Genesis 1:20-31

God creates animals and man

(The People’s Bible, Genesis, pages 20-28)

Look

  • Verses 21,22 “According to their kinds”—This phrase is repeated regarding the fish, birds, and animals. God gave the command for animals to reproduce along specific lines that cannot be crossed.
    •

    • Verse 26 “Let us make man.” God speaks of himself in the plural, which is completely compatible with the teaching of the Trinity found throughout Scripture.

  • “In our image”—God is spirit. Therefore, to be made in his image cannot mean that we look like him but that we are like him in holiness and perfection. (See Ephesians 4:22-24 and Colossians 3:9,10.)

    Verse 29 “Every seed-bearing plant . . . for food”—Prior to the fall into sin, man was a vegetarian. But see Genesis 9:3.

    •

    • Discuss

    1. What did God create on the fifth day?

    2. The Lord created animals on the sixth day. List the three general categories of animals mentioned there.

    3. What did God also create on the sixth day?

    4. God created man and woman in his image. God’s image is his holiness and perfection. Accordingly, what did the man and woman “know” before they sinned? What did they “want to do” before they sinned?

    5. What commands did God give Adam and Eve in verses 28-30?

     

    Apply

    6. Each of these topics listed in question 5 could be the subject of discussion. Issues of overpopulation, exploitation of nature vs. the proper use of it, and why we are allowed to eat meat are all questions you may wish to pursue with your teacher.