Objectives of Study
- To understand how to derive themes through systematic thinking about the Bible.
- To learn how to apply the information in this chapter to help analyze pastoral care issues.
Case Study 1
Cain built a city to protect himself and his descendants, naming it after his son, hoping the city would protect his son and his descendants for generations. Among his descendants were many wise and brave people of renown, but their paranoia grew increasingly severe. By Genesis chapter 6, Cain's descendants were all destroyed. Only Noah, who walked with God, survived; Noah was a descendant of Seth.
The Bible records many such contrasts. Let us continue to observe:
Lot, in order to protect two angels, was willing to sacrifice his daughters. But the local people showed Lot no respect. To paraphrase the words of the Sodomites to Lot in Genesis 19:9: Get out of the way! You're just a foreigner among us, yet you think you can call the shots. In the past, we gave you some face because of your money, but if you continue to interfere today, we will deal with you more harshly than anyone else. Get out of the way! Ultimately, all the wealth Lot accumulated in Sodom was consumed by fire. Hiding in a cave, Lot's descendants were the Moabites and Ammonites, all cursed people. But Abraham was different. Wherever Abraham went, he was honored among the local people as a great prince. Even the Pharaoh honored Abraham, and the local strongman Abimelech made a covenant with Abraham. He enjoyed honor while he lived, and after his death, we, Abraham's descendants, are blessed because of him.
Such examples abound: Jacob and Esau, Saul and David. These two types of people exist even today.
Case Study 1 Discussion Questions
We can divide these people into two categories: Cain, Lot, Esau, and Saul belong to one category; Noah, Abraham, Jacob, and David belong to another. Cain offered sacrifices, Lot even offered his daughters to protect angels, Esau grew up hearing his father tell stories of God, and Saul was God's chosen king. These people were not entirely ignorant of God; some even paid a price for God's sake. But why did these people's outcomes differ so completely from those of Noah, Abraham, Jacob, and David? What is the biggest difference between these two types of people?
Genesis chapter 6 states that the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. What kind of thinking do you think is meant by only evil continually? How does the devil use this kind of thinking to influence God's plan of redemption?
Noah, Abraham, Jacob, and David were all perfect men, men who walked with God. In terms of behavior, some of them had blemishes in their lives. So why were they considered perfect in God's eyes? Combining this chapter and the entire Bible, what characteristics do you think perfect men and men who walk with God have? Answer these questions in relation to God's plan of redemption.
Case Study 1 Summary
The biggest difference between these two types of people is that they have different purposes in life. One type believes in God but ultimately lives for themselves, and their end is destruction. The other type lives for God, and such people often receive God's grace and protection.
In fact, evil thinking is a worldly logic system, the culture and logic of the strongmen mentioned here. The culture and logic of strongmen is centered on protecting their own interests. People will contend with each other for their own sake, and by destroying the lineage of Jesus, they will prevent God's plan of redemption.
Perfect men and men who walk with God are those who fulfill God's plan of redemption. Although these people have behavioral flaws, they live to fulfill God's plan and become people protected by God.
Case Study 2
The following is a discourse from Sister Xiaowei regarding her mother who is not a believer:
My mother is a very strong woman. She is efficient at work, very good at interpersonal relationships, and is a complete career woman. Because my maternal grandparents passed away early, my mother, as the eldest daughter in the family, has always had a high prestige at home. My mother is an outstanding leader at work and also plays a leading role in the family. She always wants to control everything around her: people, things, and objects. If anything does not develop in the direction she plans or hopes for, she will never give up. All the conflicts in the family are mediated by my mother without any exception. At work, my mother was almost imprisoned for being framed due to conflicts of interest. She used her relationships and wisdom to fight wits with the other party and finally escaped unscathed. In my opinion, my mother is a very successful person. My mother often boasts of her intelligence and ability, saying, I have always relied on myself in this life. There is nothing I cannot do because I am capable!
In the second year of my work, my mother fell ill. The illness came very suddenly. She underwent surgery and was quickly diagnosed with endometrial cancer. When I learned of my mother's condition, I felt like the sky was falling. The hospital arranged chemotherapy and radiotherapy for my mother, and I took leave to go back and accompany her for treatment. My mother put aside all her work. She is the kind of person who values work and interpersonal relationships very much, but now she has to put it all down. The treatment was painful. My mother quickly changed. The fashionable, beautiful, and complacent appearance of the past was gone. She could only lie weakly in the hospital bed, unkempt and wearing a hospital gown. Since then, my mother's life has undergone earth-shattering changes. The work that she could not let go of in the past was also put down; friends around her were wary of her being a patient and slowly began to alienate her; my mother no longer paid attention to dressing up, because without health, everything becomes unimportant.
The following is the true experience of Sister Xiaogui:
Xiaogui suffered from severe skin and gynecological diseases. She came among us and, through our all-night prayer ministry, her problems were solved. We encouraged Xiaogui to study the word of God well, practice her ability to heal and deliver, and also serve those in need like us. However, Xiaogui often responded that her work was very busy and she had many things to do. Moreover, Xiaogui believes that how can she glorify God if she does not do her job well? Therefore, Xiaogui often missed study time and was completely unable to put down work to serve those in need. After a period of desperately working, Xiaogui not only did not see positive improvements in her work situation, but her skin diseases worsened.
Case Study 2 Discussion Questions
What commonalities are there in the logical systems of Xiaowei's mother, who does not know God, and Xiaogui, who believes in the Lord?
Through the study of Chapter 6 and the previous Case Study 1, what do you think is the difference between Xiaowei's mother and Xiaogui in the eyes of God?
Are there any Christians around you like Xiaogui? Can you give some examples?
If Xiaogui is someone you pastor, how would you guide Xiaogui?
Case Study 2 Summary
The logical systems of both reveal a worldly logic system centered on themselves.
In the eyes of God, there is no difference between Xiaowei's mother, who does not believe in the Lord, and Xiaogui; both are living for themselves.
It is necessary to resolve Xiaogui's misconception, which is the concept of glorifying God. True glorifying God is to accomplish God's highest will in this era, which is to build God's glorious church.
A Christian must make building God's glorious church the highest priority.