Christ Church Studies

Joseph, a victim of slander and the abuse of others, is often thought of as morally innocent, a man who does nothing to merit mistreatment. But Joseph has his own faults, and a closer reading of Genesis shows this. In this session, we explore what we can learn from Joseph’s righteousness and failings.

Bible stories are sometimes strange, disturbing, and morally ambiguous. Genesis 34 is one such account; the assault of Dinah and her brothers' revenge is a tale of abuse, deception, and violence that commends no clear lesson to the reader. In this session, we ask how we might benefit from reading this story.

Bible stories are sometimes strange, disturbing, and morally ambiguous. Genesis 34 is one such account; the assault of Dinah and her brothers’ revenge is a tale of abuse, deception, and violence that commends no clear lesson to the reader. In this session, we ask how we might benefit from reading this story.

Jacob's story is one of grace: chosen as recipient of God's blessing. The Lord graciously transforms Jacob from a heel-grabbing, self-reliant trickster to the humbled patriarch of the people of Israel. Yet this grace is also severe; in order to change Jacob, God must overpower him. Jacob is "struck by mercy."

Jacob’s story is one of grace: chosen as recipient of God’s blessing. The Lord graciously transforms Jacob from a heel-grabbing, self-reliant trickster to the humbled patriarch of the people of Israel. Yet this grace is also severe; in order to change Jacob, God must overpower him. Jacob is “struck by mercy.”

Jacob may be one of the three great patriarchs of Israel, but he is no polished saint. In his faults and flaws, he proves very much like us, and in this session, we discuss Jacob's difficulties: trusting others and trying to control his life at every turn.

Jacob may be one of the three great patriarchs of Israel, but he is no polished saint. In his faults and flaws, he proves very much like us, and in this session, we discuss Jacob’s difficulties: trusting others and trying to control his life at every turn.

Christians often draw distinctions between faith and good works, but the New Testament writers appeal to Abraham as an example of both. In this session, we discuss how Abraham shows faith and obedience in his willingness to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac.

Christians often draw distinctions between faith and good works, but the New Testament writers appeal to Abraham as an example of both. In this session, we discuss how Abraham shows faith and obedience in his willingness to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac.

Abraham, while admirable, was not without faults; his story is defined less by personal triumph and more by the patience and grace of God shown toward him. In this session, we look at what Abraham's doubt teaches us about our own struggles to believe.