I'm asking you to understand my question will surely seem very elementary but this time I really want to comprehend - no skimming!
Question 1: Moses was the author of Genesis. In reviewing the Choronological Timeline of Bible & World Events in the Life Application (NIV) Bible, it shows Moses birth at 1526 BC, yet Creation and Noah's building of the ark are noted as occuring more than 1000 years prior. Are we to assume the stories of the events were passed down, person to person, until Moses wrote them in the Book of Genesis? Or did God bestow this knowledge on Moses? Or is this one of things we are not to question, just accept? I tried to figure this one out on my own - probably very obvious - just couldn't find the answer. More questions to follow!

Jan

02/06/2010 11:24

The above should say my questionS - plural - will all surely seem elementary!!!! I'll try to research on my own but I really wanting to ask away - "thirsty at the well" :)- just trying to drink it all in and gain as much knowledge as possible!!

02/06/2010 15:36

Jan, consulting Gary's Bible (great reference since several of my translations are in Pittsburgh)in the introduction of Genesis comes the question, "How then would an author have known...unless he had lived during that earlier period?" Your exact question. The answer given was, "Undoubtedly, Moses had both oral and written records of early history, which he used under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to write about events that antedated his own life. Naturally, someone else must have written the account of his death."

Gary's Bible is the Ryrie Study Bible, expanded edition, NIV. Probably you can read the introduction to Genesis online. It has some really good background information regarding the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible whose authorship has supported Moses). God bless!

Jan

02/07/2010 16:48

Chapter 1 - Amazing isn't it? God created EVERYTHING in 6 days, rested the 7th..... and then I stop and think what did I accomplish in the last week at work? WOW!!! And our discussion at home this weekend (among the snowbound conditions) - what would it take for us to truly "rest" on the 7th day each week...... hmmm - - discussion to be continued!!
Chapter 2 - Man & all the birds and animals formed from the ground, yet woman formed from Adam's rib. Is that to show how man & woman are to become "one body", and demonstrate woman relying on man? I never gave thought to how the animals were named. How do you think Adam came up with some of the terms? Like Giraffe - seems so logical now, but did Adam just look up and think, hmm, long neck therefore I think I'll call you Giraffe! Guess it could have been alot of fun... but at some point do you think he got tired of coming up with new names?
And then there was that clear instruction God gave man BEFORE woman was in the picture - don't eat the forbidden fruit.
Chapter 3 - Fast-forward - the snake (Satan) tempts woman to go ahead and eat the fruit, telling her she'll not die - she'll be like God. How many times have we fallen prey to a "snake" telling us they know better? Then our conscience is there -Faith coming through.... Do I think I would have acted with more wisdom? Doubtful - I'm pretty gullible and the snake sounded pretty convincing... Meantime, here's woman getting in trouble, and sharing that trouble with man. Do you think Adam asked Eve which tree she took the fruit from? Or did he just accept it without the facts being known? Do you think woman knew what childbirth was when God said she would experience great pain? And for man to have to work hard for food..... The older I get, the more I appreciate there are consequences for bad decisions. No do-overs, but thankfully God's grace and forgiveness. We are all affected by Eve's decision to eat the fruit - and we are all blessed by God's forgiveness. It's not always easy to "slow down" and think decisions through and appreciate the impact of each decision... good reason to take things into prayerful consideration..... Cookie, I will honestly admit I've always struggled interpreting symbolism, so please enlighten me on areas I'm not catching as I should..... And thank you for a wonderful beginning to Bucket List Bible Study!!!! I've spent more time reading and researching this week than I have in a long time.... :)

02/08/2010 11:26

You're doing just fine, Jan. Keep up the good work...we'll not know all the answers, but as we dig God will supply all the necessary tools.

Kathy G.

02/09/2010 18:26

Just got back home after 3 days of no power....it's true what they say...."there's no place like home!"

A couple of comments on Chpt 1...
God spoke….”let there be” whatever He wanted to create, “and it happened”. All He had to do was say it, and it was so. What awesome power and tremendous forethought! I loved how He looked back on what He created, and KNEW that it was very good. (“God saw that all this was good”)He knew exactly what He wanted, and had planned His creation perfectly.The Bible tells us repeatedly that God's plans are perfect, and He shows us this over and over again. Why is it so hard for us to trust this?

“So God created human beings in His image”…so important that it was repeated (In the image of God he created them). He wanted them to fill the earth and be its master. God knew which plants would be for humans (all the plants with grain for seeds and all the trees whose fruit have seeds), and for every wild animal, every bird of the air, and every small crawling animal (all the green plants). AMAZING PLANNING!!! I find it hard to pick an outfit to wear every day...and God orchestrates the minutiae of Creation! Too awesome for my peabrain!

Question: vs1-2…”the earth was empty and had no form, and darkness covered the ocean. God’s Spirit was moving over the water.” Was this God/the Holy Spirit? How involved in Creation was the HS? What was the water?

Question: probably very stupid and irrelevant to this discussion, but I've often wondered….where do the dinosaurs and cavemen fit into this, as their remains are being dated up to 50 million yrs ago…how does this fit into the timing of Creation in terms of Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden, etc.?

02/09/2010 21:20

Kathy, great points you submit. I believe the Trinity has always been...God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Reference is made to the Spirit of God hovering over the waters and then the reference to Jesus when Adam and Eve sins. Also, in verse 28, God says, "Let us made man in our image"...once again pointing to the Trinity, I believe.

The expression hovering over the waters, once again in my opinion, is a reminder of God's constant provision of watch care...as He created, He began His constant provision....just as a new mother hovers over her newborn babe.

About the dinosaurs...well, i'd have to do some digging on that one...but I think there has been reference to large animals on the earth....50 mil years ago? I really couldn't answer that, but I'll look into it.

So glad you've joined us, Kathy...hope all is well.

Kathy link

02/13/2010 19:03

OK....a question about evil.
Chpt 6 talks about God seeing everyone on the earth doing only evil, and He destroyed evil using Noah. My question is:
I know God created man with free will to be good or evil, to believe or not to believe, etc .Is it possible that God may have created some humans specifically for evil intentions? Judas comes to mind, in that God used Judas in His ultimate plan for salvation. Was that His plan for Judas all along? Does God purposefully create some humans to be evil so that they can ultimately be used for His glory?

ps...can you imagine starting your family at the ripe old age of 500? I had my kids at 31 and thought that was stretching it (no pun intended!)

02/14/2010 11:30

Kathy, once again, good questions. Yes, God created man with free will...God doesn't desire for us to be robots, but to love, obey and follow his instructions because we adore him. Your question "is it possible that God may have created some humans specifically for evil intentions" is an age-old question. This, in my opinion, is where the endless discussions begin that deal with the "elected" or predestination....Romans is full of scripture that is being used by those on the side of answering your question with a "yes"; but, I will answer you with a sincere heart and with the belief I hold dear until breath leaves my body.

I don't believe that God willingly created some of his children to be intentionally evil. That, to me, goes against the very nature of God. If I believed that thought I would have never given birth to my children. Truly, if I thought there was a chance that God designed my children with a forethought that one would be used for good and therefore have eternal life and the other created for evil and spend eternity in hell...well, how would I take that chance?

God doesn't sit in heaven and use His children as chess pieces on a board game (this one I'll use, this one I'll discard). We are all given the same opportunity to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. God, all knowing, does know what we will do, but it isn't His will for any to perish, but all to receive eternal life. (2 Peter 3:9).

We are reminded again of His willingly for all of mankind in John 3:16. He gave His only Son, that WHOEVER believes in Him....then the scripture that says, I am come to seek and to save that which was lost....who is lost? All of mankind!

Since the potential of evil exists within each person, as well as the intent for good, the choice is presented as free will. The seed of evil in Judas was swayed with the opportunity to earn some money and "give up" Jesus to the authorities. Did God plan this from the birth of Judas? I don't think so...Judas had the opportunity you and I have to follow Christ.

Once the plan was in motion for Christ to be arrested, that plan was going to be accomplished, with or without Judas. Someone else with an evil intent might have been used. As much as God waits for all of us to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, there are those who believe our faith is a waste of time and energy. But for God to purposely create a hardened heart from the beginning?

That is not my opinion, my belief, or part of my faith base. I hope this helps to answer your question.

I can't imagine beginning a family at the age of 500. Kimberly was born when I was 32 and that was a plateful for me. Of course, I didn't have family close by to help, but I was ever so thankful she was a girl....God was gracious in giving us one of each! God bless...

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