David’s Bucket

Track One: Genesis 12:1-9

Genesis 12 begins the story of one of the most important religious figures for three major world religions; Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. Abram, a desert nomad hears God calling him to leave behind everything he ever knew and travel to a new land. Abram leaves behind not only the territory that he had occupied for his entire life, but also the entire “way of life” of “his father’s house.” While we today might value the son or daughter who “goes away” and makes something of their life, remember that in the ancient world, “success” was about staying put. From later episodes in Abram’s story, we know that he was raised in a family that prayed and sacrificed to many pagan gods and idols, but Abram leaves that all behind. Remember today the words of Hebrews, ch. 11 in anticipation of a large section of Hebrews dedicated to recounting the faith of Abraham, and several other figures from the Old Testament.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible. Hebrews 11:1

Look back closely at vs. 1-3 where God gives his commandment to Abraham. What would you say are God’s intentions in making this covenant with God?

In other words, what does God say will be the result of this covenant?

Would it be appropriate to say that the model for this covenant is that Abraham and his offspring will receive in order to bless others? Why or why not?

If that model is appropriate, in what way is that covenant model being lived out in your life?

For Small Group Discussion this week:

Have you ever felt God strongly asking you to do something?

What was the result of that experience?

Track Two: Genesis 12:10-20

After seeing his faithful response to God’s call for him to, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you,” we were ready to give Abram the title of “Great Biblical Hero.” But then we find Abram comes plummeting back to earth. Entering Egypt he begins to fear for his own life because of his wife’s beauty [yet another example in Genesis of the men blaming the women for their own issues!] and decides that he and Sarai should lie and tell the Egyptians that she is his sister instead of exposing the truth of their relationship and putting Abram at risk. [and Sarai too by the way even though that doesn't seem to concern her husband]

We are quickly reminded of something we should never lose in our study of the bible… that these are real people, living in real places… living very real lives. Abram is human, and as such he is subject to the same fallacies and bone-headed decisions that can plague your life and mine. Fear too often directs our lives instead of hope, and our own insecurities can powerfully motivate us in directions that we do not intend on going but find ourselves taking anyway.

God has promised to Abram to make him into a great nation. Yet, Abram is still worried about his traveling arrangements. It seems ridiculous, but a glance into our own lives, reveals how powerful this truth can be.

Looking over the course of your life, where can you see fear motivating you in a direction you did not want to go but ended up taking anyway?

And where in your life can you see yourself breaking free from fear and stepping out in faith?

Finally, what about tomorrow? Are there circumstances in your life right now where you sense a tug of war between your fear and your faith?

What are you doing to deal with the internal conflict?

[This final question would be a great discussion question for your small group]

Track Three: Genesis 13:1-18

The story we find in Genesis chapter thirteen that often gets passed over in the narrative of Abram’s journey. There is a minor dispute among shepherds that is solved by the parting of Abram’s entourage and Lot’s. These two relatives will be reunited later in our story but for now we find them going their separate ways in order to maintain peace and order between their people and their possessions. Yet I find God doing something interesting in the midst of what seems like a minor twist of events.

What God has shared with Abram only a few chapters previously about a covenant between God and Abram, God affirms again his previous promises. As we continue our journey throughout Genesis, we will find God doing this again and again. God makes a covenant, invites obedience, makes a promise… and then God does it all again. You almost get the sense that God understands that we need the reminder… that a “one shot” experience of God’s calling needs some affirmation.

I wonder today if you have found that true in your life as well. I wonder if you’ve found yourself receiving a promise from God only to have God confirm that promise again and again. I wonder if you’ve ever found yourself led down a particular path of obedience only to God have someone else in your life come along beside you and affirm your previous inclinations. I believe that God does work that way. At the very least, I have found that to be true in my life. When God starts something, God does the work necessary to finish that work.

Which bring us to some questions for today:

Where have you seen God directing you?

Where have you experienced some sense of affirmation of God’s leading in your life?

What promises have been shared?

What promises have been affirmed?

What do you think God is up to in your life right now?

Track Four: Genesis 14:1-24

First, pat yourself on the back for getting through verses 1-12. That was a lot of Old Testament names.

