COURSE NAME:  Survey of Genesis   This entry-level course combines Bible study with practical theology.  It is ideal for those expecting to gain a fundamental understanding of the Book of Genesis and the practical spiritual lessons taught in this wonderful Book.

WELCOME TO A TUITION-FREE INDEPENDENT LEARNING COURSE.  It is not necessary to enroll at a student or pay tuition. You may begin this study immediately.  However, after you have completed the course, we encourage you to consider enrollment in one of our excellent online programs.
https://the.mdivs.edu/all-programs

Before you begin, please note:

• FIRST: This is a comprehensive tuition-free study. You may complete the entire course without cost. After completing the course of study, you will be given the option of receiving recognition.

• SECOND: This study is totally self-contained. You will only need your personal Bible.

• THIRD: This is an independent learning experience, and is therefore self-directed and self-paced.  Move through it the way you find most helpful.

• FOURTH: Even though it is free a free course, this is a serious study of the Bible.

Ten Instructions to Help Guide You

1. Begin each study with prayer. You need to understand what the Bible teaches. God has promised to help you. God keeps his promises. Pray with faith. Put John 16:13 to the test.

2. Utilize any method of study (time of day, place of study, etc.) that will produce good results.

3. First, read all the Underlined Statements but not the Scripture. This is the Subject you are studying.

4. Read carefully! Be sure you know the meaning of each word. Reading aloud may help.

5. Now, read all the Bible verses after the Underlined Statements. As you read, write down any thoughts that you want to add. Write a summary of what the Holy Spirit enables you to learn. Since there are no tests to complete, the more carefully you read, and the more completely you write your summary, the more you will learn.

6. Mark your Bible. Make notations in the margin if that is possible, or in the notes section of an electronic Bible.

7. Meditate! Continue to think about what the Bible teaches. Memorize some verses.

8. Live what the Bible teaches. Obey the Word of God. As you obey what you learn, God will teach you more.

9. Share what you learn. As you teach and tell others what you have learned, God will help you to understand more clearly. You will help others and strengthen yourself.

10. Never give up. With God's help you can be a more faithful and effective Christian witness and worker.

"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth
not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15).

SURVEY OF GENESIS

Course Objectives: (Read these objectives carefully and think about what they will mean to your understanding of the Book of Genesis.)

1. To trace the important sequence of events in the Genesis record,
2. To identify the major spiritual lessons in the events in the Genesis record.
3. To gain knowledge about each of the major characters in the Genesis record.
4. To gain a spiritual lesson from each of the major characters in the Genesis record.  
5. To make comparisons with other Bible references.
6. To examine the major covenants in Genesis.
7. To test your ability to communicate the results of your study.

Primary Lesson Procedures:

1. Get the "Big Picture" of Genesis.

a. Read the entire book. 
b. As you read make notes in the margin of the Bible or in a notebook.
c. After completing the book, review your notes.

2. Try to put the following topics in their proper order:

Record of Isaac,
Record of Creation,
Record of Temptation and Fall,
Record of Jacob,
Record of Adam and Eve in the Garden,
Record of Joseph's Temptation,
Record of Cain and Abel,
Record of Babel,
Record of Flood,
Record of Abraham sacrifice of Isaac, 
Record of Lot's Choice,
Record of Hagar.

3. Check with the Bible and place the Scripture reference with each topic above.

4. Study and make notes about the following covenants:

Edenic Covenant: Genesis 1:28- 30,
Adamic Covenant, Genesis 3: 14-19,
Noahic Covenant, Genesis, 8:20 - 9:17,
Abrahamic Covenant, Genesis 12:1-3.
 

5. Place the proper chapter and verse reference after each of the following:

The image and likeness of God is bestowed,
The remarkable example of forgiveness ,
The name of the man who pleased God,
The human cause of the Flood,
The man who bargained with God of a city,
The man who was changed by wrestling in prayer,
How Joseph overcame the temptation of lust,
The beginning of blood sacrifice,
The first man to believe in the resurrection, 
Why was Abraham declared righteous, Cf. Romans 4.

6. Using all your notes, speak a 5 minutes summary of Genesis to a mirror.
 

7. Write as briefly as possible what you think is the theme of Genesis.
 

8. Review your notes and mark 7 passages that would make good sermons.
 

9. Review your notes and mark 10 verses you will memorize.
 

10. How does Genesis 3:15 relate to God's Plan of Salvation? 
 

11. Why is Genesis called the book of Beginnings?
 

12. Discuss what you have learned with two people and make notes of their  reaction.



A Higher Level of Understanding

Study the following for types and write a brief description of:
For example, a type of the death of Christ is seen in the Old Testament sacrifice of the lamb as a sin offering.

1. How the covering of skins foreshadowed the blood atonement.
2. How the Ark foreshadows God's care in judgment.
3. How Enoch foreshadows the Rapture.
4. How God uses the rainbow.
5. How Melchizedek foreshadows Jesus.
6. How circumcision revealed a relationship.
7. How did God set a pattern for marriage.

...end of course

CONGRATULATIONS!

If you have completed the course as instructed, you have achieved an extremely important milestone in your walk with the Lord.  We rejoice with you, and trust that God will use you in an even greater way to minister to a world that is in desperate need of the life-changing Gospel of our Risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  May the Holy Spirit go before you and make every crooked place straight!  (Isaiah 45:2)