Posts tagged chaos to covenant
What Can We Learn from Noah and His Sons? | Genesis 9:18-29 | Darien Gabriel

Series: Chaos to Covenant

Title: "What can we learn from Noah and his sons?"

Scripture: Genesis 9:18-29

Hebrews 11:7; Gen 6:8-9; 7:5; 9:8-9; Micah 6:8

Bottom line: We learn from Noah and his sons that as fellow image bearers we love and value each other as an act of faith in God's good plan for us.

  1. INTRODUCTION

  2. CONTEXT

  3. SERMON OUTLINE

  4. CONCLUSION

  5. NOTES

  6. OUTLINES

  7. QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  8. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  9. MAIN REFERENCES USED

My opening prayer: Lord God, help us grow to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him and leading others to do the same.

INTRODUCTION

"A rubbernecker is a term used to describe someone who slows down or stops to stare at something, often out of curiosity, especially at accidents or incidents on the road. The term comes from the idea of “rubbernecking,” where someone cranes their neck, almost stretching it like rubber, to get a better view of something happening.

Examples:

• A driver slowing down to look at a car crash on the side of the highway.

• A pedestrian stopping to watch emergency responders at a scene.

This behavior is often criticized, especially when it causes traffic delays or gets in the way of emergency workers. It’s a mix of curiosity and distraction that can sometimes lead to further accidents." -ChatGPT

CONTEXT

In the wake of God's flood of judgment and rescue effectively restarting creation, we see the righteous, blameless, faith-filled and faithful Noah sin along with his son, Ham. So while we see God re-create the world, it doesn't start without sin this time. Temptation and sin are still present.

SERMON

  1. What do I want them to know?

    1. That even in success, we're all vulnerable to temptation and misusing God's blessings.

    2. That we're all made in his image.

    3. That sin has consequences...sometimes for generations.

    4. Honoring > Gossiping, which dishonors God and people.

  2. Why do I want them to know it?

    1. We're a blessed people meaning we're vulnerable right now unless we humble ourselves and become vigilant.

    2. We're blessed no matter our circumstances because we're image bearers.

    3. A lot hangs in the balance because the consequences of our sins has a long reach.

    4. Not honoring/dishonoring is a serious sin.

  3. What do I want them to do?

    1. Humble themselves.

    2. Remain vigilant.

    3. Walk as an image-bearer

    4. Honor others instead of gossiping about them.

  4. Why do I want them to do it?

    1. Because the consequences are great.

  5. How do they do this?

    1. Prayer for themselves and others.

    2. Care for themselves and others.

    3. Share with others what God is teaching you today.

CONCLUSION

  1. How do they do this?

    1. Prayer for themselves and others.

    2. Care for themselves and others.

    3. Share with others what God is teaching you today.

Main takeaways:

  • We're all from one race made in the image of God. Therefore, love and value each and every person.

  • Even mature believers can fall into sin; humble yourself and stay alert for temptations are ever-present.

  • When we see someone sin, we have a choice. We can

    • Honor them by respectfully and discreetly leading them towards repentance.

    • Dishonor them by gossiping about reveling in their shameful actions.

  • Sin has consequences that can ripple for generations.

  • Even flawed people can be used by God. Don't let your sinful past keep you down. Repent, believe and move forward. Also, don't let the sin of others against you keep you down. Forgive and more forward whether they reconcile or not.

Bottom line: We learn from Noah and his sons that as fellow image bearers we love and value each other as an act of faith in God's good plan for us.

Peter puts it all in perspective in his first sermon:

““Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭36‬-‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Invitation

How do we respond? Answer 2 questions:

Take out a card or piece of paper right now. Write down the answer to these questions:

  1. What is God saying to me right now?

  2. What am I going to do about it? Write this down on a sheet of paper.

What I hear you saying, Lord, is ___________________.

[my name] is going to believe/do __________________________________________________ as a result.

Finally, share this with your Home or Mission group this week when you gather as a testimony about what God is doing in your life. You don’t have to get too specific to give him praise.

Lord's Supper, 1 Cor 11:23-26 is good passage.

Also, say something like, "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again." (past, present, and future)

Pray

NOTES

Good summary: Lessons from Noah & his Sons: A Tale of Blessing, Sin, and Redemption

Text: Genesis 9:18-29

Main Points with Answers

1. What does the unity of humanity’s origins teach us about God’s plan for all nations?

• All nations come from one family, showing that God’s plan is for unity, shared purpose, and relationship with Him. This underscores our responsibility to love and value all people as part of God’s creation.

2. How does Noah’s sin remind us of our vulnerability to temptation?

• Even the most faithful people are not immune to sin. Noah’s failure after his great obedience shows the need for vigilance and humility in guarding against temptation.

3. How do Ham’s actions and Shem and Japheth’s response challenge us to honor others?

• Ham’s disrespect highlights the destructiveness of dishonor and gossip, while Shem and Japheth’s actions demonstrate the importance of covering others’ failures with grace and respect.

4. What do Noah’s blessings and curses reveal about the consequences of our actions?

• Ham’s dishonor led to a generational curse, while Shem and Japheth’s honor brought blessings. Our choices have lasting effects on us and those who come after us.

5. How does Noah’s life and death point us to God’s grace and covenant faithfulness?

• Noah’s story shows that even flawed people can be used by God. His faithfulness to Noah’s family reminds us of His unchanging promises and grace despite human sin.

-ChatGPT

3 Question version:

Lessons from Noah & his Sons: A Tale of Blessing, Sin, and Redemption

Text: Genesis 9:18-29

Main Points in Question Form (ChatGPT inspired)

1. What does Noah’s sin teach us about the ongoing struggle with temptation? (Genesis 9:20-21)

• Even the faithful are vulnerable to sin,

        • reminding us to remain vigilant and humble.

2. How do Ham’s actions and Shem and Japheth’s response challenge us to honor others? (Genesis 9:22-23)

• Ham’s dishonor shows the harm of gossip,

        • while Shem and Japheth’s actions highlight the power of love and respect.

3. What do Noah’s blessings and curses reveal about the impact of our choices? (Genesis 9:24-27)

• Our actions carry lasting consequences for us and future generations,

        • but God’s faithfulness remains constant.

OUTLINES

N/A

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  1. Who is God?

    1. Creator/re-creator

    2. Holy judge

    3. Merciful rescuer

    4. Father of humanity and creation

    5. Provider of good things; blessor

    6. Curser of those who dishonor him and his people

    7. Sustainer of life

  2. What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?

    1. Creates/restores

    2. Judges

    3. Rescues

    4. Parents

    5. Provides

    6. Blesses

    7. Curses

    8. Sustains

  3. Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)

    1. His creation created in his image; image-bearer

    2. His child

    3. His rescued, forgiven rebel child

    4. Receiver of his blessings and/or curses

    5. The one whom he sustains

  4. What do I get to do? (In light of who I am)

    1. Bear his image

    2. Follow his lead

    3. Join him in rescuing others far from God but close to me

    4. Bless and not curse

    5. For the rest of my life

  5. How do I do it?

    1. Pray for those far from God but close to me.

    2. Care for those far from God but close to me.

    3. Share with those far from God but close to me.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/

  1. Read the passage together.

  2. Retell the story in your own words.

  3. Discovery the story

    1. What does this story tell me about God?

    2. What does this story tell me about people?

    3. If this is really true, what should I do?

  4. What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)

  5. What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)

  6. Who am I going to tell about this?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Alternate Discussion Questions (by Jeff Vanderstelt): Based on this passage:

  1. Who is God?

  2. What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?

  3. Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)

  4. What do I do? (In light of who I am)

  5. How do I do it?

Final Questions (Write this down)

  • What is God saying to you right now?

  • What are you going to do about it?

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“Genesis,” by R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

Exalting Jesus in Genesis, by Bethancourt

The Genesis Record, by Henry Morris

The Genesis Factor, by David Helms & Jon Dennis

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

Willmington’s Bible Handbook, D Willmington (WBH)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com

“The Bible in One Year 2023 with Nicky Gumbel” bible reading plan on YouVersion app (BIOY)

Claude.ai

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What's the Bible All About? Part 2 | Genesis 8:1-9:17 | Darien Gabriel

Series: Chaos to Covenant

Title: "What's the Bible all about? God remembers his promises." Part 2

Scripture: Genesis 8:1-9:17

Luke 17:20-33; Hebrews 11:7-10

The Bible is all about God's story.