If you’ve been following the playlist Bible study format for a while, this isn’t your first time in Genesis 14. During our study of Hebrews, we turned back to this section of Abram’s life because of reference made by the writer of Hebrews to Melchizedek. In Hebrews, Melchizedek is understood to be a “forerunner” of Jesus and his priestly office. For more on that today, look at Hebrews 6:19-20, 7:9-25.

Abram and Melchizedek meet at Salem which most interpreters belief to be what we will later now as Jerusalem. One of the other interesting notes about Melchizedek is that he serves in this region as a King and a Priest which is one of the reasons that the author of Hebrews makes the connection between him and Jesus. 

Track Five: Genesis 15:1-21

In chapter 15, the covenant between God and Abram is again affirmed though we begin to see the first signs that the process of fulfilling this vision for Abram’s descendants might be a bit more bumpy than we might have expected. Abram brings up the lack of an heir and for the first time “floats” the idea of his heir coming from one of his slaves. During the ensuing dream that Abram has, God also alerts Abram to the length of time it will take for the covenant to be fulfilled. [See verses 13 & 14 and their connection to the upcoming Exodus story] In the end, Abram is again encouraged to be faithful to God and trust the promises that have been given to him. 

A few days ago we looked at the need we all have to experience the affirmation of God’s promises in our life. We see God doing the same thing again here in 15 with the added “warning” that the road ahead will not be easy. We certainly claim the truth that Jesus shares in the Gospel that “nothing is impossible with God,” but we also see here in chapter 15 that possibilities are not always achieved without experiencing some problems.

When you experience a setback in your life, what is your first reaction? 

Do you assume that you’ve misunderstood God and need to change directions? 

What might Abram’s story [that we have read so far at least] teach us about the nature of following God’s will? 

[For your small group discussion] What do you think this story is saying to you in your life right now?

Disclaimer: I put this playlist together while doped up on pain medication following my recent surgery. Hopefully it will all make sense!

Track One : Genesis 6:5-22

Today, I want to share with you and extended note from my study Bible that I find helpful. 

In it’s story of the flood, Israel shares a flood tradition found not only among its neighbors in the ancient Near East but also among other cultures around the world.  Two flood stories from the ancient Near East, the Epic of Atrahasis and the story of Uthapishtim from the Epic of Gilgamesh, share many features with the biblical account. The balance between order and chaos appeared fragile in these traditional societies, and their stories or origins contain not only creation accounts in which order is established from primeval chaos, but also accounts of catastrophe in which primeval chaos reasserts itself. Since chaos was so often associated with waters in antiquity, a massive flood was the primary way to portray its onslaught. 

As I read the above quote this morning, I was led to the thought that in the modern world there seems to be a certain amount of insulation that we have created from the idea of chaos. Political and social unrest still happens, but I don’t spend a great deal of time thinking about them. Natural disasters occur, but I don’t leave in fear of them… and I would never immediately connect water with chaos. 

But that wasn’t true for the ancient world. They were constantly aware of the vulnerabilities and weaknesses because the threat of chaos was so real. 

And I began to wonder which way is better… 

Today, I wonder if you would join me in considering these questions.

What are some of the positive and negative repercussions we might experience in our spiritual life if our lives were shaped like these ancient cultures? 

What are some of the positive and negative repercussions we experience in our spiritual life because of our cultures relationship with the threat of chaos? 

Do you agree with my assumptions about our relationship to chaos today? Do you see those assumptions changing? 

When do you most feel like you need God? 

Track Two: Genesis 7:1-9:17

From today’s reading, what do we learn about God? 

What do we learn about the relationship between God and God’s creation? 

Track Three: Genesis 9:18-10:32

What is the significance of the story of Noah and his sons? 

Track Four: Genesis 11:1-9

How does the story of the Tower of Babel illuminate our understanding of humanity? 

Why does God scatter the people? 

Track Five: Genesis 11:10-32

The conclusion of our second week of readings in Genesis places us on the verge of meeting the father of the Jews, Abraham. It is with this desert nomad that God will make a covenant for his descendants to be “as numerous as the stars in the sky.” We move beyond the stories that speak to the beginning of the world and will now turn to the beginning of something else new, God’s people, Israel.

