Category: Lessons

In Pursuit of Pleasure and Wisdom

• Lesson 3 for the week of January 13 to January 20

Background Considerations Human lives are filled with complexities and apparent contradictions. Certain biblical passages talk straight about life’s toughest issues. The author of Ecclesiastes asks his readers: “Isn’t life meaningless since in the end we...

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When Life Appears to be Meaningless

• Lesson 2 for the week of January 6 to January 13

Background Considerations What happens when we overvalue our accomplishments in wisdom, wealth or pleasure? The author of Ecclesiastes was very successful in life and he claims to have tasted pretty much everything that life has...

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What is the Purpose of Life?

• Lesson 1 for the week of December 30 to January 6

Background Considerations Does life have a meaning? I have known some people who would never dare to ask this question. Some of those people are very religious. Yet, there are parts of the Bible that...

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The End of the Beginning

• Lesson 13 for the week of December 23 to December 30

Read: Genesis 41:42 – 50:26 The book of Genesis closes with powerful examples of forgiveness and providence. Yet it is also a story that reveals the lingering effects of sin even after forgiveness has been...

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From Prison Cell to Palace

• Lesson 12 for the week of December 16 to December 23

Read: Genesis 37:2 – 41:40 Discussion themes and questions: The story of Joseph is one in which an overriding providence carries Joseph through a series of heartbreaking setbacks to a remarkable position of honor. The...

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Jacob becomes Israel

• Lesson 11 for the week of December 9 to December 16

Read: Genesis 25:19 – 29:30 Crooked Jacob, still haunted by his flawed genes and chromosomes, is still being blessed by God. And as he nears his homeland again, Jacob tussles with God until he receives...

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The Price of Duplicity

• Lesson 10 for the week of December 2 to December 9

Read: Genesis 25:19 – 29:30 The whole family knew how to cheat: Jacob cheated his brother and lied to his father; Jacob’s uncle, Laban, deceived both his daughters and Jacob by switching them on the...

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The Triumph of Faith

• Lesson 9 for the week of November 25 to December 2

Read: Genesis 20:1 – 25:10 The last years of Abraham’s life are a collage of failures, triumphs, and tragedies. He fails the test of honesty with Abimelech; he passes the test of loyalty on Mt....

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Faith and Frailty

• Lesson 8 for the week of November 18 to November 25

Read: Genesis 16:1 — 19:38 The story of Abraham brings out amazing highs and lows, from victories won with God to striking human failings. Discussion themes and questions: Hagar and Ishmael (Genesis 16). The story...

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The Man Abram

• Lesson 7 for the week of November 11 to November 18

Read: Genesis 11:27-15:21 After a long series of human disasters, God turns to Abram to help turn the tide. The early chapters of his life raise significant questions worth exploring: Discussion Themes and Questions: Joshua...

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The Earth After the Flood

• Lesson 6 for the week of November 4 to November 11

Read: Genesis 9-11 When compared with the good earth as it came from God’s hand after creation, the “new” earth after the flood presents a stark contrast — and a fruitful opportunity for some searching...

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Destruction and Renewal

• Lesson 5 for the week of October 28 to November 4

Read: Genesis 5:32 – 9:29 The story of the flood is a stark reminder that God’s perfect world did not last long. The impact of the flood is worth pondering, both from the standpoint of...

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Paradise Lost

• Lesson 4 for the week of October 21 to October 28

Read: Genesis 3:1 – 4:26 Crucial aspects of human existence are rooted in the story of the Fall and the on-going tragedy of our first parents. Discussion Themes and Questions: The subtle serpent. The serpent,...

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The Early Earth

• Lesson 3 for the week of October 14 to October 21

Read: Genesis 2 The second chapter in Genesis points to several key concepts which continue to shape Christian thinking. Discussion Themes and Questions: Sabbath. Genesis 2 opens with account of how God blessed the Sabbath....

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