Here, Noah’s story is a snapshot of the Bible’s grand narrative—a holy God seeking to redeem, restore, and renew fallen creation by a merciful covenant through Jesus Christ.

God remembers his promises to his people.

  1. INTRODUCTION

  2. CONTEXT

  3. SERMON OUTLINE

  4. CONCLUSION

  5. NOTES

  6. OUTLINES

  7. QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  8. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  9. MAIN REFERENCES USED

My opening prayer: Lord God, help us grow to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him, and leading others to do the same.

INTRODUCTION

Stories of the brave, acts big and small, sacrifice and service are what we remember today. Like the story of Vietnam War hero Jimmy

G. Stewart, an Army staff sergeant from West Columbia, West Virginia - one of the 58,000 Americans who lost their lives in combat during the conflict. When five fellow Soldiers of his six-man squad were wounded near An Khe in May 1966, Stewart held his position to protect his men, crawling through heavy fire to retrieve ammunition from his comrades and tossing back enemy-thrown grenades. When reinforcements arrived, 23-year-old Stewart continued to fight and was eventually killed while holding his position. The wounded he gave his life to protect were recovered and evacuated. A year later, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. This year marks 50 years since the last combat troops left South Vietnam.

I share this story for a few reasons relevant to today.

  1. Our veterans are potential stories like this. They willingly choose to put themselves in harms way for the sake of defending others from tyranny. On Memorial Day we remember those like Jimmy G. Stewart here for giving his life in the line of duty because he went above and beyond the call of duty to love others with his whole life. What a picture of Christ. We honor our veterans as they put themselves in a position to do that for others.

  2. They fight of an imperfect nation that is founded on principles gleaned in part from scripture that empowers her citizens to live differently in all of life.

  3. We remember these who have fallen and these who serve our country in this way, we see in Genesis 8:1 that God remembers his promises to Noah meaning he is moved to act mercifully on behalf of sinful people in this world.

  4. We will see how precious human life is to the Lord. Stewart saw it as worthy of his own which is at least in part why he was willing to sacrifice his own.

  5. At least twice in scripture, Rachel and Hannah, saw barren women be remembered by God and given a child, the desire of their heart. God sees you in your pain even if that pain is of your own making. He remembers and this moves him to act mercifully and redemptively. Redemption of sinful people is at the forefront of his loving acts.

  6. The thief on the cross calls on Jesus to remember him when they cross over. Jesus remembers him and says today you will be with me in paradise. This is a great picture of what God remembering looks like.

His acts on our behalf are in light of our needs...our greatest needs. Needs that only He can satisfy.

CONTEXT

In the wake of God's flood of judgment is a new, redemptive creation. God judged sin and humanity and creation had to deal with the consequences. God takes sin seriously. Sin has consequences.

And Noah believed that God's word is trustworthy. So he believed and acted accordingly building an ark to save his family from God's flood of holy judgment. And that ark saved his family and a remnant of the animal kingdom.

Now we see God's judgment swing to his faithful covenant with Noah and creation. He is starting over. He is giving humanity a second chance.

SERMON

Outline modified from Bethancourt

I. GOD IS HOLY AND JUST. HE MUST PUNISH SIN. Noah and God's judgment (6:1-22) LAST WEEK

A. The purpose of God's judgment (6:1-7)

B. The patience of God's judgment (6:8-16)

C. The promise of God's judgment (6:17-22)

II. GOD IS GRACIOUS AND MERCIFUL. HIS LOVE MAKES A WAY BACK. Noah and God's rescue (7:1-8:19)

A. God rescues us from the penalty of his judgment (7:1-16)

B. God rescues us from the power of his judgment (7:17-24)

C. God rescues us from the presence of his judgment (8:1-19) THIS WEEK

III. GOD IS SOVEREIGN CREATOR REDEEMING US THROUGH HIS SON'S COVENANT OF LOVE. Noah and God's covenant (8:20-9:29) THIS WEEK

A. The Lord and the covenant with creation (8:20-22)

B. The Lord and the covenant with Noah (9:1-11)

C. The Lord and the sign of the covenant (9:12-17)

D. The Lord and the lineage of the covenant (9:18-29)

Big ideas in this passage today:

Hinge point in the story: Gen 8:1 "God remembered Noah..."

Up to this point, the flood story has been one of judgment. From 8:1 on it's a story of redemption.

"God had not forgotten Noah and his family. To 'remember' in the Bible is not merely to recall to mind; it is to express concern for someone, to act with loving care for him. When God remembers his people, he does so 'with favor' (Neh 5:19; 13:31)." -NIV Study Bible, 1985

"When Genesis 8:1 says, “God remembered Noah,” it doesn’t mean that God had forgotten Noah and then recalled him suddenly. In the Bible, the phrase “God remembered” is often used to signify that God is about to act on His promises or fulfill His covenant.

In this case, God’s “remembering” Noah signifies His care and commitment to Noah and all creation, especially after the long, intense flood. This “remembrance” marks the beginning of the floodwaters receding, as God brings about a new stage in His plan for humanity and the earth. Here, God is staying true to His covenant with Noah by preserving him, his family, and the animals through the flood...it means that God is intervening in a meaningful, faithful way to fulfill His promises or enact His plans.

So in Genesis 8:1, “God remembered Noah” signifies divine care and the beginning of restoration after judgment." -ChatGPT

"Throughout the Bible, when God “remembers” someone, it signifies His attention, compassion, and faithfulness, often resulting in His direct intervention. Here are some key examples:

1. Abraham and Lot (Genesis 19:29): When God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, He “remembered Abraham” and spared Lot. God’s covenant relationship with Abraham led to His merciful action in delivering Lot from the judgment on the cities.

2. Rachel (Genesis 30:22): After a long period of barrenness, “God remembered Rachel; he listened to her and enabled her to conceive.” God’s remembrance here signifies His compassion and care for Rachel, ultimately fulfilling her longing for a child.

3. Israel in Egypt (Exodus 2:24): When the Israelites were suffering under slavery, “God heard their groaning, and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.” This remembrance prompts God to act by raising up Moses and setting in motion the liberation of His people from Egypt.

4. Hannah (1 Samuel 1:19): After Hannah prayed earnestly for a son, “the Lord remembered her,” and she conceived and gave birth to Samuel. God’s remembering here shows His response to Hannah’s heartfelt prayer and His intervention in her life.

5. God’s Promise to Israel (Psalm 105:8): The psalmist declares that God “remembers his covenant forever, the promise he made, for a thousand generations.” This indicates God’s unwavering commitment to His promises and His ongoing relationship with His people.

6. The Thief on the Cross (Luke 23:42-43): Although the word “remember” is used differently here, the thief’s request, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom,” appeals to Jesus’ mercy and faithfulness. Jesus’ reply assures him of eternal life, demonstrating the compassion inherent in divine “remembrance.”

In each case, God’s “remembering” is more than mere recollection—it signals His intention to act faithfully and mercifully on behalf of His people, often in response to their need or in fulfillment of His covenant promises." -ChatGPT

Perhaps we should ask Jesus to remember us as well...

The flood story reveals four main characteristics of God. God is...

1. Holy and Just: God judges human wickedness, showing His intolerance for sin.

2. Gracious and Merciful: He offers time for repentance and preserves Noah’s family.

3. Faithful to keep his Promises: God promises to sustain creation, never to destroy it by flood again.

4. Sovereign Creator: He controls nature, demonstrating His power to both judge and restore.

These qualities reveal a God who is just, merciful, faithful, and sovereign, committed to both righteousness and renewal.

Said another way...

The story of Noah and the flood reflects the broader story of God in the Bible by capturing key themes of Creator-God, sovereignly creating a good world where humanity sins/falls and reaps judgment. Despite this, merciful God makes a way for wicked humanity to find redemption and restoration through the covenant relationship with Creator-God through Christ Jesus, our Savior.

CONCLUSION

What do I want them to know?

  1. God sees, remembers, and keeps his promise of mercy.

  2. The story of God in macro and how our story fits in micro. God judges sin but remember mercy.

Why? Because his character is holy love.

What do I want them to do?

Show and tell their story in the context of God's story. Remember that God sees, remembers and keeps his promise of mercy.

Why?

This is how we rescue people close to us but far from God.

How?

By learning this macro story, seeing our story within that context, and then sharing that story with others where we live, work, learn and play.

Bottom line: Noah’s story is a snapshot of the Bible’s grand narrative—a holy God seeking to redeem, restore, and renew fallen creation by a merciful covenant through Jesus Christ. God sees and remembers his promise of mercy.

