Doctrinal Standards WSC #12

• Q. What did God’s providence specifically do for man whom He created?
• A. After the creation God made a covenant with man to give him life, if he perfectly obeyed; God told him not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil or he would die.

Memory Verses

“But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one” (2 Thessalonians 3:3, ESV).

Study Passage: Genesis 1:26-2:25

Support Passages: Exodus 20:8-9, 31:12-17; II Thessalonians 3:6-15; Hebrews 13:1-6

Bible Story: Exodus 24

Thoughts

• The traditional definition for covenant is “a contract or agreement between two parties” (Eaton’s Bible Dictionary). While this definition may provide insight in some facets of understand our relation to God more explanation is needed. The covenant between God and man is not a fifty-fifty agreement. God in is infinite power and wisdom brought us into a covenant of life with Him for His glory.
• The first covenant made with Adam is considered a covenant of works also known as a covenant of law. In a covenant of works God enters into an agreement with an individual or group of people defined by keeping commandments. If the individual or group obeys the commands of the Lord they will be blessed. If they disobey the commands they will be cursed. Adam and Eve were in a covenant of works with God. Adam and Eve were blessed when they obeyed God. When they disobeyed God by eating the fruit they were cured and died.
• All of the covenants can be categorized as either a covenant of law or covenant of grace. The Adamic and Mosaic Covenants are covenants of law. “Obey and you will be blessed.” “Disobey and you will be cursed.” The Abrahmic, Noahic, Davidic, and New Covenant are covenants of grace. The end result is always in God’s hands. Making Abraham as a great nation was all God’s doing, saving Noah and his family was all God’s doing, making David’s throne eternal through Jesus Christ is all God’s doing, and the perfect sacrifice for our sins was all God’s doing! Those who are saved rely on God’s doing through the covenant of grace. Those who will not be saved are relying on their own works through the covenant of law.

Discussion Questions

• Why did God create mankind?
• What is a covenant?
• What was the covenant God made with Adam and Eve (Gen 2:16-17)?
• What is God’s part of the covenant and what is Adam and Eve’s part?
• Compare and contrast the Adamic and New Covenant (refer to insight and application for more information).
• God told Adam and Eve that if they eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil they would die. What does it mean that they would die?

Doctrinal Standard WSC #10

• Q. How did God create man?
• A. God created man, male and female, in His own image and in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, to rule over the other creatures.

Memory Verses

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27,ESV)

Study Passage: Genesis 1:26-2:25

Support Passages: Ecclesiastes 12:7; Luke 23:43; Matthew 10:28; Daniel 7:15; I Corinthians 15:45-54; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10; Philippians 1:23-24; Colossians 3:10; Ephesians 4:24

Bible Story: Genesis 1:26-30, 2:15-25; Man and woman were made perfect without sin.

Thoughts

• Mankind is created special; no other created thing is made in the image of God. This means there are aspects about mankind that are similar but not as complete or powerful as God’s. For example, we like God can make decisions, have dominion over creation, are social, express emotion, have an intellect, can reason, our spirit is immortal, and we are creative.  In addition we can express limited amounts of love, truth, justice, and mercy.
• Mankind was created without sin. Before the fall of man Adam and Eve were right with God and holy. As a result of sin man has lost that position requiring the redeeming blood of Christ to place us back into the state of righteousness and holiness.

Discussion Questions

• Why is human life so sacred?
• What does it mean that mankind is created in the image of God?
• Is anything else created in the image of God?
• Spiritually speaking, how was mankind created?
• What does it mean that Adam and Eve were righteous and holy?
• What does it mean to rule over the other creatures?
• How can we do this today?