We begin this new set of playlists at “the beginning” with the book of Genesis. To get a feel for the journey the journey we are about to begin with this first book of the Torah, I wanted to share the following quote from my study bible. It’s a bit lengthy, but I think it will center our thoughts as we begin. 

The purpose of accounts of beginnings like those in Genesis is certainly to address the innate human curiosity about origins. But any account of origins has much more behind it than historical curiosity. Such accounts, by describing origins, make claims about the basic nature of character of things. By describing the way God brought into being the first plants, the first animals, the first human beings, the relationship between the sexes, the first family, and the earliest ancestors of Israel and of its neighbors, these accounts define the innate nature and character of these realities. Thus accounts of beginning do not only explain; they authorize and legitimate the realities brought into being in their narratives. Since things were made this way, things are this way. [Genesis intro. pg. 2]

Translation: As you work through Genesis over the next nine weeks, pay special attention to what the writer of Genesis is saying about the nature of our reality. Rather than addressing scientific questions, Genesis cuts to the deeper theological questions. 

Who is God?

Why are we here? 

If God is real, what type of relationship does God have with our world? 

And so on. 

With that brief introduction, let us begin… at the beginning. 

Track One: Genesis 1:1-2:4a

*In verse two, we find for the first time the Hebrew word [ruakh] which is often translated as wind, spirit or breath. The NRSV version translates this as wind while the NIV has the word spirit. Keep that multiple translations of that word in mind as we work through the first few chapters of Genesis this week. 

What is the agent of God’s creation? In other words, what does God do in order to make things? 

After reading the entire passage for today, read John 1:1-5. How does the opening of John’s Gospel connect with this first creation story we find in Genesis?

[Hint: This would be a great question for you to work through with your study group if you are using the playlists in that way. Spend some time going back and forth analyzing how John connects his Gospel to this earlier story.]

Is the created order that God sets in motion static or dynamic? In other words, how does creation continue? 

Looking back at your response to the previous question, work through the next three questions. 

What does the nature about the way God creates teach us about what God is like? 

What does the nature of creation that God set in motion teach us about humanity? 

What does it teach us about our relationship to God? 

Vs. 26 is a key verse in chapter one not only because of the important statement that humanity is “created in our image” but also the vocation given to humanity in this same verse. “Let them have dominion over…” 

What do you think God means by the idea of having dominion over creation? 

Does that mean we get to do with it whatever we want? 

What responsibility, if any, does humanity bear for the created order given what God says in verse 26? 

And one more question… [This is your bonus question if you will]

Does God do anything on day seven?

Track Two: Genesis 2:4b-25

First and foremost, I want you to notice today that you are reading a second account of how the world was created. This is not a expansion of the first story. Rather, it’s a different narrative. If you don’t believe me, go back and read these stories again. If you still don’t believe me, email me. Let’s talk! In the meantime… 

What do you think about the idea that Genesis records two stories of how the world was created? 

We’re coming back to the Hebrew word we first saw in the first chapter. This time, we find it in verse seven when God “breathed into” the nostrils of the man and gave him the “[ruakh] of life.” 

Given the uses of this word we have already seen in Genesis, what significance do you take from the writer describing God giving life to the man in this way? 

The other interesting use of Hebrew we find in chapter two is the name that God gives to the first human. The Hebrew word for dirt is [adamah]. So the literal translation of verse seven is that “the Lord God formed [adam : a.k.a. dirt man] from [adamah : dirt] and breathed [ruakh] into his nostrils the [ruakh] of life.” In commenting on this verse, I once heard Rob Bell say that Genesis 2 says that we are “divine dirtclods.”

So in Genesis 2, we find God giving life to dirt. How? 

What does this teach us about the nature of what it means to be a living human being? 

Track Three: Genesis 3:1-24

Have you ever heard someone say, “Well the Bible says…” and then proceeded to share a quote that you knew was nowhere to be found in the Bible. Look back at the exchange between the Serpent and the Woman. Look specifically at the “quotes” they each share from God. 