At the end of the day, my question to you is this: "Are you in the boat?" Is your life protected from God's holy wrath? Have you entered through the only door to salvation? His name is Jesus. Cf. John 14:6

Jesus spoke of Noah as well:

“Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.” Then he said to his disciples, “The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. People will tell you, ‘There he is!’ or ‘Here he is!’ Do not go running off after them. For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other. But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. “It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. “It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭17‬:‭20‬-‭30‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Peter puts it all in perspective in his first sermon:

““Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭36‬-‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Invitation

How do we respond? Answer 2 questions:

Take out a card or piece of paper right now. Write down the answer to these questions:

  1. What is God saying to me right now?

  2. What am I going to do about it? Write this down on a sheet of paper.

What I hear you saying, Lord, is ___________________.

[my name] is going to believe/do __________________________________________________ as a result.

Finally, share this with your Home or Mission group this week when you gather as a testimony about what God is doing in your life. You don’t have to get too specific to give him praise.

Lord's Supper, 1 Cor 11:23-26 is good passage.

Also, say something like, "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again." (past, present, and future)

Pray

NOTES

My early notes:

Genesis 8:1a "God remembered Noah..."

God "remembering" is the cue for God about to act redemptively i.e. He's about to rescue; mercy and grace are enroute. God acts with his covenant in mind because God is faithful and God is merciful.

At this point, God's story pivots from his holy, justified wrath and judgment to his extravagent mercy and redemption offered to his people by grace through faith.

His rememberance leads to merciful action on God's part. From destruction or de-creation to renewal or re-creation.

Applications that might follow from this:

  1. Rest in God's "remembering." God "remembering" is God acting on your behalf in a redemptive, life-changing way. It's renewal replacing wrath. (8:1)

  2. Wait patiently for God's timing. (8:6-12) Noah waited patiently for God to speak before he disembarked from the ark.

  3. Worship God today. (8:20) Noah's first act after disembarking was to worship God. Worship is our response to God's remembering. He is always worthy whether we act like it or not.

  4. Nurture a culture of life. (8:21-22) God is the creator and sustainer of life. He treasures all life. He calls us to as well. Animal life, but more importantly, human life. All life is precious--human life is sacred. So sacred, you forfeit yours when you take someone else's. We're called to lead the charge on protecting life and that includes nurturing a culture that values life above all else.

  5. Respect and Protect Life. (9:1-7) Valuing life includes protecting those who cannot protect themselves (unborn, children, disabled, elderly, dying).

  6. Live securely and confidently in the covenant relationship we enjoy in Christ. (9:8-11) A marriage rooted in God's covenant relationship with us will give us confidence and security to love when tempted to fear.

  7. Remember and rest in God's promises. (9:12-17)

  8. God will remember his covenant with us. He'll remind us that he remembers through his bow in the sky that he is faithful and keeps his promises.

  9. These rest on the fact that God remembers; he acts on behalf of his people with compassion, mercy, and faithfulness. He grows our confident assurance in his trustworthiness when we are tempted to forget.

Where is Noah's ark today?

"The location of Noah’s ark remains one of the great mysteries, as no definitive archaeological evidence has been found to confirm its location. According to Genesis 8:4, the ark came to rest “on the mountains of Ararat,” traditionally associated with the region of Mount Ararat in modern-day Turkey. This has led many explorers and archaeologists over the centuries to search that area, but no conclusive evidence has been found.

There have been several claims of sightings and discoveries on or near Mount Ararat, including photographs and wooden structures reportedly found at high altitudes. However, these claims have not been substantiated with enough verifiable evidence, and most remain controversial or unconfirmed.

In the end, whether or not the ark will ever be found is uncertain. Some believe that the wood may have been repurposed by Noah’s descendants after the flood or that it has simply deteriorated over time. Others suggest that, if it exists, God may allow it to remain hidden as an enduring element of faith rather than empirical evidence.

For many, the ark serves more as a theological symbol of God’s salvation and judgment, rather than something that needs to be found physically to affirm the biblical account." -ChatGPT

It could also be in western Armenia or even northwestern Iran as those are close to Mt. Ararat in Turkey.

Summary

"You’re absolutely correct. Genesis 8:1 is indeed the hinge point in the flood narrative, marking the transition from judgment to salvation, from divine wrath to mercy. The phrase “God remembered Noah” encapsulates the shift from destruction to renewal and signals that God’s redemptive plan is at work. Given this centrality, all application points could indeed flow from or relate to this theme of God’s remembrance. Here’s a revised approach:

1. Rest in God’s Faithfulness and Care (8:1)

• Application: God’s “remembering” Noah reminds us that, even when we feel forgotten or isolated, God is actively mindful of us and our needs. His faithfulness is unwavering, especially during seasons of hardship. This calls us to trust that God’s timing is perfect and that He is present and working, even when we can’t see it.

2. Wait Patiently for God’s Timing (8:6-12)

• Application: Because God “remembers” us, we can wait with hope, just as Noah waited for the waters to recede. Waiting isn’t passive but an active faith in God’s provision and guidance. Instead of rushing ahead, we’re called to trust God’s process, knowing He will bring us through in His timing.

3. Respond to God’s Faithfulness with Worship (8:20)

• Application: When Noah leaves the ark, his first act is to worship through sacrifice. This is a fitting response to God’s faithfulness in remembering him and his family. When we recognize God’s merciful intervention in our lives, we are called to respond with gratitude, worship, and dedication to Him.

4. Trust in God’s Commitment to Life (8:21-22)

• Application: God’s promise never to curse the ground again is a direct result of His remembering Noah and His commitment to sustaining creation. We can trust that God values and sustains life. This invites us to live in hope, knowing that God’s sustaining power is over creation and our lives, even in a broken world.

5. Respect and Protect Life (9:1-7)

• Application: Because God “remembers” and values humanity, He commands respect for life and emphasizes human dignity. We are called to value life as sacred, reflecting God’s heart for His creation. This includes protecting others, acting justly, and honoring the image of God in each person.

6. Live in Covenant Relationship with God (9:8-11)

• Application: The covenant with Noah flows from God’s remembrance and commitment to humanity and all creatures. God’s remembrance invites us to respond in covenant faithfulness, living in relationship with Him, and being stewards of His world.

7. Remember God’s Promises (9:12-17)

• Application: The rainbow is a visible reminder of God’s covenant and faithfulness to remember His promises. Just as God remembers us, we are called to remember Him and His promises. By clinging to His faithfulness, we strengthen our faith and are reminded of God’s enduring mercy and love in our lives.

By centering the applications around God’s remembrance, we underscore the passage’s message of God’s mercy, faithfulness, and the invitation for us to respond in trust, gratitude, and covenantal living. This “remembrance” becomes the anchor for our faith and actions in every part of life."  -ChatGPT

Key Themes

• New Beginnings: Noah and his family represent a fresh start for humanity, meant to live in obedience to God and care for creation.

• God’s Mercy: Despite humanity’s failings, God commits to sustain creation and gives humans renewed responsibility.

• Divine Justice and Human Dignity: God’s instruction against murder underscores the sanctity of life made in His image.

• The Covenant: The rainbow as a sign of the covenant is a powerful reminder of God’s promise and His ongoing relationship with humanity.

Genesis 8-9:17 highlights God’s mercy, the sanctity of life, and the importance of the covenant. It also sets the foundation for a worldview that values life and trusts in God’s promises, even amidst a broken world.

Good summary:

"The story of the flood in Genesis (chapters 6–9) tells us much about God’s character, values, and the way He engages with humanity. Here are some of the primary ways it reveals who God is:

1. God’s Justice and Holiness

• The flood is a response to human corruption and violence. Genesis 6:5-6 says that God saw the great wickedness on earth and was “grieved” in His heart. God’s decision to judge humanity with the flood shows His intolerance of sin and injustice. His holiness requires a world that aligns with His goodness, and the flood was a response to the pervasive moral decay of Noah’s time.

2. God’s Patience and Long-Suffering

• While the decision to flood the earth is swift in the biblical account, the story implies that God waited patiently while humanity had a chance to change. Noah was “a preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5), and his 120 years building the ark can be seen as a period when God gave people a chance to repent. This patience reveals God’s mercy, even in His judgment.

3. God’s Mercy and Covenant Faithfulness

• God’s decision to save Noah and his family highlights His mercy and commitment to His creation. Although humanity deserved judgment, God chose a path that preserved life. He instructed Noah to bring animals onto the ark, ensuring the survival of all living things. After the flood, God made a covenant with Noah (Genesis 9:8-17), promising never to destroy the earth with water again. The rainbow serves as a symbol of His covenant, highlighting His faithfulness to humanity despite their shortcomings.

