2. Think of a time this summer when you noticed God s creation. Please describe what you experienced and your response to it.

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1 Introduction to Genesis September 4, What was the best thing about your summer? 2. Think of a time this summer when you noticed God s creation. Please describe what you experienced and your response to it. 3. Have you ever studied Genesis chapters 1-11? What comes to mind when you think about Genesis? 4. Read Genesis 1:1-31. What word or phrases do you see repeated? 5. Read the first three verses of Genesis 1 again. What do you learn about God in these three verses? As you ponder this understanding of God, how does this influence your response to Him? 6. Take a moment to think about something you have created and share this with your group. What materials did you use in your creation? What did you think about your creation when you were finished?

2 Genesis 1:3 2:3 September 11, Before we look at creation in Genesis, please read and summarize these verses which explain what the early church believed about the origin of the world. Acts 4:24 Colossians 1:15-16 Hebrews 1:1-2 Hebrews 11:3 What did Jesus believe about the creation of our world? Read Mark 13: What essential discipline must we exercise in order to embrace these same beliefs? Reread Hebrews 11:3. What are some specific things that you might do to deepen your faith in this area? 3. Read Genesis 1:1-2 to review last week s lesson. What words are used to describe the earth? What additional words come to your mind as you focus on these verses? Now read Genesis 1:3-5. What obvious contrasts appear as the six days of creation begin? What might these contrasts represent? Read 1 John 1:5, John 3:19, 1 Corinthians 14:33, 2 Corinthians 4:6 and Ephesians 5:8.

3 Genesis 1:3 2:3 September 11, 2014 Page 2 4. Begin reading the amazing story of the six days of creation. After each day, stop and record your insights. Day 1 Genesis 1:3-5 What did God create on this day? What were the unique qualities connected to this creation? Day 2 Genesis 1:6-8 What did God create on this day? What were the unique qualities connected to this creation? Day 3 Genesis 1:9-13 What did God create on this day? What were the unique qualities connected to this creation? Day 4 Genesis 1:14-19 What did God create on this day? What were the unique qualities connected to this creation? Day 5 Genesis 1:20-23 What did God create on this day? What were the unique qualities connected to this creation? Day 6 Genesis 1:24-31 What did God create on this day? What were the unique qualities connected to this creation?

4 Genesis 1:3 2:3 September 11, 2014 Page 3 5. According to the beginning of each daily creation verse (verses 3, 6, 9, 14, 20, 26), how did God create? As Moses divinely penned this truth, what realities would the Israelites learn about God when they considered how God created? Remember that Israel was a nation surrounded by pagan nations who worshipped man-made gods. Also read Psalm 33:8, 9. What do we learn about God today when considering the power of His Word? Read John 1:1-5, We read in the creation story that God saw that it was good. What realizations about creation might we learn when considering that God pronounced His work good? 7. Read Genesis 2:1-3. What do we see in verse 3 that demonstrates God s sanctification of the seventh day as a unique day? Why was it set apart? Read Hebrews 4:9-10. What are the works God has called us to do before our final heavenly rest according to Ephesians 2:10? 8. One day we will all sing together the words of Revelation 4:11. Read this verse. Did God have a plan for creation? How should we respond to God s creative power? 9. Do you have a personal prayer request to share with your small group?

5 Genesis 2:4-25 September 18, Read Genesis 2:4-9. Record how many times the Lord God is mentioned in these verses. Who is the central figure in these verses? What actions are attributed to Him? 2. Although Genesis 1:26-27 chronicles the beginning of human life, we learn new details about the beginning of man from Genesis 2:5-7. Describe the backdrop for the creation of the first man in verses 5-6. Now, describe how God goes about creating the first man in Genesis 2:7. 3. Moses uses the verb formed to describe God s creation of man in Genesis 2:7. Share the word pictures or synonyms that this brings to your mind as you think about God forming Adam. After God forms Adam, how does He actually give him life? What do you think is the significance of God giving man the breath of life? Read Job 32:8 and Zechariah 12:1. 4. A great picture of man s first home is given in Genesis 2:8-14. Where is it located according to verse 8? How did Adam come to live here? Who is his realtor and landscaper?

6 Genesis 2:4-25 September 18, 2014 Page 2 5. Give a description of the garden from Genesis 2:8-14. List the two trees that are specifically mentioned in verse 9. List the names of the rivers and their locations. What else is part of this garden according to verses 11-12? What other place does this description remind you of? Read Revelation 21:10, 11, 21 and Revelation 22:1-2 for insight. 6. As God places Adam in the garden, what purpose does He give him in his new environment in Genesis 2:15? Where do you see God s hand in your life giving you work and purpose? 7. Along with purpose, God also gives Adam freedom and responsibility in his new home. Record the freedom that God gives Adam in Genesis 2:16. Record the restriction God gives Adam in Genesis 2:17. What is the consequence of ignoring God s command according to verse 17? Do you think God clearly communicates His expectations and the consequences of disobedience to Adam? Why or why not? 8. As you think about life today, share some of the ways we can become knowledgeable of the consequences of ignoring God s expressed commands in our daily lives. 9. Read Genesis 2: What deficiency does God identify in Adam in verse 18? How does God propose to rectify that deficiency?

