2016 Bible Reading Group: Week 1

Technically the week of reading begins on Sunday, but you can certainly begin early.

Here are notes to consider when reading these chapters of the Bible:

The word Genesis means “origin” or “beginning.” This is fitting as we see the origin of our universe in God’s creation. We also see the beginning of marriage which God designed, the origin of sin, and the beginning of the promise of a Savior. Genesis was written by Moses (John 5:46) who was given this information by God. The book is structured with 10 accounts or histories. Watch for the phrase, “This is the account of….” such as in 2:4 (heaven and earth), 5:1 (Adam), 6:9 (Noah), 10:1 (sons of Noah), etc. to see each section of the book. Some are longer than others.

Some other random thoughts to keep in mind:
1. See the undeniable evidence here for creation over against evolution. Also, see God’s power to create this world in just 6 days by his mighty words. When God speaks, things happen. He simply speaks and there is light. He speaks and calms the winds and the waves, or opens deaf ears, or raises the dead. He simply speaks, “It is finished” and your salvation is complete on the cross. So also when God speaks a promise, it is most certainly true for you still today!

2. See God’s design for marriage–that it is designed to be for one man and one woman, conjugal (just between those two), and permanent.

3. God made everything good and perfect but at some point Satan, a created angel, rebelled against God and began his evil work of leading God’s people astray. He appears in chapter 3 to do just that.

4. God’s mercy and love and grace shine forth in these chapters. Immediately after the fall into sin God began to promise a Savior who would crush the devil (3:15). Some have said the entire Bible is a commentary on that one verse. In other words, that was the first promise of a Savior and the rest of the Bible shows how God fulfilled it. In these chapters you’ll see God mercifully preserve humans through Noah and then expand upon his promise of a Savior by telling Abraham it would be specifically through his family line (all nations on earth would be blessed through him). Over and over again we see sin and failure, yet God’s grace and promise of forgiveness through a Messiah continue.

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1. YAHWEH – Is a name that tells us God is a God who is always true to who he is. He is just and righteous yet gracious and compassionate and abounding in love. He is the God of his covenant love. That name is reflected by “LORD” in all capital letters. (see Exodus 34:6-7 for this definition)

2. Adonai – Is a name that tells us God is our master and ruler who powerfully reigns over us. That name is reflected by “Lord” with one capital letter.

Just as Savior, Redeemer, Messiah tell us different things about Jesus, so also these two different names have different nuances to tell us different things about God. Watch for them and consider each time why God would use that name for himself in that context!

These are a few notes to help you in this first week of reading. Get off to a great start. Encourage one another. Feel free to ask questions there about your reading along the way. God bless your study of his Word!

Join in the Week 1 conversation!

Learn more about the 2016 Bible Reading Group.