What a week of “Aha” moments from the first two chapters of Genesis! Christ is the origin, the source, the fulfillment, the power, the glory, the promise, the sustainer, the authority, and the redemption of and for all creation!  This has opened my eyes to worship Christ from a new and deeper perspective.

What stands out to me most from this week is in the Personal Bible Study time on pp. 36-37, where we wrote the parallels about Christ from either prophecy or the New Testament that directly connected to a part of the creation account. For example, just as we were made in the image of God, we also see that Christ is the image of the invisible God. He radiates the very glory of God. And, every time the Scripture says, “And God said…” we are reminded that Jesus Christ is the Word who went forth. Everything that was created was by Him and for Him (Colossians 1:15-17, John 1:1-3, Hebrews 1:3, 1 Peter 1:20-23).

Doesn’t that just blow your mind? Another truth that utterly gave me chills was when God spoke light into existence. This was before the sun, moon, and stars were formed. So, what is the source of that light? We see in Isaiah that as the birth of the Messiah was prophesied, we are told that the people who had walked in darkness have now seen a great light. We also see in Revelation that there will be no need for external light in the new City of Jerusalem because Christ will be there and will be all the light we need. Jesus himself said that he is the light of the world. When we follow him, we will not walk in darkness, but we will have the light of life! So, He is and has been the source of light from the very beginning! Wow! (Isaiah 9:2, Revelation 21:23-24, John 8:12)

Additionally, as God gave us dominion on the earth as his representatives, we are also reminded that Christ is supreme and had been given authority over all things (Ephesians 1:21-22).

We have also been given the command to multiply and fill the earth. God’s original command in Genesis was for everyone to make lots of babies, but this also refers to making disciples of all nations. We are to be fruitful and multiply the Kingdom of God by sharing the Gospel (Matthew 28:18-20, John 15:16).

 I also love that God set the example of resting on the seventh day because he knew that as humans, we would need that rhythm of working and resting in a seven-day cycle, and especially for a day of worship. Then, we see that Christ is our resting place. We can go to him to receive the rest we need. What a safe and comforting place to rest at the feet of Jesus! (Isaiah 11:10, Matthew 11:28)

We will discuss this week some of the aspects of creation that are most meaningful to us, but another truth that jumps out at me is how He created humans. When God created everything else, He spoke it into existence from nothing. Only God can do that! However, when He created people, the story is quite different. We are the only creation that was created in his image for the purpose of representing him and ruling what He created. He also didn’t speak us into existence, but he lovingly formed us with his very own hands. He used raw materials from the earth that He had already spoken into being and, like a potter, formed us into his very image. But, He didn’t stop there! He then breathed his breath of life into us. He gave us his Spirit that sustains us and sets us apart from the rest of creation.

Then, when man fell, Jesus made a way with his very own life to restore us. Did you know that this was part of God’s plan from the very beginning? God didn’t suddenly send his Son into the earth in a desperate attempt to fix what was broken, but it is apparent from the beginning of creation that God had already made a way to make us right with him. Adam and Eve fell away from God’s original plan of perfection, but God had a perfect plan already set in place to fulfill his eternal purpose of unbroken fellowship with Him. We will be like Him, be with Him, and rule with Him (Revelation 20:6).

One more point I want to make, as Nancy Guthrie says, is that although man is the “crowning work of creation,” we are “are not the focus of the creation story. The glory of God is at the heart of creation. We were created to glorify the creator and enjoy him forever.” When all is said and done, everything is really all about revealing His glory and giving Him the glory He so deserves. “Nothing in the universe is created or exists for its own sake but exists to make the glory of the triune God more fully known.”

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. Romans 1:20 NIV

The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Psalm 19:2 NASB

 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of  the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 NASB

 In all that we have studied this week about creation, God’s glory, his plan for our redemption, and Christ’s role from the very beginning, notice that Christ did all the same things while on this earth that He did in creation. He brought light in our darkness, brought order to our chaos, filled our emptiness, revealed the image of God to us, invited us to rest, and more. This recorded in the Gospels, but I can imagine you can list similar occurrences in your own, personal life as well! I won’t recount each instance, but I urge you to take time to ponder each scenario listed on pp. 47-48, and let it sink in just how awesome Christ really is. No matter how much we thought we knew about Him, this will still open your eyes to a fresh and powerful revelation of Christ. How will you respond to Him?

Week 2 Discussion Questions

Here is a preview of what we will be talking about in our small groups from WEEK 2.

ICE BREAKER: We all love new things; don’t we? What is something you have enjoyed when it was new? Or, of what do you wish you had a “new one” even now?

QUESTION 1: In the Personal Bible Study portion this week, you were asked to list what God did in the days of creation. What are some things that stood out to you, or were especially meaningful to you?

QUESTION 2: Genesis 1 tells us that God made us in his own image. How would you explain to someone what it means to be made in the image of God, and why is this significant? What are some ways we are definitely NOT like God?

QUESTION 3: Choose one or more of the statements below and decide how you can use Genesis 1 and 2 to challenge these popular cultural beliefs of our modern day and time. Think about some of the things you have written in your notes or have read in the teaching portion of the study as well.