Where do you think Adam and Eve first take a turn towards sin? 

How does the Serpent seduce them towards the wrong path?

Do either of them [Eve or the Serpent] get God’s words right?  

*Just a note on verse 6. Adam has been standing next to Eve the whole time. It’s important to note that the first sin is shared by Adam and Eve, not one first and then the other.

What does it mean for Adam and Eve to “discover” their nakedness?

According to their actions, do you think this is something more than just the absence of clothing? If so, what? 

How do Adam & Eve respond to God’s seeking them out in the garden? 

[Hint: Two things happen which are in some ways the most basic response we have to sin in our lives. What are they? Double Hint: They are used in the next question!] 

Adam and Eve hide from God and when God asks for explanation, they each blame the other one. 

How many relationships have been affected by their sin? 

After the dust settles in vs. 20, what does God do for this first couple? 

What does this tell us about God? 

Track Four: Genesis 4:1-26

The story of Cain and Abel begins a pattern that we will see repeated throughout Genesis and much of Hebrew History… the tension between siblings. Be looking for further examples of this throughout the next nine weeks. 

It is also interesting to note the uniqueness of what is happening in Genesis in relationship to other writings that we have from the Ancient world. Thomas Cahill writes in his book, The Gift of the Jews which I highly recommend to you, that in the Jewish scriptures is the first time we see the notion or idea of history. For the rest of the Ancient world, time was simply repeating itself. What was happening now had happened before and would happen again. Reality was simply a spinning wheel.

But in the Genesis accounts we begin to see a group of people who see the world differently. So different in fact that they begin to keep records of the past [you will find genealogies throughout the Hebrew scriptures] in order to chart the course of human history. 

If you’ve been through Barnes & Noble recently and seen the size of the “history” section, this may sound very strange to you, but historians like Cahill believe that we owe to the Jewish people the very idea of history itself. [I would highly recommend to you two of Cahill’s books, The Gift of the Jews and The Desire of the Everlasting Hills which is written about the time of Jesus. 

If that is true… 

What can you learn about God, yourself, and your relationship with others from the story of Cain & Abel? 

Track Five: Genesis 5:1-6:4

Today, look back at all that you have read and the reflections you have recorded and work through the following questions. 

What does your reading teach you about God? 

What does your reading teach you about humanity? 

What does your reading teach you about the relationship between God and God’s world? 

I was working this week on stuff for our men’s small group that we’ve recently started on Saturday mornings. We’ve been meeting at 7:30 a.m. on Saturdays which sounds ridiculous but we’ve had a great turn out and great discussion every morning. I know many of our men have commented that it works great for their schedule in that they can have a few hours to spend with the guys in the morning and pick up some donuts for the family on the way home. It’s quickly becoming one of the favorite parts of my week. 

I’ve been doing a three part series from the book, Point Man, by Steve Farrar. This week while prepping for a discussion on the importance of committing to spiritual disciplines, I was reminded of how many weeks have passed since I posted a Friday playlist. Steve writes this in his book about the temptation to slack off in your attention to reading scripture. 

Every morning at home, as I step off the stairs, I have to make a decision. What I want to do is open the door and pick up the paper. What I need to do is make a left turn, go over to the bookshelf in the family room, and get my Bible. Every single morning, it’s the same dilemma! Nearly every morning in my life, I have to make a conscious effort to read the Bible. You’d think it would get easier the longer I make the choice. But it doesn’t, at least not for me. The temptation to do something else is always there.

I don’t know why I find what Steve is sharing here to be so true, but I do share his sentiment. The temptation I face in the morning is to plow through the morning email, check my Google reader or see what happened the previous night in the world of sports. Everyday, no matter how many consecutive days I’ve been faithful in that practice, that temptation is there, and one of the reasons I started working up the Friday playlists is that I knew it was a way to be accountable to something else in that practice. 

But I was reminded of something else while getting ready for Saturday. I was reminded of the other reason I started the playlists… that for many, the idea of personal bible study sounds incredibly intimidating. In the spring I did a survey of our congregation and that was the number one barrier most people said they were dealing with. They didn’t know where to start, how much to read, and often didn’t understand what they were reading. This was the other reason I started the Friday Playlists.

