TGOC Bible Class Curricula – Genesis – 4th Quarter


Objective: To challenge the teacher(s) and students to have a working knowledge of GENESIS

CHOOSE 1 CURRICULUM idea (of 3) below (on how to teach GENESIS in 13 weeks/13 lessons):

  1. Spend 13 weeks on 4 Major Events and 4 Major Characters of Genesis

    1.   1. The Creation (Major Event #1); Intro to Genesis & CreationGenesis 1

        2. The Creation & The Fall (Major Event # 2)Genesis 2-3

        3. The Flood (Major Event #3)Genesis 6-9

        4. The Tower of Babel (Major Event #4) and AbrahamGenesis 10-13

        5. Abraham (Major Character #1)Genesis 14-17

        6. AbrahamGenesis 18-20

        7. Abraham & Isaac (Major Character #2)Genesis 21:1 – 25:18

        8. Isaac & Jacob (Major Character #3)Genesis 25:19 – 28:9

        9. JacobGenesis 28:10 – 31:55

      10. JacobGenesis 32-36

      11. Joseph (Major Character #4)Genesis 37-41

      12. JosephGenesis 42-45

      13. JosephGenesis 46-50


       
  2. Spend 13 weeks on Topics from the book of Genesis
    1. The Existence of God
    2. The Character of God
    3. The Origin of the Universe
    4. Theistic Evolution: The Gap Theory & the Day-Age Theory
    5. Genesis: A Foundational and Necessary Part of the Bible
    6. The 3 Ages/Dispensations of Mankind
    7. The Sin of Man
    8. God’s Judgment
    9. God’s Covenants
    10. God’s Seed Promise/Seed Lineage
    11. God’s Providence
    12. The 12 Sons of Jacob/Israel
    13. Events/Characters of Genesis and the New Testament

[Use our website as well as apologeticspress.org to gather materials for some of the above topics]

  1. Spend 13 weeks on VERSE-BY-VERSE study of GENESIS (approx. 117 verses per week) 
    [Everyone read/study these verses a week prior to the following schedule]:
    1. Genesis 1-4
    2. Genesis 5-9
    3. Genesis 10-13
    4. Genesis 14-18
    5. Genesis 19-22
    6. Genesis 23-25
    7. Genesis 26-28
    8. Genesis 29-31
    9. Genesis 32-35
    10. Genesis 36-39
    11. Genesis 40-42
    12. Genesis 43-46
    13. Genesis 47-50

 

