Let’s read Gen 13: 1 -12

So Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev, with his wife and everything he had, and Lot went with him. Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold. From the Negev he went from place to place until he came to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had been earlier and where he had first built an altar. There Abram called on the name of the LORD. Now Lot, who was moving about with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. But the land could not support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to stay together. And quarrelling arose between Abram’s herdsmen and the herdsmen of Lot. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time. So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarrelling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers. Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.” Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, toward Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom – Genesis 13: 1 – 12

Conversations

( Study questions prepared by samuel thambusamy)

1) What is this passage all about?

2) Who are the characters mentioned in the passage? What do we know about them?

3) What led to the quarrel between Abram’s herdsmen and the herdsmen of Lot? What do you think about this? How did this affect the relationship between Abraham and Lot? Creatively, re-tell this story about the conflict over resources.

4) The quarrel was between the Abraham’s herdsmen and the herdsmen of Lot. Why do you think Abraham got involved? Does it take courage to face a conflict situation? What are the challenges involved in facing conflict?

5) Abraham and Lot parted company. However, Abraham gave Lot the first advantage. Interestingly, despite being older and even responsible for making Lot richer. Do you (dis)agree with his decision? Why? What do you think Abraham’s herdsmen felt about this?

6) Why do you think Lot listened to Abraham? Why do you think Lot did not choose to stay with Abraham? What did Lot’s servants feel about this?

7) Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, toward Zoar. Lot chose the best. How did Abraham feel about this? Why do you think Abraham remained calm and was less worried?

What is God telling me through the passage? What am I going to do in response to God’s word to me?

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Further Reading

• Why people avoid conflicts? by Susan M. Heathfield
• Personal Courage and Conflict Resolution at work by Susan M. Heathfield

(

Closer

Turn the lights off in this place/ And she shines just like a star/ And I swear I know her face/ I just don`t know who you are/ Turn the music up in here /I still hear her loud and clear Like she`s right there in my ear / Telling me that she wants to own me /To control me /Come closer /Come closer / And I just can`t pull myself away /Under Her Spell I can’t break /
I just cant stop /I just cant stop /I just cant stop / I just cant stop

I can feel her on my skin /I can taste her on my tongue /Shes the sweetest taste of sin /The more I get the more I want /She wants to own me….. /Come closer /She says “come closer” / And I just can`t pull myself away /Under Her Spell I can’t break /I just cant stop

(Come closer)

I just can`t stop nooooo

Questions for personal reflection (by Samuel Thambusamy)

• What is this song about?

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• I just can’t pull myself away under her spell I can’t break! Is it a good thing or a bad thing to happen to you?

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• She’s the sweetest taste of sin. The more I get the more I want! ” Why do you think being ” under a spell” and entrapped tastes sweet? Why do you think people do things that they know is not good for them? Why don’t we get enough of things that entrap/enslave us?

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• The problem with young people is that they do not recognize good when it stares them in the eye. Worse, they can’t recognize evil when it winks at them. In the light of this song is this a fair comment?

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• “Sex drive” has the power to control us – thoughts, actions and imagination. How do we handle our sex drives? If we are controlled, is there is a way out?

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• I just can’t stop. Nooooooo…. Is there really help for such a person? Who or what can help him find adequate answers to life?

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• Do you agree/disagree with this song? Why?

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One of them was an expert in the Jewish Law. So he tried to test Jesus by asking, “Teacher, what is the most important commandment in the Law?” Jesus answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is the first and most important commandment. The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, “Love others as much as you love yourself.” All the Law of Moses and the Books of the Prophets are based on these two commandments. (Mat 22:35-40 CEV)

 
Questions for reflection

1.       What is this passage about?

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2.      The word ‘Love’ has been used, abused and confused in contemporary world. What does it mean to love God?

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3.      How do you understand

a.      Loving God with all your heart

b.      Loving God with all your soul

c.      Loving God with all your mind

d.      Loving God with all your strength

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4.      The Lawyer has asked for the most important commandment. Jesus gave him two commandments instead of one. Why do you think Jesus gave him another one?

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5.      How do you think “Loving God” connects with “Loving others”?

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6.      Did Jesus instruct us not to love ourselves? What would you tell people who don’t love themselves? Why is it important to love ourselves? Why is it important to love others as much as you love yourself?

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7.      Loving God, Loving ourselves and Loving others is the basis of all the Law of Moses and the books of the prophets. Comment!

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8.      What is God telling me through the passage? What am I going to do in response to God’s word today?

To do:

1. Decide to do one thing to show that you love God with all your heart, soul and mind. Why did you choose to do this?
2. Decide to do one thing to show that you love others as much as you love yourself. Why did you choose to do this?