7 Genesis 2:4-25 September 18, 2014 Page Before providing Adam with a helper, how does God engage Adam in Genesis 2:19-21? 11. Why do you think God wanted Adam to meet and greet all the living creatures before He moved on to the next step in His plan for Adam? What conclusion did Adam come to in verse 20? Has God ever taken you through a similar time of learning and understanding before moving on to the next step in your life? Share your experience and insight. 12. Describe how God meets Adam s need in Genesis 2: What stands out to you about the creation of woman? How is she unique? 13. What new relationship/institution begins by God s hand in Genesis 2:22-24? How would you characterize Adam s response to the first woman, Eve, in verse 23? 14. Record the instructions God gives the first married couple in Genesis 2:24. Why do you think this was important for the first couple to understand and receive? How do you think this wisdom holds true in today s culture? 15. Do you have a personal prayer request to share with your small group?

8 Genesis 3 September 25, To prepare for the events of Genesis 3, look back to Genesis 1:21-22; 1:27-28 and 2:2-3 to recognize God s relationship to His creation. What does the repeated theme of blessing communicate about God s purpose for His creation? Read Genesis 2:25. Naked and not ashamed is an interesting state! What conditions would need to exist in order for mankind to feel naked and unashamed? 2. Slowly read all of Genesis 3, paying attention to the characters in the story, their actions and the outcomes. Who are the main characters? Read Revelation 20:2. Who is disguised as the serpent? How is the serpent described? 3. God gave specific instructions about food in the garden in Genesis 1:29 and 2: According to these verses, what has God allowed for food? What has God forbidden? What would be the consequence for disobedience? 4. Carefully read the serpent s argument in Genesis 3:1-5. What exactly does he say and how does this cause the woman to doubt God s words? How does the woman respond? Do you recognize any error in her answer? The temptation to disobey God continues to come to all of us. As you struggle with specific temptations, which of God s words do you doubt?

9 Genesis 3 September 25, 2014 Page 2 5. Genesis 3:6 fully describes the woman s progression to sin. Also read James 1:14-15 and describe the way the woman was enticed and moved into disobedience. Think of specific areas where you currently struggle to obey God. How does the pattern of doubt and desire play out in your mind? What truths can you remember to help you resist the pattern of temptation in the future? How is Adam drawn in? 6. Read Genesis 3:7-8. What was the immediate consequence for eating the forbidden fruit and how do they now respond to God? What do you think is meant by they knew that they were naked? Describe some of today s temptations that promise enlightenment and freedom but actually provide something quite different. 7. Read about God s gracious pursuit in Genesis 3:9-13. List each question that God asks and the answers that are given. While they both try to blame someone else for their behavior, Adam and the woman ultimately admit their disobedience. Read 1 John 1:9 and explain why these specific questions and answers were necessary.

10 Genesis 3 September 25, 2014 Page 3 8. Read God s judgment in Genesis 3:14-19, paying careful attention to the things that are cursed. Record the specific consequences for the serpent. Record the specific consequences for the woman. Record the specific consequences for Adam. Who/what is actually cursed by God? Who is not cursed by God? 9. Reread Genesis 3:19. How long will Adam struggle and toil? What then is the ultimate consequence for man s disobedience? Considering all the consequences, how might death be viewed as a gracious provision? 10. How have these consequences continued today and affected the following relationships? Man s relationship with God Man s relationship with work Man s relationship with his spouse 11. Read Genesis 3: What solution does God offer for the problem of their nakedness? Where would God get these skins? God would later establish a sacrificial system for his people that involved shedding the blood of an animal as payment for the people s sin. What does this tell us about God? 12. As you consider the tragic story of man s disobedience to God, look back at Genesis 3:15, and note the hope that shines in the darkness. 13. Do you have a personal prayer request to share with your small group?

11 Genesis & Worldview October 2, A worldview is a set of beliefs about the world that a person assumes to be true. What are some examples of different worldviews that you have observed? What shapes a person s worldview? What has shaped yours? 2. Consider the different ideas about God you have heard expressed in your life and write some of them down, even those you may not agree with. 3. God s activity in Genesis tells us much about God s person and character. Review Genesis 1:1 and record your observations about God. Review Genesis 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21 and 25. Each verse repeats the same phrase, it was good. If God is able to declare what is good and what is not, then what do we know about God? If all that God created and provided for man was good, what can we know about God s plan for man? 4. Read Genesis 1:22, 28 and 2:3. Look up and write down the definition of bless. What does this activity of God tell us about His character and His plan for His creation? 5. Carefully read the account of God creating the sun, moon and stars in Genesis 1: What are the purposes for these great lights? Who created them, placed them in their exact location and declared their purpose? Based on this, who is in total control?