So all that is to say, expect to see a new playlist posted next Friday, July 4th. In the meantime, you can find the three books I’ve already published a reading plan for here. 

I had thought about doing Genesis next, but if anyone out there has another book you’d like to do next, leave me a comment and let me know. 

Track One: Hebrews 6:13 – 7:28

In reference to ch. 6:13-20, my study bible contains this note. “Because of God’s faithfulness, Christian hope becomes confident expectation.”

In what ways have you seen this statement become true in your own life?

The writer of Hebrews again returns to the subject of the priesthood of Melchizedek and finds significance in several unique components of his identity.

• He is not from the tribe of Israel.
• Abram paid a tithe to him.
• Acccording to Gen. 10, we have no information regarding his lineage or what happens to him.
• An assumption is made in the Rabbi’s teaching of this text that Melchizedek lives on. 

How is the author using these areas of significance to portray Jesus as a priest “in the order of Melchizedek?

Looking at the middle section of today’s reading, we also see again the writer’s belief about the goal of God’s plan. Looking at 7:11-19, the notion of “perfection” is referred to several times. 

What do you think about this language being used to describe God’s plan? 

In what ways is it different from the language you might be more accustomed to hearing about God’s plan? 

What does the language of “perfecting creation” say to you as to the nature of God’s will for our lives and our world? 

Again, looking at this section of scripture, contrast the Levitical Priesthood [those that descended from the line of Aaron] with the Priesthood of Jesus.

What does the author of Hebrews say sets the Priesthood of Jesus apart from the line of Aaron?

Track Two: Hebrews 8:1 – 9:10

The bulk of chapter eight is dedicated to what the author refers to as “the main point,” which is contrasting the new covenant with the previous covenant that God had made with Israel. In 8:6, this new covenant with Jesus functioning as the High Priest is “a more excellent ministry,” a “better covenant,” with “better promises.” 

Looking at the text for chapter eight, how does the author develop the idea that the new covenant is a better covenant? 

8:8 – 11 is a direct quote from Jeremiah 31:31-34. What does this text say about the new covenant that has come in Jesus? 

9:1-10 is dedicated to the discussion of how the Old Covenant functioned for Israel and includes information related to Yom Kippur [the day of Atonement] where the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies and made an annual sacrifice on behalf of the entire nation of Israel. The limitation of this system is illustrated in verse nine where the text says, “gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper.” 

What do you think that statement means? 

What is it saying about the “limitation” of the Old Covenant? 

In what ways does the covenant the Jesus brings to our world “perfect the conscience of the worshiper?”

Track Three: Hebrews 9:11-10:18

In today’s reading, the author of Hebrews continues to develop the contrast between the Old Covenant where sacrifices were made year after year and the new covenant through Jesus in which the sacrifice that is made is done in heaven and “once and for all.” Much of Hebrews is dedicated to an appropriate understanding of the “identity of Jesus.” Scholars refer to this type of study as “christology” or the study of the nature of Jesus Christ. You could fill your whole house with books dedicated to this study, but one of the defining ideas that comes out of this work in mainline Christian teaching is shared in the final verse of our reading today, “where there is forgiveness of there, there is no longer any offering of sin.” 

The sacrifice of Jesus cleans the slate, once and for all. To be forgiven by God [through the blood of Jesus] is to have our sin and blemishes removed forever. The Psalmist writes it this way, “as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us.” [Psalm 103:12] 

For many of us, forgiving ourselves for the sins of yesterday is not as easy. We end up carrying around burdens and regrets that God has dealt with long ago, but we struggle to release. The writers of Hebrews quotes from Jeremiah 31 again when he writes, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” 

Today, as an act of worship, I want to encourage you to ask God for the strength and wisdom to let go of those past sins and for the courage to recognize the sins in our life today which invite us to a time of humility and repentance. 

