Snake Crusher Bible Discussion #2
GOD AND HUMANITY
Consider dinner — chip in for pizza/Doordash? or see dinner ideas on the Resources page.
Get your timer ready.
Look up Genesis 2:4-25 on your Bible app so it's ready to play.
Make sure you have a plan for playing the video (Bible Tool)
Gather Supplies:
Paper for the group — computer or notebook paper is fine!
Colored pencils or crayons or markers
Read this section out loud to the group before you start. It will help set up the discussion!
Remember our group norms for our times together:
Everyone’s voice is important.
The format of the study allows for different processing times and learning styles.
I am the facilitator, not the teacher! In fact, we will decide some things together as a group about how we proceed.
Explain this to the group:
Our second Bible Tool is Literary Context. That includes what’s before and after the passage and also the literary form of the passage. This video from BibleProject will show us the literary form of Genesis 1: Visual Commentary on Genesis 1. This will help remind us of what we discussed last week and help us gain some context for what we'll do in this session.
Play the video so that everyone can see and hear.
What insights or questions do you have after watching this video?
Explain this to the group:
Just like last time, we will listen to the story twice. The first time you can follow along in your Bible or Bible app. The second time, you'll just listen. Today's story is from Genesis chapter 2, verses 4-25.
Open your Bible app to the selected passage and hit play!
Explain this:
Okay, I'll play this story a second time and just listen.
Play the passage a second time.
Explain this to the group:
You guys are welcome to look at the story while we discuss some questions.
Ask these questions, one at a time. Leave some silent space for people to process! (Note: as people start discussing, try to respond with follow up questions.)
What happens in this story?
What does God do?
What do people do?
What happens with nature (land, sea, sky, etc.)?
What questions come to mind as you hear this story?
What important ideas do you see in this passage?
What similarities or differences do you notice between today’s story (Genesis 2) and the one we looked at last session (Genesis 1)?
What do you want to learn more about?
Explain this to the group:
Now we're going to each create a visual representation of the story to experience it in a different way. It doesn't have to be a work of art. It can be abstract, detailed or both. We'll have 5 minutes for this exercise. I have paper and colored pencils / crayons /markers if you need them. You can look at the story in your Bible as you work.
Pass out paper and pencils.
Set a timer for 5 minutes. Everyone ready? And Go!
Afterward, ask a few people to share their story.
Ask: What additional insights, if any, surfaced as you created your visual?
Decide as a group about next week’s lesson: Should we continue discussion on this passage or move on through the text for next week?
Ask participants to read and/or listen to next week’s text 3-4 times before you meet again. If they continue the discussion, they would use the same passage as this study.
Mention and/or share the optional resources below.
Gospel Coalition essay, Evangelical Interpretations of Genesis 1-2 by Vern Poythress (Article)
BibleProject video on The Tree of Life (~5 minutes)
What does it mean that humanity was created in the image of God? (Article)
Photo credit: Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash