Romans 8:19-23 In these verses Paul explains how even the creation is waiting for our redemption. What does it mean that the creation was subjected to futility? How did this happen? When Paul speaks of creation groaning and waiting, what is it that he is not saying? Why is the creation "longing" for our revelation as God's children? What does creation's subjection to futility say about our dominion over nature? What have we been given that causes us to groan for our own revelation? (54 min)

Keywords Spirit, Creation, Glory, Suffering

Genesis 50:20-26 and review In this concluding study of the book of Genesis we considered Joseph's final words, including his confidence of what God was doing when his own brothers were planning evil against him. How does this passage help us understand the problem of evil? How should we view evil and respond to it? We also took a brisk walk through the entire book of Genesis, recalling some of the important things we have learned. Finally we ended by considering the faith of Joseph and the other saints of Genesis as they all died "without receiving the promises,” but by faith" welcomed them from afar." (60 min)

Keywords Joseph, Seed, Toledot, Creation, Genesis

Genesis 1:1 Introduction to Genesis. The stories of Genesis for an adult. The toledots of Genesis. Beauty in the writing of Genesis. The themes of Genesis. What does “In the beginning” mean? Our God, the God of creation. Exnihilo—Out of nothing.

Keywords Genesis, Creation, Toledot, Exnihilo

Genesis 1:2-5 The relationship of verse two to verse one. The Gap theory of creation. What are the “days” of creation? The first act of creation. The philosophy behind our view of the creation account. God’s value of the process.

Keywords Genesis, Creation, Days

Genesis 1:6-25 The time and purpose for the writing of the creation account. Why the account of creation is important to us. The creation account as a polemic. From formless and void to form and full.

Keywords Genesis, Creation, Kingdom of God

Genesis 1:26-2:3 The point of Creation. Who is the “Us” in this passage? Three categories of the image of God in man. The breath of God. Dominion and the image of God. Why did God rest? The day of Sabbath and what it means.

Keywords Creation, Man, Image of God

Genesis 2:4-15 The first “toledot” of Genesis. The difference between the first two chapters of Genesis. How the world used to be. How did we get into the human predicament? The two components in the creation of man. When God created Paradise. When God brought Adam to the Garden.

Keywords Adam, Eve, Tree, Evil, Creation

Genesis 2:15-25 Why did God place the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in the Garden? The Tree of Life. God sees something that is not good. How Adam discovered his great need. The glorious presentation of the Woman.

Keywords Adam, Eve, Tree, Evil, Creation