Small Group Discussion questions from the message “The Perished Kingdom” by Josh Tuttle on November 29, 2009

Intro
1.  Talk about the different ways of reading/referencing the Bible (recalling Mike’s analogy using a phone book and a biography).

2.  Does Scripture have a big storyline, and if so, what is it?  Is there a danger of missing the storyline in individual stories?

The Pattern of the Kingdom – Read Genesis 2:7-15

3.  Go around the group and think of adjectives to describe the original kingdom in Eden.

4.  What were the primary relationships in the garden and what were they like?  What hope can we find in our relationships in light of how God created them to be?

The Perished Kingdom – Read Genesis 3:6-24

5.  What evidences do we have today of the fall?  Discuss your answers.

6.  How might you become guilty of “law making” instead of submitting to God’s rule?  (try to get beyond the theoretical to the practical)

The Promised Kingdom – Read Genesis 17:1-8
7.  How has God’s blessing been shown to Abraham’s offspring?  To all people?