The beginning of the book of Genesis in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible lays the foundations for human flourishing. While not all that happens in chapter 1-11 is positive, what does happen helps us to understand why humanity is the way it is – and it explains the foundations better than any other philosophy in the world. The book falls into two parts – chapters 1-11 and chapters 12-50. The first part describes the creation of the world by God climaxing in the creation of mankind and then the fall of mankind showing the denigrating effects of sin highlighted by the Cain/Abel story, the flood and Babel. And it is this first part, the foundations of world in chapters 1-11, which we shall examine.
Themes Addressed
This first part of Genesis lays the foundations for human flourishing by answering the why questions rather than the how questions.
- Why should mankind bother to relate to God?
- Why does mankind exist?
- Does evil exist? If so, why?
- What can we do about the evil in the world?
- Am I evil? What can I do about it?
- Are things like anger, greed, selfishness evil?
- Is there a solution? If so, what is it?
- And why should one apply this solution to one’s own life?
Preaching Plan Autumn 2026
| Wk. | Passage | MAIN IDEA | THEMES |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Sept | Gen 1:1-25 | What part should God play in our lives? | Creation, Order, Obedience, Omnipotence |
| 13 Sept | Gen 1:26-31 | What kind of inherent dignity do we have that we are made in the image of God? | Image of God, Human Dignity, Stewardship, Gender |
| 20 Sept | Gen 2:1-3 | Why did God make the Sabbath and why should we practice it? | Rest, Sabbath, Holiness, Rhythm of Life |
| 27 Sept | Gen 2:4-25 | What was God’s design for us and what does it mean for how we live? | Community, Work, Covenant, Marriage, Purity, complementarianism |
| 4 Oct | Gen 3:1-13 | What does the fall of mankind teach us about who we are and what effect does it have on us? | Temptation, Sin, Fall, Guilt, Shame |
| 11 Oct | Gen 3:14-24 | What is the solution to our fallen state? How does the Protoevangelium—the first promise of the Gospel (Gen 3:15) answer this problem? | Judgment, Curse, Grace, Redemption, Prophecy |
| 18 Oct | Gen 4:1-16 | What are some of the consequences of our sin (fallenness) and what can we do about it? | Envy, Murder, Anger, Consequence, Mercy |
| 25 Oct | Gen 4:17–5:32 | Does it matter if I live faithfully before God or not? How can we live faithfully in this fallen world? | Reap what you sow, Culture, Faithfulness |
| 1 Nov | Gen 6:1-22 | Why should we fear God’s judgment? | Holiness, sin, Justice, Faith, Obedience |
| 8 Nov | Gen 7:1–8:22 | How is God faithful to those who believe? How can we be faithful? | Judgment, Deliverance, Faithfulness, Sacrifice, Covenant |
| 15 Nov | Gen 9:1-17 | What promises does God make with Noah and what promises has he made to us? | Covenant, Sanctity of Life, Grace, Promise, Patience |
| 22 Nov | Gen 11:1-9 | What happens when a person / people (e.g. nation) forgets God? | Pride, Rebellion, Idolatry, Sovereignty |