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Snake Crusher Bible Discussion #3
THE CURSE OF THE SNAKE
THE CURSE OF THE SNAKE
Before the meeting:
Before the meeting:
Consider dinner — chip in for pizza/Doordash? or see dinner ideas on the Resources page.
Get your timer ready!
Look at this painting so you know what to expect.
Find an audio Bible — like on this Bible app! Look up Genesis 3:1-24 so it's ready to play.
Gather supplies:
Paper for the group — computer or notebook paper is fine!
Pens or pencils
Welcome and Dinner (15-20 minutes):
Welcome and Dinner (15-20 minutes):
Intro (2 minutes):
Intro (2 minutes):
Read this whole section out loud to the group before you start.
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.
Bible Tool #3: Observation (5-10 minutes)
Bible Tool #3: Observation (5-10 minutes)
Explain this to the group:
Our third Bible Tool is Observation. That means noticing everything you can about the story you're reading. We're going to practice observation with a painting instead of a Bible story. We'll take 3 minutes to look at a painting and write down details that you notice about it. I have paper and pens/pencils if you need them. Here's the painting.
Display the painting and set a timer for 3 minutes. When the timer goes off, ask the following question and give enough time for several people to answer.
What did you notice about the painting?
Display the "Things to observe about a Bible passage" on screen, have everyone read it silently, and send them a link to it (press and hold the image for a pop-up menu that allows you to easily share).
Explain this to the group:
Keep these things in mind when we listen to the story.
Hear the passage (6-8 minutes):
Hear the passage (6-8 minutes):
Explain this to the group:
Like we've been doing, we'll 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 3, verses 1-24.
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.
Discussion (20-30 minutes):
Discussion (20-30 minutes):
Explain this to the group:
You guys are welcome to look at the passage 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?
Genesis 3:15 is a verse that kicks off an important theme in the Scriptures. How would you put that verse in your own words? OR How would you describe that theme?
What do you want to learn more about?
Experience the text (15 minutes):
Experience the text (15 minutes):
Explain this to the group:
Now we’re each going to do an exercise to experience the story in a different way. You'll have 5 minutes to draw a picture or describe an object that reminds you of something significant about this story. You can also look at the story in the Bible or app. I have paper and pens/pencils if you need.
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 did this exercise?
What’s next? (5-10 minutes)
What’s next? (5-10 minutes)
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.
Optional resources for further study:
Optional resources for further study:
The BibleProject video: Blessing and Cursing
Putting the Pieces Together: How to make sense of the Old Testament by Brian M. Williams (paperback, also available as an ebook)
God of Creation: A Study of Genesis 1-11 by Jen Wilkin
Photo credit: Aiman Butt on unsplash
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