Bible Study Questions and Notes

Small group Bible studies meet each week to discuss topics relating to the weekend service.  These study notes act as a guide for the Bible study participants.  Note that on weeks where there is a guest speaker or the Bible studies are not in session, there may not be a set of study notes posted.

Scripture passage: Genesis 34:1-31
Speaker: Pastor John Neufeld

Genesis 34 presents us with the account of the defiling of Dinah.  This story has everything in it.  It is about sex, rape, desire, marriage, revenge, deceit and murder.  In short, it has all the elements that make up the things that can go wrong in love and marriage.

            Today, I want to speak to two groups of people.  First to parents, who want to infuse their children with right attitudes of love and marriage.  Second, to singles, who still desire love and marriage and the need to cultivate healthy attitudes about it.

A.  The challenge of sexual purity

            1.  The need for good role models

            2.  The need to understand true love

            3.  The need for parents to be involved

B.  The challenge of a good marriage

            1.  At stake is the future of the faith

            2.  At issue is the value of the marriage

C.  The challenge when things go wrong

            1.  The improper response of anger

            2.  The improper response of acceptance

            3.  The improper response of concern for self

            4.  The proper response of wisdom

BIBLE STUDY QUESTIONS

“Teach Your Children Well” (Genesis 34:1-31)

Pastor Jonathan Neufeld

From the story of Dinah, her family and Shechem (Gen. 34:1–31) the Scriptures give us a picture of the dangers and consequences that can happen when families don’t address and deal with issues of sex, love and marriage. In our small group today we want to use this story as a launching point to examine the importance of thinking and acting biblically in these areas. 

Thinking – developing a biblical approach to all of life

1.      Love.  In this story, after ‘seizing’ Dinah and sleeping with her, Shechem thinks that he ‘loves’ her (Gen 34:3).  When people define love purely by passion and attraction, they miss the true nature of love. 

a.      Using both Scriptures and your own experience, list elements that make up the true nature of love. (See I Cor 13:4–8; Romans 5:8; Matt 22:39; etc.)

b.      How did you learn about these?  (i.e. Scriptures, from parents, grandparents, spouse, etc.) 

c.      If you were to identify one area of true love that you need to grow in, which would it be?  Why? 

d.      How is a proper understanding of true love important and helpful in remaining sexually pure?

2.      Sex.  Read 1 Corinthians 6:18-20. 

a.      Paul instructs us to flee sexual immorality.  Define ‘sexual immorality’. 

b.      Why are sexual sins ‘sins against our body’ (See also 1 Cor 6:15–16)?  How are we to view our bodies? 

c.      Fleeing sexual immorality can be challenging, especially in a sex-charged culture like our own.  What are some safeguards that can be put in place to guard our hearts and minds around this issue? 

d.      “It is important for parents to be actively involved in training their children to be sexually pure.”  Do you agree?  If so, how might parents go about doing this?  Did you receive this training when you were a child? 

3.      Marriage. The people of Shechem invited Jacob’s family to intermarry with them (See Genesis 34:8 – 10). 

a.      From Jacob’s perspective, what might have been appealing about the prospect intermarrying with the people of that city?  What would the problems be? (See Gen 34:21–23) 

b.      Read 2 Corinthians 6:14–16. What reasons does Paul give why those who are Christians should not be equally ‘yoked’ with unbelievers?  How might this have practical ramifications in a marriage?   

Community – doing these things (thinking, acting and being like Jesus) together

4.      How does being part of a community of believers who care for and love one another help us in these areas?  (i.e. sexual purity, love and marriage, training up children, etc.)

5.      What is one piece of wisdom / insight in one of these areas that you have learned from someone that knows you well?  How has it helped you?  

Reminder to Small Group Leaders:

You can pick up your Small Group Leader Resource CD / Cassette and
Small Group Prayer Logs this weekend at the Info Desk or at www.willingdon.org/smallgroups/mp3.asp

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