The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)

Episode: Day 3: Noah’s Ark (2026)
Date: January 3, 2026
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz (Ascension)

Episode Overview

Theme:
Fr. Mike leads listeners through Genesis chapters 5 and 6—highlighting the genealogy from Adam to Noah, the growing corruption of humankind, and God’s call to Noah to build the ark. He reflects on the meaning of “the sons of God and the daughters of men,” the descent of humanity into violence, and the enduring hope that God provides even in the midst of judgment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Genealogy from Adam to Noah

[01:22 - 06:23]

• Genesis 5 is primarily a genealogy listing the descendants from Adam through Seth, down to Noah.
• The genealogy emphasizes that, despite the fall, God’s plan continues through a particular line—Seth’s.
• Genesis 5:24 mentions Enoch: “Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.”
• Methuselah, the oldest, lived 969 years (Gen 5:27).

Fr. Mike’s Reflection:

• “There are two kind of distinct threads of humanity… the Cainite line… and the Sethite line. Not two different kinds of people in the sense of races… What this is is clearly—it’s the same family, but… there is a distinction.” ([09:45])
• "While modern readers often find genealogies boring, they actually include important details... Adam's genealogy, as we noted earlier, begins with an account of how Seth is born in Adam’s image and likeness" ([10:15])

2. The Meaning of ‘Sons of God’ and ‘Daughters of Men’

[09:45 - 13:00]

• Genesis 6:1-4 introduces a mysterious passage about “sons of God” marrying “daughters of men,” as well as the Nephilim.
• Fr. Mike references Jeff Cavins and Tim Gray’s Walking with God to unpack the meaning:
  • The “sons of God” are likely from Seth’s line—those striving to remain faithful and walk in God’s ways.
  • The “daughters of men” are identified with Cain’s line, which is associated with increasing rebellion and violence.
  • The Nephilim (Hebrew: "to fall") references the fallen state of this line.

Notable Quote:

• “Seth’s line produces righteous men like Enoch and Noah who worship God and call upon the name of the Lord. Cain’s line produces murderers and polygamists like Lamech.” ([11:35])
• “It’s not a racial thing… it is a way of life thing. Seth walked in the way of the Lord and Cain did not.” ([12:08])

3. The Corruption of Humanity and God’s Response

[06:23 - 06:40]; [14:00 - 15:00]

• Humanity grows increasingly wicked; the earth is “filled with violence.”
• God’s grief and regret at humankind’s choices are described:
  “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great… the Lord was sorry that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.” (Genesis 6:5-6)
• God decides to send a flood to purge corruption, but chooses Noah—a righteous man—to survive and continue God’s plan.

Reflection & Application:

• Fr. Mike draws parallels for today:
  • Even if "the culture around us is more broken than it is whole, we can still choose, like Noah, to live as those who are following and pursuing the Lord." ([15:12])
  • “Noah walked with God… regardless of what the people in my family are doing, regardless… I can walk with the Lord today.” ([16:14])
  • “Who you choose to be your spouse determines in so many ways the trajectory of your life” ([12:50])
  • “When we cling to the cancer, you can’t destroy the cancer without destroying everything that’s holding on to it.” ([14:42])

4. Psalm 136: God’s Enduring Mercy

[06:40 - 08:44]

• The psalm is a hymn of thanksgiving, recounting God’s mighty deeds in creation and history.
• A refrain is repeated throughout: “for his mercy endures forever.”

Notable Moment:

• Fr. Mike reads many of the psalm’s lines aloud, giving the refrain special emphasis:
  • “O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever.” ([06:47])
  • “To him who alone does great wonders, for his mercy endures forever.” ([06:55])

5. Personal Reflection Questions

[16:14 - 17:04]

• Fr. Mike encourages listeners to ask:
  • “God, how do you want me to walk with you? How can I walk with you today?”
• He reminds listeners that, no matter the situation, God’s hope endures:
  • “The Lord always holds out an offering of hope to every one of us, no matter what our situation.” ([16:52])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “No one is 100% wicked and no one’s 100% good. We are good, but we’re broken.” – Fr. Mike Schmitz ([14:58])
• “God always holds out an offering of hope to every one of us, no matter what our situation.” – Fr. Mike Schmitz ([16:52])
• “Who you choose to be your spouse determines in so many ways the trajectory of your life, and it determines the trajectory of your family’s life, for good and for ill.” – Fr. Mike Schmitz ([12:50])

Important Timestamps

• [01:22] — Genesis 5 (Genealogy: Adam to Noah)
• [03:04] — “Enoch walked with God and he was not, for God took him.”
• [04:10] — Genesis 6 (Sons of God & Daughters of Men)
• [06:40] — Psalm 136: God’s mercy endures forever
• [09:43] — Fr. Mike’s reflection on genealogy and lines of descent
• [12:08] — Explanation of “sons of God” and “daughters of men”
• [14:42] — Sin as a cancer; need for God to purge wickedness
• [16:14] — Personal application: “How can I walk with you today, God?”

Tone & Style

Fr. Mike’s tone is warm, pastoral, and deeply reflective. He combines accessible explanations of biblical complexities with practical spiritual encouragement, always inviting listeners to connect scripture to their own lives in a spirit of hope and trust in God’s enduring mercy.

Summary Takeaway

On Day 3, Fr. Mike unpacks foundational themes of corruption and hope in early Genesis, clarifies challenging biblical language, and calls listeners to “walk with God” as Noah did—no matter the brokenness around them. The episode grounds biblical history in personal relevance, inviting each person to “cling to the Lord” amidst life’s storms, trusting that “his mercy endures forever.”