January
13
2019

Bible Reading - Week 3

WEEK 3

Keep your eye on how God continues to work through the descendants of Abraham despite their many flaws. This vividly reminds us that what matters most in life is not human greatness but God’s faithfulness and grace.

 

VERSE OF THE WEEK

Genesis 50:20 You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result—the survival of many people.

 

DAY 1 Genesis 30-33

  • Notice how Jacob’s family grows while he is apart from his brother Esau.
  • Also watch for how his name is changed to “Israel.”
  • At the end of chapter 33 Jacob sets up an altar. What reasons does Jacob have for worshiping God? Pause to cite reasons you have for worshiping God.

 

DAY 2 Genesis 34-37

  • Jacob’s daughter Dinah gets raped, so two of Jacob’s sons—Simeon and Levi—enact revenge by killing every male in the city where the rapist lived. When Jacob learns of the revenge taken by Simeon and Levi, he fears the surrounding peoples will retaliate and destroy his entire family. What keeps the surrounding people from uniting and destroying Jacob and his family?
  • In light of God’s promise to Abraham (Genesis 12), why is protecting Jacob’s family so important?
  • Beginning in chapter 37 Joseph comes to the center of attention. Be on the lookout for how God uses Joseph to preserve the family of Jacob.

 

DAY 3 Genesis 38-40

  • The Judah-Tamar affair is simply a mess. It stands as a vivid reminder of the sin we commit when we go against God’s plan.
  • Note well the bad things that happen to Joseph. How would you react if similar unjust actions were taken against you?

 

DAY 4 Genesis 41-43

  • The story of Joseph is truly a rags to riches story. Note why God gives him the ability to interpret dreams.
  • God puts Joseph in Egypt at just the right time. Take some time to thank God for various individuals he has placed in your life at the right time to provide what you needed.

 

DAY 5 Genesis 44-46

  • Not only does the family of Jacob survive the famine, they reunite after many years of being separated from Joseph.
  • Can you let go of the pains of the past and reconcile with those who have hurt you?

 

DAY 6 Genesis 47-50

  • Jacob and Joseph both die at the end of Genesis, but their family lives on because God’s work with them is far from finished.
  • Why do you think Joseph is able to forgive his brothers?

 

EXTRA

  1. Take some time to reflect back on what you have learned from Genesis.
  2. What have you learned about God?
  3. Who is your favorite character and why?
  4. Try to summarize the whole message of Genesis in a sentence.
  5. Take time to thank God for how he has used Genesis to help you grow as a believer.

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