Safe in the Whelming Flood (Genesis 6-8)
Group Guides | Sharing the gospel, sharing our lives (1 Thessalonians 2:8)
By way of introduction: Have you heard about the century-old tsunami stones?
The inscription reads: “Remember the calamity of the great tsunamis. Do not build any homes below this point.”
What is their purpose, and why might they be forgotten?
Read Genesis 6:1-13
Look carefully again at 6:12-13. It’s noteworthy that in the original language this episode is written, the word for "‘corrupt’ in verse 12 is the same word for ‘destroy’ in verse 13. What does that tell us about God’s judgement on the world?
Genesis 6 shows a world of contrasts, such as:
between God’s command to fill the earth (Genesis 1:28) and the earth was filled with violence (Genesis 6:11-13)
between a world of humanity (Genesis 6:5-7) and Noah (Genesis 6:8-10)
>> So, what is the difference between Noah and the rest of humanity? (a helpful cross-reference Hebrews 11:1-7)
Read Genesis 6:14 - 7:24
Throughout what we just read, a repeated phrase is that “Noah did all that the LORD had commanded him.” We see that phase culminate in 7:16, yet we also see bigger actions by God through this judgement in that verse - discuss what you notice about God here.
Read Genesis 8:1-22
God remembers Noah (8:1) and reiterates the creation mandate (8:15-17) - discuss what is revealed about God’s judgement in flooding the world here.
Read Matthew 24:37-39
Why does Jesus say this, and why might his words be forgotten?
Read 1 Peter 3:18-21
Reflecting upon that imagery from Genesis 7:17-20, where it’s repeated that ‘the waters prevailed’ - how does that relate to the judgement we deserved that Jesus took in his death?
How is it that we are kept safe from the whelming flood of judgement that is to come?
We can struggle with assurance of salvation, what does the episode of Genesis 6-8, fulfilled in Christ, give us to strengthen our assurance of safety?
Pray for one another, that we would stay in the ark who is Christ.