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 6: Genesis: A Book of Beginnings
The Road to Egypt!
“On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, ‘To your
descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the
Euphrates…” Gen. 15:18
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…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
Isaac –2nd Patriarch: “For to you and your descendants I will give all these
lands and will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham. I will make your
descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these
lands, and through your offspring and all nations on earth will be blessed, by
you…”- Genesis 26:3-4
The Patriarchal History
 A Covenant Promise Made and accepted by Abraham a promise made in
perpetuity. However each generation has to answer God’s call for themselves.
“Abraham was now very old, and the LORD had blessed him in every way. He
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said to the senior servant in his household, the one in charge of all that he
had, “Put your hand under my thigh. I want you to swear by the LORD, the
God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not get a wife for my son
from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I am living, 4but will go
to my country and my own relatives and get a wife for my son Isaac.”-Genesis
24:1-3
 A Conversation with God: Abraham communicated with God regularly, yet
Isaac’s first conversation was made on behalf of his wife Rebekah. “Isaac had
come from Beer Lahai Roi, for he was living in the Negev. He went out to the
field one evening to meditate, and as he looked up, he saw camels
approaching.” –Genesis 24:62-63
 A Promise to be Fulfilled: Each succeeding patriarch had to make his own
way and overcome the daily challenges. “Don’t go to Egypt; live in the land
where I tell you to live. Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and
will bless you.” -Genesis 26:2
 Whose Plan, Yours or God? “Now Rebekah was listening as Isaac spoke to
his son Esau. When Esau left for the open country to hunt game and bring it
back, Rebekah said to her son Jacob, ‘Look, I overheard your father say to
your brother Esau, Bring me some game and prepare me some tasty food to
eat, so that I may give you my blessing in the presence of the Lord before I
die. Now, my son, listen carefully and do what I tell you…” – Genesis 27:5-8
The Bible is the story of a people on an evolutionary journey towards God's
intention for them. – Jaramogi Menelik Kimathi
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Next Week: Exodus
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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