Terrain Guide: Beginnings

The first book in the Bible is literally called ‘beginnings’: Genesis. It’s part of a collection of five books that set up the whole Bible story. Genesis opens with the beginning of the universe to help us understand where we’ve come from and why we’re here. After a beautiful start, things go wrong. Adam and Eve turn away from God. Evil and death invade. So, God begins a new story through a couple called Abraham and Sarah. Their descendants were known as the ‘Israelites’. Their unique calling was to show the rest of the world how to live God’s way. But soon, the Israelites became trapped in Egypt. So, God sent Moses to rescue them. The Israelites then travelled through the wilderness towards a new home. On route, God gave instructions, or laws, which make up a big chunk of ‘Beginnings.’

Tips for navigating Beginnings:

• If you get lost in all the names and details, don’t worry; just climb higher and see the big picture. Where does this passage fit into the Bible as a whole?
• When you reach tricky bits like weird laws or animal sacrifices, don’t get stuck there. Thankfully, there is a plan . . . so keep moving.
• These books are not science textbooks. They’re interested in deeper questions like WHO is God? WHO am I? WHAT’s the purpose of life? Stay focused on these questions and it will become ever clearer.