Judah & Tamar

Robyn Elliott   -   July 11, 2024

These questions are connected to the message, Stuff You Didn’t hear in Sunday School: Judah & Tamar from Sunday, July 7, 2024. You can watch this message here.

1. What stood out to you from this message? What challenged you, inspired you, or confused you? What questions do you still have?
2. The text clearly says that God puts two of Judah’s sons to death. Can you accept this as it’s written or could this be a piece of ancient near east culture where everything was attributed to the gods? Which option seems more acceptable to you?
3. Have you ever been in a situation where you felt that you had no voice? Or where you felt out of options? Have you ever done something out of desperation for which you were later condemned (or not)?
4. Where have you experienced the extraordinary mercy of God in your life? Or where might you be waiting and hoping for it?
5. What parallels can we draw between Tamar’s role in the lineage of Jesus and God’s redemptive plan for humanity through Jesus?
6. How can we apply the principles of justice and mercy seen in this story to our interactions with others in our world and our church, especially those who are marginalized or oppressed?