Genesis
A Study of the Book of Genesis
A Twelve-Lesson Study of Genesis
This is a twelve-lesson course as a study of the Book of Genesis. All the lessons are in a single PowerPoint deck which includes reference materials for the class leader for an Adult Education class. This may also be used as a self-directed Bible study.
This will provide the reader with Bible study tools to understand the rest of the scripture. Enjoy learning about the mysteries of the Book of Genesis.
Classroom Use
When the PowerPoint deck is used for a class it may be projected to a screen or television set. The screen or television used to exhibit the slides during class time should be large enough so that all participants can comfortably read the text and see details in the artwork.
Once you as the leader download the PowerPoint deck you can change or present the slides as needed for your circumstances. The course as designed deals with the text of the scripture and with artwork as illustration. The leader should listen as the class participants add comments, thoughts and feelings in reaction.
Class members should be encouraged to read Genesis as the course progresses. The Oxford Annotated Bible is used for the text and footnotes, but the participants can use any version of the Bible that they prefer. This course was originally presented with each class lasting about one hour.
Lesson Descriptions
Twelve lessons — all contained in a single downloadable PowerPoint deck.
Creation
Genesis 1:1–5; 1:1–2:4a
The story of creation, original chaos, and human dominion. Christian Trinitarian Theology in the ancient Jewish text — God the Creator, the Holy Spirit as the wind sweeping over the waters, and Christ as the light in the darkness. Three distinct persons performing different actions, yet co-existing in unity.
A Second Account of Creation
Genesis 2:4b–18
The second creation story, the Documentary Hypothesis (J, E, D, P), the Masoretes, and the distinction between 'adam, 'ish, and ishah. Covers parallel passages, scribal glosses, and the Yahwist and Elohimist writers.
The Expulsion
Genesis 2:15–17; 3:1–7; 3:8–15
The tree of the knowledge of good and evil, the serpent, the Fall, and the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. Moral awareness, free choice, and the biblical narrative of temptation.
Cain and Abel; Noah and the Flood
Genesis 4; 6:11–14; 7:1–5, 11–18; 8:6–18; 9:8–13; 11:1–9
Cain and Abel, the mark of Cain, genealogies, Enoch, the Nephilim, Noah and the universal Flood, judgment and mercy, and the Tower of Babel.
Abraham
Genesis 12:1–9; 12:10–20; 14:8–24; 15:1–18
The family history of the descendants of Abraham. The Abrahamic covenant, the Abram saga, Abraham and Sarai, the Fertile Crescent, Lot, Sodom and Gomorrah, Melchizedek, and Abraham's promised land.
Hagar, Sarah, and the Three Visitors
Genesis 17:1–7, 15–16; 18:1–10a
Sarai and Hagar, El-roi, El Shaddai, the Noachic covenant, the meaning of Sarah's name ('princess'), the three visitors, and Sarah's laughter at the promise of a son.
Sodom, Ishmael, and the Binding of Isaac
Genesis 18:20–32; 21:1–21; 22:1–14
Abraham's intercession for Sodom and Gomorrah, the lessons of Sodom, Sarah and Abimelech, God saves Ishmael, and the binding of Isaac — Abraham and Isaac in art.
Jacob the Trickster
Genesis 24:34–67; 25:19–34
The burial of Abraham, Rebekah, Laban, Nahor, Esau and Jacob, the birthright, and Isaac inheriting Abraham's blessing.
Rachel, Leah, and Jacob's Return
Genesis 28:10–19; 29:15–28; 32:22–31
Jacob's dream at Bethel, Rachel and Leah, Jacob's departure and return, his reconciliation with Esau, the legacy of deceit, Dinah, and the wrestling at the Jabbok.
The Joseph Saga Begins
Genesis 37:1–28
Joseph's dreams, the coat of many colors, the Midianite traders, Joseph's sale into slavery, and the interlude of Tamar and Judah — one ancestor of David.
Joseph in Egypt
Genesis 39:1–23; 40:1–23; 41
Joseph and Potiphar's wife, Joseph in prison, the dreams of the cupbearer and baker, Pharaoh's dreams, and Joseph's rise to power. Asenath and the years of plenty and famine.
Joseph and His Brothers Reconciled
Genesis 42–44; 45:1–15; 50:15–21
Benjamin, the brothers' return to Egypt, Joseph reveals himself, the family moves to Egypt, and the final reconciliation — 'You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.'