God
never changes. (Heb. 13:8, Mal. 3:6) He made us for Himself, and in His
eternal covenant
He promises to love and care for His people forever. (Genesis 17:7, Jeremiah 31:3)
Clearly there are differences between the "Old" and
"New Covenant," but our focus is on that which is essentially the same -- that
from the beginning His grace and salvation have been extended on the basis of faith.
(Romans 4) Redemption was and is made available only through Jesus
Christ and the cross -- first by promise, later by identification.
God's most wise and wonderful plan for His people begins to unfold in
Genesis and culminates in the Book of Revelation.
Following
this thread of continuing revelation, we will come to see and know our Mighty
Triune God -- His sovereignty, His wisdom, and His everlasting love and faithfulness
toward all His people.
1.
Read
John 1:1-5,
14.
What does this passage tell you about
Jesus?
2. Read Colossians 1,15-19.
A.
By Whom were all things created?
B.
Paul emphasizes
the "all things" in v. 16. What does it include? Why is this significant?
C.
Describe
Jesus Christ as you see Him in this passage.
D. Take time to
reflect on the message of v. 17. What does
it tell you about the participation of Jesus in history?
3. Read Genesis 1.
A.
Which verses show you that the Triune God (God the Father, God the Son, and God
the Holy Spirit) were at work together in creation?
B.
(Challenge) What does it mean to you to be created in God's image and according
to His likeness?
C. 1. God gave man authority and, with it, responsibilities.
List some of both. (Remember to write the verse number.)
2. (Personal) What effect does the above truth have on your life today?
D.
(Challenge)
Underline in different colors* these phrases; "God created" (said, saw, made
etc.), “it was good”, and “after their kind." How did this help you to see
the total picture?
4. Read
Genesis 2.
A.
Define the words, "blessed" and "sanctified." (verse 3)
B. (Personal) If you
have chosen to respond to His love and are one of His people, you also are sanctified.
What does that mean to you in your relationship with Him?
C. What were the two
special trees found in the garden?
D. God gave Adam a
work to do in the garden. What was it?
E.
1. In v. 18 God refers to a basic need of
mankind. What is this need?
2.
How did God meet that need in Adam's
life?
3. How
did Adam respond?
4. Can a spouse fully meet our need
"not to be alone?" How can that need be completely met?
5. (Personal) How does He meet
that need in your life?
6. Read I Corinthians 1:9. What great
privilege and promise do you see here?
5. Read Prov. 8:12-31.
(Challenge)
A. What do you learn
about God and His desire and plan for fellowship within the Trinity and between Himself
and man in verse 17 and 30-31.
B. (Personal) What
is the response of your heart as you meditate (take time to think and reflect) on the
above three verses?
6. Praise and thank God
as you read Psalm 8. What was the
state of David's heart as he spoke these
words?
*
You may want to underline your Bible in a way that will help you identify and remember
God's different kinds of messages. Here
are some suggested colors:
|
|
God
- purple (for King)
|
Prophecy - blue
|
|
Promises - red
|
Prayer - turquoise
|
|
Commands - green
|
General facts - brown
|
|
God's love - pink
|
Sin
- black
|
|
Praise - orange
|
|
Next:
Lesson 2 - The Fall of Man - Genesis 3-4
