Brethren,
Yesterday, we slowed down and looked carefully at Genesis 2:4–7—the opening of the first of eleven “toledot” (“these are the generations of…”) sections, and a more detailed view of God’s work in creation.
Two themes stood out: the nearness of God (the LORD God personally forming and giving life) and the humility of man (formed from dust—yet made in God’s image). And as we saw, this text doesn’t end with Adam; it prepares us to look to Christ, the Second Adam, the One who took on human flesh—dust—to redeem us.
“What makes you special isn’t the stuff you’re made of. What makes you special is the image you’ve been made in.”
Hymns for this coming Lord’s Day (optional practice)
· 42 Praise Ye the Lord
· 347 Not What These Hands Have Done
· 220 Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken
· 19 I Sing the Mighty Power of God
Supplemental listening (Genesis 2:4–7)
If you’d like to go a bit deeper, here are two helpful messages that were mentioned or align closely with Sunday’s themes:
- Fred Pugh: Sermon on Genesis 2:4–7
- Richard Phillips: Sermon on Genesis 2:4–7
Below are five days of readings and reflection questions, suitable for both adults
and children. Feel free to adapt the pace for your household.
Day 1 — The “Table of Contents” of Genesis
Read: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 5:1; Luke 24:27
Reflect (Adults)
· Why does Moses mark off sections of Genesis with “these are the generations of…”? What does that teach you about how carefully Scripture is written?
· How does the narrowing focus of Genesis (from the heavens and the earth to a particular family line) train you to read the Bible as one unified story?
· Where do you see the whole Bible ultimately narrowing to one Person—Jesus Christ?
Talk with Children
· The Bible is one big story. Who is the Bible’s main Person?
· Why is it good to read carefully and not rush?
Day 2 — The LORD God: Transcendent and Intimate
Read: Genesis 2:4–7; Exodus 3:13–15; James 4:8
Reflect (Adults)
· Why does Moses begin using the covenant name “LORD God” (Yahweh Elohim) here? What does it say about God’s nearness to His creatures?
· How does God’s intimate, personal care in creating man (forming him and giving him breath) comfort you—and correct any tendency to think of God as distant or detached?
· Where can you intentionally remember God’s providential care for you this week (your life, your days, your needs)—and how might that reshape your fears, gratitude, and humility?
Talk with Children
· God is big and strong—but is He also near to His people?
· What is one way you can remember this week that God made you and cares for you?
Day 3 — Difficult Passages and a Ready Defense
Read: Genesis 2:5; 1 Peter 3:15; 2 Timothy 3:16–17
Reflect (Adults)
· Why is it important not only to believe the Bible is true, but to be able to give reasons for that hope?
· When a passage feels difficult, what is the difference between humble study and skeptical dismissal?
· When the text speaks of God not causing it to rain, what does that tell us about the causes of weather?
· How can you cultivate a “slow down and think deeply” habit in your Bible reading?
Talk with Children
· If someone says, “The Bible isn’t true,” what should we do?
· Who helps us understand the Bible?
Day 4 — Dust and Dignity
Read: Genesis 2:7; Psalm 139:13–16; Genesis 1:26–27
Reflect (Adults)
· What does it do to your pride to remember you are dust? What does it do to your despair to remember you are an image-bearer?
· How would your relationships change if your first thought about others was: “This is an image-bearer, formed by God’s hand”?
· Where do you most need humility right now? Where do you most need comfort?
Talk with Children
· What did God make Adam from?
· Why are people special, even though we’re made from dust?
Day 5 — Looking Ahead to Sunday
Next Lord’s Day sermon text: Genesis 2:8–15, Sermon title: “The Genesis of the Temple”, Theme focus: Eden as God’s holy place; God dwelling with man; the garden/temple as a pattern that points forward
Read: Genesis 2:8–15; Ezekiel 47:1–12; Revelation 22:1–5
Reflect (Adults)
· As you read Genesis 2:8–14, what details suggest the garden is more than “a nice place to live”—a holy place where God meets with man?
· What stands out to you about the river flowing out of Eden? Where else in Scripture do you see God’s dwelling place pictured with life-giving water?
· How does Eden help you understand what the tabernacle/temple later signified—and what Christ ultimately brings?
· What would it have meant for Adam to “work” and “keep” the garden?
· Write down 1–2 questions you want to bring with you on Sunday.
Talk with Children
· Who planted the garden?
· What good things did God put in the garden?
· What does it mean that God wants to be with His people?
Church family, let’s pray for one another—that the Lord would make us humble as dust, confident as image-bearers, and eager to draw near to Him.
In Christ,
Pastor Mike