If you were in charge of teaching a group of third formers the chapters you read in the Bible last night, what elements would you stress that they understand and remember about the chapters and why.
If I were a teacher and had to talk about chapters 12, 15, and 17 I would try clarifying any questions first before I started a discussion. For example when God tells Abram to build him an alter (Gen. 12) I was confused as to wether that was the first church or not and what that may have looked like. I would also address any confusing with the wording of sentences, for example line 11 "thou art fail" in Gen. 12. Important events I would want to discuss that could have held confusing intentions are when Abram and his wife meet the Egyptians. I would also address in Gen. 15 when God offers a baby to Abram and go into detail about what Abram has to do in order to get the baby. Other events I would want to open for discussion are Abram's name change from Abram to Abraham, the reason God wanted circumcision (Why when the baby is eight days old?), and Abrahams children. The reasons to address the name change and circumcision are that we don't get to hear the reasoning behind these decisions and I wonder what was to gain or what lessons were taught by making this decision. I would talk about Abraham's children because when we jump from Gen. 15 to Gen. 17 Abraham goes from being in his 70's (with no children) to his 90's (with many children) and that I would address what happened in that gap. I would also address why Abraham is so old and why he needs to have so many children. I also wonder if his wife was ever pregnant and if she was a virgin. To sum it up, I would clarify the meaning of sentences and address these three major events.
In Genesis 12, I would stress the fact that God blesses Abram, because this shows that Abram is liked by God. To be liked by God is a great achievement. Also I would stress the fact that Abram risked death to admit his marriage with Sarai. This is because he is sacrificing his life for the love between him and his wife. And this is because Adam and Eve at the forbidden fruit. I would also include that God built an alter. I am unsure of the reason, but I believe it was built so that people can worship. In Genesis 15, I would take away that Abram and Sarai are unable to have children, are told to start a new town, and are protected by God. Lastly what I would take away from Genesis 17 is that every man in the “seed” of (now) Abraham’s tribe must be circumcised. This shows their “token to the covenant’ and commitment to the tribe, and to God.
I would stress the fact that Abram's name was changed to Abraham because he became father of all nations that God had given him after God blessed him due to him favoring Abram. I would also bring up Abraham's travel to Egypt which led to God blessing him and his people and giving Abraham much of the land of Egypt. One really important thing I would express in teaching people about these chapters is God's order unto Abraham about having men have circumcisions. This represent not only a religious aspect of our current time, however, a cultural aspect of our day in age and it's interesting to think that this might be where the idea of circumcision originated for many people. Also I would stress all of the deals and proposals that God has given to Abraham and the way Abraham easily follows every one with no doubt or suspicion. And even after the birth of Ishmael Abraham remembered to enforce circumsision onto his child as did Ishmael to his child and so on and so forth.
I would say that one of the important elements to stress would be the explanation to how we all got spread out over the world and why we speak different languages. In the Bible it is explained that becuase people were working so seamlessly together and combining their thinking to build a tower to reach him, he didnt want humans to have that much power so he spread them out and mude communication much harder. I think this is important because it helps you realize the capabilities humanity possesses when they work together peacefully. Another important thing to stress woud be the covenent between Abram and God. Abram and his wife Sarai do not havve any children because Sarai is infertile, but through Abram's devotion to god, he grants them a child. The covenent mainy states that all males should be circumcised, this is proof of their devotion to god. I think this is important becuase this is an important aspect of Judaism, and because God himself has come down to discuss this with a mortal, so that means it must be important.
The chapters that we read last night all focused on Abram, and how God had chosen to provide a lot for him. God picked Abram to be the leader of a new land, and renamed him Abraham (father of many nations). In addition, God promised Abraham and his wife a child, even though they were quite old. Although Abraham listened to what God told him to do, there was no clear reason as to why God had chosen him in the first place.The text that we read emphasized that Abraham was favored by God, but didn't exactly explain what he had done to deserve it.
If I would stress one element from not only chapter fifteen but in previous chapters as well, I would stress the importance of acceptance. When The Lord claims that Abraham must be circumcised, he saves himself a lifetime of trouble by not arguing against The Lord. However, when The Lord declares Cain's gift superior to Abel's, Abel does not accept this and finds himself cursed and in a lifetime of punishment. After reading last nights chapters, Abraham did not protest anything that The Lord bestowed upon him. This element of accepting who you are will save you from trouble in the biblical times, and it seems as if the main goal is to stay out of trouble. As we look back, it is clear that this goal to stay out of punishment comes from other peoples mistakes. Accepting all situations, whether win or lose in the bible can prevent wrath and jealousy, two sins that have captured known characters.
