This week, we focused on Genesis and Hebrew oral tradition. I know I’ve written before about how I feel bogged down in Genesis . . . well, in the five books of Moses . . . well, in the Old Testament in general . . . BUT because I’m so excited about seeing the thread that connects all of the stories in the Bible, I happily gave it another try.

1. What kind of Bible discussions make you feel lost or left out?

I never really got to have Bible discussions before EfM, so I can’t say I’ve ever had the opportunity to feel left out (if that makes sense). The Bible itself—the actual text, not just what I’ve gleaned from half–listening to the readings or catching bits and pieces of a sermon—is still new to me.

2. If you had to summarize the main storyline of Genesis up to here, how would you do it?

God creates, God promotes obedience and good behavior, God has to intervene when people mess up but still allows them the free will TO mess up. God is responsible for the first sacrifice in the Bible, and He sacrifices because of us. (I sense a theme here . . . )

3. What is something new you learned this week?

This is embarrassing, but I don’t think I’d ever really read the story of Job before. I had a general knowledge of what happened to him, but I missed Satan’s role in his story (I know, right? kind of a big deal).