MEMORY WORK

  1. Memorizing VERSES in Genesis for the Quarter:
    1. Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
    2. Genesis 2:24, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
    3. Genesis 3:15, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”
    4. Genesis 12:3, “I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
    5. Optional Shortened Memory Verses for younger/beginner students:
      1. Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
      2. Genesis 1:27, “God created man in His own image…”
      3. Genesis 2:24, “…a man shall…be joined to his wife…”
  2. Memorizing Genesis Facts (advanced) for the Quarter:
    1. The 2 major divisions of the Bible and some of their differences (2 Timothy 2:15)
      1. Old Testament
        1. Genesis: God formed man, spoke to the fathers of the families and gave them His will orally and individually (Genesis 2:16-17; 6:13; 12:1-3; etc.)
        2. Exodus – Malachi: God formed His nation Israel and gave them the written Law of Moses and the rest of the Old Testament (Exodus 20:1-17; 31:12-17; 2 Corinthians 3:6-16; Hebrews 8:6-13; etc.)
      2. New Testament
        1. Jesus died (became the sacrificial Lamb of the New Testament), was buried, was raised from the dead, ascended into heaven and sat at the right hand of God as the High Priest and Mediator of the New Testament (1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 9:11-26; 10:12, 19-22; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Revelation 7:14; etc.)
        2. Jesus purchased His church/kingdom, the church of Christ, with His own blood (Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:38, 41, 47; 20:28; Ephesians 5:23-27; etc.)
        3. Jesus speaks His will to us today through His written word, the New Testament (Matthew 28:18; Colossians 3:17; Hebrews 1:1-3; etc.)
        4. We will be judged by the words of Jesus (the New Testament) in the last day (John 12:48)
    2. The 3 major ages/dispensations of the Bible
      1. The Patriarchal Age (From Genesis 1 until Exodus 20 & Job; from Adam until Moses)
        1. A Period of about 2500+ years (approximately 4000-1445 B.C.)
        2. God spoke orally and directly to the fathers (“patriarch” means “father-ruler”) who acted as priests for their individual families
        3. There were some things, no doubt, that all individual families were required to obey (such as, worshiping God, not murdering, etc.); but there were other instructions that were unique to certain families (Noah was commanded to build an ark; Abraham was commanded to offer his son as a burnt sacrifice to God, etc.)
      2. The Mosaical/Jewish Age (From Exodus 20 until Acts 2; from Moses until the NT church)
        1. A Period of less than 1500 years (approximately 1445 B.C. – A.D. 30)
        2. God formed His nation Israel, spoke to them through mediators (Moses & Joshua), priests (such as Aaron), judges (such as Gideon), kings (such as David) and prophets (such as Jeremiah). He gave Israel His written will through the Law of Moses and the rest of the Old Testament. This Law, especially the requirement of Sabbath-keeping, was not known to the Patriarchs (Deuteronomy 5:1-3; Nehemiah 9:13-15).
        3. All the nation of Israel was required to obey the Old Testament Law
      3. The Christian Age (From Acts 2 through Revelation and until the end of time)
        1. A Period that began about A.D. 30 until now (and will continue till the second coming of Jesus). Called the “last days” (Hebrews 1:1-3).
        2. Jesus built and bought His church/kingdom, the church of Christ (Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:38, 41, 47; 20:28). Jesus initially spoke to us about the New Testament gospel through John the Immerser and his disciples. Then Jesus and His disciples began to speak the gospel. Then the Holy Spirit guided the apostles and prophets to record all of Jesus’ doctrine into the completed New Testament (from about A.D. 45 – A.D. 95; John 14:26; 16:13; Ephesians 2:20; 3:5; 2 Peter 1:19-21; 2 Peter 3:2; etc.; no additional revelations: 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Jude1:3)
        3. The gospel is not only to be preached to all families and the nation of Israel, but to “all nations” (Mark 16:15-16; Matthew 28:18-20). All accountable persons are amenable to the gospel/New Testament.
    3. The 66 Books of the Bible and Their General Classifications
      1. Old Testament (39 Books)
        1. Law (of the Jewish People): Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
        2. History (of the Jewish People): Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1&2 Samuel, 1&2 Kings, 1&2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther
        3. Poetry (of the Jewish People): Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon
        4. Prophecy (of the Jewish People)
          1. Major (Larger Books) Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel
          2. Minor (Smaller Books) Prophets: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zachariah, Malachi
      2. New Testament (27 Books)
        1. Gospels (good news about Jesus): Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
        2. History (of the beginning and growth of the church of Christ): Acts
        3. Letters
          1. Paul’s Letters (to churches of Christ and individual Christians): Romans, 1&2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians, 1&2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon (and some include Hebrews)
          2. General Letters (to Christians in general): Hebrews, James, 1&2 Peter, 1,2&3 John, Jude
        4. Prophecy (Apocalyptic Literature to churches of Christ): Revelation
    4. The 4 Major Events, 4 Major Characters: The General Outline of the Book of Genesis
      1. 4 Major Events (Genesis 1 – 11:9)
        1. The Creation (of Heavens and Earth)
        2. The Fall (in Sin of Humanity)
        3. The (Universal) Flood
        4. The Tower of Babel
      2. 4 Major Characters (Genesis 11:10 – 50)
        1. Abraham
        2. Isaac
        3. Jacob
        4. Joseph
    5. The 3 Theories concerning the Origin of the Universe (see outline below)
    6. The 6 Days of Creation (see outline below)
    7. The 4 Covenants of God in Genesis (see outline below)
    8. The 12 sons/tribes of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Joseph
    9. The Significant Human Ancestors/Lineage of Jesus in Genesis: Adam--> Seth==> Enoch--> Methuselah--> Lamech--> Noah--> Shem==>Terah--> Abraham--> Isaac--> Jacob--> Judah--> Perez
      [note: single arrow means next person in line; double arrow means several generations are between these significant persons]
  3. Beginners/Younger Classes: Memorize The Following “Genesis Facts” for the Quarter:
    1. How many books of the Bible (66); How many in the Old (39), in the New (27)
    2. How many days did it take for God to create heavens, earth and life (6)
    3. Name the sons of Adam and Eve (Cain, Abel, Seth)
    4. Name the first sin committed by Eve (she at the fruit that God said not to eat)
    5. With what did God clothe Adam and Eve (tunics or robes – from shoulder to at least knee)
    6. Name the oldest man on record (Methuselah); How old was he (969)
    7. Name Methuselah’s grandson (Noah)
    8. Name the sons of Noah (Shem, Ham, Japheth)
    9. What major event caused God to separate everyone on the earth and give them different languages (Tower of Babel)
    10. Name the son of Abraham and Sarah (Isaac)
    11. Name the sons of Isaac (Jacob, Esau)
    12. What name did God give Jacob (Israel)
    13. How many sons did Israel have (12)
    14. How many daughters did Israel have (1); Name her (Dinah)
    15. Of the 12 sons of Israel, through whom did Jesus come (Judah)
    16. What did Joseph do as soon as a woman tried to get him to sin (he ran away from her)

