Genesis Study Guide

Author: Moses (traditional attribution) Date: ~1400 BC Chapters: 50 Key Themes: Creation, Fall, Covenant, Providence Major Figures: Adam, Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph Structure: Primeval History (1-11), Patriarchal History (12-50)

Genesis 1: God creates the universe in six days, culminating in humanity made in His image. Creation is declared "very good."

Genesis 2: A closer look at the creation of man and woman. The Garden of Eden. The first marriage.

Genesis 3: The serpent tempts Eve. Adam and Eve sin. The curse and the first gospel promise (Genesis 3:15).

Key Questions:

• What does it mean to be made in God's image?
• How does Genesis 3:15 point to Christ?
• What changed after the Fall?

Genesis 4-5: Cain kills Abel. The line of Cain vs. the line of Seth. Genealogy from Adam to Noah.

Genesis 6-9: Humanity's wickedness grieves God. Noah finds favor. The Flood. God's covenant with Noah (the rainbow).

Key Questions:

• Why does God judge the earth with a flood?
• What does the covenant with Noah teach about God?
• How is Noah a type of Christ?

Genesis 10: The Table of Nations—all peoples descend from Noah's sons.

Genesis 11: The Tower of Babel. God confuses languages and scatters humanity. Genealogy to Abram.

Key Questions:

• What was the sin at Babel?
• How does God's scattering become a setup for the Gospel's gathering (Acts 2)?

Genesis 12-14: God's call to Abram. The covenant promise. Abram in Egypt. Lot's rescue.

Genesis 15-17: Covenant ceremony. Hagar and Ishmael. Circumcision established. Name change to Abraham.

Genesis 18-19: Three visitors announce Isaac. Abraham intercedes for Sodom. Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed.

Genesis 20-21: Abraham and Abimelech. Isaac born. Hagar and Ishmael sent away.

Genesis 22-25: The binding of Isaac. Sarah's death. Isaac and Rebekah. Abraham's death.

Key Questions:

• What is the Abrahamic Covenant and why does it matter?
• How does Genesis 22 prefigure Christ's sacrifice?

Genesis 25-28: Jacob and Esau's birth and rivalry. Jacob steals the blessing. Jacob's ladder vision.

Genesis 29-31: Jacob marries Leah and Rachel. Jacob's children. Jacob's flocks prosper. Departure from Laban.

Genesis 32-35: Jacob wrestles with God, becomes Israel. Reconciliation with Esau. Dinah's tragedy. Return to Bethel.

Key Questions:

• How does God use imperfect people in His plan?
• What does Jacob's wrestling reveal about spiritual transformation?

Genesis 37: Joseph's dreams. Sold into slavery by his brothers.

Genesis 39-41: Potiphar's house. Prison. Interpreting dreams. Rise to power in Egypt.

Genesis 42-45: Brothers come to Egypt. Tests. Joseph reveals himself.

Genesis 46-50: Jacob's family moves to Egypt. Jacob blesses his sons. Jacob and Joseph die. "You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good."

Key Questions:

• How is Joseph a type of Christ?
• What does Genesis 50:20 teach about God's providence?

Creation: God creates ex nihilo (out of nothing). Creation reveals God's power and wisdom.

Sin and Fall: Sin enters through Adam, affecting all humanity (Romans 5:12).

Covenant: God binds Himself to promises—to Noah, to Abraham, and through them to us.

Election: God chooses unlikely people (younger sons, flawed patriarchs) to accomplish His purposes.

Providence: God sovereignly works through human actions—even sinful ones—to accomplish good.

Deepen your Genesis study with FaithGPT:

• Scripture Insights: Get AI-powered analysis of any Genesis passage, including Hebrew word studies.
• Bible Character Chat: Have conversations with Abraham, Joseph, or other patriarchs.
• Verse Finder: Find New Testament connections to Genesis promises.