In chapter 12 , one of the important elements was that God would take Abram and Sarai to another nation to bless them and their generations. Another important elements was hat God looks out for them so they must be important. For example, when Pharaoh starts to lust after Sarai, God punishes Pharaoh's family. In chapter 15, the only thing I would stress is Abram's strong will to keep faith in God that he would still receive a child. In chapter 17, several things are important. First, God still promises Abram a child at 99 years old. Second, He makes a covenant with Abram through flesh and blood saying that all of his generations and all that are brought up in his household must be circumcised. The last main detail is that this covenant with not be carried out with Ishmael, but with the promised son Isaac.
If I was in charge of teaching third formers the chapters we read last night, I would stress that they understand the part when God basically explains to Abram everything that will happen to the Hebrew people in years to come. I think that this conversation is important, because all that the Hebrew people went through was a big source of conflict between them and the Egyptians. I would also teach about the fact that Abram, as well as the rest of his male descendants, had to be circumcised. This is an important part of Chapter 17, because it is basically the "pinky swear" part of the covenant. Also, this act of circumcision not only applies to direct descendants of Abram, but also to people who are not of his blood, such as adopted children. However, any male , who is a part of the covenant, to go uncircumcised will be cast off from his people, because he would have broken the covenant.
I would stress that my students understand that The Lord and Abram made an agreement stating that Abram would be the owner of many nations if Abram and the men in Abram's house were circumcised. I would emphasize this because Abram and The lord ended up following their covenant, which means that they did the right actions and obeyed each other. I would stress that when The Lord wanted Abram to leave his country, he obeyed and ended up staying in Egypt temporarily. This is important because it lead to the interactions with Pharoah who needed up being forced to leave Egypt because of Sarai's appearance. I would also stress that Sarai was blessed by God and would be blessed and would be a mother of nations. I would show this because The Lord is giving rights to both genders not just the males.
If I were a teacher and had to talk about chapters 12, 15, and 17 I would try clarifying any questions first before I started a discussion. For example when God tells Abram to build him an alter (Gen. 12) I was confused as to wether that was the first church or not and what that may have looked like. I would also address any confusing with the wording of sentences, for example line 11 "thou art fail" in Gen. 12. Important events I would want to discuss that could have held confusing intentions are when Abram and his wife meet the Egyptians. I would also address in Gen. 15 when God offers a baby to Abram and go into detail about what Abram has to do in order to get the baby. Other events I would want to open for discussion are Abram's name change from Abram to Abraham, the reason God wanted circumcision (Why when the baby is eight days old?), and Abrahams children. The reasons to address the name change and circumcision are that we don't get to hear the reasoning behind these decisions and I wonder what was to gain or what lessons were taught by making this decision. I would talk about Abraham's children because when we jump from Gen. 15 to Gen. 17 Abraham goes from being in his 70's (with no children) to his 90's (with many children) and that I would address what happened in that gap. I would also address why Abraham is so old and why he needs to have so many children. I also wonder if his wife was ever pregnant and if she was a virgin. To sum it up, I would clarify the meaning of sentences and address these three major events.
ReplyDeleteIn Genesis 12, I would stress the fact that God blesses Abram, because this shows that Abram is liked by God. To be liked by God is a great achievement. Also I would stress the fact that Abram risked death to admit his marriage with Sarai. This is because he is sacrificing his life for the love between him and his wife. And this is because Adam and Eve at the forbidden fruit. I would also include that God built an alter. I am unsure of the reason, but I believe it was built so that people can worship. In Genesis 15, I would take away that Abram and Sarai are unable to have children, are told to start a new town, and are protected by God. Lastly what I would take away from Genesis 17 is that every man in the “seed” of (now) Abraham’s tribe must be circumcised. This shows their “token to the covenant’ and commitment to the tribe, and to God.
