The Pattern of the Kingdom (Eden)

If you already have a regular devotion habit that's great! If not, use this section to help you to study the bible every day!

Sword Practice Tip:

"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword." (Hebrews 4:12) You don't always get something applicable immediately out of every bible study that you do. I often find that the Holy Spirit stores up what I have learnt and brings it to mind when I need comfort, conviction or protection from Satan's lies.

The Pattern of the Kingdom (Eden): Study based on God's Big Picture: Tracing the storyline of the bible, by Vaughan Roberts. The whole bible actually tells one big story of God's Kingdom! This week we look at how the creation in Genesis is part of this big picture perspective on the Bible.

Unlike other religions that think god(s) are part of creation, for example worshiping the trees or the rocks, the Christian God is apart from creation and is king over it with wisdom and love. At the start of the bible, the Garden of Eden is the pattern for the perfect kingdom with God has the king. If you read the first part of Genesis you'll notice that rest is the goal of creation. "Rest" here means that when a job (God's creation work) has been done perfectly, we can now enjoy the completed work. Adam and Eve lived in God's rest enjoying perfect relationships with God, each other and with creation. This is the pattern for the perfect kingdom of God, do you feel a longing for it in your heart too? The following study guide will help you discover more about this idea for yourself.

Study Guide:

Monday: Genesis 1:1-25 - Note the repeated words/phrases. What do they tell you about how and what God created? What do they tell you about God the creator?

Tuesday: Genesis 1:26-31 - What does this passage suggest being in God's image means? How would you respond to someone who criticises this passage as giving people permission to exploit the environment?

Wednesday: Genesis 2:1-3 - What made the seventh day different from the previous six? Hebrews 4:9-11 - we are told that Christians are able to enter God's rest, what hints does this passage have about what that means?

Thursday: Genesis 2:4-25 - What are we told about the relationship between 1) God and humans, 2) man and woman, 3) humans and creation

Friday: Revelation 22:1-5 - This is a vision of the new creation to come in the future. What are the similarities with the Garden of Eden?