 

Beginners/Younger Classes: QUESTIONS on GENESIS

[Go over about 6+ new questions per week as well as repeat some old ones each week]

 

Week 1: Genesis 1

1. What did God create on the 1st day (Light)

2. What did God create on the 2nd day (Firmament)

3. What did God create on the 3rd day (Land & Vegetation)

4. What did God create on the 4th day (Sun, Moon & Stars)

5. What did God create on the 5th day (Water & Flying Animals)

6. What did God create on the 6th day (Land Animals & Humans Beings)

 

Week 2: Genesis 1-3

1. What did God create on the 1st day (Light)

2. What did God create on the 2nd day (Firmament)

3. What did God create on the 3rd day (Land & Vegetation)

4. What did God create on the 4th day (Sun, Moon & Stars)

5. What did God create on the 5th day (Water & Flying Animals)

6. What did God create on the 6th day (Land Animals & Humans Beings)

7. What did God create on the 7th day (He did not. He rested/ceased creating)

8. Out of what did God create Adam (Dust)

9. Out of what did God create Eve (Adams’ Rib)

10. Name the 1st married couple in the Bible (Adam & Eve)

11. What type of job(s) did Adam do to provide for his family (Farmer & Gardner)

12. Name the 1st human being to sin/die spiritually (Eve)

13. Name the 1st sin committed by a human being (Eve ate the forbidden fruit)

14. With what did God clothed Adam & Eve (Tunic/Robe – from shoulder to at least knee)

 

Week 3: Genesis 4-5

1. Who did Cain kill (his brother Abel - the 1st human murder & the 1st human, physical death)

2. Cain’s son Enoch was the 1st what (City Builder)

3. Name the 3 sons of Adam & Eve (Cain, Abel, Seth)

4. Of the 3 sons of Adam, through whom did Jesus come (Seth)

5. Name the 1st human who did not die but was taken by God (Enoch, Seth’s - not Cain’s - descendant)

6. Name the oldest human on record (Methuselah, Noah’s granddad); How old was he? 969

7. Name the 3 sons of Noah (Shem, Ham, Japheth)

8. Of the 3 sons of Noah, through whom did Jesus come (Shem)

 

Week 4: Genesis 4-7

1. Who did Cain kill (his brother Abel - the 1st human murder & the 1st human, physical death)

2. Cain’s son Enoch was the 1st what (City Builder)

3. Name the 3 sons of Adam & Eve (Cain, Abel, Seth)

4. Of the 3 sons of Adam, through whom did Jesus come (Seth)

5. Name the 1st human who did not die but was taken by God (Enoch, Seth’s - not Cain’s - descendant)

6. Name the oldest human on record (Methuselah, Noah’s granddad); How old was he? 969

7. Name the 3 sons of Noah (Shem, Ham, Japheth)

8. Of the 3 sons of Noah, through whom did Jesus come (Shem)

9. Name the 1st boat (Noah’s Ark)

10. Who all entered Noah’s Ark (Noah, his wife, his sons, their wives & the animals they brought)

11. What is the total number of humans who entered the ark (8)

12. How many years old was Noah when he entered the ark (600)

13. Into the ark Noah was to take 7 males & females each of what kind of animal (Clean)

14. How many each of unclean animals was Noah commanded to take into the ark (2)

 