4. God’s Sovereignty and Power Over Creation

• The flood narrative shows God’s absolute power over creation. He commands the waters to rise and fall, demonstrating His control over the natural world. The floodwaters are a reversal of the order He established at creation, where He separated waters to form dry land. By re-establishing the earth post-flood, God reaffirms His sovereignty as Creator, showing He can both judge and restore.

5. God’s Desire for a Righteous People

• God chooses Noah, “a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time” (Genesis 6:9), and establishes a covenant with him, revealing His desire for a people who walk in righteousness. God’s plan for Noah’s descendants is one of blessing, hoping they would embody a restored relationship with Him and reflect His justice and goodness on earth.

6. God’s Grace and Renewal of Creation

• After the flood, God gives Noah a mandate similar to Adam’s: to “be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth” (Genesis 9:1). This echoes the original creation mandate, suggesting that God’s intention for humanity and creation remains one of growth, flourishing, and harmony. He desires to partner with humanity in caring for and filling the earth with goodness.

7. God as a Covenant Maker

• The covenant with Noah is foundational, setting a pattern for the covenants God will establish later with Abraham, Moses, and David, and ultimately fulfilled in Christ. The Noahic covenant emphasizes God’s promise to preserve creation, foreshadowing the redemptive plan that would unfold over time.

In summary, the flood story tells the story of God as a holy and just Judge, yet also as a patient, merciful, and covenant-keeping Creator. It illustrates His commitment to renewal and restoration even in the face of human failure. Through judgment and mercy, God’s desire for a faithful, righteous humanity and His love for creation shine through. This story is foundational, pointing forward to God’s ongoing work to redeem and renew the world."

-ChatGPT

The Pattern

See D. J. A. Clines, Catholic Biblical Quarterly, No. 38 (1976), pp. 487, 488. Clines explains that Gerhard Von Rad initially observed a pattern of sin, mitigation, and punishment. Then Claus Westermann discerned another element, that of divine speech. Though he did not include it in the pattern, Clines does. Thus the following chart:

I.

II.

III.

IV.

SIN

SPEECH

GRACE

PUNISHMENT

  1. FALL

3:6

3:14-19

3:21

3:22-24

  1. CAIN

4:8

4:10-12

4:15

4:16

  1. SONS OF GOD

6:2

6:3

6:8, 18ff

7:6-24

  1. FLOOD

6:5, 11f

6:7, 13-21

6:8, 18ff

11:8

  1. BABEL

11:4

11:6f

10:1-32

11:8

Preach the Word, Genesis, Kent Hughes, chapter 1, note 3, p. 625

Hamilton puts it this way:

"God acts and speaks; man rebels; God punishes; God protects and reconciles." P. 201

GOD ACTS & SPEAKS    MAN REBELS    GOD PUNISHES    GOD PROTECTS & RECONCILES

OUTLINES

N/A

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  1. Who is God?

  2. What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?

  3. Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)

  4. What do I get to do? (In light of who I am)

  5. How do I do it?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/

  1. Read the passage together.

  2. Retell the story in your own words.

  3. Discovery the story

    1. What does this story tell me about God?

    2. What does this story tell me about people?

    3. If this is really true, what should I do?

  4. What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)

  5. What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)

  6. Who am I going to tell about this?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Alternate Discussion Questions (by Jeff Vanderstelt): Based on this passage:

  1. Who is God?

  2. What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?

  3. Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)

  4. What do I do? (In light of who I am)

  5. How do I do it?

Final Questions (Write this down)

  • What is God saying to you right now?

  • What are you going to do about it?

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“Genesis,” by R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

Exalting Jesus in Genesis, by Bethancourt

The Genesis Record, by Henry Morris

The Genesis Factor, by David Helms & Jon Dennis

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

Willmington’s Bible Handbook, D Willmington (WBH)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com

“The Bible in One Year 2023 with Nicky Gumbel” bible reading plan on YouVersion app (BIOY)

Claude.ai

Read More
Are You Calling on the Name of the Lord? | Genesis 6:1-8 | Darien Gabriel

Series: Chaos to Covenant

Title: "Are you calling on the name of the Lord?"

Scripture: Genesis 6:1-8 & 4:26

Gen 4:19-26; 5:1-2

Bottom line: The Way of Seth (and Jesus) is to walk with him. We walk with him by calling on and seeking him by grace through faith each day.

  1. INTRODUCTION

  2. CONTEXT

  3. SERMON OUTLINE

  4. CONCLUSION

  5. NOTES

  6. OUTLINES

  7. QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  8. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  9. MAIN REFERENCES USED

My opening prayer: Lord God, help us grow to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him, and leading others to do the same.

INTRODUCTION

In the Lord of the Rings (LOTR) epic tale, there are two opposing forces at work--the way of Sauron who wants to enslave all of middle earth and the way of freedom that is very generically portrayed as some Providential power of good. This is not unlike many epic tales of good versus evil. This flows from the early pages of Genesis where we see it displayed as the way of Cain (evil) and the way of Seth (good, hope, prophecy).

Genesis 3-5 is not unlike the new Amazon Prime series called the Rings of Power (ROP) which serves as the prequel to the LOTR epic. The ROP sets the stage for the tremendous evil storm coming in and through Sauron which is where the LOTR begins.

Throughout the story (LOTR), the main characters Frodo, Gandalf and Aragorn all seem to have this unified belief that Providence (my word, not Tolkien's) is at work on their behalf (or that they are working on Providence's behalf), though Tolkien works with super subtly to avoid anything close to an allegory.

The true story of Noah and the Ark and the flood (which we'll begin next week) is being set up even now. The tremendous wickedness across the planet at the time of Genesis 6 is unprecedented. And like in the LOTR series, there will be those who seek to rearrange their entire lives around seeking the favor of God, pleasing God, and seeking first his kingdom and his righteousness.

What does it mean to "Call on the name of the Lord?"

I think it's a posture of humility rooted in the conviction that we need God more than air. A conviction that causes us to arrange/rearrange our lives around his priorities.

This is what we see the characters in LOTR do.

This is what I see scripture repeatedly calling us to do.

It's more than praying, though it is praying. It is earnestly seeking his word, his ways, his will and his wisdom with the intention of putting it into practice daily.

It is surrendering your life to the One who saved yours.

Are you calling on the name of the Lord daily?

Are you seeking first his kingdom and his righteousness daily?

Are you finding favor with the Lord daily?

Are you pleasing God by believing that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him?

Are you surrendering all to Him today?

CONTEXT

Spiraling from the fall into more and more evil, the Way of Cain is dominating the world stage while they Way of Seth is a mere remnant of people. They don't have much of God's word to live on. They don't have the ways of God spelled out to them. They are in need of lights in the darkness.

But they do have a prophecy. A word from the Lord. (Gen 3:15)

After seeing the Way of Cain summarized in Cain's evil genealogy, it's followed by the Way of Seth and his genealogy. Adam and Eve are still alive and watching this unfold with I can't imagine how much guilt and anguish over what they've done. The only thing keeping them alive and sane is the hope in the few words of God in Genesis 3:15, "And I will put enmity between you (Satan) and the woman, and between your offspring and hers (Jesus); he will crush your head, and you will strike his heal (at the cross)."

At the beginning of Seth's genealogy, as Chris mentioned last week, we see God reminding us of how he created us--in his image. We were created God-like. Nothing in all of creation is more like God than humans.

Now we're in a state of dreadful depravity. We're born sinners who are capable of incredibly evil attitudes, words and actions. And we don't have to look far to see not only the truth of that but that we're heading downhill towards a level of evil equal to that just prior to the Flood. But this reminder--that we're created in his image--is there to remind us and give us hope. Hope that the Way of Seth--the Way of Jesus--can and will deliver many from sin and death, shame and guilt, hell itself.

The whole thing here about the sons of God, daughters of men, and the Nephilim is simply there to show us how bad things had gotten in the world. To show us that things were so bad that God grieved and regretted that he'd created humanity in the first place. As a result, God would wipe out all of creation (except for the ones following the Way of Seth) and re-create the world.

SERMON

Q. What do I want them to know?

A. 1. The utter wickedness all over the earth; how bad we were and are

  1. The consequences of sin are real bad

  2. The judgment of God on our sinfulness is holy and just

  3. The depravity of humanity is on full display here

  4. It's setting the table for God's flood of judgment...and mercy

Q. Why do I want them to know it?

A. Because it's God's story being written by and through those of us with the humility, faith and courage to live it out. It's a costly journey.

