Genesis
January 12, 2026
Brett Cooper
Join us for an engaging Bible study through the book of Genesis, where we explore the foundations of faith, family, and God’s redemptive plan for humanity. Genesis is not merely a story about creation, it is the story of how God formed people, established relationships, and began His work of restoring a broken world. From the Garden of Eden to the call of Abraham, we will uncover how sin entered the world and how God immediately began unfolding His plan to redeem it. This study walks through the lives of key figures such as Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, showing how God’s blessing and purpose continue even in the midst of failure, conflict, and hardship. You will see how family dynamics, jealousy, forgiveness, and faith shape the narrative, and how God remains faithful even when humanity falls short. Each session is designed to help you understand the big picture of Scripture while drawing practical lessons for everyday life. Whether you are new to the Bible or have studied it for years, this Genesis Bible study will deepen your understanding of God’s character and His plan for salvation. Come ready to learn, reflect, and grow as we trace the beginnings of God’s story, a story that ultimately points us to Jesus and continues beyond Genesis into the book of Exodus.
Episode Notes
Introduction: What Genesis Is (and Is Not)
From the very beginning, it becomes clear that Genesis is a book about origins—specifically, the origin of people, families, and civilizations. If you are looking for an in-depth scientific explanation of the universe, geological timelines, or biological processes, you may find yourself disappointed. Genesis is not attempting to answer those questions, because that is not its purpose.
Instead, Scripture provides a brief, theological account of creation, giving us a general understanding of how God formed the world and filled it with life. In Genesis 2, we see a deeper focus: God forms living creatures from the earth, and He forms humanity from Himself, assigning mankind the responsibility of overseeing creation.
The story quickly shifts from creation to relationship—specifically, humanity’s relationship with God.
The Fall: Broken Relationship with God
It does not take long to see that humanity falls by failing to obey one simple command: not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. When Adam and Eve disobey, they immediately experience shame and separation. For the first time, they recognize their nakedness.
Before this moment, humanity knew only God’s perfect design. Afterward, they experienced pain, struggle, and suffering, the realities of a broken world.
The first major truth of Genesis is this:
Humanity was created by God and then fell out of a relationship with the God who created them.
The Fall at Work: Family Conflict and Violence
The effects of the fall quickly appear in family life. Adam and Eve have two sons, Cain and Abel. Both bring offerings before the Lord, but Abel brings his best, while Cain does not. God accepts Abel’s offering, and Cain becomes jealous.
The Lord warns Cain with these powerful words:
“Sin is crouching at your door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.”
This moment reveals the root of much human destruction—unchecked jealousy and sin. Cain ignores the warning and murders his brother. This single act lays the foundation for violence, oppression, and injustice throughout human history. Wars, exploitation, and slavery all trace their roots back to this fallen condition.
A Corrupt World and a Reset Through Noah
As the generations continue, the world becomes increasingly corrupt. Humanity grows so wicked that the Lord chooses to flood the earth, preserving one righteous family to restore hope: Noah and his household.
While the story of the ark is well known, a lesser-discussed moment reveals that sin remains. After the flood, Noah becomes drunk and lies uncovered in his tent. One of his sons behaves shamefully, and once again we see hope compromised, echoing Adam’s earlier shame.
Even after judgment and rescue, humanity’s heart problem remains.
The Tower of Babel: Pride and Division
As the population grows, people unite to build a tower in their pride, seeking to reach God on their own terms. This is the story of the Tower of Babel. Because of their rebellion, God confuses their language and scatters them across the earth.
When large groups unite around pride and evil, destruction follows. God’s response is not cruelty; it is containment. By spreading humanity out, He limits the damage and prepares the way for redemption.
God’s Plan: One Man, One Family, One Promise
Once the people are scattered, God chooses one righteous man through whom salvation will come. He calls Abram from Ur and makes a covenant with him. Abram is renamed Abraham, meaning father of many nations.
Abraham becomes the father of Israel through his physical descendants and the spiritual father of all who belong to God through faith.
This promise is clearly stated in Genesis 12:1–3 (NASB 1995):
“Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go forth from your country,
And from your relatives
And from your father’s house,
To the land which I will show you;
And I will make you a great nation,
And I will bless you,
And make your name great;
And so you shall be a blessing;
And I will bless those who bless you,
And the one who curses you, I will curse.
And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.’”
This promise points forward to the Messiah, not merely a deliverer of Israel, but the Savior of the world.
Isaac: Blessed, Yet Challenged
God’s promise unfolds slowly. Abraham is 99 years old, and Sarah is 90 when Isaac is born. When Sarah hears she will conceive, she laughs, hence the name Isaac, meaning “laughter.”
Isaac’s life teaches us an important lesson: blessing does not eliminate struggle. He faces opposition and conflict, particularly over wells, yet God remains faithful. The presence of challenges does not cancel the reality of God’s blessing.
Jacob and Esau: Struggle Within the Family
Isaac has twin sons, Esau and Jacob. Esau is born first, but Jacob emerges grasping his heel. His name means trickster or heel-grabber, and his actions reflect it. Jacob deceives Esau and takes his birthright.
Even in blessed families, dysfunction remains. Later, Jacob wrestles with God, refusing to let go until he is blessed. God allows this struggle, much like a father play-wrestling with a child, for growth, not destruction. Afterward, Jacob is renamed Israel, and he becomes the father of twelve sons—the tribes of Israel.
Joseph: Betrayal, Blessing, and Forgiveness
Family conflict continues in the next generation. Israel favors his son Joseph and gives him a coat of many colors. Joseph shares dreams suggesting his brothers will bow before him, provoking their jealousy. They sell him into slavery.
Though enslaved in Potiphar’s house, Joseph brings blessing wherever he goes. When Potiphar’s wife falsely accuses him, Joseph is imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. Yet even in prison, God’s favor remains.
Joseph interprets dreams, which ultimately leads him before Pharaoh. His faithfulness results in freedom, authority, and reconciliation. Joseph becomes second in command over Egypt and later forgives the very brothers who betrayed him.
This story powerfully illustrates God’s sovereignty, redemption, and the healing power of forgiveness.
Conclusion: A Beginning, Not an Ending
Genesis ends with hope, but the story is far from finished. True to its name, Genesis is a book of beginnings. God has set the stage for redemption, and the next chapter unfolds in the book of Exodus.
That is where our story will continue next week.
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