Week 5: Genesis 6-11

1. Name the 1st boat (Noah’s Ark)

2. Who all entered Noah’s Ark (Noah, his wife, his sons, their wives & the animals they brought)

3. What is the total number of humans who entered the ark (8)

4. How many years old was Noah when he entered the ark (600)

5. Into the ark Noah was to take 7 males & females each of what kind of animal (Clean)

6. How many each of unclean animals was Noah commanded to take into the ark (2)

7. Name the earth’s very 1st rain (The Flood of Noah’s Day)

8. How long did it rain in order to flood the entire earth (40 days & 40 nights)

9. What animals were not destroyed by the Flood of Noah’s day (Water Animals/Fish)

10. How long was the earth flooded/did Noah & his family live in the ark (1 year, 10 days)

11. Name the 1st empire builder who built Babel (Nimrod - Noah’s great-grandson)

12. What major event recorded in Genesis caused God to separate everyone on the earth and give them different languages (Tower of Babel)

 

Week 6: Genesis 11

1. What major event recorded in Genesis caused God to separate everyone on the earth and give them different languages (Tower of Babel)

2. Of the 3 sons of Noah, through whom did Abraham come (Shem)

3. How is Lot kin to Abraham (Lot is Abraham’s Nephew)

4. Name Abraham’s 1st wife (Sarah)

5. Besides being his wife, how else was Sarah kin to Abraham (Sarah was Abraham’s ½ sister)

 

Week 7: Genesis 11-25

1. What major event recorded in Genesis caused God to separate everyone on the earth and give them different languages (Tower of Babel)

2. Of the 3 sons of Noah, through whom did Abraham come (Shem)

3. How is Lot kin to Abraham (Lot is Abraham’s Nephew)

4. Name Abraham’s 1st wife (Sarah)

5. Besides being his wife, how else was Sarah kin to Abraham (Sarah was Abraham’s ½ sister)

6. Name the 2 sons of Lot (Moab & Ammon)

7. Who was Melchizedek (King of Salem & Priest of God)

8. Name Abraham & Hagar’s son (Ishmael)

9. Name Abraham & Sarah’s son (Isaac)

10. After Abraham’s wife Sarah died, who did he marry (Keturah)

11. Name the 2 sons of Isaac (Jacob & Esau)

 

Week 8: Genesis 25-29

1. What was Esau’s other name (Edom)

2. How long did Jacob work for Laban before he unknowingly married Leah (7 years)

3. How many years did Jacob work for his 2nd wife Rachel (7 years)

4. How much time passed from Jacob’s marriage to Leah before he married Rachel (1 week)

5. How was Isaac’s wife Rebekah kin/related to him (2nd cousin)

 

Week 9: Genesis 25-40

1. What was Esau’s other name (Edom)

2. How long did Jacob work for Laban before he unknowingly married Leah (7 years)

3. How many years did Jacob work for his 2nd wife Rachel (7 years)

4. How much time passed from Jacob’s marriage to Leah before he married Rachel (1 week)

5. How was Isaac’s wife Rebekah kin/related to him (2nd cousin)

6. How long did Jacob have to work for livestock (6 more years)

7. Name the 2 sons of Jacob and Rachel (Joseph & Benjamin)

8. What was Jacob’s other name (Israel)

9. How many sons did Israel have (12)

 

Week 10: Genesis 35

Memorize the 12 sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Zebulun, Issachar, Dan, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Joseph, Benjamin

 

Week 11: Genesis 35

Memorize the 12 sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Zebulun, Issachar, Dan, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Joseph, Benjamin