Track Four: Hebrews 10:19 – 11:40

In 10:19, the author of Hebrews shifts gears and begins to offer words of encouragement to the recipients of this letter based on the faith claims that have been stated in the preceding chapters. Chapter 11 begins the remembrance of the “Hebrew Hall of Fame of Faith” recalling many of the characters and their stories we find throughout the bible. As we build towards the conclusion of Hebrews, I want to encourage you today to think about the people who are in your “Hall of Fame of Faith.” As you do consider these questions. 

Whose life and commitment to faith inspires you to persevere? 

What is it about their lives and life story that encourages you? 

If you had the opportunity to visit with them about their faith journey what questions would you want to ask them? 

Are there people in your life right now who are looking to you and your faith for encouragement and direction? 

Close your time today giving God thanks for models of faith and service who have been placed in your life and asking for strength to be an example of faith for those who are looking to you. 

Track Five: Hebrews 12:1 – 13:25

Today, we come to the end of our study in the book of Hebrews. We’re reading the final two chapters of this letter which again seek to encourage the reader to “set aside sin” and to “run with perseverance the race set before us.” Chapter 12 goes on to speak about the importance of receiving God’s discipline and direction and to warn disciples of Jesus from falling away from God’s grace. 

Chapter 13 wraps up this letter and provides several specific instructions for serving God well. Looking back at chapter 13, take some time today to write out all the instructions given in verses 1-19. When you have completed your list, work through these three questions. 

Of the disciplines listed, which do you most faithfully participate in? 

Looking at those you’ve been committed to, what are some of the fruits you see in your own life because of your involvement in those practices? [Don't fly by this one. Spend some time reflecting on this!]

Which of the disciplines listed do you need to be more faithful in your participation? 

I hope your heart and life has been blessed by these last two weeks you’ve spent reading through the book of Hebrews. Remember that this book is a wonderful source of inspiration and a place I would encourage you to return to in the future when you feel the need to be uplifted and inspired to keep running your race of faith! 

Peace, 

David

The reading plan for the book of James is now available here. All subsequent weeks will be posted on this page as well. I hope you’re enjoying James.

Yesterday [Saturday] we began our new message series on the Book of James. If you’d like to join me in reading the book of James and some selected texts that relate to this book, here is the reading plan for week one. I’ll be posting four weeks worth of daily readings. Feel free to email me if you have any questions.

Day One – James places great emphasis on the “fruits” of faith. To get a feel for the Jewish roots of this belief, read Leviticus 19:11-18. You will want to keep this text fresh in your mind as we move throughout the book of James.

Day Two – Read James 1:1-18 : When was the last time you experienced blessing in the midst of trouble?

Day Three – Read James 1:19-27 : What is James saying about “how faith works?”

Day Four – Read James 2:1-13 : How does this text connect with the Leviticus text we read on Monday?

Day Five – Read James 2:14-26 : What does this text say about the nature of faith?

As I shared a few days ago, I just finished the last Friday Playlist associated with the book of Matthew. The 28 chapters of Matthew ended up being broken down into six weeks of readings. When I came up with the idea for the playlists, I knew it would be a lot of work, but I didn’t realize how beneficial it was going to be for me personally. I started writing the playlists to help people stay committed to study. Having the Friday deadline to work towards has added a layer of accountability to my personal devotion time as well.

I solicited some feedback on where to go next, and I got some good responses. Thank you to everyone who shared that with me. Looking at the calendar, here is what I want to do next.

I’m going to take this week off from posting a playlist to polishing up the Matthew series for anyone who might be planning on starting with Matthew. During this week, I’m also going to lay out the readings for the next book which I’ve decided is going to be Hebrews.

I’m planning on spending about four weeks in Hebrews and then tackling one of the Pauline letters before dedicating the summer to the book of Genesis. Several people had asked me to do some Old Testament books which I think will be great. To do that, you really have to start with Genesis. Given that Genesis has 50 chapters, I thought putting that during the summer months might be a nice challenge for people considering using this bible reading plan.

So there you have it. The next playlist will be posted April 25th and will begin the book of Hebrews. We’ll follow that up with one of Paul’s letters. (I’m open to suggestions. I’m leaning towards Colossians right now.) Then we’ll turn our attention towards Genesis.