Q. What do I want them to do about it?

A. 1. Call on the name of the Lord (Gen 4:26)

  1. Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness (Matt 6:33)

  2. Live to please him by grace through faith (Heb 11:6)

  3. Enjoy the Lord's favor (Gen 6:8)

  4. Follow Jesus (Luke 9:23)

Ask yourself these questions:

  1. Do I understand the world and epic I'm in?

  2. Do I believe God has called me into this story? His-story? History?

  3. Do you not see the hand of God working in your life to this end? The end of an unlikely hope that will come through humble, courageous, hopeful men and women, boys and girls, who have hope in their Creator's epic story called life?

Q. Why do I want them to do it?

A. Because this is the Pearl of Great Price. This is the Treasure Hidden in a Field. He is worthy of everything in my life. My whole life. Luke 9:23

Q. How can they begin to do this?

A.

  1. Call on the Lrod daily to show you the way.

    1. 4:26 "At that time, people began to call on the name of the Lord."

    2. God is light, life and love. (1 John)

  2. Remember who and whose you are in Christ. If you follow Jesus Christ, like follow him words, ways and works, then you'll remember...

    1. We're a son/daughter of Adam --born sinners in need of a Savior

    2. But, we're also a redeemed, forgiven son/daughter of Jesus Christ (the Way of Seth)

    3. We're created God-like from birth (in his image) (Gen 1:26-28; 5:1)

    4. We're created on purpose for a purpose (Gen 1:26-28; 5:2)

      1. Depraved, yes.

      2. Unredeemable, no!

      3. Unforgivable, no!

      4. Being created in God's image means we're more like God than anything else in the universe! Ex. I can't preach this message to any other creature on earth and move them to act like God calls us to. Only people can be inspired by God's word.

      5. We have to decide:

        1. Do I believe that?

        2. Will I act on that belief?

    5. Don't look to people to be your heroes. They are not your hope. Jesus is your Hero capital H. He calls us to live heroically (sacrificially) for his glory-not ours.

    6. Find favor in God's eyes by walking with God. (Gen 5:21-24; Micah 6:8)

CONCLUSION

Are you calling on the name of the Lord each day? Are you seeking first...really seeking first...his kingdom and his righteousness? Are you rearranging your life around his priorities and perspective? This is all just pre-k for the rest of eternity. Do you get that?

Examine your life right now. As we soberly remember the price that was paid by Jesus Christ when he died in our place for our sin to free us, he reminds us that he passes the baton to us to share this good news that forgiveness is available to all, though not automatic. If we don't tell them, who will? If we don't live this out, do we really believe it?

Bottom line: The Way of Seth (and Jesus) is to walk with him. We walk with him by calling on and seeking him by grace through faith each day.

““Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭36‬-‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Invitation

How do we respond? Answer 2 questions:

Take out a card or piece of paper right now. Write down the answer to these questions:

  1. What is God saying to me right now?

  2. What am I going to do about it? Write this down on a sheet of paper.

What I hear you saying, Lord, is ___________________.

[my name] is going to believe/do __________________________________________________ as a result.

Finally, share this with your Home or Mission group this week when you gather as a testimony about what God is doing in your life. You don’t have to get too specific to give him praise.

Pray

NOTES

The Pattern

See D. J. A. Clines, Catholic Biblical Quarterly, No. 38 (1976), pp. 487, 488. Clines explains that Gerhard Von Rad initially observed a pattern of sin, mitigation, and punishment. Then Claus Westermann discerned another element, that of divine speech. Though he did not include it in the pattern, Clines does. Thus the following chart:

I.

II.

III.

IV.

SIN

SPEECH

GRACE

PUNISHMENT

  1. FALL

3:6

3:14-19

3:21

3:22-24

  1. CAIN

4:8

4:10-12

4:15

4:16

  1. SONS OF GOD

6:2

6:3

6:8, 18ff

7:6-24

  1. FLOOD

6:5, 11f

6:7, 13-21

6:8, 18ff

11:8

  1. BABEL

11:4

11:6f

10:1-32

11:8

Preach the Word, Genesis, Kent Hughes, chapter 1, note 3, p. 625

Hamilton puts it this way:

"God acts and speaks; man rebels; God punishes; God protects and reconciles." P. 201

GOD ACTS & SPEAKS    MAN REBELS    GOD PUNISHES    GOD PROTECTS & RECONCILES

OUTLINES

N/A

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  1. Who is God?

  2. What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?

  3. Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)

  4. What do I get to do? (In light of who I am)

  5. How do I do it?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/

  1. Read the passage together.

  2. Retell the story in your own words.

  3. Discovery the story

    1. What does this story tell me about God?

    2. What does this story tell me about people?

    3. If this is really true, what should I do?

  4. What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)

  5. What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)

  6. Who am I going to tell about this?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Alternate Discussion Questions (by Jeff Vanderstelt): Based on this passage:

  1. Who is God?

  2. What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?

  3. Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)

  4. What do I do? (In light of who I am)

  5. How do I do it?

Final Questions (Write this down)

  • What is God saying to you right now?

  • What are you going to do about it?

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“Genesis,” by R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

Exalting Jesus in Genesis, by Bethancourt

The Genesis Record, by Henry Morris

The Genesis Factor, by David Helms & Jon Dennis

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

Willmington’s Bible Handbook, D Willmington (WBH)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com

“The Bible in One Year 2023 with Nicky Gumbel” bible reading plan on YouVersion app (BIOY)

Claude.ai

Read More
How is There Judgment and Hope? | Genesis 3:15-24 | Darien Gabriel

Series: Chaos to Covenant

Title: "How is there judgment and hope?"

Scripture: Genesis 3:15-24

Romans 5:15-19; Numbers 21:4-9

Bottom line: Even in the face of God's curses and judgment of humanity, there is hope for us in King Jesus.

  1. INTRODUCTION

  2. CONTEXT

  3. SERMON OUTLINE

  4. CONCLUSION

  5. NOTES

  6. QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  7. OUTLINES

  8. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  9. MAIN REFERENCES USED

INTRODUCTION

Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc on our state and nation this past week. We want to pause and pray right now for those who are still dealing with that aftermath.

Why do we have hurricanes anyway? And earthquakes, meteorites, tsunamis, floods, droughts, and pandemics?

We have them because of The Fall.

CONTEXT

Adam and Eve have been created and married. They are in a blissful garden of existence where they have all that they need and their Creator, the Lord God, spends time walking and talking with them everyday. They have no relational distress with God or each other or creation. They are experiencing perfect peace and joy.

And yet they find themselves capable of being tempted to forget that God is good and doubt his trustworthiness.

They give into the temptation to doubt God's goodness and trustworthiness and disobey God's single, clear command. They fall from grace and we have the first--the original--sin. This sin has far reaching consequences too including Hurricane Helene.

SERMON

Q. What do I want them to know?

A. Sin has consequences including God's judgment. But it does sometimes come with God's grace too.

Q. Why do I want them to know it?

A. Because we should remember that there's always hope in Christ Jesus.

Q. What do I want them to do about it?

A. Embrace the judgment but lean into the grace and point others to it.

Q. Why do I want them to do it?

A. So we don't despair and give up when we're tempted to.

Q. How can they begin to do this?

A.

  1. Turn from your ways to the Lord asking for him to show you the way to that hope found only in Jesus Christ.

  2. Tell others how they can also find this hope.

NOTE the chiasm here in vv. 11-19:

  • Sin of Adam (9-11)

    • Sin of Eve (12)

      • Sin of Serpent (13)

      • Judgment of Serpent (14-15) But also the hope of his defeat prophesied (protoevangelion = first gospel)

    • Judgment of Eve (16)

  • Judgment of Adam (17-19)

What's at the focal point is: Sin, death and Satan will be defeated by Eve's offspring. Why not Adam's? Because her offspring is Jesus and he was born of a virgin, not of Adam or his seed.`

CONCLUSION

Bottom line: Even in the face of God's curse and judgment of humanity, there is hope in King Jesus.

““Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭36‬-‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How do we respond? Answer 2 questions:

Invitation

  1. What is God saying to me right now?

  2. What am I going to do about it? Write this down on a sheet of paper.

What I hear you saying, Lord, is ___________________.

[my name] is going to believe/do __________________________________________________ as a result.

