GENESIS STUDY
READING PLAN OVERVIEW
SESSION 1: GENESIS 1-5
CREATION + THE FALL
SESSION 2: GENESIS 6-11
NOAH + THE FLOOD
SESSION 3: GENESIS 12-19
GOD’S PROMISE TO ABRAHAM
SESSION 4: GENESIS 20-25
ISAAC + JACOB
SESSION 5: GENESIS 26-36
JACOB + ESAU
SESSION 6: GENESIS 37-50
JOSEPH + HIS BROTHERS
HOW TO USE THIS PLAN
1. READ THE GENRE + BOOK OVERVIEW BELOW
2. READ THE CHAPTERS IN THE BIBLE FOR EACH SESSION
3. READ THE CHAPTER SUMMARIES ON EVERYDAYSCRIPTURE.ORG
4. ANSWER THE QUESTIONS + REFLECT ON THE READING
This study encourages going at your own pace, allowing each session to be a day, a week, or however long you need. Each session contains questions to be used for individual reflection or small group discussion.
This study was made to be used alongside Bible reading. Although we have created chapter summaries, there is no substitute for reading God's Word.
QUESTIONS TO GET YOU STARTED
What type of literature is this book of the Bible? Does that affect the interpretation?
Who is the intended audience of this book? What purpose does it serve?
What does this passage of Scripture reveal about God’s character?
What can I learn from this Scripture passage? How does it apply today?
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
BOOK OVERVIEW: GENESIS
Genesis means “beginning,” and the book describes the beginning of creation and the beginning of God’s redemption story. Throughout Scripture, God endlessly pursues humanity. Because of the sin in the world, God must send a Savior to reunite Him with His people.
GENRE OVERVIEW: OLD TESTAMENT LAW
The first five books of the Bible - known as the books of the law or the Pentateuch - tell of the creation of the earth, the fall of man, and God’s pursuit of restoration with humanity. This section of Scripture contains epic stories that reveal God’s faithfulness and expose the sinfulness of humanity. God establishes His chosen people and leads them on a treacherous journey out of oppression and into His provision.
Throughout Scripture, God uses unlikely people to fulfill His purposes, including Abraham, Noah, and Moses. God makes covenants with His people, desiring that they would follow Him alone and live in righteousness. Although humanity consistently fails to be faithful, God remains steadfast in His love and mercy.
MAIN IDEA: KEY EVENTS + KEY PEOPLE
God created a perfect world, free from sin and death. In His image, God created man and woman to rule the earth. Instead of trusting God’s goodness, Adam and Eve doubted God’s Word, and sin entered the world. Eventually, sin was so rampant that God chose to wipe out the earth. Noah, a faithful man, found favor with God and was spared from the flood.
In Genesis 12, the narrative shifts from Noah and his family to Abraham and his family. God chose Abraham to create a great nation and bring blessing to all people. Abraham trusted God and was given a son named Isaac. God asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, but spared him after recognizing Abraham’s obedience.
Isaac had two sons, Jacob and Esau. Jacob tricked Isaac into giving him the birthright and blessing typically given to the firstborn. Jacob’s name was eventually changed to Israel, and his twelve sons became the leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel. Jacob's favorite son, Joesph, was hated by his brothers and sold into slavery. Through his ability to interpret dreams, Jacob became an influential leader in Egypt. When Israel faced a famine, Joseph provided for his brothers and forgave them.
SESSION ONE: GENESIS 1-5
CREATION + THE FALL
Read Genesis 1:26. Who or what was God referring to when He said, “Let us make man in our image?”
What did God do on the seventh day after creation? Was this necessary for God?
How did the serpent test Eve’s knowledge of God’s Word?
What does this tell you about the Enemy?
What does this tell you about the power of God’s Word?
What does God’s response to Adam and Eve’s failure tell you about how God responds to sin?
Do you see any significance in God’s choice to cover Adam and Eve with the skin of an animal?
Why would God allow Adam and Eve to eat from the Tree of Knowledge but not the Tree of Life?
Read Revelation 22:2. When God redeems the earth, what tree will be present?
Why do you think God was more pleased with Abel’s offering than Cain’s?
Since God hadn’t yet provided the Commandments, how did Cain know that murder was wrong?