Bible Studies

God’s Story

1.  In Genesis 25:19-21, what is the line of succession in the birth of Isaac?

2.  What future family conflict was announced to Rebekah according to Genesis 25:22-24?

3.  How were Esau and Jacob different at birth according to Genesis 25:24-28?

4.  In Genesis 25:29, what is Esau’s predicament?

5.  How was Jacob cunning in negotiating with his brother in Genesis 25:29-34?

Answers to Last Week’s Study Questions (November 28)
THE PROMISE:  Impossible Hope! - Genesis 21:1-21

1.  In Genesis 21:1-5, what does God announce to Sarah and Abraham?
Answer: They would conceive a child.

2.  What was Sarah’s response to God’s announcement according to Genesis 21:6-7?
Answer: She laughed.

3.  In Genesis 21:8-14, what surprising thing did Sarah ask Abraham to do with Hagar4 and Abraham’s first son, Ishmael?
Answer: She asked them to leave.

4.  What life threatening situation occurred with Hagar and Ishmael in the desert according to Genesis 21:15-16?
Answer: They ran out of water.

5.  How did God respond to Hagar and Ishmael’s dilemma according to Genesis 21:17-21?
Answer: God provided them a well with water.

We are a church whose unity is in Jesus Christ, who gathers us around word and water, wine and bread. We believe that people meet God in Scripture, where God’s relationship to — and intention for — humankind is revealed.  

The Book of Faith Initiative strives to increase biblical literacy and fluency for the sake of the world. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is committed to this five-year initiative encouraging members, congregations and synods to dig deeper into our book of faith — the Bible.  

For many, the encounter with Scripture is limited to the excerpts that are read on Sunday morning. Many of us — and many of our neighbors — are somewhat intimidated and unsure of how to engage Scripture. We believe all are invited to open Scripture and join the conversation.  
 
In order to delve deeper in the word, the Book of Faith Initiative recommends a four-fold method for reading the Bible: devotional, historical, literary and Lutheran theological reading. It’s up to you and your faith community to decide how the Book of Faith Initiative will become a vital part of your ministry so that together we grow in our deep engagement with the word of God.  Get involved To get started, visit www.bookoffaith.org and www.twitter.com/bookoffaith.
 
Join the conversation.  Join the Book of Faith social networking group to find ideas, watch videos, download study guides and discuss Scripture online. Join the conversation online by following @bookoffaith on Twitter, joining the Book of Faith group on Facebook, or signing up to receive Book of Faith resource updates from Augsburg Fortress via e-mail. [link to http://www.augsburgfortress.org/eNewsSignup.jsp]

Free online college level courses on topics of religion are available at Coursera.com. To sign up for courses go to www.coursera.com and register with your email to begin enjoying world-class instruction on great topics of faith.  The following current offering is recommended as a supplement to Pastor Frank’s class: Becoming the Book: How the Bible Came to Be.        
 
The Bible’s Prehistory, Purpose and Political Future with Dr. Jacob L. Wright of Emory University Candler School of Theology
A six-week course on the history and origins of the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament) taught by a renowned professor of Jewish Studies

Course Overview:  With its walls razed to ground by Babylon’s armies, Jerusalem joined a long line of ancient vanquished cities—from Ur and Nineveh and Persepolis to Babylon itself. While some recovered from the destruction, others did not. But none responded to political catastrophe by fashioning the kind of elaborate and enduring monument to their own downfall that we find in the Bible. Most conquered populations viewed their subjugation as a source of shame, but the Hebrew people claimed their identity anew storytelling, becoming the People of the Book.