Finally, share this with your Home or Mission group this week when you gather as a testimony about what God is doing in your life. You don’t have to get too specific to give him praise.

Pray

NOTES

Synonyms for

enmity

noun a world free from enmity between nations and races:

HOSTILITY, animosity, antagonism, friction, antipathy, animus, opposition, dissension, rivalry, feud, conflict, discord, contention;

My first question:

I have a question about Adam and Eve in the Bible. I am seminary trained so talk to me as if I have some knowledge about the Bible. My question is why did God remove Adam and Eve from the garden?

"God's removal of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden in Genesis 3:22-24 is primarily to prevent them from accessing the Tree of Life after their disobedience. After Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, they gained the knowledge of good and evil, which was not meant for them. Their newfound awareness brought sin and separation from God into the world.

Genesis 3:22 states, "Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—" God immediately expels them from Eden to prevent them from eating from the Tree of Life and thus living eternally in their fallen state.

So, the expulsion from Eden serves a dual purpose:

1. As a consequence of their disobedience (i.e., sin), they are removed from the place of God's direct presence and blessing.

2. It is also an act of mercy, ensuring they do not live forever in a corrupted state.

In a theological sense, this introduces the concept of death as a limitation, but also as part of God’s redemptive plan, allowing for eventual resurrection and redemption rather than eternal life in a fallen condition." -ChatGPT

My second question: But if Adam and eve stay in the garden and eat from the tree of life and while there repent and believe, would they still live forever in a corrupted state? I seems to me that they would be forgiven?

"That’s an interesting theological question, and you’re right to focus on the dynamic tension between the Tree of Life, repentance, and the consequences of sin.

Here’s the key theological consideration: **repentance and belief** are indeed central to forgiveness in the biblical narrative, but there’s more to the situation in Genesis than just forgiveness. The Garden of Eden is not simply about access to eternal life but also about the state in which that life would be lived.

1. **The Nature of the Tree of Life and Eternal Life**: In Genesis 3:22, God’s concern is not just about forgiveness but about the state in which humanity would live eternally. The Tree of Life represents the ability to live forever, but in the context of the narrative, eternal life in a corrupted state would be a disaster. Imagine living forever with the ongoing effects of sin—physical, emotional, and spiritual decay. Even if Adam and Eve repented and believed, they would still be living in a world now subject to the curse of sin (pain, toil, suffering, and eventual death as outlined in Genesis 3:16-19).

   So the problem isn't just moral guilt but the entire reality of living in a world where sin has entered. God’s removal of them from the garden was not simply about preventing eternal life—it was about preventing eternal life **in a corrupted world**. Repentance alone doesn’t reverse the cosmic consequences of sin. The entire creation needed restoration (Romans 8:20-22).

2. **The Larger Redemptive Plan**: While forgiveness is essential, so is the **plan of redemption** that goes beyond forgiveness to full restoration. For instance, the ultimate goal of the biblical narrative isn’t just the forgiveness of individual sins, but the **renewal of all creation**. This is why Christ’s work includes not just forgiveness but also the promise of **resurrection** and **new creation** (Revelation 21-22). Adam and Eve eating from the Tree of Life after sinning might grant them eternal life, but not in the transformed, glorified state God intends for His people.

3. **Why Death is Necessary**: In God’s redemptive plan, death became a necessary part of undoing the effects of sin. God allowed death to enter the world not merely as punishment but also as part of the plan that ultimately leads to resurrection. Paul speaks of death as the last enemy to be defeated (1 Corinthians 15:26), but through Christ, death becomes the gateway to new life. Had Adam and Eve eaten from the Tree of Life while in their fallen state, they might have bypassed death, but they would have missed out on the full restoration that comes through death and resurrection.

4. **The Typology of Christ and the Tree of Life**: Theologically, Christ is often seen as the fulfillment of the Tree of Life. In the new creation, those who believe in Him will once again have access to the Tree of Life (Revelation 22:14). This shows that eternal life comes not just through forgiveness but through transformation. Christ doesn’t just forgive; He renews all things, including the body and the entire creation. Adam and Eve, even if they had repented and believed in the garden, would still need this fuller redemptive work to be fully restored to God’s ultimate intention for humanity.

In summary, even if Adam and Eve had repented and believed, staying in the garden and eating from the Tree of Life would have meant eternal life in a fallen state. Forgiveness alone would not have solved the problem of the corruption of their nature and the curse on creation. God’s plan required not just forgiveness but the eventual defeat of death and the renewal of all creation, something that could only be achieved through Christ’s redemptive work. The removal from Eden, then, can be seen as a merciful act, preserving them for a future, greater restoration." -ChatGPT

From Wilmington's Bible Handbook:

It's primeval history (universal world history) of the world (universe) made up of 5 stories with the same structure. (1-11)

  • The Fall

  • Cain

  • Sons of God marrying daughters of man

  • The Flood

  • Tower of Babel

  • They all follow this 4-fold pattern:

    • Sin: the sin is described

    • Speech: There is a speech by God announcing the penalty for the sin

    • Grace: God brings grace to the situation to ease the misery due to sin

    • Punishment: God punishes the sin

Patriarchal history (12-50) or the history of Israel's founding fathers. It continues to reveal the many graces of God based on the gracious promise God made to and through Abraham in Genesis 12:3.

Notes from Bible Project Videos

1-11 God and the world

12:3 Hinge verse

12-50 God and Abraham's family

"Blessing" is a key word here

Choice: Tree of knowledge of good and evil

  1. Trust God's definition of good and evil, or

  2. Seize autonomy and define good and evil for themselves?

Serpent (against God) tells a different story. He lies when he tells them that if they eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil that they will be like God. Because they already are like God (made in his image).

The Pattern

See D. J. A. Clines, Catholic Biblical Quarterly, No. 38 (1976), pp. 487, 488. Clines explains that Gerhard Von Rad initially observed a pattern of sin, mitigation, and punishment. Then Claus Westermann discerned another element, that of divine speech. Though he did not include it in the pattern, Clines does. Thus the following chart:

I.

II.

III.

IV.

SIN

SPEECH

GRACE

PUNISHMENT

  1. FALL

3:6

3:14-19

3:21

3:22-24

  1. CAIN

4:8

4:10-12

4:15

4:16

  1. SONS OF GOD

6:2

6:3

6:8, 18ff

7:6-24

  1. FLOOD

6:5, 11f

6:7, 13-21

6:8, 18ff

11:8

  1. BABEL

11:4

11:6f

10:1-32

11:8

Preach the Word, Genesis, Kent Hughes, chapter 1, note 3, p. 625

Hamilton puts it this way:

"God acts and speaks; man rebels; God punishes; God protects and reconciles." P. 201

GOD ACTS & SPEAKS    MAN REBELS    GOD PUNISHES    GOD PROTECTS & RECONCILES

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  1. Who is God?

  2. What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?

  3. Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)

  4. What do I get to do? (In light of who I am)

  5. How do I do it?

OUTLINES

OUTLINE (GENESIS 3:1-24) by H. Willmington

This section describes the corruption of all things.

I. THE TRANSGRESSION OF ADAM (3:1-24)

A. Adam's disobedience (3:1-6)

1. The treachery (3:1-5)

a. Satan begins by casting doubt on God's Word (3:1-3): "Did God really say you must not eat any of the fruit in the garden?"

b. Satan concludes by denying God's Word (3:4-5): "'You won't die!' The serpent hissed...'You will become just like God, knowing everything, both good and evil.'"

2. The tragedy (3:6): Both Eve and Adam disobey God and eat of the forbidden tree.

B. Adam's deceit (3:7-8): He attempts to cover his nakedness by making clothes from fig leaves. He then hides among the trees.

C. Adam's despair (3:9-11): He acknowledges his fear and nakedness before God.

D. Adam's defense (3:12-19): Adam blames Eve, but Eve blames the serpent.

E. Adam's discipline (3:14-19): God sets up his divine court in Eden and imposes the following sentences:

1. Upon the serpent (3:14-15): to be the most cursed of all creatures and to crawl on its belly, eating dust. Also, his head will be crushed by the offspring of the woman.

2. Upon the woman (3:16): to suffer pain in childbirth and to be ruled by her husband.

3. Upon the man (3:17-19): to endure wearisome labor as he grows food from unproductive soil and to eventually die physically.

