Understanding the Book of Genesis

Read

Study objective: Read the two creation accounts and notice what they say about God, the world and people.

Reading: Genesis 1:1–2:3 · Genesis 2:4–25

Background and context

Genesis opens with an ordered account of six days and a seventh day of rest, followed by a second account focused on the first man and woman in the garden. They differ in order and emphasis. Readers hold different views on how these chapters relate to science; this lesson focuses on what the text itself says about God and humanity.

Observe

• God speaks and it happens; the refrain “God saw that it was good” recurs.
• Humankind is made in God’s image, male and female (1:27).
• God rests on the seventh day and makes it holy (2:2-3).
• In Genesis 2, God forms the man from dust, plants a garden and makes the woman (2:7-22).

Words, people and events to notice

Image of God

Genesis says humans are made in God’s image and likeness, and links this to blessing and responsibility over creation. Genesis 1:26–28

Understand

1. What do the repeated phrases of Genesis 1 emphasise about God?
2. What does being made in God’s image include, according to Genesis 1:26-28?
3. How does Genesis 2 add to the picture in Genesis 1?

Connect

• Psalm 8:3–8

  A psalm wondering at humanity’s place in creation.

• John 1:1–3

  The New Testament’s echo of “in the beginning”.

Reflect

1. What does it mean for you that every person bears God’s image?
2. How could the rhythm of work and rest in Genesis 1–2 shape your week?

Key takeaways

Editorial summary, not Scripture.

• God is the creator of all things.
• Every person is made in God’s image.
• Creation was good, and rest is built into it.

Read

Study objective: Trace how trust breaks down in Genesis 3–4, and what God does in response.

Reading: Genesis 3:1–24 · Genesis 4:1–16

Background and context

Genesis 3 tells of the serpent, the forbidden fruit and the expulsion from Eden. Genesis 4 shows the break spreading: Cain kills his brother Abel. Yet God continues to speak, to clothe, and to protect.

Observe

• The serpent questions and twists God’s word (3:1-5).
• Shame, hiding and blame follow (3:7-13).
• God clothes the man and the woman before sending them out (3:21).
• God warns Cain before he acts, and puts a mark on him to protect him after (4:7, 4:15).

Words, people and events to notice

Sin

In Genesis 4:7 sin is pictured as crouching at the door, desiring Cain, who must rule over it. Genesis 4:7

Understand

1. How does the serpent change God’s instruction (compare 2:16-17 with 3:1-5)?
2. How do relationships break in Genesis 3 (with God, with each other, with the ground)?
3. What signs of God’s care appear even after judgment?

Connect

• Romans 5:12–19

  Paul reflects on Adam and Christ.

• 1 John 3:11–12

  John uses Cain as a warning about hatred.

Reflect

1. Where do you see hiding and blaming in your own life?
2. What does God’s care for Cain suggest about his character?

Key takeaways

Editorial summary, not Scripture.

• Distrust of God’s word lies at the root of the story.
• Sin spreads, but God keeps caring and speaking.

Read

Study objective: Study the flood and the tower of Babel as stories of judgment, rescue and a fresh start.

Reading: Genesis 6:5–9:17 · Genesis 11:1–9

Background and context

The flood story shows God grieving over violence and making a new beginning with Noah, sealed with a covenant. The tower of Babel shows people trying to make a name for themselves; God scatters them and confuses their language. The next chapter begins the story of Abram.

Observe

• The LORD is grieved in his heart over human wickedness (6:5-6).
• Noah finds favour and obeys (6:8, 6:22).
• God remembers Noah and makes a covenant with every living creature (8:1, 9:8-17).
• The builders at Babel want to make a name for themselves (11:4).

Words, people and events to notice

Covenant

A binding commitment. The covenant after the flood is God’s promise never again to destroy all life by a flood. Genesis 9:11

Understand

1. What does God feel about the world before the flood (6:5-7)?
2. Who is included in the covenant of Genesis 9?
3. What is wrong with wanting to “make a name for ourselves” (11:4)? Compare 12:2.

Connect

• Hebrews 11:7

  Noah’s faith.

• Acts 2:5–11

  At Pentecost people from many languages hear God’s works in their own tongues.

Reflect

1. Where are you tempted to make a name for yourself?
2. What does the rainbow covenant say about God’s patience?

Key takeaways

Editorial summary, not Scripture.

• God judges violence but begins again with grace.
• Human pride divides; God’s promise will gather.

Read

Study objective: Follow God’s promise to Abraham and see how faith is tested over time.

Reading: Genesis 12:1–9 · Genesis 15:1–6 · Genesis 22:1–19

Background and context

God calls Abram to leave his country and promises land, descendants and blessing for all nations. Years pass without a child. God renews the promise; Abram believes. When Isaac is finally born, God tests Abraham on Mount Moriah.

Observe

• God promises that all the families of the earth will be blessed through Abram (12:3).
• Abram goes, as the LORD told him, at seventy-five (12:4).
• Abram believes God’s promise of countless descendants, and it is counted as righteousness (15:6).
• Abraham tells Isaac, “God will provide himself the lamb” (22:8).

Words, people and events to notice

Blessing

God’s favour and gift of life. The promise to Abram looks beyond his family to all nations. Genesis 12:2–3

Understand

1. What does God promise in Genesis 12:1-3, and for whose sake?
2. What does Abram have to go on when he believes in 15:6?
3. How does Genesis 22 test the promise itself?

Connect

• Galatians 3:6–9

  Paul connects the blessing of the nations with faith.

• Hebrews 11:8–19

  Abraham’s faith in Hebrews.

Reflect

1. What has God asked you to trust him for over a long time?
2. How does Abraham’s story encourage you when promises seem slow?

Key takeaways

Editorial summary, not Scripture.

• God’s promise to Abraham is for the blessing of all nations.
• Faith trusts God’s word over long waiting and through testing.

Read

Study objective: See how God keeps his promise through a troubled family, and how the book ends.

Reading: Genesis 28:10–22 · Genesis 32:22–32 · Genesis 50:15–26

Background and context

Abraham’s grandson Jacob deceives his brother and father, flees, and meets God at Bethel. Years later he wrestles at Peniel and is renamed Israel. Jacob’s son Joseph is sold by his brothers but rises in Egypt, and the book ends with Joseph forgiving his brothers and looking ahead to the exodus.

Observe

• At Bethel God repeats the promise to Abraham to Jacob (28:13-15).
• Jacob wrestles until daybreak and receives a new name, Israel (32:28).
• Joseph says, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (50:20).
• Joseph asks that his bones be carried up from Egypt (50:25).

Words, people and events to notice

Israel

The new name given to Jacob, which becomes the name of the people descended from him. Genesis 32:28

Understand

1. Why might God choose to work through such a flawed family?
2. What changes in Jacob between Bethel and Peniel?
3. How does Genesis 50:20 sum up the whole Joseph story?

Connect

• Hebrews 11:20–22

  Isaac, Jacob and Joseph acting in faith about the future.

• Exodus 1:6–8

  The bridge from Genesis into Exodus.

Reflect

1. Where have you seen God work through brokenness?
2. What would forgiveness like Joseph’s cost you?

Key takeaways

Editorial summary, not Scripture.

• God keeps his promise through imperfect people.
• Genesis ends looking forward: the promise is not yet complete.