A Best Self Journey
Through Bible Study
Session Format
 Opening Reflection – “The God in Me” (3-5 min)
o Personal Journal Entry
 Foundations – Best Self Theology Tenant Introduced
 Session Topic –Exegesis: Scriptures are explained within the biblical
context (no opinions added)
 Historical Period – i.e. Biblical world events, people involved, etc.
 Experiencing the Word – Sharing/Discussion on how does the story
relates to you?
 Spiritual Sprints – What actions can fan your spiritual flame?
 Closing Reflection – “Faith Walking” – Personal steps in your faith
journey.
Notes:
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A Best Self Journey through Bible Study
Facilitator: Rev. Djenaba: Session I
Week 4: Genesis: A Book of Beginnings
The Beginning of a Covenant Nation!
“The Lord said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, “Look around from where
you are, to the north and south, to the east and west. All the land that you see I will
give to you and your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the
earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted.
Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.” –
Genesis 13:14-17
Best Self Theology: Growth, development, and learning are basic to life in all its
forms. Life stretches, struggles, and strives for full expression. Life seeks abundant
life. The object of life is to flourish. Our inner divinity gives us a natural inner drive
to attain the highest expression of our humanity
Covenant: Literally, a contract. In the Bible, an agreement between God and his
people, in which God makes promises to his people and, usually, requires certain
conduct from them. In the Old Testament, God made agreements with Noah,
Abraham, and Moses. –Dictionary.com
Abraham – 1st Patriarch: “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be
the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will
be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you very
fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. I will establish
my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your
descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God
of your descendants after you…Then God said to Abraham, “As for you, you
must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations
to come. Genesis 17:2-9
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Abraham was Chosen & Challenged
 Building a Legacy “But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me
since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of
Damascus?” And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant
in my household will be my heir.”– Gen. 15:2
 Building Relationships: Now Lot, who was moving about with Abram, also
had flocks and herds and tents. But the land could not support them while they
stayed together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to
stay together. And quarreling arose between Abram’s herders and Lot’s…So
Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or
between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. Is not the whole
land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right;
if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.” Gen. 13:5-9
 Building a Righteous Community “Then Abraham approached him and said:
“Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? What if there are fifty
righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the
place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it? Far be it from you to do
such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and
the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do
right?”- Gen. 18:23
 Building a Family (Isaac, the true heir) “Then God said, ‘Take your son, your
only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice
him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.’”
The Bible is the story of a people on an evolutionary journey towards God's
intention for them. – Jaramogi Menelik Kimathi
Next Week: The Patriarchy Continues – Isaac & Jacob
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Bible Study Journal
“I and my Father are one.” – John 10:30
Opening Reflection - It’s the God in Me!
Closing Reflection – Faith Walking
“But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” – Joshua 24:15
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