Our Objectives

1. To enable trainees to understand how to correctly lead pre-Bible study discussions.
2. To enable trainees to understand the correct methods of reading the Bible and to summarise the key points of correct Bible reading methods.
3. To enable trainees to understand how to apply the knowledge of Genesis Chapter 2 to help analyse pastoral issues in real life and to begin practicing the resolution of corresponding problems.

Case Study 1

Someone who read Genesis Chapter 2 asked a question: Why didn't Adam and Eve make clothes for themselves? They could govern the ground and manage the whole earth, why couldn't they even make clothes for themselves?

Discussion Questions for Case Study 1

1. When you read Genesis Chapter 2, do you have similar questions?
2. If someone asks you such questions, how would you prepare to respond?
3. What do you think the correct way to read the Bible should be?

Summary of Case Study 1

• We were not present when these things happened, and we do not know the true thoughts of God, Adam, or Eve at that time.

• Secret things belong to the Lord our God, but revealed things belong to us.

• The Bible is written for us humans, so we must first understand the obvious things.

• Listen to God's word and act on it, first grasping the important things that can be implemented and put them into practice.

• Bold speculation: God created two kinds of trees to create an environment for people to choose freely.

• Practice: Choosing to walk the path of faith or the path of knowing good and evil, our choices determine our life (a testimony can be added appropriately here).

• Summary: Speculation should be in accordance with God's will throughout the entire Bible, it should be implementable and practical, and it should produce good results when practiced.

Case Study 2

There was once a pastor who shared a personal experience specifically on the topic of rest:

We pastors are all very busy, and Sunday is the busiest day. We have to preach, receive people, and solve the problems of those who come to the meetings. We usually have no time to rest at all. In order to prevent pastors from burning out, I specifically established a Sabbath day among us according to God's will. Since we cannot rest on Sundays, I set this day on Mondays.

This day is very sacred! Genesis Chapter 2, verse 2 says that God rested from all his work. So nothing can be done on the Sabbath! We must cease all work! As a result, one time one of my colleagues insisted on calling me on Monday, and I scolded him severely on the phone, Don't you know what day Monday is? And you're still calling me about ministry matters? See! I am a pastor who implements the Sabbath so thoroughly! Many pastors need to learn from this!

Case Study 2: Discussion Questions

1. What are your views on the pastor's statements and actions?

2. What was Jesus' view of the Sabbath?

3. What is true rest?

Case Study 2: Summary

• Sabbath is not the same as rest.

• Jesus and His disciples plucked grain on the Sabbath, and He also healed the sick on the Sabbath (Luke 6:1-10).

• The Sabbath - a day to restore our relationship with God.

• The Sabbath is not about doing nothing, but rather about doing things that are pleasing to God and in accordance with His will (here you can talk about how many people are healed on our Lord's Day).

• Examples: Many people do not seek God's presence, but seek rest on the Sabbath, and as a result, they find that they cannot rest well, and their hearts are troubled (examples can be given here appropriately).

Case Study 3

Discuss the following questions:

1. Why did God create the tree of the knowledge of good and evil?

2. Besides rest and freedom of choice, what other wonderful creations of God did you read about in Chapter 2?

3. Can you talk about these wonderful creations of God in relation to your own experiences?

Case Study 3: Summary

• God created freedom of choice and gave people the right to choose freely.

• God also created seeds, living beings with a spirit and a unified relationship with God.

• Seeds: We can talk about the concept of sowing and reaping (think about some similar real-life cases).

• Living beings with a spirit: In practice, we can talk about how being filled with the Holy Spirit can improve work and study efficiency (think about some similar real-life cases).

• Establish a unified relationship with God: We can talk about how we pay a price to be one with God, and how God blesses us in return (think about some similar real-life cases).