Canon Conversations: Genesis 12-15

Discussion Questions: How do we see God's mission to the world made explicit in His words to Abram in 12:1-3? How might this passage impact your reading of the rest of the Bible? Based on what you've read so far in Genesis, how might you describe what it means to be blessed by God? How do you see echoes of the Genesis 3 in the incident with Abram, Sarai and Pharaoh in Genesis 12:10-20?In chapter 13 we see Lot and Abram separate. In chapter 14 we see the consequences of their decisions. What wisdom do these chapters offer us for how we make decisions in our lives and how we determine what is good and what is bad? Read Hebrews 7. How does this passage in the New Testament shed light on the scene with Melchizedek in our passage in Genesis? How do we see belief mingled with doubt in Abram's relationship with God in Genesis 12-15? Now look at Hebrews 11:8-16. How might we reconcile Genesis' unflattering portrayal with Hebrews spotless description of Abraham's faith? Looking at the covenant God makes with Abram in chapter 15, how did Abram participate? How did God participate? How does Jeremiah 34:18-20 help us understand what agreement God is making with this family?