Week 12: Genesis 30-50

1. Of the 12 sons of Israel, through whom did Jesus come (Judah)

2. How many daughters did Israel have (1); Name Israel’s daughter (Dinah)

3. How old was Joseph when he told on his brothers (17)

4. What did Joseph do as soon as a woman tried to get him to sin with her (he ran away from her)

5. How long was Joseph in prison (2 years)

 

Week 13: Genesis 30-50

1. Of the 12 sons of Israel, through whom did Jesus come (Judah)

2. How many daughters did Israel have (1); Name Israel’s daughter (Dinah)

3. How old was Joseph when he told on his brothers (17)

4. What did Joseph do as soon as a woman tried to get him to sin with her (he ran away from her)

5. How long was Joseph in prison (2 years)

6. How old was Joseph when he left prison? (30)

7. Name the 2 sons of Joseph (Ephraim & Manasseh)

8. How old was Joseph when he died (110 years)

 

More Advanced QUESTIONS on GENESIS [answers are not provided]

Week 1: Genesis 1

  1. What two persons in the Godhead are mentioned in Genesis 1?
  2. What was the earth like before God began to form the various features and creatures?
  3. What two divisions does Genesis 1 mention that made up each day God created?
  4. Name the two distinct genders God created mankind to be?
  5. God made human beings to be above and superior to what?

Week 2: Genesis (2, 2, 2, 3, 3)

  1. Before the universal Flood of Noah’s day, how was the surface of the earth watered?
  2. What was Adam’s occupation?
  3. What did God tell Adam and Eve would happen if they partook of the forbidden fruit?
  4. Once Adam and Eve sinned, with what did they clothe themselves? With what did God clothe them?
  5. What two things will greatly be multiplied in women as a consequence of Eve’s (all women’s, Romans 5:12) sin?

Week 3: Genesis (6, 6, 7, 7, 8)

  1. What happened in Noah’s day when the sons of God (the godly men of Seth’s descendants) intermarried with the daughters of men (the ungodly women of Cain’s descendants; compare to 1 Corinthians 15:33; 2 Corinthians 6:14-17)?
  2. Once God revealed His decision to destroy the earth with a universal flood, how many years did He give Noah to prepare the ark and preach to the people?
  3. How old was Noah when he entered the ark?
  4. In reading Genesis 7:21-23 what creatures were most likely NOT destroyed by the flood?
  5. How old was Noah when he stepped out of the ark?

Week 4: Genesis (11, 11, 12, 12, 13)

  1. What plurality of persons came down and confused the people who were determined to build a tower to the heavens?
  2. In studying Genesis 11:26; 20:12, how was Abram (Abraham) and Sarai (Sarah) kin?
  3. How would all the families of the earth be blessed in Abraham?
  4. What did Abraham tell his wife to say in order to mislead Pharaoh and the Egyptians?
  5. How was wealth measured in Abraham’s day?

Week 5: Genesis (14, 14, 14, 15, 17)

  1. When the 4 pagan kings defeated the 5 pagan kings in the Valley of Siddim, what important person (along with his wealth) did the 4 kings take captive?
  2. What was God’s people called before they became known as the circumcision, the nation of Israel, the Jews?
  3. Name the priestly king of Abraham’s day to whom Abraham gave a tithe.
  4. God tells Abraham that his descendants (the nation of Israel) will not return to Canaan land from their Egyptian captivity for 4 generations until what happens?
  5. How old was Abraham and Sarah when Isaac was born?

Week 6: Genesis (18, 18, 18, 18, 19)

  1. How did Yahweh (the LORD) appear to Abraham when He told him that he through his wife Sarah was going to have a son?
  2. List the acts of hospitality Abraham administered to the men who came to tell him Sarah was going to have a son.
  3. What lie did Sarah tell the LORD to cover up her fear and unbelief about having a son?
  4. List the various amounts of righteous persons who would have to reside in Sodom in order for God not to destroy it.
  5. According to Genesis 18:13, 16, 22; 19:1 (Hebrews 13:2), what was the real identities of the men who came to see Abraham?

