1/9 Genesis 11 - The Dark Backdrop of the Rest of Genesis
Release Date: 01/09/2025
Key Chapters of the Bible
We often talk about the 10 Commandments, but did you know they were actually given twice to the Children of Israel? Not only that, but the context of this retelling of the 10 Commandments in Deuteronomy 5 clarifies what these commands meant and how the people were to learn them and live by them. Join us! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1. What does the name “Deuteronomy” mean? Who was this Second Law given to? Why did they need this law a second time? 2. In terms of an overview of Deuteronomy 5, what is this passage about? What other Old Testament...
info_outlineKey Chapters of the Bible
One of the most important principles of the Christian life is that of living by faith. Today, we’re studying Numbers 21 where the people’s faith is truly a matter of life & death. We’ll see the severity of their situation and how their faith prefigured the faith that we’re to have in Jesus as our only way of salvation. Join us for another important study in God’s Word! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1. The podcast mentioned that we skipped over several chapters which chronicled several difficult challenges that the Children of Israel faced. What do you think the...
info_outlineKey Chapters of the Bible
Numbers 13 & 14 is one of those passages we just have to know. This passage explains why the Children of Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. It also helps us understand the necessity of faith and trust in God in all times. Finally, it shows us the tragic outcome when people are defeated by doubt. Join us for a powerful study in how faith and trust ultimately overcome doubt and despair. DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1. If someone asked you, “Why did the Israelites wander in the wilderness, before today’s study, what would you have said?” 2....
info_outlineKey Chapters of the Bible
There are times when it seems like we've just been benched by God and we may not know why. Well, today, we’ll look at Numbers 12 and read about what God did to pull down Miriam and Aaron's influence among the people of God. We'll see that they were sidelined for pride. Join us! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: Numbers 12 1. Have you ever heard someone who wanted to be involved in ministry, but just seemed to be stuck? Why do you think that was? 2. In verse 1, what was the surface reason that Aaron and Miriam were upset with Moses? What was the real reason for their...
info_outlineKey Chapters of the Bible
There are times, in all of our lives, when we're tempted to grumble and complain. These times can discourage ourselves and others. Today, we'll study Numbers 11 and see how the Children of Israel's grumbling brought discouragement to Moses and judgment upon themselves. DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1. The podcast suggests that Numbers might be one of the hardest books of the Bible to read and understand. What books have you found difficult to work through? Why? 2. What does the people’s complaints indicate about their trust in the Lord? How is this a break...
info_outlineKey Chapters of the Bible
A common question that people have is "Is God judging me?" Today we're going to look at Leviticus 26 which unpacks the judgments of God and helps us understand why God might judge someone and what that judgment is supposed to accomplish. So join us in another study of the Key Chapters of the Bible! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1. This passage contains familiar commands with unique emphases. How does verse 1 help us see clearly that the command to have no idols before God simply means to not bow down to worship anyone or anything but the Lord? 2. Verse 2 links...
info_outlineKey Chapters of the Bible
We might not realize just how amazing and profound the Jewish Feasts were, but today we'll see that not only were they times of great celebration, remembrance and consecration; but even more importantly, they specifically and directly pointed the entire nation of Israel to her Messiah. Join us in another key study of another key chapter of God's Word! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: Leviticus 23 1. According to the podcast, how was the Jewish calendar set? How might that produce fluidity for when the Jewish feasts would be held? 2. What was the Sabbath feast...
info_outlineKey Chapters of the Bible
Leviticus 18 is a well-known passage for its long list of condemnation of various sexual sins. And while it may be overwhelming, it's still helpful for us to know what God thinks about the sins of our world. And, even more importantly, we need to understand the judgment that awaits those who flagrantly violate His commands. So, join us in this heavy chapter that guides us in what purity looks like in an impure world. DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: Leviticus 18 1. The podcast mentioned that ancient rabbis supposedly said that the Book of Leviticus was one of the first books...
