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Bellevue, WA 98004
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Session 2 - Introduction to Genesis

Class Discussion (01-03-10)

Why study Genesis?

Genesis is the foundation of God’s Word or in other words the entire Bible literally “sits” on top of this book. Stop and think about God being the author of the Bible. Here God, the creator of language, the ultimate storyteller begins His Word with the Book we call Genesis. This is how He chose to introduce Himself and His Word to all mankind. We will learn a great deal about the character of God and the need for a savior.

Genesis is even more important to study in today’s world. God has become secondary in our society today. Much of the attacks on Christianity today have been against the nature of God, His creation and the Word of God in general all introduced in Genesis. This well orchestrated attack on Christianity often goes without resistance because we don’t know how to defend the Word of God and our beliefs.

I am not one to get involved with New Year’s Resolutions since we all have something in our lives that can be improved especially when it comes to our relationship with Jesus. However will you prayerfully consider committing this year to better knowing God’s Word? What better way than to start with the Book of Genesis? Pray now and often for this class and everyone involved!

Introduction of Introductions

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it” (John 1:1-5 NIV)

Genesis is literally about the beginning. It all starts here. Before we continue ask yourself do you believe in the first four words of the Bible?

In the Beginning God

If you believe in this statement everything else will go easier in Genesis and the rest of the Bible. As part of our study in this book we will be reviewing several ways to defend the Word of God and our beliefs. This subject is called Apologetics the term is based on the root word in Greek meaning “to give a defense for” the Apostle Peter used that term in his first epistle (See 1 Peter 3:15). There are several dialogs that can help people recognize the existence of God.

Outline of the Book of Genesis

  1. Primeval History (1:1-11:26)
    1. Creation of the Heavens and the Earth (1:1-2:3)
      1. Introduction (1:1-2)
      2. Body (1:3-31)
      3. Conclusion (2:1-3)
    2. Adam and Eve in Eden (2:4-5)
    3. The Fall of Man and Creation (Chapter 3)
    4. The Rapid Spread of Sin (4:1-24)
    5. The Birth of Seth – Men Begin to Call on God (4:25-26)
    6. The Genealogy Between Adam and Noah – The Gospel? (5:1-32)
    7. The Extent of Sin Leading Up to the Flood – Introducing the Nephilim (6:1-8)
    8. The Great Flood (6:9-9:29)
      1. Preparing for the Flood (6:9-7:10)
      2. Judgment and Redemption (7:11-8:19)
        1. The Rising of the Waters (7:11-24)
        2. The Receding of the Waters (8:1-19)
      3. The Flood’s Aftermath (8:20-9:29)
        1. A New Promise (8:20-22)
        2. New Ordinances (9:1-7)
        3. A New Covenant (9:8-17)
        4. A New Temptation (9:18-23)
        5. Prophecies About Noah’s Sons (9:24-29)
    9. The Spread of the Nations (10:1-11:26)
      1. The Diffusion of Nations – Introducing Nimrod (Chapter 10)
      2. The Confusion of Tongues – The Tower of Babel (11:1-9)
      3. The First Semitic genealogy (11:10-26)
  2. Patriarchal History (11:27-50:26)
    1. The Life of Abraham (11:27-25:11)
      1. Abraham’s Background (11:27-32)
      2. Abraham’s Call and Covenant (Chapters 12-14)
      3. Abraham’s People (Chapters 15-24)
      4. Abraham’s Last Days (25:1-11)
    2. The Descendants of Ishmael (25:12-18)
    3. The Life of Jacob (25:19-35:29)
      1. Jacob at Home (25:19-27:46)
      2. Jacob Abroad (Chapters 28-30)
      3. Jacob at Home Again (Chapters 31-35)
    4. The Descendants of Esau (36:1-37:1)
    5. The Life of Joseph (37:2-50:26)
      1. Joseph’s Career (37:2-41:57)
      2. Jacob’s Migration (Chapters 42-47)
      3. Jacob’s Last Days (48:1-50:14)
      4. Joseph’s Last Days (50:15-26)

Author

The Book of Genesis, like all other books of the Bible, was written by men under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (See 2 Peter 1:21 and 2 Timothy 3:16). Later in our study we will look at the process of how the various books of the Bible were identified as being inspired by God.

Most scholars accept Moses as the author of Genesis as well as Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. This was also Luke’s understanding when he wrote in his Gospel about Jesus talking on the road to Emmaus “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27 NIV) Jesus Himself said later in the same Gospel “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” (Luke 27:44 NIV)

A Brief Look at Some of the Origins Found in Genesis

1. Origin of the universe

The Book of Genesis stands alone in accounting for the actual creation of the basic space-mass-time continuum, which constitutes our physical universe.

2. Origin of order and complexity

Order and complexity never arise spontaneously - they are always generated by a prior cause (intelligent design) programmed to produce such order.

3. Origin of the solar system

The earth, as well as the sun and moon, and even the planets and all the stars of heaven, were likewise brought into existence by the Creator.

4. Origin of the atmosphere and hydrosphere

The earth is uniquely equipped with a great body of liquid water and an extensive blanket of an oxygen-nitrogen gaseous mixture, both of which are necessary for life.

5. Origin of life

How living systems could have come into being from non-living chemicals is, and will undoubtedly continue to be, a total mystery to naturalistic scientists and philosophers.

6. Origin of man

Man is the most highly organized and complex entity in the universe, so far as we know, possessing not only innumerable intricate physicochemical structures, and the marvelous capacities of life and reproduction, but also a nature which contemplates the abstract entities of beauty and love and worship, and which is capable of philosophizing about its own meaning.

7. Origin of marriage

The remarkably universal and stable institution of marriage and the home, in a monogamous, patriarchal social culture, is likewise described in Genesis as having been ordained by the Creator.

8. Origin of sin and evil

The origin of physical and moral evils in the universe is explained in Genesis as a temporary intrusion into God’s perfect world, allowed by Him as a concession to the principle of human freedom and responsibility, and also to manifest Himself as Redeemer as well as Creator.

9. Origin of language

The Book of Genesis accounts for the origin of language in general and the reason for various national languages.

10. Origin of government

The development of organized systems of human government is described in Genesis. Including social structures and systems of laws and punishments.

11. Origin of culture

The beginning of urbanization, metallurgy, music, agriculture, animal husbandry, writing, education, navigation, textiles, and ceramics.

12. Origin of nations

How distinctive nations and races developed.

13. Origin of religion

The origin of organized system of worship and conduct. As well as the origin of true worship of the true God.

14. Origin of the chosen people

The enigma of the Israelites – the unique nation that was without a homeland for over nineteen hundred years, which gave to the world the Bible and the knowledge of the true God, through which came Christianity and which rejects Christianity, a nation which has significantly contributed to the world’s art, music, science, finance, etc. Which nevertheless is despised by great numbers of people – is answered only in terms of the unique origin of Israel as set forth in the Book of Genesis.

15. Origin of prophecy

God uses prophecy to provide comfort for His people and to bring authenticity to His Word. God is alone in knowing the end from the beginning so only He can write with accuracy what will happen including the promise of a Savior.

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