Week 7: Genesis (21, 21, 22, 22, 24)

  1. Ironically, what does the name of Abraham and Sarah’s son “Isaac” mean?
  2. How did Ishmael (Abraham and Hagar’s son) get a wife?
  3. In light of Genesis 21:9-10, 13; 22:2, 12, 16, how is Isaac Abraham’s “only” son?
  4. According to Genesis 22:18, why would all the nations of the earth be blessed?
  5. According to Genesis 24:1-4, 58-67, how did Isaac get his wife?

Week 8: Genesis (25, 25, 25, 26, 27)

  1. How old was Isaac when he married Rebekah?
  2. List the names of the first twins mentioned in the Bible.
  3. Who was Edom?
  4. What lie did Isaac tell Abimelech, king of the Philistines?
  5. List the 3 lies told to Isaac by his son Jacob.

Week 9: Genesis (28, 29, 29, 31, 31)

  1. After Jacob awakened from his dream about the ladder, what did he promise he would give to Yahweh (compare what his grandfather Abraham gave to Melchizedek)?
  2. After Jacob had unknowingly worked seven years for Leah, how many weeks or years was it before he could marry his choice wife, Rachel?
  3. In what unique way did Yahweh show compassion on Leah who was “hated” (“loved less”, compare Luke 14:26) by Jacob?
  4. What did Rachel steal from her father Laban?
  5. What was the total amount of years that Jacob served his uncle Laban for his two wives and his flock?

Week 10: Genesis (32, 33, 34, 35, 36)

  1. With whom did Jacob wrestle that led to his name being changed to Israel?
  2. It was ancient custom for one to bow before his superiors how many times (as Jacob did to his older brother Esau)?
  3. Name the only daughter of Jacob/Israel (through Leah).
  4. How does the Scripture define death; what happens when you die (Rachel’s death)?
  5. Of which nation was Esau the father?

Week 11: Genesis (37, 38, 39, 40, 41)

  1. How old was Joseph when he told his father and brothers that he had a dream that they would bow down to him?
  2. Through whom did Judah have twins?
  3. When Potiphar’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph and tried to get him to sin against his master and his God, what did Joseph do?
  4. The chief butler was the one who made sure the “wine” for the Pharaoh was fresh and untainted (safe). The “wine”, therefore, was not the fermented wine of our day, but that which was freshly squeezed from what (compare Isaiah 65:8)?
  5. How old was Joseph when he stood before Pharaoh and was made second in command of Egypt?

Week 12: Genesis (42, 42, 43, 44, 45)

  1. What did Joseph’s brothers “see” in Joseph back when they mistreated him that reminded them of their guilt years later?
  2. When all the brothers’ hearts sank with fear because their money had been restored to their sacks, who did they think caused this to happen to them (they thought it was bad)?
  3. Of the brothers of Joseph, who was willing to take full responsibility (surety) for bringing his youngest brother Benjamin back to his father Israel safely?
  4. In light of Genesis 44, name the moral “evil” of which the brothers of Joseph were falsely accused; and name the natural “evil” that might have come upon the brothers’ father Israel if Benjamin had not been returned to him.
  5. Who did Joseph say worked through all these horrible events that occurred to him which resulted in the preservation of his life as well as his family and the lives of the people of his day?

Week 13: Genesis (46, 47, 48, 49, 50)

  1. What is the total number of the family of Jacob (including Joseph and his sons, but not the wives) who dwelt in Egypt?
  2. When the Egyptians’ money was devalued and they had to resort to bartering in order to survive, what did the Egyptians sell to Pharaoh (their government) in the 1st year? In the 2nd year? In the 3rd year? and thereafter what percentage of tax did they have to pay every year?
  3. Of the two sons of Joseph, who did Israel bless above the other?
  4. Of the twelve sons/tribes of Israel, through whom did the King come?
  5. After Israel died, of what was Joseph’s brothers afraid?