4. Upon nature (3:18): to be infested with thorns and this-tles.

F. Adam's deliverance (3:15, 20-21)

1. The promise (3:15): Someday a Savior will defeat Satan, the serpent!

2. The provision (3:20-21): After Adam names his wife Eve, God clothes both of them with animal skins.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/

  1. Read the passage together.

  2. Retell the story in your own words.

  3. Discovery the story

    1. What does this story tell me about God?

    2. What does this story tell me about people?

    3. If this is really true, what should I do?

  4. What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)

  5. What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)

  6. Who am I going to tell about this?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Alternate Discussion Questions (by Jeff Vanderstelt): Based on this passage:

  1. Who is God?

  2. What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?

  3. Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)

  4. What do I do? (In light of who I am)

  5. How do I do it?

Final Questions (Write this down)

  • What is God saying to you right now?

  • What are you going to do about it?

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“Genesis,” by R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

Exalting Jesus in Genesis, by Bethancourt

The Genesis Record, by Henry Morris

The Genesis Factor, by David Helms & Jon Dennis

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

Willmington’s Bible Handbook, D Willmington (WBH)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com

“The Bible in One Year 2023 with Nicky Gumbel” bible reading plan on YouVersion app (BIOY)

Claude.ai

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What's Wrong With Our World? | Genesis 3:8-16 | Darien Gabriel

Series: Chaos to Covenant

Title: “What's wrong with our world?"

Scripture: Genesis 3:8-16

Romans 5:15-19

Bottom line: Our world was broken by our sin but will be fully restored by Jesus Christ. Hope follows heartbreak.

  1. INTRODUCTION

  2. CONTEXT

  3. SERMON OUTLINE

  4. CONCLUSION

  5. NOTES

  6. QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  7. OUTLINES

  8. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  9. MAIN REFERENCES USED

INTRODUCTION

In his book The Genesis Factor, David Helms says that Genesis answers many of life's questions.

He says or implies that Genesis 3 answers at least 3 questions:

  1. Is God really good? If God is good, why are there boundaries? (God's character)

  2. Can you trust God's word no matter what? (The Bible)

  3. What's the matter with us? (Humanity) What's wrong with the world?

Ask yourself this question: How would I feel if I did something that I knew God told me not to do that infected or cursed each and every one of my children, grandchildren and beyond? How would I feel? What would I do? This is what Adam and Eve had to live with. And did so for nearly a millennium.

When we ask the question, what's wrong with our world, the snarky answer could be, "Adam and Eve screwed it up. Now we're cursed." And that would be true.

But it's time that we realize that we can't pass the buck. We must take responsibility for our own thoughts, behaviors, attitudes and beliefs.

Our world is broken because of sin. Their sin, yes. But our sin too.

But there's hope. And it is found in none other than the Lord Jesus Christ as prophesied in Genesis 3.

There's hope after the heartbreak.

And, as for Adam and Eve, it's because of this hope that I'd like to think that they believed God and repented.

"What's wrong with the world today?"

David Helms writes,

"Put differently, which view makes better sense of the world in which we live —the voice of Genesis, or the voice of Peter Fromm? Is humanity basically good? Or has moral corruption touched us all?

Many years ago a famous correspondence in the London Times wrestled with these very issues. The editors of the newspaper asked individuals to respond to the question, "What is wrong with the world today?" The best letter of all was also the shortest. It read,

Dear Sir,

I am,

Yours faithfully,

G. K. Chesterton

Reader, do you believe that? If asked, "What is wrong with the world," would your response be, "I am?" You see, before you make a judgment on the rest of humanity, you must come to terms with the nature of yourself: Who are you, really?" -David Helms

CONTEXT

Adam and Eve have been created and married. They are in a blissful garden of existence where they have all that they need and their Creator, the Lord God, spends time walking and talking with them everyday. They have no relational distress with God or each other or creation. They are experiencing perfect peace and joy.

And yet they find themselves capable of being tempted to forget that God is good and doubt his trustworthiness.

SERMON

Q. What do I want them to know?

A. Two things:

  1. Our world is broken because of our sin.

  2. Our world has hope because of God's mercy.

Q. Why do I want them to know it?

A. Two reasons:

  1. Because it makes sense of why things are so broken, and

  2. Because it shows we don't have to give in to despair. Hope can follow heartbreak.

Q. What do I want them to do about it?

A. Two things:

  1. Rest in the hope that comes through the woman's offspring (Jesus Christ), and

  2. Share this good news with our broken world where you live, work, learn and play.

Q. Why do I want them to do it?

A. Because this is what you do with good news--you share it!

Q. How can they begin to do this?

A. Several ways:

  1. Train to remain (abide) in Christ daily.

  2. Train to remain in your mission field ready to prayer, care and share his love.

    1. Prayer-Care-Share where we live, work, learn and play:

      1. Pray for your neighbors (where you live, work, learn and play),

      2. Care for them as you become aware of their needs, and

      3. Share with them why you cared for them when the opportunity comes up.

NOTE the chiasm here in vv. 11-19:

  • Sin of Adam (9-11)

    • Sin of Eve (12)

      • Sin of Serpent (13)

      • Judgment of Serpent (14-15)

    • Judgment of Eve (16)

  • Judgment of Adam (17-19)

What's at the focal point is: Sin, death and Satan will be defeated by Eve's offspring. Why not Adam's? Because her offspring is Jesus and he was born of a virgin, not of Adam or his seed.`

CONCLUSION

Bottom line: Our world was broken by sin but will be fully restored by Jesus Christ. Hope follows heartbreak.

““Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭36‬-‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How do we respond? Answer 2 questions:

Invitation

  1. What is God saying to me right now?

  2. What am I going to do about it? Write this down on a sheet of paper.

What I hear you saying, Lord, is ___________________.

[my name] is going to believe/do __________________________________________________ as a result.

Finally, share this with your Home or Mission group this week when you gather as a testimony about what God is doing in your life. You don’t have to get too specific to give him praise.

Pray

NOTES

G.K. Chesterton (1874–1936) was an English writer, philosopher, lay theologian, and literary critic known for his wit, paradoxes, and diverse body of work. He wrote in many genres, including essays, fiction, poetry, and journalism, and was a prominent Christian apologist. Chesterton is perhaps best known for his *Father Brown* detective stories and his book *Orthodoxy*, which defends Christian faith as rational and joyful.

A devout Christian, Chesterton converted to Roman Catholicism in 1922, and his faith heavily influenced much of his later writing. He critiqued secularism, materialism, and modernism, often engaging with prominent thinkers like George Bernard Shaw and H.G. Wells in public debates.

His style was marked by humor, irony, and a love for paradox, as he often used apparent contradictions to reveal deeper truths. His works continue to influence Christian thought and apologetics today.

My first question:

I have a question about Adam and Eve in the Bible. I am seminary trained so talk to me as if I have some knowledge about the Bible. My question is why did God remove Adam and Eve from the garden?

"God's removal of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden in Genesis 3:22-24 is primarily to prevent them from accessing the Tree of Life after their disobedience. After Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, they gained the knowledge of good and evil, which was not meant for them. Their newfound awareness brought sin and separation from God into the world.

Genesis 3:22 states, "Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—" God immediately expels them from Eden to prevent them from eating from the Tree of Life and thus living eternally in their fallen state.

So, the expulsion from Eden serves a dual purpose:

1. As a consequence of their disobedience (i.e., sin), they are removed from the place of God's direct presence and blessing.

2. It is also an act of mercy, ensuring they do not live forever in a corrupted state.

In a theological sense, this introduces the concept of death as a limitation, but also as part of God’s redemptive plan, allowing for eventual resurrection and redemption rather than eternal life in a fallen condition." -ChatGPT

My second question: But if Adam and eve stay in the garden and eat from the tree of life and while there repent and believe, would they still live forever in a corrupted state? I seems to me that they would be forgiven?

"That’s an interesting theological question, and you’re right to focus on the dynamic tension between the Tree of Life, repentance, and the consequences of sin.

Here’s the key theological consideration: **repentance and belief** are indeed central to forgiveness in the biblical narrative, but there’s more to the situation in Genesis than just forgiveness. The Garden of Eden is not simply about access to eternal life but also about the state in which that life would be lived.

1. **The Nature of the Tree of Life and Eternal Life**: In Genesis 3:22, God’s concern is not just about forgiveness but about the state in which humanity would live eternally. The Tree of Life represents the ability to live forever, but in the context of the narrative, eternal life in a corrupted state would be a disaster. Imagine living forever with the ongoing effects of sin—physical, emotional, and spiritual decay. Even if Adam and Eve repented and believed, they would still be living in a world now subject to the curse of sin (pain, toil, suffering, and eventual death as outlined in Genesis 3:16-19).

