1/14 Genesis 17 - Circumcision & the Old Covenant

Circumcision is an uncomfortable Bible topic that we truly need to know and understand...perhaps not the specifics but we do need to understand the profound reason for it. When we don't understand the spiritual principles that are interwoven into this ancient ritual, we'll miss how it truly demonstrates a parent's faith in God's covenant, even as they gave their son a constant reminder to be in covenant with God himself. Join us!

GENESIS KEY CHAPTERS DISCUSSION AND THOUGHT QUESTIONS: The following discussion questions can stand alone or be used in conjunction with the Key Chapters podcast. They can be used in a Small Group, family discussion, or for personal reflection. The idea is that the person/group/family will have read the Key Chapter and then answer the questions. Perhaps there would be time to listen to the podcast as well.

1. When the Lord called Abram to be blameless (in Genesis 17:1), what did that indicate?

2. What is the significance of the fact that the Lord said that Abram would be the “father of nations” in verse 4?

3. To what did God change Abram’s name in verse 5? Why did He make this change? What did Abram’s new name mean? What did this new name teach about Abram’s role in the world?

4. Moving on to circumcision, around the time when this event first occurred, who would circumcise a boy? What did the act of circumcision show about a father’s faith?

5. When it comes to the act of circumcision, what did the podcast suggest about who is/are the person(s) who are obeying their covenant with the Lord? What does this mean for the baby who is being circumcised? Did they still have to enter into covenant with the Lord? How?

6. If a man refused to circumcise his son, or if a man refused to be circumcised himself, what happened to their covenant with God?

7. According to the podcast, how does circumcision relate to the covenant?

8. What is the true circumcision that we are still to undergo today? Have you undergone this spiritual heart surgery?

The Key Chapters Bible Podcast is a daily, 15ish minute podcast that goes over the key chapters of the Bible, one per day, explaining how it fits into the overall message of God and how it relates to our lives now. Jump in today or start back in Genesis 1!

To see our dedicated podcast website with access to all our episodes and other resources, visit us at: www.keychapters.org.

Available on all major podcast platforms, and now on YouTube.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6OqbnDRrfuyHRmkpUSyoHv

Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/366-key-chapters-in-the-bible/id1493571819

As always, we are grateful to be included in the "Top 40 Bible Podcasts to Follow" from Feedspot.com.

Also for regularly being awarded "Podcast of the Day" from PlayerFM.

Special thanks to Joseph McDade for providing our theme music.