Objectives of Study

• Recognize the theme of this chapter.
• Understand how to apply the information in this chapter to help analyze pastoral issues.

Case Study 1

Genesis 7:11-16
Noah brings his family and animals into the ark when the flood comes.
In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, on the seventeenth day of the second month—on that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened. And rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights. On that very day Noah and his sons Shem, Ham and Japheth, together with his wife and the wives of his three sons, entered the ark. They had with them every wild animal according to its kind, all livestock according to its kind, every creature that moves along the ground according to its kind and every bird according to its kind, everything with wings. Pairs of all creatures that have the breath of life in them came to Noah and entered the ark. The animals going in were male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the Lord shut him in.

In the Gospel of Matthew in the Bible, there is a description of the flood in the days of Noah:
Matthew 24:36-42 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.

Discussion Questions for Case Study 1

1: Did God tell Noah the date of the flood in advance?

2: Did anyone other than Noah know the date of the flood?

3: Noah building the ark must have been a sensation at the time. Why do you think people were indifferent to the impending flood?

4: What are the differences between Noah's values and those of the people who were swept away by the flood?

5: The coming of the Son of Man is like the coming of the flood. What does this imply?

6: If the coming of the Son of Man today will be like the coming of the flood, what should we do?

Summary of Case Study 1

• 1: Genesis 7:4, Noah was told 7 days in advance.
• 2: No one else knew.
• 3: People live to live, enjoying every day. No one believed in the flood. Although they saw the miracle of animals lining up to enter the ark, they still did not believe a flood would come. The overall attitude was disbelief.
• 4: Noah truly believed and believed to the end. He built the ark for 120 years and did not give up halfway because the flood had not yet come. Many people may have believed at first, but then lost faith after a while.
• 5: Only a few are saved. It is dangerous to think you are already good and have already obtained salvation.
• 6: Be vigilant and watchful, and imitate Noah. If you believe, believe to the end and pay the full price. Do not be half-hearted. Be an elite soldier.

## Case Study 2

Alan, in her younger days, stumbled upon her husband's infidelity. The intense anger caused her to lose her eyesight. Afflicted with various gynecological issues and eye problems, she began to believe in the Lord, seeking healing. Shortly after joining us, her gynecological ailments were healed, and her eyesight improved significantly. Previously, both eyes showed only the whites, but after prayer, the pupils, once shrunken and invisible, miraculously reappeared. Her vision is steadily recovering, truly, the blind receive their sight.

However, since being healed, Alan has not been as proactive in prayer and seeking God as before. Alan's pastor learned that Alan's monthly salary was 2300 yuan, but her monthly offering was only 200 yuan, less than a tithe. Alan borrowed money to buy her son a house worth more than 2 million yuan. Her prayer requests were always for God to bless her and quickly pay off the loan, and for God to protect the relationship between her son and daughter-in-law, because her daughter-in-law always bullied her son, which caused her distress.

Alan's pastor reprimanded Alan, saying that continuing to believe in the Lord in this way was not right, but Alan would not listen. Alan believed that she was doing quite well. The relationship between her son and daughter-in-law had improved a lot. Occasionally, she used the methods she learned from us to pray for her mother and herself, and it was quite effective. Because the pastor often criticised and taught her, Alan became annoyed and simply left the church.

Recently, Alan, who had been away from the church for a year, encountered trouble. After hemorrhoid surgery, the wound bled continuously, frightening the doctors, but no hemostatic measures were effective. Alan was also frightened, but no matter how she prayed, she did not improve. In the end, Alan had to come back to us, hoping we could help her.

## Case Study 2 Questions

1: In conjunction with Genesis chapter 7, analyse what is Alan's biggest problem? What are the similarities with those who were destroyed by the flood in Noah's time?

2: In conjunction with Genesis chapter 7, analyse why Alan could not listen to the pastor's teachings? What are the similarities with those who were destroyed by the flood in Noah's time?

3: Have you or someone you know ever been like Alan? Share a true story from your life.

4: What should we do to avoid becoming a Christian like Alan?

5: From a pastor's perspective, Alan came back to you for help. How would you shepherd Alan?

## Case Study 2 Summary

- 1: Alan still believes in the Lord for the sake of living in this life. In short, she still does not believe.

- 2: When a person's eyes are fixed on this life, they will be deceived. They think that if things in this life get better, then everything is fine, but they do not know that disasters come suddenly.

- 4: Always be vigilant and imitate Noah. In any case, be a good soldier, not satisfied with getting some benefits, but strive to pursue.

- 5: Solve Alan's disease needs from a compassionate perspective. Next is to completely destroy and change the evil of values, you can cite the contents of this chapter. Often remind Alan of today's lessons.