 

The Three Theories Concerning the Origin of the Universe

By David Ray Fanning 1

 

  1. The Universe Is Eternal (Theory #1)
    1. The universe has always existed and was not created by anything or anyone
    2. The “Big Bang” theory is one attempt at this false position. The idea is that several billion years ago all the universe’s matter/energy (concentrated in a single point, the size of the head of a pin) exploded, forming what we now know as the universe
    3. Some problems with this theory
      1. This only (wrongfully) explains the effect – not the cause or origin (in other words, it does not provide proof for what caused the matter or what caused the explosion)
      2. Explosions produce disorder (not order). Explosions destroy (not create/form)
      3. Such an explosion would have propelled radially not curvilinear
      4. Such an explosion would have produced a perfectly uniform universe; yet our universe has empty spaces in some parts and huge masses in others
  2. The Universe Is Not Eternal; It Created Itself (Theory #2)
    1. The universe created itself spontaneously (all of a sudden)
    2. The “Spontaneous Generation” or “Abiogenesis” theory is one attempt at this false position. The idea is that the universe just automatically appeared from nowhere out of nothing.
    3. Some problems with this theory
      1. It violates the First Law of Thermodynamics: “The first law of thermodynamics is a version of the law of conservation of energy [which] states that the total energy of an isolated system is constant; energy can be transformed from one form to another, but cannot be created or destroyed.” (Wikipedia)
      2. It violates the Second Law of Thermodynamics: “The Second Law of Thermodynamics is commonly known as the Law of Increased Entropy. While quantity remains the same (First Law), the quality of matter/energy deteriorates gradually over time….’Entropy’ is defined as a measure of unusable energy within a closed or isolated system (the universe for example). As usable energy decreases and unusable energy increases, ‘entropy’ increases. Entropy is also a gauge of randomness or chaos within a closed system. As usable energy isirretrievably lost, disorganization, randomness and chaos increase.” (allaboutscience.org)
      3. It violates the Law of Biogenesis: “…living things come only from other living things, by reproduction (e.g. a spider lays eggs, which develop into spiders). That is, life does not arise from non-living material…” (Wikipedia)
  3. The Universe Is Not Eternal; It Was Created by a Higher Power (Theory #3/Fact)
    1. Every effect must have a cause (The Law of Causality; Romans 1:20)
    2. Life must come from life (Law of Biogenesis; Genesis 2:7)
    3. All that exists is either mind or matter. Matter is not eternal (The First Law of Thermodynamics; 2 Peter 3:10-11). Therefore, Mind must be eternal (Romans 1:20; 1 Timothy 1:17; etc.).

 

The Six Days of Creation in Genesis 1-2

By David Ray Fanning 1

 

God created the heavens and earth out of nothing, that is, by simply speaking them into existence (not in its present form as we know it, but in its “empty state” or “bare” form (think of Play-Doh before you start giving it form or Mr. Potato Head before you start creating his look). The created “heavens” do not yet have an atmosphere, sun, moon or stars and the “earth” does not yet have land, light and life (but is all darkness and deepness). Once God creates heavens and earth in its empty state, He then creates on…

 

Genesis 1:3-5

Day 1     Light (God “divided” the light from the darkness and called the light “Day” and the darkness “Night”. So God creates light, before He creates the sun 3 days later, and then begins to form or define it by dividing it from darkness).

 

Genesis 1:6-8

Day 2     Firmament (that is, an expanse which is above the earth; what we call the atmosphere or sky, see Genesis 1:14, as well as the universe, see Genesis 1:20. So God creates an expanse that He calls “Heaven(s)” and then further defines it by separating the waters, that is, the moisture in the sky/atmosphere from the waters on the earth – before He creates the land on the 3rd day).

 

Genesis 1:9-13

Day 3     Land, Seas, Plant Kingdom (God then takes “the deep” on the earth and further forms it by grouping it together into what He calls “Seas” and causes the dry land appear, which He calls “Earth” - referring to the land masses that are on the Earth. Then God creates living things that make up the Plant Kingdom and enables them to reproduce themselves. Plant Kingdom includes grass, herbs and trees).

