Easy Reading Edition September 30–October 6

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READ FOR THIS WEEK’S STUDY: Matthew 19:3-8; Luke 17:26-30; Acts 7:1-15; Romans 1:17; Romans 4:3; Romans 5:14; Hebrews 11:1-22.

MEMORY VERSE: “When the foundations are being destroyed, what canthe righteous [holy] do?” (Psalm 11:3, NIV).

LAURENS VAN DER POST, A SOUTH AFRICAN, HAD A STRANGE BLACKROCK ON HIS LIVING ROOM TABLE. People asked him about this rock. Heanswered that it came from 15,000 feet under the ground of Africa. The rock wassent to him by a friend who wrote: “This is a symbol of what you and I have triedto build on all our lives.”

We all build upon foundations. We build our lives upon the rocks under ourfeet. We also build our lives around the principles1 that guide us. Atheists,2

overzealous religious believers, skeptics (doubters), scientists—everyone con-trols their lives by fundamental (basic) principles.

As Christians, our principles are found in Jesus. Jesus is the One in whom “welive, and move” (Acts 17:28, NIrV). We know about Jesus through the Bible. Sothe Bible works as the foundation for our lives and our faith. In a way, Genesisserves as the “foundation” of the Bible. Genesis is almost the same as the“strange black stone” far beneath (under) the earth that held up the groundunder Laurens’s feet.

This week, we will take our first look at Genesis, the foundation of the Bibleitself.

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SABBATH—SEPTEMBER 30

Foundations

1principles—basic rules of life upon which other rules and laws are based.2atheists—people who do not believe in God.

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Lesson 1 Foundations

GENESIS AND THE NEWTESTAMENT (Matthew 19:3-8)

The name Pentateuch3 comes froma Greek word meaning “five.” ThePentateuch is the foundation for ourbiblical faith. Our faith would not makemuch sense without the Pentateuch.

The first of these five books isGenesis. Genesis begins with thebeginning of our world. If we do nothave our beginnings right, it is easy toget everything else wrong. Suppose abuilder works on the joists4 of a houseand gets one joist off by a few inchesin the beginning. Before long, thewalls will be crooked and unusable. Inthe same way, Genesis begins with aclear message about our beginnings.

Of course, Satan works hard to turnus away from God. He tries to putdoubt in our minds about the Bible.Genesis itself comes under terribleattack. If Satan can destroy our faithin Genesis, then it would be easy forhim to destroy our faith in everythingelse.

What do the following verses tellus about how Jesus and the NewTestament authors looked uponGenesis as truth? Matthew 19:3-8;Luke 17:26-30; Acts 7:1-15; Romans4:3; Romans 4:9-21; Romans 5:14;1 Corinthians 15:22; Galatians 3:6;1 Timothy 2:13, 14; Hebrews 11:3-22; 1 Peter 3:20.

Will we listen to the critics whocome up with all kinds of “evidence”(proof) to question Genesis? Or willwe follow the example of those whoshowed complete faith in Genesis?To question Genesis means to ques-tion the New Testament, which oftenrefers to Genesis. How dependablecould the New Testament be if it werewrong about Genesis? If we startquestioning Genesis, our faith willcrumble. This is exactly what Satanwants.

What other examples can youfind of how doubt about a smallthing can lead to doubt aboutimportant things? Why should webe so careful about our faith in theBible as God’s Word? If you startdoubting the Bible what is left?

SUNDAY—OCTOBER 1

Jesus believed the book of Genesis spokethe truth.

3Pentateuch—the first five books of the Bible.4joists—the boards of a wall that support the floor and ceiling.

Lesson 1 Foundations

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THE MIGHTY (POWERFUL) ANDMERCIFUL5 GOD (Genesis 48:15)

Genesis shows us who God reallyis. Genesis also gives us the first writ-ten example about our Creator andSavior.

What do the following verses tellus about God?

Genesis 1:1__________________

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Genesis 7:11_________________

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Genesis 14:19, 22_____________

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Genesis 18:23-33_____________

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Genesis 48:15________________

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Genesis is full of God’s power. Heis seen as the Creator, Judge, Ex-ample Giver, Life Supporter, Most

High, Almighty, and Everlasting6 God.As the Ruler, God lives before every-thing and brings everything into life.

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But, there is so much more aboutGod in Genesis. Even in some of theGenesis stories about judgment wecan see God’s mercy, His sufferingsover humanity’s7 sin, and His greatpatience. Before the Flood came,God had Noah preach for manyyears. God gave everyone a chanceto be saved. God was willing to saveeven Sodom and Gomorrah.8 Allthrough Genesis we see the power ofa merciful, loving God. He hates sinand evil. But He loves His fallen peo-ple and tries to save them.

Genesis shows God as the Creator(Genesis 1:1).

MONDAY—OCTOBER 2

5merciful—full of mercy. Mercy is kindness we do not deserve.6everlasting—lasting forever; without beginning or end.7humanity—all the people of the world.8Sodom and Gomorrah—two great, wicked cities that God destroyed during Abraham’s time.

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Write a short paragraph aboutyour understanding of what God islike. What does your answer showabout your opinion of God? Be pre-pared to share your answer in class.

THE NEARNESS OF GOD (Genesis 18:17)

Genesis pictures God as all-power-ful. He spoke the world into life. Hebrought a flood upon the whole earth.He rained fire on wicked cities. Ashumans how could we not wonderabout the unbelievable power of theGod who created all things?

