As we begin...

Bruce Feiler, author of Walking the Bible, wrote:

          "This ability of the Bible to continually reinvent itself is matched only by its ability to make itself relevant to anyone who encounters it... The chameleon-like quality is what makes the Bible so vital." (p. 408)

That's why we can read a portion of Scripture many times, but each time it is as if it is brand new. Because our level of understanding grows/changes that we're ready to go to the next level in our comprehension.

In Dr. Bob Utley's "Opening Statements on the Study of Genesis1-1," he reminds us that even though "it is beyond our mental capabilities... we must be able to comprehend it in order to be able to properly respect it. Believers interpret it differently (some poorly), but all are responsible for the truths they understand.*" (p. 2)

Remember the onion's many layers? Each of us is accountable for what we understand in God's Word...and that's different from person to person. What a just God we have.

I also agree with Dr. Utley's opening statement in each of  his "Study of Genesis" sessions:

          "A commentary is a guide, which means you're responsible for your own interpretation... You, the Bible and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretations... You must not relinquish this to a commentator. [pastor, priest, rabbi, Sunday School teacher or Bible study leader*] The questions are meant to be thought-provoking...not definitive."

Please remember these words as we begin our study of Noah.

Selah,
Connie

* emphasis & additions are by this writer

Studying Scripture

Looking for the perfect way to study and understand God's Word?

The answer is whatever works best for you, but help is available. I searched  Google and perused Pinterest and found hundreds of options. In reality, they are variations of a simple format.

First, you must make a commitment to study. Set a time; inform your family so you won't be interrupted.Write it on your calendar and to-do list. Get a simple notebook or journal to write in. Choose a place where you are comfortable- I chose a specific rocking chair in the corner. When I was there, my young son never distracted me.

Optional, join an established study group to see if that's best for you.

Choose a version of the Bible that is easy for you to read and understand. Later, you will want to do comparisons. I own about 12 versions/paraphrases that I have purchased over the years. However, I find I use BibleGateway.com and blueletterbible.org, which are faster and  less cumbersome. 

           

            Pray with an open heart and mind for God to bless your study with understanding,

            Read selection/passage/chapter slowly. Savor the words and ponder its meaning.

            Interpret and evaluate... use helps, but remember this is between you and God. 

            Listen to His instructions.

            Apply the concept  to your life.

    

Think of onions and their many layers. That's a good mental picture of our understanding of Scripture. God teaches us layer upon layer that's why the Bible is never stagnant. He builds on our unique foundation.

What you need to know...

Where you are at this moment.

Next time it will be new again.

Lysa TerKeurst wrote, “If I were able to keep it all figured out, I would start to lose that sense of reliance on the Lord.”

Personally, going deeper in God's word fills me with great joy and draws me closer to Him. When I'm not studying I feel a huge gap in my life. I pray and start again...

Charlie Brown has the right attitude:

For those of you who have studied Scripture for a long time, the above has already happened in your lives.Stick to what works for you. Embellish or expand it. Do that Google search or Check out Pinterest to freshen your approach. Consider Bible Journalling. Share your wisdom and encourage the new study-ers.

Encourage your churches to go deeper in their Scripture studies. 

One final suggestion: stay hydrated. Drink water, tea or your favorite beverage to keep your brain cells operating at full speed.

As always Scripture says it best:

Selah ~ Think on these things.

Connie

Verse By Verse & More

Genesis 6-9 study begins July 31st, 2016. 

Lessons will be posted weekly after the live sessions. 

For a student guide and FREE gift subscribe 

and I will e-mail them to you. 

See below for Introductory background notes. 

2016

The study of Noah will restart later this year.

Noah Verse by Verse

     

Who:      Noah and his family

What:     the great flood

When:    1600 years or 10 generations after Adam

Where:   Mesopotamia (modern day Iran)

Why:      to understand how the life of Noah impacts upon us today

Studying Noah’s life is like putting a puzzle together. Sadly, we will never be able to complete it... many pieces are missing. However, it will worth the attempt. I pray that looking deeper into Noah’s life will create a desire to explore other people and events in God’s Word.

