Whether you heard the message from Sunday or are part of one of our “What’s Next” groups at Venture, here’s a way for you to go deeper.
this week's next steps
Turn to God
Have hope that God will bring justice
Have hope that God will bring justice
Read Genesis 10-11 for Next Week
THIS WEEK'S STUDY
In the biblical narrative of the Flood, we are confronted with the depths of human depravity and the consequences of unchecked sin. The world of Genesis 6 is a chilling portrait of a society consumed by violence and evil, where every thought and imagination was "consistently and totally evil." God, who had created humanity with love and purpose, is grieved to the point of heartbreak by the extent of their wickedness. Yet, amidst this bleak landscape, a glimmer of hope emerges in the form of Noah, a righteous man who "found favor with God." Noah's obedience and unwavering faith in the face of overwhelming evil stand as a testament to the enduring power of God's grace.
The Flood serves as both a sobering reminder of God's justice and a beacon of hope. It underscores the reality that God's patience, while vast, is not infinite. There will be a day of reckoning when evil will be judged. Yet, even in the midst of judgment, God's mercy prevails. He preserves Noah and his family, ensuring the continuation of humanity and the possibility of a redeemed future. The rainbow, a symbol of God's covenant, serves as a reminder that even after the darkest storms, His faithfulness and love endure. In a world that often seems overwhelmed by violence and injustice, the story of the Flood offers a message of hope: that even in the face of overwhelming evil, God's grace and justice will ultimately prevail. It is a call to turn from our own wickedness and seek refuge in Him, the one who offers both judgment and salvation.
The Flood serves as both a sobering reminder of God's justice and a beacon of hope. It underscores the reality that God's patience, while vast, is not infinite. There will be a day of reckoning when evil will be judged. Yet, even in the midst of judgment, God's mercy prevails. He preserves Noah and his family, ensuring the continuation of humanity and the possibility of a redeemed future. The rainbow, a symbol of God's covenant, serves as a reminder that even after the darkest storms, His faithfulness and love endure. In a world that often seems overwhelmed by violence and injustice, the story of the Flood offers a message of hope: that even in the face of overwhelming evil, God's grace and justice will ultimately prevail. It is a call to turn from our own wickedness and seek refuge in Him, the one who offers both judgment and salvation.
Questions to Consider
- In what ways does the story of Noah demonstrate the coexistence of God's justice and mercy?
- How can we reconcile the idea of a loving God with the destruction caused by the Flood?
- What lessons can we learn from Noah's obedience and faith in the face of overwhelming wickedness?
- How does the Flood narrative speak to the consequences of unchecked sin in both individual and societal contexts?
- What does the Flood story teach us about the importance of repentance and seeking God's mercy?
This Week's Bible Reading Plan
Resources for our Study
Recommended Reading:
The NIV Application Commentary Genesis by John H. Walton
The Beast that Crouches at the Door by David Forman
The Case for a Creator: A Journalist Investigates Scientific Evidence That Points Toward God by Lee Strobel
Genesis: A Commentary by Bruce Waltke
Genesis: A Parsha Companion by David Forman
Life Lessons from Genesis: Book of Beginnings by Max Lucado
The Beast that Crouches at the Door by David Forman
The Case for a Creator: A Journalist Investigates Scientific Evidence That Points Toward God by Lee Strobel
Genesis: A Commentary by Bruce Waltke
Genesis: A Parsha Companion by David Forman
Life Lessons from Genesis: Book of Beginnings by Max Lucado