But the Bible also pictures God asup close and personal. He did notcreate the world and then leave it onits own. The God of the Bible hasbeen very close to fallen people. Wesee this most powerfully in Jesus’ lifeand death (Philippians 2:5-8). And

yet, even in Genesis, we are givenexamples of how closely God mixeswith His fallen people.

In the following verses, how dowe see God closely mixing withpeople? What does each tell usabout God’s character?

Genesis 2:7__________________

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Genesis 3:8__________________

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Genesis 18:17 ________________

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Genesis 39:21________________

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How have you personally experi-enced God’s nearness? In class,share what the experience was likeand what you learned from it.Share in a way that will encourage

TUESDAY—OCTOBER 3

Genesis shows that God is patient, thesame as a shepherd (Genesis 48:15).

Genesis shows that God is close to people(Genesis 39:21).

Lesson 1 Foundations

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others who have not experiencedhow God can be so near.

FOUNDATIONS (Acts 7:2-17)

Acts 6 tells a story about a Jewishbeliever named Stephen. He was aman “full of faith and power” who did“great wonders and miracles” (Acts6:8). He was arrested and brought toa council of leaders for preachingJesus. Acts 7 begins with Stephengiving the speech that would lead tohis death by stoning.

Read Acts 7:2-17. Then answerthe following questions:

1. Does Stephen have any doubtsabout the truth of the stories he istelling? What lesson is here for us?

2. Where is Stephen getting thesestories?

3. Why is Stephen telling these stories?

The Jewish leaders are challengingStephen for preaching that Jesus isthe Messiah. Stephen starts hisdefense with God’s call to Abraham inGenesis. Stephen then followsAbraham’s family history throughJoseph in Egypt. He continues thehistory to the beginning of Israel andthe building of the temple. All thesestories end with the coming of “theJust One [Jesus]” (Acts 7:52).

Stephen uses Genesis as the start-ing point for the great truths thatpointed to Jesus, “the truth” (John14:6). So, we can see how importantGenesis is for our own understandingof what we believe.

What are some of the “founda-tions” in your own life? How firm(strong) are these foundations?Are they firm enough to hold youeven during the toughest times ofyour life?

THE JUST9 SHALL LIVE BY FAITH(Romans 1:17)

Read Romans 1:17. Now writeout your understanding of whatthis verse means.

People often hear that in OldTestament times, believers weresaved by keeping the law. They learnthat after Jesus’ death and the begin-ning of the Christian church, peoplebegan to be saved by faith alone. Butthat is not true Bible teaching.According to the New Testament,God’s people lived by faith from thevery beginning of sin.

Hebrews 11:1-22 is an inspiredstory about the lives of some peo-ple in Genesis. Compare10 Hebrews11:1-22 with Romans 1:17. As youread about each person inHebrews 11:1-22, put yourself inthat person’s place. What was that

THURSDAY—OCTOBER 5

WEDNESDAY—OCTOBER 4

9the just—righteous (holy) people.10compare—show how things are the same.

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Lesson 1 Foundations

person taking on faith? What wasthat person needing to trust Godfor? What lessons can you learnfrom that person’s experiencesthat can help you right now?

What is Hebrews 11:13-16 talkingabout? How can you relate to whatthe verses are saying? Look at yourown life and ask, What do my actionssay about what country I am lookingfor—this present life or the future life inheaven? What changes do you needto make in your journey to heaven?

ADDITIONAL STUDY: “Criticizing theBible destroys faith in the Bible asGod’s Book. Criticizing the Bibledestroys God’s Word of its power tocontrol, uplift, and inspire human lives.By spiritualism,11 many people aretaught to believe that desire is thehighest law. They also believe that weare free to do anything we want to do . . .The power of a higher, purer, noblerlife with God’s influence is our greatneed.”—Adapted from Ellen G. White,The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 473, 478.

“Darkening night is enclosing theChristian world. Backsliding fromGod’s commandments is proof of thisdeep and dark night. People love sys-tems that mock God’s truth. Peopleare teaching the commandments asdoctrine.12 And their teachings are

accepted as truth. People havereceived human theories (ideas). Sothe gospel is twisted and people mis-interpret Bible verses. As in the daysof Christ, the light of truth is pushedinto the background. People’s theoriesare more honored than the Word ofGod. His truth is covered up by error.God’s Word is misinterpreted anddivided by thinkers who criticize andtwist Bible truth. Jesus is recognizedbut betrayed by a kiss. Backslidingcontinues and will enclose the worldtill the end. Backsliding’s terrible char-acter and darkening influence will beseen as evil winds coming out ofBabylon.”—Adapted from Ellen G.White, Bible Echo, February 1, 1897.

Discussion Questions:

• Discuss the Ellen White quotesabove. What things in your societyare working against the Bible? Howcan we protect ourselves and othersfrom these things?

• In class, read your paragraphsabout what each person believesabout God’s character. Discuss youranswers and what you can learn fromeach other.

• Talk about your answer to the ques-tion at the end of Wednesday’s lesson.What can you learn from each others’experiences about the closeness ofGod? How would you explain to a non-believer that “God is close” to us?

FRIDAY—OCTOBER 6

11spiritualism—belief in the occult and in the world controlled by evil spirits; the false belief that dead people can come back to life.

12doctrine—church beliefs.

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