Opening Prayer Led by Group Facilitator

Psalm 11

Pray the Psalm together aloud, alternating verses between two sides.  When finished, share reflections on the Psalm as a group

1  In the LORD I take refuge; how can you say to me, “Flee like a bird to the mountains;

2  for behold, the wicked bend the bow, they have fitted their arrow to the string, to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart;

3  if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”

4  The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD’S throne is in heaven; his eyes behold, his eyelids test, the children of men.

5  The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked, and his soul hates him that loves violence.

6  On the wicked he will rain coals of fire and brimstone; a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.

7  For the LORD is righteous, he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

Lot & the Angels of the Lord

Genesis 19

1.       Compare Lot’s treatment of strangers with Abraham’s treatment of strangers. What are their rewards?

2.       Lot’s offer of his two daughters demonstrates a great disparity in values between an ancient culture and our own! However, if lot recognized these strangers as “divine messengers” (Gen 19:1), what values is Lot defending in this repulsive offer? What do alliances look like for a modern-day Patriarch?  How does loyalty in alliances strengthen a Patriarch’s life today?

3.       Contrast the Bible’s portrayal of urban life (Gen 11 and 19) with the rural life of shepherds. What elements of a rural environment keep families close to God’s ways? What dangers must a Patriarch be aware of in a city, which are not as prevalent in the country, and vice versa? 

4.       How does Lot’s family respond to his warning about God’s destruction? How does a Patriarch promote God’s teaching when family members and the city culture resist?

5.       What is the sexual wickedness of Genesis 6? How does God destroy it? What is the sexual wickedness of Genesis 19? How does God destroy it? How does the story of the Moabites and Ammonites set them up for destruction by Israel? What warnings should echo to faithful families today?

Resolutions

Choose a resolution for this week from the suggestions below or make your own.  Tap on a resolution to email it to yourself:

1.    I will invite a coworker into our home for dinner and community.
2.    I will invite our parish priest into our home for dinner and community.
3.    I will invite another family from my parish into our home for dinner, community, and games.
4.    I will take my family out of the city to an area where we can experience God’s beauty in nature and in solitude, silence, and peace (hiking, biking, camping, picnic, etc.).
5.    I will plan to spend time with my son-in-law or daughter-in-law to invest in that relationship.
6.    I will call my father-in-law to invest in that relationship.
7.    I will meet with another member(s) of my Patriarch group outside of our regularly scheduled meeting time to foster our alliance(s).
8.    I will pray a Rosary each day this week interceding for freedom and protection from sexual immorality for my family and myself.
9.    I will plan with my wife how we will educate our children in sexual morality.

Previous Resolutions - Genesis 18

Prayer Partners

Discuss with your prayer partner the success/failure of your previous resolution & offer a vocal prayer for one another.