Study #2: Humankind at Creation (Gen 1-2)
Information relating to our gathering on April 5th, 2022 (7-9 pm)
- Study: Genesis 1-2 using the inductive Bible study worksheet.
- Reflect: Keep a journal/notebook where you are keeping track of your questions, impressions and evolving thinking.
- Speak Graciously: Take care in how you speak to others of your fellow journeyer's positions and thoughts.
- Pray: For ourselves, our fellow study participants and our church body.
Instruction: Levels of Narrative in the Bible
- First Level: Story of the Bible
- Second Level: Covenantal Context
- Third Level: Individual Stories
Discussion
Word Study on Ezer
Conclusions
Confident Conclusions
Ways that we can have a good degree of confidence this passage speaks to the topic of gender and leadership.
Ways that we can have a good degree of confidence this passage speaks to the topic of gender and leadership.
- Men and women are both made in the image of God. (cf. Gen 1:27)
- God purposefully created men and women (cf. Gen 1:26,27; 2:7, 22), giving them distinct roles (cf. Gen 2:15, 18) within a common mission (cf. Gen 1:28).
- The term helper (cf. Gen 2:18) does not infer that the woman is lesser (helper (Heb: ฤzer) is used most often in regards to God Himself (cf. Ex 18:4; Deut 33:29; Ps 70:5)).
- The created order, as described above, is deemed very good by God (cf.Gen 1:31)
Not Yet Conclusive Conclusions / To Be Discerned
Ideas that are not yet conclusive, but noted because they might be inferred/implied in the passage. We will return to these as we work through other passages.
Ideas that are not yet conclusive, but noted because they might be inferred/implied in the passage. We will return to these as we work through other passages.
- Having been both made in the image of God, there is inherent equality in dignity, value, and worth between men and women. (cf. Gen 1:27)
- Though there are distinct roles given to the man and to the woman, it is not clear what those distinctions are (i.e., in what way is the woman a helper (cf. Gen 2:18) to the man).
Next Gathering:
May 3rd, 7-9 pm
Examining the Effects of the Fall (Genesis 3)
Examining the Effects of the Fall (Genesis 3)
Between Now & May 3rd
- Study: Genesis 3 using the inductive Bible study worksheet.
- Reflect: Update the journal/notebook where you are keeping track of your questions, impressions and evolving thinking. Consider the conclusions we drew from the study and the questions that linger.
- Ponder: To what extent has Creation and the Fall impacted/shaped/directed your understanding of gender to this point?
- Pray: For ourselves, our fellow study participants and our church body