Have you been making lists recently?
What kinds of lists?
Do you write your lists down or just think about them in your head?
Or do you use a computer program or other fancy technology for making lists?
Are some lists more important than others that you make? Why or why not?
Or are you someone who eschews making lists of any kind?
What does making lists have to do with Bible study?
Prior to 1989 I determined the best way to know whether I genuinely believed the Bible or not was to read it for myself.
My method of choice for doing this was to purchase a King James Version Bible organized into a one-year reading plan. This reading plan sorted the reading into portions from the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs each day.
I continued this practice annually until acquiring a copy of a New International Version in chronological order with commentary by F. LaGard Smith that I started in 1993. I read this one for two more years culminating in a total of six years in a row for this new habit.
I tried several other formats before taking a break from this plan given the heavy reading load I had while pursuing a seminary degree from 2009-2015.
I resumed reading the chronological order yearly reading plan in 2017.
With this being January 9 I’ve read from Genisis 1:1-23:20 with this plan.
The editor’s subtitles for these twenty-three chapters include:
- The Beginning
- Adam and Eve
- First Three Sons of Adam and Eve
- Descendants from Adam to Noah
- Mankind’s Degeneration into Wickedness
- Noah and the Flood
- Human Condition Remains Sinful
- Dispersion of the Human Family
- Beginning of Nations
- Descendants from Shem to Abram
- Job, the Righteous Suffer (mentioned in commentary notes only as having lived at the time of or before the patriarchs but the actual book of Job is slated for closer to when the date of writing.)
- The Call of Abram
- Abram Dishonors Himself in Egypt
- Separation of Abram and Lot
- Defeat of the Kings
- God’s Covenant with Abram
- Birth of Ishmael Through Hagar
- Names and Circumcision as Signs of Covenant
- Appearance of Heavenly Visitors
- Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah
- The Scheme of Lot’s Daughters
- Abraham Deceives Abimelech
- The Birth of Isaac
- Abraham and Abimelech Settle Dispute
- Expulsion of Hagar and Ishmael
- Abraham’s Ultimate Test of Faith
- News Regarding Nahor’s Family
- Sarah’s Death and Burial
Talk about making lists!
How would you summarize what has happened historically from Genesis 1:1-23:20 just by using the subtitles above?
As you reflect on your summary of the subtitles above what do you know about each of these passages without looking them up?
Did you notice the lists within the list above?
Take some time to compare: The Beginning, Descendants from Adam to Noah, Beginning of Nations, and Descendants from Shem to Abram.
What did you learn by comparing these lists of creation and genealogical records from Adam to Abram?
What reason does the Lord, our Heavenly Father, have for including these lists in His Word for us?
What do you learn about the Lord from these lists?
Have you ever considered the spiritual impact you personally have on the generations that follow you?
Whether you are reflecting on lasts year’s lists of hopes and dreams, making lists of new hopes and dreams, or winging it for 2022, I hope you will consider how your life will impact future generations to see the Lord through you.
What reading plan do you use to learn the Bible? Leave your answer in the comments.
Blessings,
Barbara Lynn