IN THE BEGINNING…. Why Study Genesis? Charles M. Schulz “I don't know the meaning of life....

I N T H E B E G I N N I N G …

Why Study Genesis?Charles M. Schulz “I don't know the meaning of life. I don't know why we are here. I think life is full of anxieties and fears and tears. It has a lot of grief in it, and it can be very grim. And I do not want to be the one who tries to tell somebody else what life is all about. To me it's a complete mystery.”

Why Study Genesis?1. Answers our most important questions– Why does the universe exist? Why do I exist? – Is there any meaning to life?– Is there a God and can I know Him?– Does He love me? – Why is life so hard and painful?– Why do we have to die? Why did Jesus die?– How should I live my life?

Why Study Genesis?1. Answers our most important

questions2. Speaks to the biggest issues of

modern lifeMarriageParentingAbortionDisabilitiesEnvironmentalismWork & CareerSocial Justice

Violence, Racism, WarfareDepression, AddictionMiddle East Conflict

Why Study Genesis?1. Answers our most important

questions2. Speaks to the biggest issues of

modern life3. Lays the foundation for the rest of the

Bible

How a Story WorksIntroduction

Problem or Crisis

Struggle

Resolution

The Story of the Bible

World Made

World Ruined

World Remade

World Redeemed

Genesis

What’s Genesis About?

Egypt

PromisedLand

Wilderness

What’s Genesis About?

a Relationshipbetween the One True God

and His struggling people

What’s Genesis About?

a Relationshipbetween the One True God who isPowerful

and His struggling people

Umberto Cassuto“The purpose of [Genesis] is to teach us that the whole world and all that it contains were created by the word of the One God, according to His will, which operates without restraint.”

What’s Genesis About?

What’s Genesis About?

a Relationshipbetween the One True God who isPowerful

Gracious

and His struggling people

Romans 5:20…where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.

What’s Genesis About?

What’s Genesis About?

a Relationshipbetween the One True God who isPowerful

Gracious

Faithfuland His struggling people

What’s Genesis About?a Relationship

between the One True God who is PowerfulGraciousFaithful

and His struggling people who are Exalted

Psalm 8:4–6 What is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than God, and You crown him with glory and majesty! You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; you have put all things under his feet.

What’s Genesis About?

What’s Genesis About?

a Relationshipbetween the One True God who isPowerful

GraciousFaithful

and His struggling people who areExalted

BrokenLoved

Genesis Series1. In the Beginning (ch 1-2)2. Fallen (ch 3-11)3. Abraham: Chosen Family (ch 12-25)4. Jacob: Dysfunctional Family (ch 25-36)5. Joseph: Delivered Family (ch 37-50)6. Jesus: Promised Son

How should we Respond?

Believe

How should we Respond?

Believe that God is powerful

gracious

faithful

How to Grow in Faith?

1. Read Genesis with us

Grace Bible

Church

@GraceBibleBlake

2. Get Connected

I N T H E B E G I N N I N G …