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Genesis 2

1.       Chapter 2 continues with the creation story.  Chapter 1 covered the first six days of creation.  What does verse 1 say about creation?

What does verse 2 say about creation?

How is the seventh day different from all the other days?

We know that God cannot become tired.  Therefore, why do you believe God chose to rest on the seventh day?

What does verse 3 tell us God did in reference to the seventh day?

What significance does this hold for us today?

How easy or hard is it for you to rest?  Please explain.

2.     Many people argue that the creation story is not to be taken literally.  It is a good story that shows us the character of God, but we should not take it as fact.  How do you react to this statement?

What would you say to someone who thought this way?

Following verse 3, we see a break in the narration.  We have read about the first seven days, and now, with verse 4, we take a more detailed look.  We read about the creation as a narrative or a story as opposed to the day-by-day description in Chapter 1. 

3.     Read vv. 4 & 5.  Describe the condition of the earth.

Why were there no plants?

4.     According to verse 6, how did God water the earth?

5.     Verse 7 talks about the creation of man.  What new information do you learn from this verse that we did not learn from the account in chapter 1?

What is the major distinction between man and other living creatures?

What does it mean to you to have the breath of God in you?

6.     Read vv. 8-9 about the Garden of Eden.  What do we read about the garden in verse 8?

Why did God create the Garden of Eden?

What can we learn about the trees God planted in the garden?

Why would God plant trees that were pleasing to the eye?

What part or parts of creation do you find pleasing to the eye?

What does it mean to you that God created them for you?

What two trees did God place in the middle of the garden?

7.     Read vv. 10-14.  How did God water the Garden of Eden?

What are the names of the four rivers that found their source in the garden?

Using a map, can you locate any of these rivers?  If so, where do you believe the Garden of Eden might have been located?

8.     According to verse 15, why did God place man in the garden?

This is the first mention of work.  Now the world was in perfect order.  No sin had yet been committed.  Yet, God gave Adam work.  Why do you think God did this?

How important do you think it is for man to work?  Can you find any other verses that relate to work?

9.     Verses 16 & 17 contains God first spoken words to man.  What did God say to Adam?

This command contains two parts:  a permissive (what Adam can do) and a prohibitive (what Adam can’t do).  What was the permissive?

What was the prohibitive?

What can we learn from this command when relating to our children or to others?

10.  What would be the result of Adam’s eating from the tree of good and evil?

This may seem harsh, but this consequence shows us the result of disobeying God.  Disobedience to God’s commands results in what?

11.   Read vv. 18-20.  What does God say about man in verse 18?

Remember, man is created in the image of God; therefore, this is not a fault or mistake in man.  What can we learn about ourselves from this statement?

As a result, God says He is going to make a helper suitable for Adam.  What does this mean to you?

Other versions read a “help meet” or “help of his like” instead of helper.  Remember why God was going to make this helper.  What do you think a “help meet” is?

12.  To help Adam see and understand his need, what did God do in verses 19-20?

What authority did God give to Adam?

Where do you think Adam came up with all the names for the animals?

13.  As God brought the animals to Adam, what did Adam observe?

At the end, we read again that no suitable helper was found for Adam.  What do you think Adam realized at this time?

We need to understand that Adam was not lonely; he may have been alone, but he was not lonely.  He had all of creation and He had God to keep him company.  Also, this was not a surprise to God.  So, once again, why do you believe God was going to create woman?

14.  Verses 21 & 22 talk about the creation of woman.  Of all of created beings, woman’s creation is unique.  What makes her creation so unique?

Why do you believe God chose to create woman in this manner?

How did Adam meet the woman?

What can we learn about the relationship between man and woman from these verses?

What does it mean to you that God did not want man to be alone?

What would you say to someone who has chosen to remain single?

15.  Verse 23 contains the first recorded words of Adam.  What does he say about the woman God has given to him?

What does it mean to you when Adam says that woman is “bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh”?

How do you believe Adam viewed Eve?

How would you respond to someone who felt that women were inferior to men?

How would you respond to someone who felt that men were inferior to women?

16.  Verse 24 contains the first reference to marriage.  At this point, are Adam and Eve married?  Please explain.

If you believe they are, who gave Eve away and who performed the marriage?

What does it mean to you that the man is to leave his father and mother?  Does this apply to the woman as well?

Why would God want the man to leave his father and mother?

What does it mean to you that through marriage, a man and a woman become one flesh?

17.  Why do you believe the LORD included verse 25?

Some people use this verse to condone or justify nudist colonies.  What would you say to them?