 

Genesis 1:14-19

Day 4     Sun, Moon, Stars (God makes the substance or essence of light itself on day 1, but He makes the generators or carriers of light on day 4 in order to govern the days, seasons and years)

 

Genesis 1:20-23

Day 5     Water, Sky Animals (God had already supplied the earth with plant life on day 3 and now He supplies the water and the sky with animal life. This is also the time when God creates some of the dinosaurs – not 65 million years ago as pseudo-science tries to teach – but several thousand years before Christ was born)

 

Genesis 1:24-31

Day 6     Land Animals and Human Beings (Now God supplies the land with animal life, including the other dinosaurs as well as the greatest creation of all – mankind. Adam was formed from earth’s dust and God’s breath and Eve was made from Adam’s rib, Genesis 2:7, 22)

 

Genesis 2:1-3

Day 7:    God rested (that is, He ceased from creating heavens and earth)

 

The 4 Covenants of God in Genesis

By David Ray Fanning 1

 

  1. The Covenant Made in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:15-17).
    God instructs Adam & Eve…
    1. To populate the earth (Genesis 1:28)
    2. To subdue (“bring under control”) the earth (Genesis 1:28)
    3. To exercise dominion (“authority”) over the animals (Genesis 1:28)
    4. To take care of the Garden of Eden and enjoy its produce (Genesis 1:29; 2:15)
    5. Not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17) 

      Adam and Eve broke this covenant with God by eating the forbidden fruit and was, consequently, cast out of the Garden of Eden (no longer enjoying its benefits)
  2. The Covenant Made in Light of Man’s Initial Sin (Genesis 3:14-21)
    1. Satan/the snake is cursed
      1. The upright snake (the creature Satan chose to possess) was forced to crawl on its belly due to Satan’s lies and deception (Genesis 3:14)
      2. Though Satan would enjoy limited freedom, power and success, his power would eventually be crushed by Jesus (Genesis 3:15)
    2. Man (due to his/her sin) was now in need of the Savior coming to earth and bruising (limiting) the head (power) of Satan (Genesis 3:15)
    3. Woman is cursed (Genesis 3:16)
      1. Her ability to conceive a child is multiplied
      2. Her pain in child-bearing is multiplied
      3. Her subjection to her husband is increased (woman was already made by God for the man as his helper; now, even though she may have a desire at times to rule over her husband, she must assume her God-given role and submit to her husband [Compare “Your desire shall be for (toward) your husband” to “its (sin’s) desire is for (toward) you (Cain) in Genesis 4:7]).
    4. The ground is cursed (thorns & thistles start growing, Genesis 3:17-19)
    5. Man is cursed (Genesis 3:19)
      1. The difficulty of his work increases (he perspires)
      2. Instead of living forever in his physical body, now man will have to work, produce/obtain and eat food in order to sustain his physical life for as long as he lives on this earth
      3. Man & woman will now die spiritually and physically

        The effects of this covenant will not end until Jesus comes a second time
  3. The Covenant Made with Noah (Genesis 9:1-19)
    1. Some things repeated in this covenant from the covenant in the Garden
      1. Man is to populate the earth (Genesis 9:1)
      2. Man is to exercise authority over the animals (Genesis 9:2)
    2. Man may eat animal flesh, but not the raw blood (Genesis 9:3-4)
    3. The sacredness of life is emphasized. The animal or man who sheds the blood of a man or woman (kills a man/woman) must be put to death (Genesis 9:5-6)
    4. God promises He will never flood the entire earth again. God places the rainbow in the sky as a reminder of this covenant and His promise (Genesis 9:11-17) 

      Although this covenant was broken (some of those under it consumed raw blood and committed murder), God’s promise not to flood the entire earth remains
  4. The Covenant Made with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3)
    1. God’s personal promise to Abraham
      1. He would be the father of a great nation (the Hebrews/Israel/the Jews)
      2. He would receive personal blessings, such as honor and a good name
      3. He would be the source of blessings to others, but a curse to those who tried to harm him
    2. God’s promise to mankind through Abraham
      1. Through Abraham’s seed/offspring, all the nations (Jews and Gentiles, the world) would be blessed (especially spiritually speaking)
      2. Through Abraham, Jesus would come be born into the world and offer salvation to all

     

    Faithful Christians continue to reap the benefits of this covenant through Jesus

 
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Curricula, Bible Study, Genesis, CreationJoey Ferrell