The first eleven chapters of Genesis summarize two thousand years of history: the Garden of Eden, the multiplication of humanity, the worldwide flood, the formation of city-states, and the dis- persion of people throughout the earth. In the first few chapters, key ideas emerge. These ideas are central to the main message.
CREATION—Genesis 1–2
God creates everything. He creates each realm: the natural, the spiritual, the eternal, and the separation realm. He creates all creatures. He creates angels and demons. He creates us.
SIN—Genesis 3
Humanity obeys Satan and disobeys God. Sin is introduced into our world. God promises redemption from sin and its effects.
GENERATIONS – Genesis 4-5
A genealogy from Adam to Noah.
THE FLOOD—Genesis 6–10
Sin increases. It destroys God’s good creation. God sends a worldwide flood to wipe out creation. A new world emerges with eight human beings who are saved to begin again.
BABEL—Genesis 11
People multiply in the earth and attempt to accumulate resources and power. God disperses people to repopulate the earth.
DISCUSSION
In the first eleven chapters of Genesis, a variety of questions emerge. It’s essential to walk through these questions with someone who is able to help you answer them. List them here. The first eleven chapters of Genesis summarize two thousand years of history: the Garden of Eden, the multiplication of humanity, the worldwide flood, the formation of city-states, and the dispersion of people throughout the earth. In the first few chapters, key ideas emerge. These ideas are central to the main message.
DISCUSSION
- In the first eleven chapters of Genesis, a variety of questions emerge. It’s essential to walk through these questions with someone who is able to help you answer them.
Q&A
WHY IS THE DEVIL A SNAKE?
Not all snakes have the devil and demons living in them. In the Bible, demons entered the bodies of other animals (Matthew 8) to interact with humans. We’re not told why the devil chose to use a snake in this story. Remember that the story is written in a poetic format to articulate a more profound truth.
HOW DOES EVOLUTION FIT INTO GENESIS 1?
Macroevolution is a theory espoused by some scientists and opposed by others. Similarly, some theologians advocate for creation days to take place over an extended period, as in evolutionary theory. Other theologians suggest that the Hebrew writing style only allows for literal days, and Jesus’s affirmation of creation supports a literal seven-day creation (Mark 10:6; John 5:45–47 with Exod. 20:11).
DID GOD FLOOD THE ENTIRE WORLD? WHY?
Jesus and the early disciples taught that the entire world flood- ed, not just a small part of it (Matt. 24:37–39; Luke 17:26–27, Heb. 11:7; 1 Pet. 3:20; 2 Pet. 2:5, 3:6). When anything begins to threat- en God’s good creation, He must step in to ensure its ultimate preservation.
WHY DIDN’T GOD HAVE JESUS COME AT THE BEGINNING?
How could God demonstrate His love for humanity and allow us to eagerly desire Him without also allowing us to experience the ends of our decision and the process of restoration rather than just a moment of recovery? Perhaps our affection for Him mattered more than our comfort (2 Pet. 3:9).