An Examination of God and His Creation

Bible Study Questions for Genesis 1:1-25

Creation is a vast subject. In this study, we focus on how the author uses several key words to provide us with an accurate understanding of the world and the God who created it.

A. Understanding the Passage

1. Read Genesis 1:1-25. What is the most common word used in this passage? (Excluding 'and' or 'the').

2. Look at the phrase "God said" (v. 3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24). What is the result every time God speaks?

3. Identify the two different Hebrew words used for "create" (bara) and "made" (asah). In which verses do you find bara? What is the significance of using a special word for creation out of nothing?

4. Look at the phrase "God saw that it was good." How many times is this repeated? What does this tell us about God's character and the original state of our world?

5. In verses 11, 12, 21, 24, and 25, the phrase "after its kind" or "according to their kinds" is used. Why is this important for our understanding of biological boundaries and design?

B. Practical Application

6. How does knowing that God created everything by His Word change the way you look at the physical world around you?

7. If God is the Designer, do we have the right to redefine the purpose of what He has made? Why or why not?

8. How does the "goodness" of the original creation encourage you when you face the brokenness of the world today?

The Genesis Index