info_outlineKey Chapters of the Bible
Anyone who has read much of Leviticus knows that it has a lot to say about "blood". Although it's kind of an unusual topic in our day and age, it was central to the Old Testament system of worship. Today, as we study Leviticus 17, we find out why. We also find that it's in the context of God's prohibitions about homemade, made-up worship. So join us in another study in another Key Chapter of the Bible! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1. What did verses 3 & 4 prohibit? In light of what we learned from Leviticus 10, what principles were driving this instruction? How might a...
info_outlineKey Chapters of the Bible
Leviticus 16 is one of the most important chapters in the entire Old Testament because it tells us how a person is made holy enough to be in God's holy presence. Today in our study of Leviticus 16, we'll explain the details to see how they ultimately point to Jesus Christ. Join us! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1. The podcast asserted that Leviticus 16 is the most important chapter in the book of Leviticus, and one of the most important chapters in the entire Bible. Why did the podcast suggest this? 2. The podcast mentioned that Leviticus 16 answers the...
info_outlineThe Tower of Babel is one of those events that is incredibly important but often misunderstood. Today, we'll study Genesis 11 and see why this passage is in our Bibles and how it serves as a dark backdrop to the entire message of God's Word. Join us for a key study in the key chapters in God's Word!
DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS:
Genesis 11 1. Read through Genesis 11 and place a box around any words or phrases that speak of man’s unity. Place a triangle around any words or phrases that speak of man’s disunity. How does man’s inability to communicate contribute to the disharmony among people?
2. Read through Genesis 11 and circle the names Shem (in verse 10), Eber (in verse 14), Terah (in verse 24), and Abram (in verse 26). Then draw a line that connects them all, starting from Shem and ending with Abram. What is the significance of these connections?
3. How did the study suggest that Genesis 11 serves as a dark backdrop to the rest of the Bible? What is so dark in this chapter? What is the diamond at the end of it?
4. In verse 4, what reason did the people give for wanting to stay in the land of Shinar? What command was this in direct disobedience to? What was the purpose of that command?
5. Looking at how the people were reasoning in verses 3 and 4, would you say they were taking God’s instructions into consideration or disregarding them? Why do you think they had this mindset?
6. In verse 4, was their sin “building the tower” or something else? How is that significant to the plan of God given in Genesis 1:28 and 9:1?
7. The people used God’s blessings to sin against Him. How might a person still use their God-given blessings to sin against Him? What, instead, should we do with God’s blessings?
8. How did God’s judgment redirect the people to obey His commands? What does this tell us about one of the purposes of God’s judgment?
9. Who is the key person mentioned in verse 26? According to Genesis 17:5, what was his name later changed to? What did this new name mean?
10. The people who settled in the Plain of Shinar were doing what seemed good to them, but they completely disregarded God’s commands. When you look at your approach to life, how do you make decisions? Do most of your decisions simply reflect what you think is best? Do you normally consult God’s Word for what He says on that matter? Why or why not?
11. Would the people who know you describe you as a person who is actively seeking live according to God’s way? Are you a person who seeks to please God, obey Him, and glorify Him? Why or why not?
12. What implication does the meaning of “Abraham” have for the kind of nation Abraham was to be the father of? What does the study tell us about God’s plan for choosing Abram from among the nations?
13. Although we ought to obey God, none of us do perfectly. None of us can fully obey Him in our own strength. As we end our study in Genesis 11, take a moment to seek God’s transforming grace, so that He might transform your heart, mind, will, and actions to conform to His holy standard in submission to His Son, who is our Lord and God and King?
Check out our Bible Study Guide on the Key Chapters of Genesis! Available on Amazon!
To see our dedicated podcast website with access to all our episodes and other resources, visit us at: www.keychapters.org.
Find us on all major platforms, or use these direct links:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6OqbnDRrfuyHRmkpUSyoHv
Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/366-key-chapters-in-the-bible/id1493571819
YouTube: Key Chapters of the Bible on YouTube.
As always, we are grateful to be included in the "Top 100 Bible Podcasts to Follow" from Feedspot.com.
Also for regularly being awarded "Podcast of the Day" from PlayerFM.
Special thanks to Joseph McDade for providing our theme music.