We will be studying Genesis 6 through 9 verse by verse, but before we begin, I would like to set the foundation of life prior to the flood. I found I needed an understanding of the developments prior to the building of the ark and this helped me keep things in perspective: 

Old Stone Age:  prior to 10,000 B.C. ~hunting, food gathering; caves and temporary shelters; flint, chipped stone tools; cave paintings.

Middle Stone Age:  10,000 - 8000 B.C.~ food producing; first settlements.

New Stone Age:  8,000--4,000 B.C~ pottery, textiles, agriculture, domestication of animals.

Copper Age:  4,000 – 3,000 B.C. ~ copper pits, ovens, fireplaces, underground dwellings.

Early Bronze Age:  3,000 – 2,000 B.C. ~ bronze from copper, hieroglyphic writing, pyramids, many gods, from small family groups to larger nomadic clans, by 3,000 B.C. irrigation techniques, and in 2900 B.C. the 365 days calendar.       

Here's another timeline to show us that the advancements by Noah’s time were, indeed, sufficient to build the ark as God commanded.

Significant Advances:Significant Background Advancements

7500 B.C.            Hatchets used to fell trees; sheep domesticated

7000 B.C.            Stone tools shaped by grinding

6500 B.C.            Cattle domesticated; gathering of wild honey in paintings

6000 B.C.            Skull found with evidence of surgery

5500 B.C.            Evidence of pottery

5000 B.C.            Copper melted; mirrors

4500 B.C.            Brass & bronze derived from copper

4000 B.C.            Casting of molten silver & gold

3500 B.C.            Olives cultivated; planting vs. foraging

3300 B.C.            Horses domesticated

3250 B.C.            Potter’s wheel in use

3200 B.C.            Earliest writing in Sumerian language; boat with sail/picture

3150 B.C.            Wheeled carts

3100 B.C.            First kingdom-Egypt with 100,000 citizens; chariots

3000 B.C.            Egyptian hieroglyphic script

2900 B.C.            Egypt adopts civil calendar of 356 days

2700 B.C.            Writing invented

2650 B.C.            Step (cut stone) pyramid

2500 B.C.            Egyptian dam 272’ thick; percussion instruments; 

                         axes with sockets for handles

2450 B.C.            Smelted iron; copper pipes

2348/2100 B.C.    The flood

2000 B.C.            Drains, sewers & soap



Noah's family tree also indicates his knowledge base relevant to building the ark- see next post.

Selah...

Connie

Previous Post: Introduction to Genesis 6-9.

~ ~ ~

7/23/15

Temporary delay: was admitted to hospital unexpectedly on 7/20/15. I am home, just need to rest a few days and I'll return with this exciting study!

9/13/15
My desire doesn't match my ability.Unable to give you my best due to health issues. Please check back periodically... I'll be back! 

Noah's family tree also gives us insight into Noah's knowledge and capabilities. We'll look at that in the next post.

Selah, 

Connie

New Year Crash & What's up?

Began 2015 with a dead computer, but now I'm ready to share GemLode with you.

GemLode is for those who want to delve into Scripture, who want to get beneath the surface of God's Word, who want to study and increase their knowledge and then apply it to their lives.

My name is Connie and I met the Lord in a very personal way over 50 years ago. Over those years, I have been dismayed by the lack of in depth Bible studies. Now that I am retired, my greatest joy is the study of Scripture. Thanks to the internet, resources are readily available plus I have built a small Bible reference library.

Currently, I am writing a Scripture based book.

Max Lucado wrote, "Blessed are the available. Blessed are the conduits, the tunnels, the tools. Deliriously joyful are the ones who believe that if God has used sticks and rocks [and donkeys] to do His will, then He can use us."

I am available. I desire to be a conduit into God's Word. For our first study, I have used over 40 references and spent over 6 months studying and writing on Genesis 6-9. I have a student PDF for those who e-mail me at constancegilbert@gmail.com.

It is with joy that I begin next week sharing what I discovered about Noah and the Ark. I am praying for you, the readers, as we embark on this verse by verse expedition.

Selah...think on this

Connie

Computer

My computer died & has not been replaced yet. Will be back a.s.a.p.