GENESIS 1-2

CREATION of the UNIVERSE and MAN

Key Passage: Genesis 2-4-25

^{CHAPTER 1}	^{CHAPTER 2}
^{Six Days Through a Telescope}	^{Sixth Day Through a Microscope}
^{Creation of the Universe}	^{Creation of Man}

Dear Friend,

For the next 31-days, we will take a stroll through the Books of:

Genesis and Exodus. Beginning today, we will journey the entire Book of Genesis and Exodus. Please note that we will study on weekdays only, ending on Tuesday, April 26^th.

OVERVIEW The first two chapters of the Bible begin at "the beginning." Chapter 1 gives a concise overview of the progress of creation, climaxing in the creation of humanity. Chapter 2 takes a zoom-lens look at day six. There the details emerge of how God’s image-bearers were created-man from the dust of the ground and woman from his rib. The stage is set, the characters are in place, the drama can begin.

GENESIS

Genesis traces the inception of the universe, the creation of man and wan, marriage, worship, sin, judgment, civilization, and redemption. The first portion (chapters 1-11) presents a wide-angle view of God’s dealings from creation to Babel – a period characterized by human faithlessness. But chapters 12-50 focus on God’s relationship with one man (Abraham) and his descendants over the next four centuries, during which a nation is founded and salvation is promised for the fallen human race.

OUR DAILY WALK "When all else fails, follow the directions." That tongue-in-cheek advice is based on a law as universal as gravity-the Law of Design, which states: “Things work well when they function according to the way they were designed; they work poorly (or not at all) when that design is violated." God, the Master Designer, made the water, sky, and land; then He made creatures suited for each environment. So it should not surprise us to discover that birds make terrible submarines, or that fish can’t climb trees.

The same design apparent in both solar systems and desert flower is built into humans and their relationships. The husband is the head of the home and the spiritual leader of his family; the wife is his helper. When we follow God’s design for marriage, there is harmony and He is glorified.

Let’s see how many ways we can complete this sentence: "By God’s design, I am_________________________________________." Maybe, some of us may get stuck; should that happen, we can always go to Psalm 139:14; 1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 2:10; 5:21-6:9; Titus 2:14. With God’s help, we can become all we were created to be.

INSIGHT Big Questions, Bigger Answers

The first verse in the English Bible uses only 10 words to answer four of the most basic questions that thinking individuals ever ask:

What is there?
How did it get there?
Did it have a beginning?
Who or what is responsible?

The answers have been graciously supplied by the only One who was there at the time. The correct answers are: (1) the heavens and the earth; (2) it was all created; (3) yes; (4) God.)