• This world as we know it was formed by chance as new forms of life developed from matter that spontaneously became more complex.
• The sun, moon, and stars influence a person’s destiny.
• God is one with nature.
• The human body is inherently evil.
• Every thing and every day is equally sacred as well as ordinary.
• What makes a person good is how he or she treats the people and the world around him or her.
• God was lonely, so he created people.

 QUESTION 4: Genesis 2:7 tells us that “God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.” How should this knowledge impact how we see ourselves? Is there anything else from our study this week that should also add to the way we see ourselves?

QUESTION 5: Throughout this study, we are seeking to grasp how the passage we’re studying fits into the bigger story of God’s plan of redemption. How does Genesis 1 help us understand not only how history began, but also where history is headed?

QUESTION 6: What has impacted you most from our study this week?

Week 3 Assignments

LEVEL 1:

1. The Fall: Read Genesis 2:4-3:24
2. Personal Bible Study, pp. 61-67
3. Study the Week 2 Teaching Chapter: You Don’t Have to Hide, pp. 68-85
4. Participate in a small group. (Discussing Week 2)

 LEVEL 2:

1. Look for daily activities in the Heart to Heart Facebook group.
2. Commentary on Genesis 2 from BlueLetterBible.org
3. Commentary on Genesis 3 from BlueLetterBible.org
4. (Repeat from Week 2) Watch video from “Quick Study, Genesis 1-3 | Truth in History”

LEVEL 3:

1. Scripture memory of the week: I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel. Genesis 3:15 ESV
2. SOAP Scriptures: We are going to reread last week’s Scriptures but focus on and SOAP different verses.
   1. Monday: Reread Genesis 2, SOAP Genesis 2:23-24
   2. Tuesday: Reread Genesis 3, SOAP Genesis 3:3, 6
   3. Wednesday: Reread Genesis 4, SOAP Genesis 4:9
   4. Thursday: Reread Genesis 5, SOAP Genesis 5:29
   5. Friday: Read Genesis 6:1-8, SOAP Genesis 6:5-6
3. (Optional): Watch Video, Week 3

 LEVEL 4:

1. Read Genesis, chapters 1-25
2. Daily journaling or blogging about how God speaks to you through His Word
3. Articles: Scientific Accuracy, Genesis 1: Are the Six Days of Creation Literal or Figurative?   Do Recent Discoveries in Science Offer Evidence for the Existence of God?  The Right Balance (concerning the Sabbath), A Well Spent Sabbath (includes reasons for a Sunday Sabbath), Sabbath Observance Honors the Creator, What Day Is the Sabbath, Saturday or Sunday? Do Christians Have to Observe the Sabbath? How the Sabbath Was Changed (supports Saturday Sabbath)
4. Here is a link to some great resources for those who are curious about Saturday as the Sabbath. It includes a series of videos and articles based on common questions about the Sabbath from a 7th-Day perspective. https://www.sabbathtruth.com/ 
5. And, here is more from the other side. John MacArthur explains why Sunday is the Sabbath Day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgTuK6yH5DI, Another great one from John MacArthur: Understanding the Sabbath (Genesis 2:1-3)
6. Here is a rebuttal to the John MacArthur video to round out the argument: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2niS_LFTsyQ
7. OK, then we need to include a rebuttal on the other side. What is the Sabbath really? Is is a day or a person, according to Hebrews 4:9-11 and Colossians 2:16? This is an excellent video! What Does the Sabbath Look Like Under Grace? 

How This Works

1. If you have not done so already, please register by leaving your name and email address in a comment below.
2. Purchase the book, The Promised One: Seeing Jesus in Genesis, by Nancy Guthrie. You can find it at one of these sites:

Nancy Guthrie’s website

Amazon: Paperback, Kindle

Christianbook.com: Paperback, ebook

Barnes and Noble: Paperback Click “View all available formats and editions” for link to purchase Nook book.

LifeWay: This book is no longer available at Lifeway.com. If you would like to pick it up at your local LifeWay store, you may need to request a special order, but they should be able to get it for you.

1. Subscribe to this site to receive future updates by email. Enter your email address in the field to the right, and then click the subscribe button.
2. Join our closed Facebook group, Heart to Heart Women’s Bible Study, for weekly interaction, activities, videos, and small group sessions. Closed means that no one will be able to see our posts unless they are members of the group. This is for your safety and privacy.
3. Small Groups: See the pinned post at the top of the Facebook group, Heart to Heart Women’s Bible Study, for the schedule and instructions. All you need to do is show up at the scheduled day and time, and the discussion will take place underneath the group photo. 
4. Follow my ministry page on Facebook, Shari Lewis Ministries, to stay up-to-date on ministry events and for daily prayers, nuggets of wisdom and encouragement for your life, photos that you are welcome to share, and faith building blog posts to strengthen you in your walk with Christ.

Well, that’s it! A full week of resources to explore and study! I look forward to seeing you in a small group this week, and I pray that this will be an extremely blessed, eye-opening, and heart-transforming week of Bible study!

God bless!