Introduction and Genesis

Introduction to Journey Through the Bible with Nichole & Patty

We want to welcome all of you that will be joining us for our journey through the Bible. There is nothing of greater value or more importance than spending time in God’s Word. This will be just an overview of each book. Each week will cover 1 & sometimes 2 books. Please realize this is fast paced & we are not expecting you to keep up with reading each book weekly. What we encourage you to do is to print out the overviews each week. I hope you will start a notebook with this overview of each book of the Bible. Then as you journey through your Christian walk with God, when He speaks something to you about a certain scripture, you can go to that book of the Bible in your notebook & add it to your notes. Or when you hear a sermon on a scripture, you can do the same. You will have this overview & then keep adding to it as the years go by. What a legacy of faith you would then leave for your children & grandchildren! 

The information comes from numerous sources – Bibles, commentaries, books, sermons, etc. There may be differences between when we have listed the date written for a book & the date your Bible may list. There are 2 main ways they determine when a book was written – internal & external information. Internal evidence are things like the style of writing & the people, places & events mentioned. For example, Daniel uses Aramaic language in some places, so that narrows the writing of it to a time when Aramaic would have been a common language among the Jews. Also, he wrote from Babylon, which would indicate a particular 70 year period during which the Jews had been deported to Babylon. He wrote about certain kings reign & there were very good records kept of historical events such as who was king & what happened during their reign.

External evidence are things that you find from other trusted sources. They use historical records, genealogies, etc. While me may not be able to pinpoint the date exactly that a book was written, we can be certain that the Bible is inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16-17 &   2 Peter 1:20-21)

Our hope is that you will fall in love with God’s Word. That you will read it & apply it to your life.

Genesis

Date Written: 1450-1410 BC

Author: Moses

Setting: Egypt & Canaan – the region presently known as the Middle East.

Key People: Adam, Eve, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, Joseph

Purpose: To record God’s creation of the world & His desire to have a people set apart to worship Him.

Key Verses: So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male & female He created them. 1:27

I will make you into a great nation & I will bless you; I will make your name great & you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you & whoever curses you I will curse & all peoples on earth will be blessed through you. 12:2-3

I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me & you & your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God & the God of your descendants after you. 17:7

Chapter Outline:

1-2:3 The story of creation

2:4-5 The story of Adam

6-11 The story of Noah

12-25:18 The story of Abraham

12:19-28:9 The story of Isaac

28:10-36 The story of Jacob

37-50 The story of Joseph

Importance of reading Genesis:

• What we read in Genesis: Genesis explains the beginning of the universe, earth, people, sin & God’s plan of salvation. What we can learn from this: Genesis teaches us that the earth is well made & good. Mankind is special to God & unique. He creates & sustains all life.  
• What we read: When Adam & Eve were created by God, they were without sin. But they became sinful when they disobeyed God & ate some fruit from the tree. What we can learn: Through Adam & Eve we learn about the destructive power of sin & its consequences.
• What we read: Noah was spared from the destruction of the flood because he obeyed God & built the ark. What  we can learn: Just as God protected Noah & his family, He still protects those who are faithful to Him today.
• What we read: Abraham was asked to leave his country, wander in Canaan, wait years for a son & then sacrifice him as a burnt offering. Through these periods of hard testing, Abraham remained faithful to God. What we can learn: His example teaches us what it means to live a life of faith.
• What we read: Isaac didn’t demand his own way. He didn’t resist when he was about to be sacrificed & he gladly accepted a wife chosen for him by others. What we can learn: Like Isaac, we must learn to put God’s will ahead of our own.
• What we read: Jacob didn’t give up easily. He faithfully served Laban for over 14 years. Later he wrestled with God. What we can learn: Although Jacob made many mistakes, his hard work teaches us about living a life of service for our Lord.
• What we read: Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers & unjustly thrown into prison by his master. What we can learn: Through the life of Joseph, we learn that suffering, no matter how unfair, can develop strong character in us. There is purpose in your suffering.
• What we read: Genesis explains why men are evil – they choose to do wrong. What we can learn: We are always faced with choices. Sin will ruin your life.
• What we read: God made promises to help & protect His people. He made a covenant with them. What we can learn: He kept His promises then & He keeps them now. Life & death, blessing & cursing were set before them & the choice was theirs. It is the same for us. We see that the only way to enjoy the benefits of His promises is to obey Him.
• What we read: God started the nation of Israel in order to have a dedicated people who would obey Him & tell the world about Him. What we can learn: He is looking for you to do the same – obey Him & to witness to others.

Things to think about as you read Genesis:

• What did you learn about God – His character, His attributes & the ways He moves in the lives of men & nations? Since God never changes, can you trust Him? Can you rely on what the Word of God reveals about Him even though you may not fully understand His ways?
• What can you learn from the lives of the people in Gensis? Romans 15:4 says the things written in the OT were written for our instruction, that through perseverance & the encouragement of Scripture we might have hope. What are the blessings of obedience & the consequences of disobedience?
• Jesus took the book of Genesis at face value & attributed its authorship to Moses. As you study the Gospels, you will see that Jesus referred to the creation of Adam & Eve, to the flood & to the destruction of Sodom & Gomorrah. He even referred to Satan as a murderer from the beginning. Jesus never contradicted the teachings of Genesis; He only affirmed them. Are you going to take God’s Word at face value & believe as Jesus did or are you going to listen to the philosophies of men? Are you going to follow men with finite minds who critique God & His Word or are you going to accept the Bible as the Word of God & then think & live accordingly.

Link to Teaching Video: https://youtu.be/g5V5xaJcqtc?si=TLSzHH8be3z3rYns

Blessings,

Nichole Henson, MSW

Fullness of Joy Ministry