Concordia Adult Bible Class

God continues to seek new beginnings in a world filled with old sin. He makes a promise to Abraham to, from him, bring forth a new nation that will be a beacon of righteousness in a world darkened by sin. He also shows us how righteousness ultimately comes about – by faith.

Noah brings a new beginning, but humanity quickly falls back into its old ways as it seeks to usurp God’s position by building a tall tower. This tower demonstrates both the folly and the danger of human ambition. Human ambition is filled with folly because, of course, no one can build a tower to the heavens. But human ambition is also filled with danger because it cannot compete with God’s perfect commands.

As man’s wickedness increases, God’s justice against sin is finally rendered in the form of a flood. But out of disaster emerges a man chosen by God to bring forth a new beginning – Noah. As “new creations” (2 Corinthians 5:17), we too are called to bring forth new beginnings in a world that is filled with sin.

The effects of Adam and Eve’s fall into sin quickly become apparent in the story of Cain and Abel. Hatred and death quickly have their way. But in the face of evil, God both exacts justice and gives grace. He forces Cain to wander the earth, but he also protects Cain’s life even though he has taken his brother’s life.

God’s good creation was quickly corrupted by a bad decision. If Genesis 1 describes the best of times, Genesis 3 ushers in the worst of times and sets up a tension for the rest of the book, for the rest of the Bible, and for all of history. We live in this tension, however, with hope, for God has promised to swallow up the worst of times in His Son.

How did all we see get here? This is the question that Genesis 1 answers. The great promise of this chapter, however, lies not in how everything got here, but in what everything that God created is: it is good.

So often, we think of heaven being a place that is far away. But the story of Jacob's encounter with a ladder that leads to heaven teaches us that heaven is not as far away as we think. Indeed, the promise of Scripture is that, on the Last Day, heaven will come to earth: "I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband' (Revelation 21:2). On Memorial Day weekend, we remember those who have given their lives in service to our country, but we also find our hope in the truth that their heaven is as close as our Savior, who will one day return for all who trust in Him.

When Nineveh repents, Jonah is angry. Jonah does not want God to show his enemies grace. Is there an enemy for whom you do not want God’s grace? God’s grace not only forgives us, it calls us to forgive others.

When Jonah finally makes it to Nineveh, he preaches a terrible sermon. There is no promise of grace. There is no reference to Scripture. There is only a declaration of judgment. But through Jonah’s terrible sermon, God works amazing conversion. Mothers can often feel as though their best efforts are inadequate. On Mother’s Day, we celebrate how even in our inadequacy, God’s faithfulness and work shines through.

When Jonah is in the belly of a big fish, he offers a prayer to God. But even though there are flashes of brilliance in his prayer, Jonah does not seem to understand the mission God has given him and how this mission will call upon him to act selflessly. Do you struggle with praying for what is right when you would rather pray for what is selfish?