12 Genesis & Worldview October 2, 2014 Page 2 6. If your view of God was based strictly on the Scriptures in Genesis and nothing else, how would you describe God? 7. Read Genesis 1:26-28 and 2:7-8. Based solely on this account, what makes man unique among the other created things? Considering these verses and the relationship that is described in Genesis 3, what can you conclude about God s purposes for man? Our world is full of messages about man s purpose. Think about music, literature, philosophy, etc., and write down some of the things you have heard expressed. (Example: One song says, Girls just want to have fun! ) 8. Genesis shows us that God created man with the ability to make his own choices but God gave him a specific code of conduct for living in the garden. What information did Adam have to help him determine what was right and what was wrong? Read Genesis 3:7-10 and describe man s condition when he chooses to disobey God. Based on this account, do you believe that man always knows what is good or best? Did any good thing occur when Adam and Eve stepped outside of God s code of conduct? 9. If your view was strictly rooted in the Scriptures, what would you believe about absolute right and wrong? How does this compare with ideas you have heard about absolute right and wrong today?

13 Genesis & Worldview October 2, 2014 Page Genesis 3:7-10 shows us man s frantic effort to cover his shame. From these verses, does it appear to you that Adam has successfully covered his shame? Read Genesis 3:21. Who is the one who successfully covers their shame? 11. In our lives today, people still struggle with regret/sin/shame. Write down some of the ways people try to cover their own shame. Do these things successfully resolve the sin/shame issue? If your view of resolving sin and shame were strictly rooted in the Scriptures, what would you determine to be the only solution? 12. Movies, TV, magazines and celebrities all communicate messages about what it means to be a woman. What are the things these media tell us are most important in being a woman? Now read about the creation of the first woman in Genesis 1:26-28 and 2: What are the things these Scriptures tell us are most important in being a woman? 13. As you compare and contrast the ideas that are prevalent in the world today and the truths of Genesis, what conclusions do you draw? What cautions do you recommend for women seeking to find truth? 14. Do you have a personal prayer request to share with your small group?

14 Genesis 4 October 9, Genesis 4 is a history of the children of Adam and Eve. Read chapter 4 and draw a simple family tree to visualize the relationships within the family. According to Luke 3:23, 38, which son s family line holds the promise of salvation and a people faithful to God? 2. Reread Genesis 4:1-5. Record everything you learn about Cain and Abel. What did the brothers have in common? What was the marked difference between them? 3. In verses 3-5 we see the first time an offering is given to the Lord. Define offering as it is used in this passage. What was Cain s offering? What was Abel s? What kinds of offerings can you give the Lord? What is the purpose behind your offering?

15 Genesis 4 October 9, 2014 Page 2 4. Reread Genesis 4:6-7. God warns Cain of the dangers of sin and challenges him to resist it. After reading Isaiah 3:10-11 and Romans 2:6-11, summarize what can generally be expected in the life of one who pursues righteousness. What can be expected for those who pursue sin? What hope do you find in these truths? How can that hope spur you on in your walk with the Lord? What methods does God use in your life to warn you of the consequences of sin? How is this helpful to you? Do you have a favorite Scripture that spurs you on toward righteousness? If so, please share. 5. Look back at Genesis 4:8-16. Cain commits murder as a result of his envy and jealousy. What do the following verses teach us about envy and jealousy? Proverbs 14:30 1 Corinthians 13:4 James 3:16 Describe Cain s response to God when confronted with his crime. What emotions does he express? Does anything surprise you about Cain s response? Why or why not? 6. Genesis 4:16 describes the last outcome of Cain s sin: Cain went away from the presence of the Lord. In Matthew 28:20, Jesus promises His followers that I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Read Acts 2:25-26 and list some of the great blessings that result from being in the Lord s presence. Consider and share what it means to you to be in the presence of the Lord.

16 Genesis 4 October 9, 2014 Page 3 7. Read Genesis 4:17-24 again. Describe the society that Cain and his descendants create. How do you see their advances as gifts from God? Despite these technological and cultural advances, God is not mentioned in these verses. What conclusion might we draw from this omission? What parallels can you see between Cain s descendants and our world today? Reread Genesis 4: Consider Lamech s life. Though he experienced worldly success he opposed the ways of God. What outcomes do you see from this opposition? 8. In Genesis 4:26 we see the first instance of prayer in the Bible. Read the following verses and record what you learn about calling upon the name of the Lord. Psalm 55:16-17 Psalm 86:5 Psalm 91:15 9. What is one spiritual truth you have learned from Genesis 4? How will it change your heart or actions this week? 10. Do you have a personal prayer request to share with your small group?