Bible Study Questions for Tonight

Genesis: Study 9

Tonight’s study will focus on two subjects: the sign of the covenant between God and Abraham and the meeting between Abraham, Sarah and the three visitors. Regarding the sign of the covenant, it will be important for us to explore its importance and meaning. Many know what this sign was, but why did God choose this procedure to represent His covenant with man? It is also vital that we understand the incredible importance of the meeting between Abraham, Sarah and the three visitors. This story presents a complex idea in simple speech that we all need to understand.

Genesis 17:1-27 (The Sign of the Covenant)

Questions for Discussion

Why does God choose the process of circumcision to signify the covenant He has with Abraham and his descendants? What is the deeper meaning here?

Why does Abraham laugh after he’s told he and his wife will have a child? Is he laughing at God?

What does Abraham’s exclamation mean in verse 18?

Is there any significance in the fact that Abraham performs all of the circumcisions on those in his household himself? If so, what is that significance?

Genesis 18:1-15 (A Son Promised to Abraham and Sarah)

Questions for Discussion

Why does God visit Abraham and Sarah in person?

Who are the other two men present with God during this encounter?

How is Abraham able to recognize the Lord so quickly? Would any other man or woman at this point in the bible narrative be able to do the same?

Why does Sarah laugh at God’s words? Are we sometimes guilty of this same behavior? Why does the Lord become so angry with Sarah when she laughs, but shows no anger at the laughter of Abraham in the previous chapter?

Can you imagine meeting God face-to-face on earth? What would be going through your mind?

What does this story tell us about the human condition? What does this story tell us about God?

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Pictures by Hbrowning



May the inspiration of the sunset and the hope of the sunrise colour your skies through life as you allow the beauty of that which has gone and the promise of that which is coming, to fill you with wonder and joy" Author Unknown

A Small Question

I have been doing quite a bit of thinking lately, and I have often wandered if we can sit back, relax, and enjoy ourselves if we are Christians. People have told me that I am very calm and that I need to relax and enjoy life as a teen. so, my question is, can someone relax and enjoy their lives and still be a Christian?

Ministry & Counsel

I know it's a little late to post this, but wanted to remind everyone that Ministry and Counsel and Trustees Meetings are tonight at 6:30 p.m.

Does God Love Me?

Does God love me? After all, there are billions of people on this planet, many with problems far worse than mine. Why would God care about my little problems? God cares for all of His creation. The Bible says that God even cares for sparrows, one of the most numerous species of birds on earth. Despite their number, the Bible says that God knows when each one of them dies. How much more would He care for individual human beings, who He made in His image and likeness? Does God love me? I’ve done a lot of bad things. I don’t deserve God’s love. The Bible says that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. The Bible also says that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16, KJV). Who did God love? God loved the world. The world includes every human being that ever lived and would ever live on this planet. Jesus Christ died because He loves the people of the world and does not want any to spend their life on earth, or their eternal life, apart from Him. Jesus loved the men who placed a crown of thorns upon His head and spat upon Him and mocked Him. Jesus loved the men who whipped Him and beat Him beyond human recognition. Jesus loved those who saw Him carrying the cross up Golgotha’s mountain and jeered at Him and cursed Him. He even loved those who nailed His hands and feet to the cross and gave Him vinegar, instead of water, when He said that He was thirsty. The evidence that Jesus loved His tormenters is that He never struck or cursed them. He never tried to defend Himself, though He was innocent and did not deserve to die. He could have called legions of angels to rescue Him, but He didn’t. Because He is God incarnate, He could have destroyed every one of them without lifting a finger, but He didn’t. He endured the torture and humiliation, at the hands of evil people, because He loved them and loves mankind. He knew that His death was the only way that humanity would have a chance to be reconciled to God and to have a personal relationship with Him. Does God love me? You bet! The Bible says that God knows the number of hairs on your head. It says that God knows your thought afar off (from His heavenly abode) and is intimately acquainted with all of your ways. He knew you before you were formed in your mother’s womb. Why would God take so much interest in you if He didn’t love you? Won’t you accept God’s invitation to have a personal relationship with Him today? Will you allow Him to take care of you, the way that He wants to, by making Him your Savior and the Lord of your life?

Submitted by: Heather (I read this online and wanted to share)

Bible Study Questions for Tonight

Genesis: Study 8

Tonight we will discuss, in detail, the covenant between God and Abram (the Abrahamic Covenant). What was God’s promise to Abram? What is the difference between a promise and a covenant? What is Abram’s initial reaction in this chapter to what God has promised him? How can we relate this situation to our own lives? In addition, we will cover the story of the birth of Ishmael in tonight’s session. We will look at the situation between Abram, Sarai and Hagar in both a historical/cultural sense and in an ethical sense so that the full impact of this section of Genesis can be understood.

Pronunciation of terms/names and their meanings:

El-roi (el-raw-ee) – the God who sees

Ishmael (eesh-mah-el) – God hears

Beer Lahai Roi (beh-ehr la-ha-ee raw-ee) – the well of the Living One who sees me

Genesis 15:1-21 (The Abrahamic Covenant)

Questions for Discussion

How would you describe Abram’s tone as he speaks with God at the beginning of this chapter? Does he have the right to speak the way he does to the Lord? Why does God seem to tolerate this tone from Abram? If the voice of God spoke directly to you and you recognized it for what it is, would you have the audacity to question the Lord as Abram does?

