Lesson 8: Shem to Abram - God's Call and Covenant with Abram

Genesis 11 & 12

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Study Aids:

We have begun to see more and more that God chooses and separates out those He will use to fulfill His purpose. This is a major theme that will be continued throughout the Old Testament. This lesson records how He chose Shem, the youngest of Noah’s three sons, and ultimately his descendant, Abram.

Abram was called by God to separate himself from all the secular influences that had surrounded him. But it was to be more than a mere “separation from” those influences, it was a separation for a special purpose, a “separation to.” He was to be separated to be a blessing to all nations.

Can the practice of separation be abused and become an end in itself? Why could this happen?

In what way was Abram to become a blessing? Although this event occurred nearly four thousand years ago, do you share in this calling still today? In what way?

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Lesson 7: Mankind Rebels Again - The Tower of Babel

Genesis 10 & 11

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Study Aids:

There is an old adage that says “he who does not learn the lessons of history is condemned to repeat its mistakes.” Do you see that happening at the Garden of Eden, then with the flood, and again at Babel?

Does it remind you of a parent teaching a small child that when you touch something hot it will burn your hand? Then why do people keep making the same mistake?

Is it because we are still wanting to be like God and focus on ourselves rather than Him? How do you see it?

Suggested reading for further study:

The Key, by John Philip Cohane, from Crown Publishers, Inc. This book may now be out of print and difficult to find, but it is an intriguing attempt to trace the dispersion of the families of Noah after God scattered the people at Babel.

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Lesson 6: Sin Engulfs the World

Genesis 6 - 9

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Study Aids:

In lessons five and six the concept of selection-and-separation was introduced. Does it seem strange to you that God would select only one person out of a family to do His work? Why Seth, and not some other son of Adam? Why Noah, and not someone else?

Is this an important concept to think about? Why, or why not?

Suggested reading for further study:

The Flood, by Dr. Alfred M. Rehwinkle, from CPH. This book shows that harmony exists between the Biblical record of the flood in Genesis and natural science.

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Lesson 5: Sin Multiplies

Genesis 4

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Study Aids:

Why did Cain kill his brother? What was the ultimate underlying cause?

Does it seem reasonable that self-centeredness could lead to murder?

Could self-centeredness be considered the ultimate sin?

Is that what led Adam to his sin?

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