God gave me a verse years ago, which I have to admit, has caused me both peace and unrest. Paraphrased is goes like this, “Janice if in all your ways, you acknowledge Me, I will give you direction,”  Proverbs 3:6 Well…, my way in this Bible study was to not have any foundational truth questions, which usually is interpreted as “pat” answers. God has made it clear that I need to include these types of questions.  How you choose to use these questions in your life, is not for me to determine.  So…., with God’s direction, you will have some foundational truth questions.  I will write “FOUNDATIONAL TRUTH” followed by the question.  I do not want to confuse you with “thinking outside the box” with what is foundational.

For example, Foundational Truth – Does God love you? Write a verse which substantiates your answer. You may not use John 3:16. Dig deeper.

I am asking God to continue to lead me, as my way, gets in the way of HIS WAYS.

CHAPTER 13

FOUNDATIONAL TRUTH: Go back to chapter 10.   Which of the sons of Noah was responsible for the Canaanites?  This is important to remember throughout the reading of the Old Testament. 

The Canaanites are seen often in the Old Testament.  Are they always friends of Israel? Look at Judges 1:9 for example.

We read that Lot chose to live where people were wicked and sinners or rebels against the Lord.

Have you ever been to a place of wickedness?  What was your purpose in doing this?  How did you respond?

Go to Matthew 10:22 – How has this been true in your life?

CHAPTER 14

Concerning Lot being taken as a prisoner.  Reflect on your life.  When did you make a bad decision and yet God sent someone to your defense? 

What were your thoughts in the middle of the turmoil, knowing it was because of a choice you made?

Verse 21 – In your opinion did the kings of Sodom have a right to ask for the men to be returned to him?  Why or why not?

CHAPTER 15

FOUNDATIONAL TRUTH: Before Christ came, God counted belief in Him as righteousness. 

Does this affect how you think about righteousness?

FOUNDATIONAL TRUTH: God made a covenant with Abraham.

What covenant has God made with us?  Hint; this is found in the New Testament.

CHAPTER 16

Write your thoughts about Sarai and her maid.

Was it some sort of test for Abram and his faithfulness to her? 

Was she hoping it was Abraham’s fault for not having a child?

Was she testing Hagar?   

Any other thoughts?

Have you ever listened to and acted on advice that seemed wrong at some level and followed the advice anyway?  Why, or what motivated you to do it?

Look at the two ways Hagar was described.  Verse 3 and Verse 4. What are your thoughts about this?

FOUNDATIONAL TRUTH: God told Hagar what kind of child Ishmael was going to be. Does God only tell of the positive in our lives?  John 16:33

CHAPTER 17

Fun question – If you could change your first name, what would it be?

FOUNDATIONAL TRUTH:  God expanded the covenant with Abraham in this chapter which included Abraham having a responsibility within this covenant.

Do we have a responsibility in the covenant He made with us or is totally dependent on Him? Luke 1-68-74 Luke 22:20, Romans 11:27, 2^nd Corinthians 3: 6 and 14

Write a prayer to God thanking Him for his covenant with you.

We will explore the covenants of God in later lessons.  This is not an all inclusive look at the covenant. 

CHAPTER 18

Abraham had a conversation with God about Sarah having a son in Chapter 17, yet she laughs in this chapter.  Any thoughts about conversations she might have had or didn’t have with Abraham?

Have you judged or made a negative comment about Sarah laughing?  What absolute truth did you use?

What impression(s) do you have about the conversation between God and Abraham?

Refer back to chapter 15.  What was the foundational truth about righteousness?

FOUNDATIONAL TRUTH: 1^st Corinthians 1:30 Romans 10:4,   

Did Jesus’ death and resurrection automatically save all humanity?

Here are some New Testament verses to help you.  Romans 1:17, 3:22, Romans 4:3, Romans 5:17-18, Romans 10:10

Paraphrase what these verses reflect.

Genesis chapter 7 – 12

These questions are written with the idea that it helps you ask questions while reading, which is my prayer for you.  We will also continue to have “Real Talk” with God.    

Chapter 7

Think about family members who do not believe God. Would you do all you could, to bring them to safety? 

Have you been in a situation similar to Noah where you had to abandon your immediate family (Mom, Dad, grandchild, nephew, niece, etc..) for God?

Why do you think God inspired the writer to add that the waters rose 20 feet above the mountains?

Is there something new in this chapter you have never noticed before or a question that you pondered about this chapter in which there is no immediate answer?

Chapter 8

Look back to chapter 5 and find what Noah’s name meant. 

