Forever Young (Genesis 5 - 6:8)

Group Guides | Sharing the gospel, sharing our lives (1 Thessalonians 2:8)

By way of introduction: Even though life in this world can be so harsh, why do you think people strive to cling to life and extend their life, so much?

Read Genesis 5 - 6:8

1. Read carefully verses 1 - 3, and discuss why these words are here this far into the “Book of Beginnings”.

2. What do you think Lamech’s hope for his son Noah is, in Genesis 5?

3. After the population of the world grows, so does sin. What is the problem of sin, as God sees it, from Genesis 5 - 6:8?

4. Take a look at Enoch (Genesis 5:24) and Noah (Genesis 6:8), what sets these people apart from the rest of society?

   • When are we tempted to base our life on our own “walk rate” and not on God who walks with us?

   • How do we “find favour”, or “receive grace” from God, rather than trying to earn favour with God?

5. What is it that sets us apart from the rest of society in God’s sight?

6. Even though we have trials and temptations, life can be hard, what is it about Jesus that fulfils episode of Genesis for us - and gives us some real hope?

Before you pray together, why not read the question and answer below from the Heidelberg Catechism…

The Heidelberg Catechism

LORD’S DAY 1

1.     Question:

What is your only comfort in life and death?

Answer:

That I am not my own,

but belong with body and soul,

both in life and in death,

to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ.

He has fully paid for all my sins

      with his precious blood,

      and has set me free

      from all the power of the devil.

He also preserves me in such a way

      that without the will of my heavenly Father

      not a hair can fall from my head;

      indeed, all things must work together

      for my salvation.

Therefore, by his Holy Spirit

      he also assures me

      of eternal life

      and makes me heartily willing and ready

from now on to live for him.

2. Question:

What do you need to know

in order to live and die

in the joy of this comfort?

Answer:

First,

      how great my sins and miseries are;

second,

      how I am delivered

      from all my sins and miseries;

third,

      how I am to be thankful to God

      for such deliverance.

(The Heidelberg Catechism dates back to the Reformation, first published in 1563)

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