We’re always looking for ideas to get the most out of Dr. Jeannie’s lessons. With this in mind, the following questions were provided by Matthew Keaveney and Marianna Sayeg from the Bible study group at St. Mary’s Orthodox Church in Cambridge, MA. These questions are related to both Genesis – Abraham (Part 2) and Genesis – Abraham (Part 3).
Review Questions:
- Why does God wait so long to fulfill his covenant with Abraham? What is Abraham required to do to fulfill his own end of the bargain? What is the difference between Abraham’s laugh and Sarah’s laugh when they hear the promise of the covenant?
- What is so notable about Abraham’s hospitality? What is the difference in interpretation between the Eastern and Western Church Fathers regarding the three angels that visit Abraham and Sarah? How is this reflected in icons of this event?
- What is the story of Lot’s hospitality?
- St. Paul believes that Isaac and Ishmael represent what? Do you think the historical understanding of how conception was viewed changes the claims of Arab and Jewish claims of legitimacy and illegitimacy?
Discussion Questions:
- Do you think that mankind truly “grew” from Old to New Testament? Would God’s standards for humans change over time?
- What do you think of the idea of instant reimbursement from God? Does this make Abraham’s deeds less noble, or discourage good for the sake of good?
- Why do you think God took such a direct role with Abraham, while He was more “hands off” with others in the Bible?
- Is St. John Chrysostom too effusive in his praise of Abraham and Sarah? Did he miss anything by not examining more the flaws in their actions? Do you view any flaws in the actions of Sarah or Abraham over the course of this lesson (in the context of those times)?
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