Video

Boys call you sexy (What’s up, sexy)
And you don’t care what they say
See, every time you turn around
They scream your name

Now I’ve got a confession
When I was young I wanted attention
And I promised myself that I’d do anything
Anything at all for them to notice me

But I ain’t complaining
We all wanna be famous
So go ahead and say what you wanna say
You know what it’s like to be nameless
Want them to know what your name is
‘Cause see when I was younger I would say

When I grow up
I wanna be famous
I wanna be a star
I wanna be in movies

When I grow up
I wanna see the world
Drive nice cars
I wanna have groupies

When I grow up
Be on TV
People know me
Be on magazines

When I grow up
Fresh and clean
Number one chick when I step out on the scene

But be careful what you wish for
‘Cause you just might get it
But you just might get it
But You just might get it

They used to tell me I was silly
Until I popped up on the TV
I always wanted to be a superstar
And knew that singing songs would get me this far
 
But I ain’t complaining
We all wanna be famous
So go ahead and say what you wanna say
You know what it’s like to be nameless
Want them to know what your name is
‘Cause see, when I was younger I would say

I see them staring at me
Oh I’m a trendsetter
Yes this is true ’cause what I do, no one can do it better
You can talk about me
‘Cause I’m a hot topic
I see you watching me, watching me, and I know you want it

Be careful what you wish for
‘Cause you just might get it
You just might get it
You just might get it

Questions for discussion (by Samuel Thambusamy)

What is this song all about?
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When I was young I wanted attention And I promised myself that I’d do anything Anything at all for them to notice me. Why do young people seek attention? What do young people do to get the attention (in your context/s)? What do you think about these?
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They used to tell me I was silly Until I popped up on the TV. We live in a success oriented world. Nothing succeeds like success. How does success redefine what we do and say?
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We all wanna be famous. Sociologist talk about the Page 3 phenomenon. What do you think about this?

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When I grow up /I wanna be famous/I wanna be a star/I wanna be in movies/ When I grow up/I wanna see the world/Drive nice cars/I wanna have groupies
When I grow up/Be on TV/People know me/Be on magazines
When I grow up/ Fresh and clean/ Number one chick when I step out on the scene
What do you want to be when you grow up? Why?
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I’m a trendsetter / Yes this is true ’cause what I do, no one can do it better/You can talk about me/’Cause I’m a hot topic / I see you watching me, watching me, and I know you want it. How much of what we are and what we do is for others? to be noticed? and talked about? How much of it is really for ourselves?
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Be careful what you wish for/ ‘Cause you just might get it/ You just might get it/ You just might get it. Why must we be careful about what we wish for? If we get what we want if there a problem?

The heavens keep telling the wonders of God, and the skies declare what he has done. Each day informs the following day; each night announces to the next. They don’t speak a word, and there is never the sound of a voice. Yet their message reaches all the earth, and it travels around the world. In the heavens a tent is set up for the sun.  (Psa 19:1-4 CEV)

Sing joyful songs to the LORD! Praise the mighty rock where we are safe. Come to worship him with thankful hearts and songs of praise. The LORD is the greatest God, king over all other gods. He holds the deepest part of the earth in his hands, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The ocean is the Lord’s because he made it, and with his own hands he formed the dry land. Bow down and worship the LORD our Creator! The LORD is our God, and we are his people, the sheep he takes care of in his own pasture. Listen to God’s voice today! (Psa 95:1-7 CEV)

Confession

Interview

Reflection

Questions for discussion

• How has the creator God worked in your life? What areas do you need God to work on?
• How have you understood the New Creation process? How much did you enjoy?
• Why do you think God is still patient with us? How has it helped you to understand God better?
• What is God telling you today? What are you going to do in response to God’s Word?

 Questions for further discussion:

1.  What is this passage about?
2. Why does Paul consider love as such an important thing – more than speaking languages of humans and of angels, prophesying, understanding all secrets and all knowledge, faith that moves mountain, philanthropy etc ?
3. How does Paul describe Love? What is love? What is not Love?
4. Do you agree with this description of Love? Why? Is it easy to love people?
5. Love and relationships dominate media. How can our understanding of love make a difference to the world?
6. How do we grow in love? What are the areas of failure that needs immediate attention? What are the areas of strength that need to be affirmed?  

1. What is God telling me through the passage? What am I going to do in response to God’s Word?

Synopsis

Tamanna (Shilpa Shetty) is a successful career woman who works for TJ Associates, an Ad agency. She likes Rohit (Salman Khan), an old friend at the Art school and they meet occasionally. One night, they exceed acceptable boundaries. Tamanna is hopeful that this would be the beginning of a lasting relationship. Meanwhile, Rohit leaves to the US and Tamanna loses contact with Rohit.

Tamanna’s life comes to an unexpected pause after she tests HIV positive, while replacing blood given to her sister in a city hospital. Worse, she is dumped by TJ Associates, disowned by her mentor (TJ Subramanian) and deserted by her close circle of friends. From then on it’s a lonely battle against victimization, discrimination and stigmatization.

After an initial reluctance, Tarun (Abishek Bachan) joins her battle against TJ associates. Tarun gets the support of his mentor at Law School. A coalition of compassion is formed and together they embark on a legal battle against TJ Associates.

During the course of the legal proceedings they discover ‘gaps’ in the legal system. Tarun makes a passionate appeal to the State to step in and fill in the gaps so that HIV/AIDS victims can live their lives with dignity. Meanwhile Rohit dies. Tamanna continues to live (to die another day) with dignity.