   So the problem isn't just moral guilt but the entire reality of living in a world where sin has entered. God’s removal of them from the garden was not simply about preventing eternal life—it was about preventing eternal life **in a corrupted world**. Repentance alone doesn’t reverse the cosmic consequences of sin. The entire creation needed restoration (Romans 8:20-22).

2. **The Larger Redemptive Plan**: While forgiveness is essential, so is the **plan of redemption** that goes beyond forgiveness to full restoration. For instance, the ultimate goal of the biblical narrative isn’t just the forgiveness of individual sins, but the **renewal of all creation**. This is why Christ’s work includes not just forgiveness but also the promise of **resurrection** and **new creation** (Revelation 21-22). Adam and Eve eating from the Tree of Life after sinning might grant them eternal life, but not in the transformed, glorified state God intends for His people.

3. **Why Death is Necessary**: In God’s redemptive plan, death became a necessary part of undoing the effects of sin. God allowed death to enter the world not merely as punishment but also as part of the plan that ultimately leads to resurrection. Paul speaks of death as the last enemy to be defeated (1 Corinthians 15:26), but through Christ, death becomes the gateway to new life. Had Adam and Eve eaten from the Tree of Life while in their fallen state, they might have bypassed death, but they would have missed out on the full restoration that comes through death and resurrection.

4. **The Typology of Christ and the Tree of Life**: Theologically, Christ is often seen as the fulfillment of the Tree of Life. In the new creation, those who believe in Him will once again have access to the Tree of Life (Revelation 22:14). This shows that eternal life comes not just through forgiveness but through transformation. Christ doesn’t just forgive; He renews all things, including the body and the entire creation. Adam and Eve, even if they had repented and believed in the garden, would still need this fuller redemptive work to be fully restored to God’s ultimate intention for humanity.

In summary, even if Adam and Eve had repented and believed, staying in the garden and eating from the Tree of Life would have meant eternal life in a fallen state. Forgiveness alone would not have solved the problem of the corruption of their nature and the curse on creation. God’s plan required not just forgiveness but the eventual defeat of death and the renewal of all creation, something that could only be achieved through Christ’s redemptive work. The removal from Eden, then, can be seen as a merciful act, preserving them for a future, greater restoration." -ChatGPT

From Wilmington's Bible Handbook:

It's primeval history (universal world history) of the world (universe) made up of 5 stories with the same structure. (1-11)

  • The Fall

  • Cain

  • Sons of God marrying daughters of man

  • The Flood

  • Tower of Babel

  • They all follow this 4-fold pattern:

    • Sin: the sin is described

    • Speech: There is a speech by God announcing the penalty for the sin

    • Grace: God brings grace to the situation to ease the misery due to sin

    • Punishment: God punishes the sin

Patriarchal history (12-50) or the history of Israel's founding fathers. It continues to reveal the many graces of God based on the gracious promise God made to and through Abraham in Genesis 12:3.

Notes from Bible Project Videos

1-11 God and the world

12:3 Hinge verse

12-50 God and Abraham's family

"Blessing" is a key word here

Choice: Tree of knowledge of good and evil

  1. Trust God's definition of good and evil, or

  2. Seize autonomy and define good and evil for themselves?

Serpent (against God) tells a different story. He lies when he tells them that if they eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil that they will be like God. Because they already are like God (made in his image).

The Pattern

See D. J. A. Clines, Catholic Biblical Quarterly, No. 38 (1976), pp. 487, 488. Clines explains that Gerhard Von Rad initially observed a pattern of sin, mitigation, and punishment. Then Claus Westermann discerned another element, that of divine speech. Though he did not include it in the pattern, Clines does. Thus the following chart:

I.

II.

III.

IV.

SIN

SPEECH

GRACE

PUNISHMENT

  1. FALL

3:6

3:14-19

3:21

3:22-24

  1. CAIN

4:8

4:10-12

4:15

4:16

  1. SONS OF GOD

6:2

6:3

6:8, 18ff

7:6-24

  1. FLOOD

6:5, 11f

6:7, 13-21

6:8, 18ff

11:8

  1. BABEL

11:4

11:6f

10:1-32

11:8

Preach the Word, Genesis, Kent Hughes, chapter 1, note 3, p. 625

Hamilton puts it this way:

"God acts and speaks; man rebels; God punishes; God protects and reconciles." P. 201

GOD ACTS & SPEAKS    MAN REBELS    GOD PUNISHES    GOD PROTECTS & RECONCILES

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  1. Who is God?

    1. God is present with his people. He was in the garden with A & E. He was with Israel when he lived as Jesus of Nazareth. He's with his people today in us as Holy Spirit.

    2. God is omniscient (all knowing/seeing/hearing).

    3. God is holy which means he's just.

  2. What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?

    1. He walks and talks with his people who know and trust him.

    2. He is fully aware of all that's going on in our world and in our minds.

    3. He punishes his kids when they disobey. He pours out his wrath on those who sin but don't repent and turn back to him.

  3. Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)

    1. I am his son in the Lord. I get to be with my father and learn from him and be known by him.

    2. I am known by him inside out.

    3. I am forgiven because even though I sinned and deserve God's wrath, he made a way for me to be forgiven. He did this by sending Jesus Christ to die in my place for my sins on the cross. I am forgiven because I believe that. However, if I haven't repented of my sin then I'm not forgiven yet. I am hell bound. I am heading where people who don't want to be with God go.

  4. What do I get to do? (In light of who I am)

    1. I get to be his son and to enjoy all the benefits of being his son forever.

    2. I get to be known and loved.

    3. I get to live forgiven, beloved and intentionally sharing this good news with others. But if I don't believe, I live in misery doomed to be separated from my Creator forever.

  5. How do I do it?

    1. Rest in my identity as his son and serve others selflessly.

    2. Spend time with God listening and talking.

    3. I believe and receive his forgiveness through Jesus Christ. I readily forgive others by grace through faith.

OUTLINES

OUTLINE (GENESIS 3:1-24) by H. Willmington

This section describes the corruption of all things.

I. THE TRANSGRESSION OF ADAM (3:1-24)

A. Adam's disobedience (3:1-6)

1. The treachery (3:1-5)

a. Satan begins by casting doubt on God's Word (3:1-3): "Did God really say you must not eat any of the fruit in the garden?"

b. Satan concludes by denying God's Word (3:4-5): "'You won't die!' The serpent hissed...'You will become just like God, knowing everything, both good and evil.'"

2. The tragedy (3:6): Both Eve and Adam disobey God and eat of the forbidden tree.

B. Adam's deceit (3:7-8): He attempts to cover his nakedness by making clothes from fig leaves. He then hides among the trees.

C. Adam's despair (3:9-11): He acknowledges his fear and nakedness before God.

D. Adam's defense (3:12-19): Adam blames Eve, but Eve blames the serpent.

E. Adam's discipline (3:14-19): God sets up his divine court in Eden and imposes the following sentences:

1. Upon the serpent (3:14-15): to be the most cursed of all creatures and to crawl on its belly, eating dust. Also, his head will be crushed by the offspring of the woman.

2. Upon the woman (3:16): to suffer pain in childbirth and to be ruled by her husband.

3. Upon the man (3:17-19): to endure wearisome labor as he grows food from unproductive soil and to eventually die physically.

4. Upon nature (3:18): to be infested with thorns and this-tles.

F. Adam's deliverance (3:15, 20-21)

1. The promise (3:15): Someday a Savior will defeat Satan, the serpent!

2. The provision (3:20-21): After Adam names his wife Eve, God clothes both of them with animal skins.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/

  1. Read the passage together.

  2. Retell the story in your own words.

  3. Discovery the story

    1. What does this story tell me about God?

    2. What does this story tell me about people?

    3. If this is really true, what should I do?

  4. What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)

  5. What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)

  6. Who am I going to tell about this?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Alternate Discussion Questions (by Jeff Vanderstelt): Based on this passage:

  1. Who is God?

  2. What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?

  3. Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)

  4. What do I do? (In light of who I am)

  5. How do I do it?

Final Questions (Write this down)

  • What is God saying to you right now?

  • What are you going to do about it?

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“Genesis,” by R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

Exalting Jesus in Genesis, by Bethancourt

The Genesis Record, by Henry Morris

The Genesis Factor, by David Helms & Jon Dennis

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

Willmington’s Bible Handbook, D Willmington (WBH)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com

“The Bible in One Year 2023 with Nicky Gumbel” bible reading plan on YouVersion app (BIOY)

Claude.ai

Read More