Adam to Noah

Acknowledge and embrace both your own assumptions and the authors’ intentions of a given text.

How did Jesus read his Bible? Explore the way Jesus referred to the organization of the Hebrew Bible and what he believed the main point to be.

Distinguish between a text’s intended meaning and its significance for questions in a different context.

Gain tools for recognizing smaller literary units in Scripture to trace repeated themes and see how they fit together to form a larger narrative.

Trace the structure of Genesis 1-11 to discover a curious pattern that provides the blueprint for the rest of the biblical story.

Discover how the cyclical pattern found in Genesis 1-11 repeats and develops throughout the Bible.

Trace the structure of Genesis 1-11 to discover a curious pattern that provides the blueprint for the rest of the biblical story.

Examine how the biblical authors constructed the Eden narrative (Gen. 2:4-3:24) and how Genesis 2 relates to Genesis 1.

Synthesize a view of Genesis 1 and 2 working together to show us both God’s ideal as well as how God has worked in specific ways in human history.

Dive into the first scene of the Eden story, Genesis 2:4-17, and begin to explore its literary features.

Study the Hebrew words for “formed” and “dust” to get a better understanding of what the biblical authors are communicating about humanity in Genesis 2.

Look at artifacts from the ancient world to better understand why the biblical authors used so much garden imagery.

Trace the words describing the human’s first job and reflect on God’s command about the two trees in the middle of the garden.

Trace the words and themes that reveal the pattern of the test we see for the first time here with the tree of knowing good and bad.

Explore how the story of the man and the woman in the garden introduces the theme of a united, diverse humanity.

Look closely at the meaning of some key words in the last part of Genesis 2 and evaluate interpretive assumptions attached to these words.

How do later biblical authors talk about Genesis 2? Look at how the apostle Paul references Genesis 2 in his letters.

A talking snake is surprising no matter what century you live in. Observe key details in the beginning of Genesis 3 and meet a new character, the shrewd talking snake.

A conversation between the snake and the woman is the central scene of the whole Eden story. Meditate on this conversation and the choice the humans make.

Look for clues about the identity of the snake in the garden and discover what the rest of the Bible and other ancient Near Eastern sources reveal.

Humanity has failed their test in the garden. How will God respond? Look at God’s first words and actions immediately following the failure of the humans. What does this reveal about God’s character?

Ponder the consequences of the failure in the garden and introduce the theme of the two seeds.

Study key words from God’s lament to better understand the consequences for humanity and what this reveals about God’s character.

Trace important themes in the final scene of the garden of Eden story. Humanity is exiled from the garden, but this isn’t the end of the biblical drama. It’s just the beginning.

Outline the literary design of Genesis 4, noting the significant themes carried forward from chapter 3.

Examine clues in the text to understand what separates the offerings of Cain and Abel, and see what happens when God’s favor becomes the cause for jealousy and danger.

Trace the literary similarities between Cain’s test and his parents’ in the previous chapter. Follow the story as the next generation mirrors the failures of their parents.

Outline the cycle of rebellion as bloodshed intensifies, and see how Lemek twists God’s mercy into a license to abuse others.

Examine key features of the genealogy in Genesis 5. Learn how genealogies functioned in the ancient Near East and how the biblical authors use this genealogy to make a theological statement.

Consider a helpful perspective for interpreting Hebrew narrative.

Compare different ways we can faithfully represent the same thing.

Evaluate differing views on the question - “Were Adam and Eve historical people?” Reflect on major takeaways from the entire class.