1. In the Beginning Genesis
Chapter 3

2. In the beginning… Genesis = Origin
Some see 2 distinct, literal creation narratives (1:1-2:4a and 2:4b-25)
Some read it as poetry and between God and humans
What do we know about the existence before Day 1?
Heavens and earth
Formless
Empty (Abyss = primal chaos but not an evil force necessarily)
Simply needed order
God’s Spirit was present

3. Days of Creation (Gen. 1:1-2:4a)
Day 1: Light (day) separated from darkness (night)
Day 2: Sky separated from water
Day 3: Land and plants
Day 4: Sun, moon and stars
Years, seasons, days, night
Day 5: Water creatures and birds of the air
Day 6: Animals and human beings (man and woman)
Gen. 1:26 “Let US make them…
In OUR image
To rule over animals
To rule over the earth
Day 7: God rested
Sabbath (day of rest and prayer)

4. Creation of Man and Eden (Gen 2:4b-25)
Adam (humankind or earth)
Gen. 2:7 “…from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life…”
Eden
East
Trees (Tree of life and Tree of knowledge of good and evil)
Rivers (Tigris, Euphrates etc.)
Rules
Animals
Gen. 2:18 “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”
Gen. 2: 20b “But for Adam no suitable helper was found.”
Eve
Adam deep sleep
Rib
“bone of bone, flesh of flesh” united as one with wife

5. Stories of Creation
In a group of 2-4 please wait for an assigned creation story.
Read through it as a group and make a 1 Venn Diagram for your group (with everyone’s name on it) comparing and contrasting the “7 Day Biblical Creation” to the one you have been given.