ReplyDeleteI would stress the fact that Abram's name was changed to Abraham because he became father of all nations that God had given him after God blessed him due to him favoring Abram. I would also bring up Abraham's travel to Egypt which led to God blessing him and his people and giving Abraham much of the land of Egypt. One really important thing I would express in teaching people about these chapters is God's order unto Abraham about having men have circumcisions. This represent not only a religious aspect of our current time, however, a cultural aspect of our day in age and it's interesting to think that this might be where the idea of circumcision originated for many people. Also I would stress all of the deals and proposals that God has given to Abraham and the way Abraham easily follows every one with no doubt or suspicion. And even after the birth of Ishmael Abraham remembered to enforce circumsision onto his child as did Ishmael to his child and so on and so forth.
ReplyDeleteI would say that one of the important elements to stress would be the explanation to how we all got spread out over the world and why we speak different languages. In the Bible it is explained that becuase people were working so seamlessly together and combining their thinking to build a tower to reach him, he didnt want humans to have that much power so he spread them out and mude communication much harder. I think this is important because it helps you realize the capabilities humanity possesses when they work together peacefully. Another important thing to stress woud be the covenent between Abram and God. Abram and his wife Sarai do not havve any children because Sarai is infertile, but through Abram's devotion to god, he grants them a child. The covenent mainy states that all males should be circumcised, this is proof of their devotion to god. I think this is important becuase this is an important aspect of Judaism, and because God himself has come down to discuss this with a mortal, so that means it must be important.
ReplyDeleteThe chapters that we read last night all focused on Abram, and how God had chosen to provide a lot for him. God picked Abram to be the leader of a new land, and renamed him Abraham (father of many nations). In addition, God promised Abraham and his wife a child, even though they were quite old. Although Abraham listened to what God told him to do, there was no clear reason as to why God had chosen him in the first place.The text that we read emphasized that Abraham was favored by God, but didn't exactly explain what he had done to deserve it.
ReplyDeleteIf I would stress one element from not only chapter fifteen but in previous chapters as well, I would stress the importance of acceptance. When The Lord claims that Abraham must be circumcised, he saves himself a lifetime of trouble by not arguing against The Lord. However, when The Lord declares Cain's gift superior to Abel's, Abel does not accept this and finds himself cursed and in a lifetime of punishment. After reading last nights chapters, Abraham did not protest anything that The Lord bestowed upon him. This element of accepting who you are will save you from trouble in the biblical times, and it seems as if the main goal is to stay out of trouble. As we look back, it is clear that this goal to stay out of punishment comes from other peoples mistakes. Accepting all situations, whether win or lose in the bible can prevent wrath and jealousy, two sins that have captured known characters.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 12 , one of the important elements was that God would take Abram and Sarai to another nation to bless them and their generations. Another important elements was hat God looks out for them so they must be important. For example, when Pharaoh starts to lust after Sarai, God punishes Pharaoh's family.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 15, the only thing I would stress is Abram's strong will to keep faith in God that he would still receive a child. In chapter 17, several things are important. First, God still promises Abram a child at 99 years old. Second, He makes a covenant with Abram through flesh and blood saying that all of his generations and all that are brought up in his household must be circumcised. The last main detail is that this covenant with not be carried out with Ishmael, but with the promised son Isaac.
If I was in charge of teaching third formers the chapters we read last night, I would stress that they understand the part when God basically explains to Abram everything that will happen to the Hebrew people in years to come. I think that this conversation is important, because all that the Hebrew people went through was a big source of conflict between them and the Egyptians. I would also teach about the fact that Abram, as well as the rest of his male descendants, had to be circumcised. This is an important part of Chapter 17, because it is basically the "pinky swear" part of the covenant. Also, this act of circumcision not only applies to direct descendants of Abram, but also to people who are not of his blood, such as adopted children. However, any male , who is a part of the covenant, to go uncircumcised will be cast off from his people, because he would have broken the covenant.
ReplyDeleteI would stress that my students understand that The Lord and Abram made an agreement stating that Abram would be the owner of many nations if Abram and the men in Abram's house were circumcised. I would emphasize this because Abram and The lord ended up following their covenant, which means that they did the right actions and obeyed each other. I would stress that when The Lord wanted Abram to leave his country, he obeyed and ended up staying in Egypt temporarily. This is important because it lead to the interactions with Pharoah who needed up being forced to leave Egypt because of Sarai's appearance. I would also stress that Sarai was blessed by God and would be blessed and would be a mother of nations. I would show this because The Lord is giving rights to both genders not just the males.
ReplyDelete