The Blessing of the Adopted Sons

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 48:1-22

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The Blessing of the Adopted Sons — Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 48:1-22
Sermon Series: Genesis
January 19, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   How have the narratives of Genesis changed or informed your understanding of faith? How does Hebrews 11 in particular aid our reading of these stories?
2.   What is the significance of the interchange of “Jacob” and “Israel” in v. 2?
3.   Why does Jacob begin his dialogue with Joseph by quoting God’s words from chapter 35?
4.   What makes Joseph’s desire to bring his sons to Jacob so remarkable given his position in Egypt? What does this teach us about worldly attainments?
5.   Discuss how faithfulness and faith are woven together in vv. 8-16. How does Jacob’s pronouncement of blessing over the two sons (vv. 15-16) provide insight into the Christian life?
6.   Why does God choose to carry his blessing forward by means of the younger son throughout Genesis?

References: Genesis 12:1-9; Romans 4:18-22; Hebrews 11:1, 13; Genesis 35:11-12; 1 Chronicles 5:1-2; Genesis 5:24; 6:9; Hebrews 11:21.

A New Home

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 47:1-31

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A New Home — Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 47:1-31
Sermon Series: Genesis
January 12, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   Why does God settle his people in Egypt? How does this set the stage for the storyline of Scripture?
2.   Why is it important that this new settlement be official, based on Pharaoh’s command?
3.   Why is it significant that Jacob blesses Pharaoh? What is the immediate effect of this blessing in the narrative?
4.   Discuss the contrast between Jacob’s household and the people of Canaan and Egypt. How does this illustrate the contrast between believers and unbelievers?
5.   Why is Jacob so insistent that he be buried in Canaan rather than Egypt?

References: Genesis 17:8; 15:13-14, 16; 12:2-3; Hebrews 7:7; Genesis 46:4; 24:1-9; John 14:1-3; Philippians 3:20-21.

Trouble in the Land

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 34:1-31

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Trouble in the Land — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 34:1-31
Sermon Series: Genesis
August 18, 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   How does this passage illustrate the destructive power of lust and anger in the human heart?
2.   How would intermarrying with the Hivites have affected Jacob’s family?
3.   How is Jacob depicted throughout this narrative, and what are some implications for us?
4.   Discuss the fact that Jacob’s sons repeat the sin of their father.  How have you witnessed generational sin at work in your life and the lives of your children?
5.   How does Genesis 49 help us interpret the sins of Simeon and Levi?
6.   How does this story taken in context point to the power and grace of God?  How does it point to Christ as our only hope?

References: Genesis 28:15; 33:18; Ephesians 4:26-27; Proverbs 14:29; Judges 3:5-7; Genesis 27:35; Genesis 49:5-7.

After the Ark, Part 2

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 9:18-29

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After the Ark, Part 2 -- Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 9:18-29
26 August 2018

Deep Sheet: Sermon Study Questions
1.  How do the two scenes of Genesis 9 set up a contrast between God and humanity? How does this guide us in where to direct our hope?
2.  How does this text portray the potentially destructive power of alcohol? How have you seen alcohol play a destructive role in peoples’ lives?
3.  How would you characterize Ham’s sin? Why do you think God takes dishonoring parents so seriously?
4.  How does Shem offer hope in the midst of this story?
5.  What does it mean to say that all must face a death of dust, but not all will face a death of destruction?

References: Genesis 8:21; 6:8-9; Hebrews 11:7; Psalm 104:14-15; Proverbs 20:1; 23:29-32; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Corinthians 10:12; Exodus 21:15; Leviticus 20:9; Genesis 3:15; 22:18; John 11:25-26.