Let’s try to read as much of the Bible we can together this year. I know it is not always easy. I want to help. I am going to provide you with some questions most Mondays to Fridays that will help you get a little something out of what you are reading. Sometimes there will be more questions, sometimes less. So, get a notebook, a pen, your Bible, and if you would like some help, take some time to answer the questions, and you may be surprised by all God teaches you this year. Genesis 8It's easy to read Genesis 6 through 8 in a detached way. But, slow down and think about what is happening. God is judging absolutely everything that's on the earth and rescuing one family from that judgment. Imagine! To this point, there have been very, very few events that have ever compared to the magnitude of this one.

1. As we look around, it sometimes feels like God doesn't take sin seriously. But, what does the flood say about the seriousness of sin? Try to express your answer in a memorable statement.
2. How long was Noah and his family in the ark? What do you think would have been some of their fears in the middle of that?
3. What is the significance of the statement, God remembered Noah?
4. How does Noah know that it is time to leave the ark? What does God say to him? In what way does God's statement remind you of Genesis 1 and 2?
5. Even though Noah was on the ark for a long time, God kept His promise and rescued him. What's the first thing that Noah does after being rescued from God's judgment? What do you think that might tell you about the priority of worship?
6. What does God promise after enjoying Noah's offering? How does that promise give hope? In what way do you think that promise contributes to the story of Scripture?
7. What are the signs in 8:8-20 that God is restoring creation?

Psalm 8

1. How does this psalm begin and end? What does that tell you about what David is wanting to accomplish in this song?
2. What surprising things does David say God has done in verse 2? What might that tell you about how God accomplishes salvation?
3. What is David looking at in verse 3 and what does that cause him to be surprised about in verse 4?
4. Even though man is insignificant, what does David say that God has done in verses 5-8?
5. This statement comes after the fall. But David is reflecting on the mandate God gave Adam and Eve in the Garden. Things have changed, but this has not changed. God still intends to rule over this world through a human mediator. This psalm is quoted and applied to Jesus in Hebrews 2. Jesus gives us hope that God will accomplish His great creation plan!

Matthew 8

1. What happens when Jesus comes down the mountain after teaching?
2. What does the leper wonder? Why is that question even surprising?
3. What does Jesus do? And why is that shocking??
4. What does that tell us about Jesus?
5. What is a centurion?
6. What does this centurion recognize about Jesus?
7. How does Jesus respond to the centurion?
8. What exactly amazes Jesus?
9. What does this story tell us about what Jesus wants?
10. What does Matthew say that Jesus' healing ministry confirmed about him in verses 14-17?
11. There were a number of people who wanted to follow Jesus, but Jesus gives them warnings. What do the things Jesus says to those who wanted to follow him, tell us about the nature of following Jesus in this world?
12. Why were the disciples frightened? What do they think is the problem? What does Jesus say their real problem is? What does Jesus then do and how do they respond? What do they ask about Jesus?
13. What kind of men met Jesus after they get off the boat? What would you have been feeling if these men ran up to you crying out? But, who is frightened in this situation? What does that tell us about Jesus?
14. How did the people respond to Jesus' miracle? Why did they respond that way? What does that tell you about people?

Now to sum up.

1. Try to summarize what you have learned about God from the story about His judgment in Genesis 6-8 so far.
2. God's promised He isn't going to judge the world before He accomplishes the plan He started back in Genesis 1 and 2. He is going to rule the world through a human mediator. What hope does Matthew give us that Jesus might be that individual? What does Jesus do that show He can exercise dominion over the world?
3. How do the stories in Matthew encourage you to trust Jesus?