Genesis Bible Study 14: God Always Provides

Reading: Genesis 24

Principal Question: How do I find a good wife?

Discussion

1. Read the story. What questions do you have about this story?
2. How would your parents feel if you married someone from different culture?
3. Why do you think Abraham wants his son to get a bride from his home country?
4. If you are married, how did you meet your spouse?
5. How were your parents introduced? What about your grandparents?
6. Do you believe that a person, who does not get along well with their parents could be ready for marriage?
7. How important is parent approval for you when getting married?
8. Which of your parents’ values do you feel are most important for you to continue?
9. Which might not be so important to continue?
10. Do you and your parents agree about these things?
11. What stories do you think Isaac will want most to tell his children about their grandfather, Abraham?
12. What did Abraham’s servant request from God? (Genesis 24:12-14)
13. Have you ever tried to have a conversation with God? If so, how did you feel about the experience? If not, what do you think of the idea?

Cultural and Historical Notes

Domesticated camels were extremely rare at this point in history. The ideal form of transportation for a man was a female donkey. (Male donkeys were considered less reliable and more difficult to control.) The fact that Abraham had a number of domesticated camels, undoubtedly imported from Arabia, shows just how wealthy he was, no doubt equivalent to owning a private jet today.

Content Question for English Comprehension

Write 3 questions about this story to ask other students in the class.

Additional Resource

An associated diagram by Julie Thompson (found at bottom of attached PDF - Genesis Bible Study 14) shows a healthy community, where the integrity of each new family is respected, the children live under the protection of their parents and the community, and everyone has communication with God. This communication with God lifts humanity out of the dust, and qualifies humanity to govern. In the end our story will demonstrate how this is possible.