Do you think Lamech envisioned what was to happen to mankind? Why or why not?

What did you envision in your life and what became reality?

Chapter 9

What were you expected to do as a child, teenager and/or young adult?

Write your definition of CURSED.

We are called to be a servant.  Is it the same type of servant Canaan was told he would be?  Why or why not?

After reading this chapter did you have more questions than answers? Write down those questions.

Chapter 10

Who is the relative to whom you are most proud to be related?  Why?

Nimrod was “…a mighty hunter before the Lord.”  In what area of your life do you see yourself as mighty before the Lord? 

Write a prayer to God thanking Him for making you mighty in an area of your life or asking Him to show you how you are mighty before Him.  Again, this is having real talk with God.

Chapter 11

Have you had an ambition for your life which could not be accomplished without help? Was there a person in your life who was against it?

Have you had a time in your life where it felt like God caused a Babel?

God has the writer break down Shem’s descendants into ages.  We do not see that for the other sons of Noah.  Why do think it was important to do this for Shem and his family?

Chapter 12

Where is home?

Define the word BLESSED.

Think back to a time you did not trust God. Did you repent or did you choose to ignore your action? Allow the Spirit to reveal your heart, before you answer this question.

Write a prayer thanking Him for His faithfulness in the midst of your unbelief. 

GENESIS chapters 1 – 6

Chapter 1 –

What was the most important element / thing / part of creation?  Why?

Outside of your relationship with God, what part of creation brings the most joy to you?   Why?

 I am presuming that your relationship with God is the most enjoyable.  If it is not, have a conversation with God asking Him to give you joy in your relationship.  Only you and God will know about this conversation.   It is important that you start this Bible study in complete honesty with God.   Psalm 51:12 reveals the Psalmist asking God to restore the joy of salvation.  You are not alone, if in this is the season of your life, there is no joy.  But I do believe you have to ask for it.   

Chapter 2 –

How do you define a Sabbath day?

Do you have a Sabbath set apart for God?   

If you do have a day, you set apart for God, how do you explain it to someone who may ask you? 

What was most important in this chapter?  Why?

Chapter 3 –

How do you try to hide?  Think about this.  It will take the Spirit to reveal it to you.

Is it healthy to have secrets? Why or why not?

What secrets do you keep? (A secret is different than a surprise. You may be planning a surprise party, and one day everyone will know about it. I am asking about something you do not want anyone to know about, regardless of the reason) I will encourage to write this on a separate piece of paper. I don’t want you to skip this question. You may not want to write it for fear someone else may read it. But your honesty with God about this secret is important for your real talk with God.

Write a prayer to God about your walk with Him.  It doesn’t have to be an expose’.  A few sentences or a paragraph.  This is a good exercise to help you develop real talk with God.

Chapter 4 –

Do you think Abel was more favored than Cain by Adam and/or Eve?  Why or why not?

Did Cain kill as a spur of the moment decision?  Explain your reason.

Chapter 5 –

If you could ask a question to a relative who lived 200 years ago; What would you ask them? Think about the era, and society which would have existed at the time.

Lamech came to the conclusion that his revenge is seventy-seven fold.  Why do you think he came to this conclusion?

How do you come to conclusions?

Chapter 6 –

Did Noah have a good relationship with his sons?  Why or why not?

What thought of your heart is evil or has been evil?  Let the Spirit reveal this to you.  Please don’t move past this question.  Honesty with God will bring a better understanding of yourself with Him.

As we go through the Bible reading with Pastor Danny, we will explore the Word of God together. There will be questions for you to explore YOUR thoughts. There will be no correct answers to these questions. I am not a “fill in the blank” person for knowledge. I do not think there are “pat” answers. Life does not allow for these types of responses. The journey you have with God is as an individual, working together with the Church of believers, to accomplish the work of the ministry which God has given to you. This Bible Study will be for you to evaluate your thoughts, behaviors, and actions based on the reading of the scripture. One of my favorite quotes is “The Bible was never meant to be reduced to mere study nor insulted by dissection. The Bible is living and designed to be lived.” (author unknown) I pray you are excited to explore God’s word together.

I will be posting the questions for each week’s reading on this page and will have printed copies of them at the church. Look here for the questions on Friday or Saturday for the following week’s reading. For example, we are reading the first six chapters of Genesis the week of January 1st – January 7th. The questions will be for Genesis chapters 1 through 6. Because there is no workbook, you may want to get a three ring binder with lined paper. The daily question page may not have space for your answers, prayers and thoughts.