討論問題

TAFPC Adult Sunday School Bible Study

台美團契長老教會成人主日學三年讀經運動 06/12/2005 討論問題

Question 1:  Genesis 25: 27-34, 27: 1-29 

            Jacob persuaded Esau to yield him the right of the first-born son.  Moreover, Jacob tricked to achieve Isaac’s blessing that sealed the right.  The right transferred through yielding and blessing was stated in words, unlike nowadays often notarized by some (legal) authority document. 

Please discuss why the blessing was so significant in this Biblical context.  Compared it to the present day, what significant meaning does a blessing in verbal, such as the closing one in a Sunday service, still carry?   

Question 2:  Genesis 3; 12:13-20; 20:1-7; 26:6-15; 27:1-29 

God has been very merciful and forgiving to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, though they have made some mistakes during their lives. In contrast, God was harsh punishing Adam and Eve severely for their wrong doings.

In common sense, it seems that there were double standards when God judged different human behaviors. What does the Bible try to teach us here from these characters?

Question 3:  Genesis 28: 10 – 22 

       Jacob left home for avoiding a feud with his brother Esau.  In the middle of his way, he alone camped and slept in the wildness.  Revealing a ladder/ramp to the Heaven, God granted him a vision in dream promising that God’s protection and prosperity would be with him always.  Waking up, Jacob realized that the place he had camped at was sacred and therefore named it Beth (house) El (God), Bethel, which meant the house of God.

          What did the ladder stand for in this narrative?  If you also read the New Testament the Gospel of John 1:51, what insight do you have?  Please share your interpretation.

           How do you define the house of God in your own life?

Question 4:  Genesis 30: 25~43

       After 14 years of hard work, Jacob likes to go back to his homeland.  Laban knew that his wealth increased because Jacob had God's special blessing.  Laban got greedy and asked Jacob to continue to bring him more wealth.  Jacob then used "special strategy" to gain the livestock for himself and became rich. 

       Do you think Jacob still had his old cheating nature (like he cheated his brother Esau)?  Do you approve this kind of strategy?  Will you approve this kind of method if used as business strategy?