Questions for discussion

• What is this movie all about?
• Who are the main characters in the movie? What do we know about them?
• If Tamanna had been in your circle of friends, what would you have told her after her HIV infection? Would you have remained her friend? why?
• What does the film promote: Practicing safe sex or faithfulness before and after marriage?What is the Christian teaching on Sex? Make a list of biblical references concerning teaching on sex.
• Do you think TJ Associates was right in terminating Tamanna? Would you have taken up her cause? Why?
• What can we as a church do for the care and support for people like Tamanna?
• Why do you think people are involved in sex outside marriage? What are the dominant philosophies of life? How do these influence people to make personal choices on sex?
• Who do you think are the target audience for the movie? What is the director (Revathy) wanting to achieve through this movie?
• What is HIV/AIDS? How did you learn about HIV/AIDS? What are the familiar misconceptions about HIV/AIDS and the spread of the disease in your context?
• Do you think your church/youth group needs to be educated on HIV/AIDS?Why?

1. What is this song about?
2. How do you describe lonliness? Why is facing lonliness a challenge to face? Why do you think this song describes it as torture?
3. How does it feel to be away from family (and friends) and be caged in glass walls? What are your experiences of fighting/managing lonliness?
4. Any dislocation brings about an emotional crisis. How do people to travel to other cities (for study or work) face this emotional crisis? Is falling in love a natural thing to do then? Is this feeling true love or time pass (just something to help deal with the emotional vacuum)?
5. Is the perceived feelings of affection a help or an hindrance? Why? Is Love a pain-killer or a solution?
6. What did you like about the song? Is there any take-away lessons for life?

The woman (EVE) stared at the fruit. It looked beautiful and tasty. She wanted the wisdom that it would give her, and she ate some of the fruit. Her husband (ADAM) was there with her, so she gave some to him, and he ate it too. Right away they saw what they had done, and they realized they were naked. Then they sewed fig leaves together to make something to cover themselves. Late in the afternoon a breeze began to blow, and the man and woman heard the LORD God walking in the garden. They were frightened and hid behind some trees. The LORD called out to the man and asked, “Where are you?” The man answered, “I was naked, and when I heard you walking through the garden, I was frightened and hid!” “How did you know you were naked?” God asked. “Did you eat any fruit from that tree in the middle of the garden?” “It was the woman you put here with me,” the man said. “She gave me some of the fruit, and I ate it.” The LORD God then asked the woman, “What have you done?” “The snake tricked me,” she answered. “And I ate some of that fruit.”
(Gen 3:6-13 CEV)

Questions for Further discussion

1) What is this passage about?
2) Who are the characters mentioned in the passage? What do we know about them?
3) Who were involved in the conversation with God? Who began the conversation? What was the conversation all about?
4) Why did Adam and Eve build walls around themselves (hide behind the trees)? Were they feeling ‘scared’ or ‘guilty’? Why is there is a discomfort when we think we are doing something wrong? Why are we able to get over this discomfort after some time?
5) The fruit represented ‘an image’(pleasing to the eye), “instinct” ( good for food) and “information (desirable for knowledge). Eve (and Adam?!) was attracted to it because of the image, instinct and information.
6)What are the attractions for us in the contemporary world? In what way do we wilfully disobey God? How do we feel about this? What walls are people building today? Who (or what) do people blame for all the things they do?
7) Adam and Eve resorted to a blame-game? How does this affect conversations between each other and between God?
Has there been a breakdown of your relationship with God? How did you feel about it (guilty, disgusted or scared? What walls did you build around yourself? Did you have a conversation with God after that? How did it go? How did you resolve the breakdown in relationship?
9) What is God telling you through the passage? What conversations are you planning to have with God?

One of them was an expert in the Jewish Law. So he tried to test Jesus by asking, “Teacher, what is the most important commandment in the Law?” Jesus answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is the first and most important commandment. The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, “Love others as much as you love yourself.” All the Law of Moses and the Books of the Prophets are based on these two commandments. (Mat 22:35-40 CEV)

Questions for personal reflection

1. What is this passage about?
2. The word ‘Love’ has been used, abused and confused in contemporary world. What does it mean to love God?
3. How do you understand: a. Loving God with all your heart (b) Loving God with all your soul (c) Loving God with all your mind (d) Loving God with all your strength
4. The Lawyer has asked for the most important commandment. Jesus gave him two commandments instead of one. Why do you think Jesus gave him another one?
5. How do you think “Loving God” connects with “Loving others”?
6. Did Jesus instruct us not to love ourselves? What would you tell people who don’t love themselves? Why is it important to love ourselves? Why is it important to love others as much as you love yourself?
7. Loving God, Loving ourselves and Loving others is the basis of all the Law of Moses and the books of the prophets. Comment!
8. What is God telling me through the passage? What am I going to do in response to God’s word today?

To do:

1. Decide to do one thing to show that you love God with all your heart, soul and mind
2. Decide to do one thing to show that you love others as much as you love others.