Describe the positions of both God and Abram within the covenant relationship.

What is the significance of the ceremony involving the cutting in half of the various animals? Why is this process an important aspect of the covenant agreement?

Why does God place Abram into a deep sleep immediately before telling him of the future oppression of his people? Some of the words used to describe this trance-like state in different translations of the bible are “horror”, “terrifying”, and “darkness”. Why do you believe these words are used to describe what Abram experienced in this situation?

What exactly is God’s covenant with Abram?

Genesis 16:1-16 (The Birth of Ishmael)

Questions for Discussion

What is the historical background surrounding the situation between Abram, Sarai and Hagar? How is this situation a reflection of the cultural practices of the people of the ancient Middle East?

Even bearing in mind the cultural context regarding this section of Genesis, does this arrangement seem fair to Hagar? If you were put in her place, would you not feel some resentment towards your mistress?

Who names Ishmael - the angel of the Lord, or Abram? Why does God make a promise to Hagar that is amazingly similar to the one he gives Abram in the previous chapter?

Bible Study

YES - we are having Bible Study tonight. I have heard that Heather is bringing a casserole and a dessert. Paulette is bringing a chicken Rice-a-Roni dish and tapioca pudding. I believe there is plenty of milk, chocolate milk, orange juice, and iced tea left over from Sunday. So if anyone needs to have their diet-cokes or diet pepsi - they will need to bring them. Looking forward to Will posting his lesson sometime today.

Funny Story

Last evening Paulette and I went to Walmart (Noblesville) to do a little shopping and when we went in the door, the alarms went off! Paulette entered first and that's when they went off, so it was HER!!!! They questioned her and just couldn't understand why that happened when she was entering the store rather than exiting! We did our shopping and picked up a few things for the meal tonight for the Bible Study, checked out and headed for the door. ALARMS AGAIN! This time, it was a different employee and he questioned her thoroughly about what she had in her purse. He asked her if it was a new purse or if she had new sunglasses in there or if she had a new wallet. She said no - everything was old! They checked our receipt and looked through all of our bags and finally let us go. We talked about it all the way home wondering how she could set off the alarms like that. After we got home, she took everything out of her purse and discovered that Velma had given her some jewelry Sunday at Church as a gift. Paulette just put it in her purse, but the security bar had not been removed from it! If they had gone through her purse, they would have thought she stole them and I would have had to bail my wife out of jail! LOL! All from a gift from the Noblesville Police Department Dispatcher! LOL! We got quite a laugh out of it. She will probably kill me that I've shared it, but it was just too good to keep it to myself! I guess those things are really sensative to read through all of that stuff she keeps in her purse!

Happy Birthday in Loving Memory to Michelle Bryant

A BIG Thank-you!

Oh what a wonderful day we had yesterday! I just want to thank EVERYONE who helped to make it such a Special Day! I appreciated the teens helping out with hiding the eggs and everyone who brought food for the breakfast. We had some new faces in our Worship Service yesterday and I heard good comments about the "Love" they felt in our Church. When I came home yesterday, my mind was spinning with all of the activities of the day and how proud I am of our Church Family! We truly do have something "special" here at Hinkle that is rare in this fast paced world! I pray that those new people will be drawn to that Love you all expressed and they will want to be a part of us. I'm excited to see what God is going to do next here at Hinkle Creek! It just keeps getting better and better! I've said it before and I'll say it again - I'm the most blessed Pastor in the world to be a part of such a wonderful congregation! I'm already looking forwarding to being with all of you tomorrow night at Bible Study! I just can't get enough of our fellowship together!

Thanks for posting these wonderful pictures Heather! They really catch the joy that was felt by everyone yesterday!

Happy Easter - Pictures From Heather

Tuesday Night Bible Study

Would anyone happen to know if there's going to be Bible Study this next Tuesday. Was just wondering with so many folks being gone on Spring Break next week and all.

Sunrise Service

Just wanted to remind everyone that the Sunrise Service will begin prompty at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday morning. I hope you will all enjoy this "different" type of service. Jeff VanWinkle and Paulette will be singing a duet together and it is quite beautiful. The Sanctuary will be dark and it would be good if everyone could fit in the main Sanctuary so that you can view the presentation better. You might be restricted if you sit on the north side. This is the first time we have done a Sunrise Service in many years, so I pray that it will be succesful. I remember the day when we had a full choir dressed in choir robes and they put on a Cantata which was always so nice and many people looked forward to it. Breakfast will be served following the Sunrise Service. Years ago, the ladies cooked everything in the kitchen to serve, but we need everyone to pitch-in and bring something so that it is not so much work on one or two people. So get out those casserole recipes, sweets, or whatever you can bring. Coffee, juice, milk and table service will be provided.

Thanks to Alex Clemons and Lance Browning for their hard work last evening helping Paulette and I fill 150+ eggs with candy for the egg hunt immediately following services! Pass the word to families with children for this special event! Also, thanks to Betty and Annette VanWinkle for their generous donation of "treats" for all of the children. No child will be left out!

I look forward to seeing everyone on Sunday at BOTH services!

From Bev

http://asweetspirit.com/OnMyFatherSide.html