Discussion Questions
-
Why do you think geography has been given so little attention by Bible readers?
-
Mostly when we think of geography, it is something we learned in school. We do not see that subject in the Bible. It all has to do with WHAT we were taught growing up.
-
We often do not realize the significance of the geographical place that an event happened and may not have the tools or resources to study about the meaning in depth. Also, we read for the spiritual teachings of the Bible and may think that the physical landscape, and natural history of a region that is far removed from our home country is less important somehow.
-
I think the reason why so many readers of the Bible give so little attention to the geographical connections to the text comes from their desire to know the teachings of the Bible as it relates to our relationship with God. Many times we read about a place or geographic feature and we care less about that then what the text is trying to reveal about God and our relationship to Him. It doesn’t seem like the “main” thing and often falls into the same category as some of the cultural practices and historic references when it comes to our interest in it.
-
Not as much attention is focused on the time period when Jesus was on the earth as to the volume of what he was preaching to the people. His followers were looking for a Leader to lift them immediately out of the morass called their life, then they were at looking of the future of a Christ like life.
-
I believe that the Bible focuses more on a relationship with Jesus Christ. The importance of being an example for living for Jesus Christ and being available to be used.
-
Give an example from the Bible, other than the ones we have used in this lesson, that demonstrates the biblical authors use geography when communicating the thoughts of God to us.
-
Natural History example: Isaiah 1:8 “Daughter Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard, like a hut in a cucumber field, like a city under siege”. Knowing more about these structures and their uses would help us to understand and picture the abandonment for those who have forsaken the Lord.
-
I think an excellent example is when Moses was given the 10 commandments.
-
John’s letters to the 7 churches in Revelation 1-3: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.
-
But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them Matt 13:29.
-
When the people came to the Red Sea, or the Jordan River in exodus, then in Joshua. How about going to Samaria, or to Sychar, or Shechem. What about the Mount of Transfiguration. There are so many, and we’ve read the stories, but tying.the geography and the lay of the land will help us to understand many points in the Bible.
-
Give two examples of physical geography, two examples of human geography, and two examples of natural history associated with the place you live.
-
Physical Geography: Extremely windy, mostly grassland with rolling hills.
Human Geography: We rely on an aquifer for water because it rarely rains. Sparsely populated because of the lack of water.
Natural History: We have a ton of rattlesnakes. Very few trees.
-
Physical Geography: 1. Deserts like Death Valley & 2. Grand Canyon
Human Geography: 1.Rice fields in Asia & 2. Building an Igloo
Natural History: 1. Garden moles & 2. Bears hibernating.
-
The Pacific Ocean, the Andes Mountains
Machu Pichu, Coffee Production
Tigrillo, capybara -
Here in our are of central Virginia, USA, we live on the east side of the Blue Ridge mountains, in rolling foothills. Our 2 acres of property contains deciduous and evergreen trees and plants, we have 3 little ponds with fish, and lots of God’s creatures visit us and get fed!
Our little house sits on the property surrounded by trees, and we have 2 outbuildings as well, snugged between the trees. I have created brush piles of branches and leaves around the property for small creatures like birds, moles, voles and others to hide in during the night/bad weather/hide from predators. Not far from us is a manmade lake, and a large river. -
There are snow covered trees & frozen lakes & snow prairies where I live. In winter, I can fish after cutting a hole in the ice and I need to dress very warm to go outside. We can see squirrels scurrying to find the food they hid and we do not need to battle mosquitos!