A Case for Creation: Session 3, Part 2 – Genesis Chapters 1 and 2 Explored

As we continue to build our case for Creation, it is important to take a close look at what The Bible is teaching when it comes to Genesis. Up to this point we have actually been focused on one verse, the first verse in the Bible, Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created…”. This statement is of utmost importance because the claim is that God is the Creator and all that follows in human history is from that fact. What Genesis chapters 1 and 2 have to say is either true, or not true; but if we have proven, beyond a reasonable doubt that God exists, and miracles are possible, then nothing in these chapters, nor in the rest of the Bible, will be hard to understand.

Here is the class presentation on this topic for you to view. Below are the notes that outline the information presented:

Overview of the presentation: Genesis 1 and 2 Explored

The most important questions of life…

1. *God’s existence
2. Origin of life
3. Identity and purpose
4. The problem of evil
5. Final destiny

…are all answered in God’s Word, and in the first few chapters of Genesis…

(*We answered God’s existence in session two)

What is the origin of the universe and life here on Earth?

The 1^st Major Historical Event: CREATION

Genesis chapter one

God created (ex nihilo = from nothing) in six days and gave us an example of rest on the seventh

DAYS OF CREATION	EVENTS
First Day	Heavens, Earth and light •       the universe was formed •       light and darkness were established •       the Earth’s rotation and the beginning of time was instituted
Second Day	Sky and water •       the waters separated creating the atmosphere that is divided from water on the earth
Third Day	Land, seas and vegetation •       dry land formed •       oceans/seas formed •       plants and trees were created
Fourth Day	Sun, moon, and stars •       the great lights were created to fill the universe, govern day and night, and to mark the seasons, days and years
Fifth Day	Fish and birds •       fish were created to fill the seas •       birds were created to fill the sky
Sixth Day	Animals •       the second wave of animals were created to fill the dry land Man and woman •       the best for last—the image of God was given to humans (rulership) to care for the earth and all it had been filled with, and to be in relationship with God
Seventh Day	God rested •       He modeled the importance of rest •       He declared all He had made, “very good” •       He set a model for our work week

And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind.” And it was so. God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.

Genesis 1:24-25 (NIV)

But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body. Not all flesh is the same: People have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another.

1 Corinthians 15:38-39 (NIV)

What is our identity and purpose in life?

Genesis chapter two

God created humans in His image; no other living thing was created with these special attributes:

• Image of God, a lesser model of the Trinity
• Rulership over the earth
• Relationship with God and each other
• Ability to love – freewill choice
• Living life with eternity in mind

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Genesis 1:26-27 (NIV)

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 

Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV)

What is Christian purpose?

Jesus gave us a model throughout His ministry…

When asked: “What is the Greatest Commandment?”

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Matthew 22:37-40 (NIV)

What is the purpose of marriage?

1^st Major Historical Players: Adam and Eve

So God created mankind in his own image in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number

Genesis 1:27-28a (NIV)

The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”…

The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.

Genesis 2:18, 21-24 (NIV)

Jesus speaking to the Pharisees:

“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

Matthew 19:4-6 (NIV)

Paul gives the same command from Genesis in his letter to the Ephesians:

“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”

Ephesians 5:31 (NIV)

Where did families come from?

• God had given the command to “be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28, 9:1)
• Adam and Eve had many children (Genesis 4-5)
• Cain, Seth and the other children of Adam and Eve had children and began to populate the earth (Genesis 5:4)
• God had not forbidden brother-sister unions because the Mosaic Law had not yet been given—throughout the book of Genesis close family unions were common
• Creation was pure and perfect and, as we know today, the DNA had not yet been corrupted (nor had the DNA had time to mutate)
• Long life spans made it possible for the human population to grow quickly
• After the flood life spans declined

What is our final destiny?

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”  Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

John 14:1-12 (NIV)

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them,  and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.

Revelation 21:1-7 (NASB)

Going Deeper

For those of you who want to go deeper into the topic of “days of Creation” you can explore the three main Christian views (Young Earth Creation, Old Earth/Day-Age Creation, and Theistic Evolution) by watching this friendly Christian discussion (debate). We will look at these views in session 3 of our class presentation.

“Origins Conference,” hosted by Dr. Sean McDowell, Professor at Biola University (2 hours, 40 minutes):

Reflection

1. What are some things that stand out to you in reference to the six days of creation? Choose some things you’d be willing to share with others.
2. Why is it important to understand that we were made “in the image of God” and how can that apply to issues in our culture today?
3. PTRs: Prayer focus – Pray for opportunities to share what you are learning from God’s Word with others.

Bible Study

Each week we will do a Bible study in the book of Genesis to practice our Bible study skills. This week read or re-read Genesis Chapter Two, then, to the best of your ability, answer the following questions:

Always remember to pray before reading and studying Scripture.

1. Discuss: What are some things you notice (make a list) about the “Garden of Eden” in reference to climate and elements of its natural beauty (2:5-14)? What was Adam’s role in relationship to that creation (2:15)?

2. What was the only command God gave to Adam (2:16-17)? Discuss: Why do you think God gave Adam that one command?

3. Re-read Genesis 2:18-25 then cross-reference by reading Matthew 19:4-6 where Jesus supports this passage. This is the only time God uses “it is not good” in the creation account; what does He say and why?  Discuss: What do you see concerning God’s desire and design for marriage? What are some of the many ways we have distorted God’s original intention?

Join us next week as we continue our “Case for Creation and A Study in Genesis – Session #3, Part 3 – The Problem of Evolution” ———————————————————————