_In this Genesis Bible study we will go through the three processes of Understanding, Application and Communication.
_A. The Process of Understanding
We use the acronym "START" to determine how the original receivers of Genesis understood the message.
1. Situation
Shortly
after God created everything good, the Bible tells us of humankind’s
failure - Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit and Cain killed his
brother, Abel. Humankind’s sins cause God tremendous pain because God
loves them.
Click here for more information on Genesis as Bible book.
2. Type of Literature
Genesis 6: 5-8 is in Prose form. The form of Prose is Narrative and the genre (type) is Story.
3. Analyze the passage
We have seen that the plot structure is the main thing to determine. The plot structure of Genesis 6: 5-8 is Problem – Resolution.
The plot structure is:
Tension - Problem (verses 5-6): God is grieved
Relief of tension - Resolution (verse 7): God makes a decision
Result (verse 8): God's grace triumphs / Love wins
Message of Genesis 6: 5-8
God
doesn’t stand over against but with his creation. The evil heart of
humankind troubles the heart of God. God’s love always supersedes his
wrath! God can change his mind! Love wins!
4. Relate the message to the rest of the Bible
In this step we determine whether the findings of the previous steps relate to the rest of the Bible.
The
message of Genesis 6 relates to the rest of the Bible (John 3: 16). It
is very clear that this message is an essential and therefor applicable
to us. There are no references to the triple C's (Ceremonial - and Civil
law as well as Cultural practices).
5. Test your findings
In this step you test your own findings (Biblical interpretation) against those of others (e.g. commentaries and study Bibles).
The commentaries and study Bibles confirm that the message to the original receivers is:
The message to the original receiver is:
God
doesn’t stand over against but with his creation. The evil heart of
humankind troubles the heart of God. God’s love always supersedes his
wrath! God can change his mind! Love wins!
B. The Process of Application
In
this process we determine whether the message to the original receiver
is applicable (essential) or not (incidental) to our situation.
It is very clear that this message is an essential. There are no references to the triple C's (Ceremonial - and Civil law as well as Cultural practices).
C. The Process of Communication
In this process we communicate the message to a specific target group. Please read Day 4 of “The Bible as Your GPS” or Page 19 of "Hearing God’s Tweet" and answer the following questions.
Someone you know is asking you really tough questions about God. This person is very honest and is seeking to know more about God. The seeker doesn't mind you referring to the Bible.
In the light of our passage, how will you answer the seeker's questions?
1. Is God aloof or is God involve in what is happening on earth? 2. If God is Almighty, why is there so much suffering in the world? 3. Can God change his mind?
