Each day we’ll provide an introduction to the passage you’ll be reading. Our purpose is not to blow your mind with deep commentary, nor to provide a shallow, clever application, but rather our goal is to shine a brighter light on what you’ll be reading.

Today’s passage begins the whole story. When I use that word “story” I don’t want you to hear “Myth” or “Fairy Tale.” Rather, “story” is a shorthand for “narrative.” What you’re looking at is not a theology textbook or how-to manual or a self-help guide. It’s a story. And we’re wired to learn through story.

And this passage – really the first 11 chapters of Genesis – is a collection of stories about time before time – the camera zooms in and out around certain events that the author wants to illuminate. As you read through the beginning of that story today, here’s a few things to notice:

First: The primary subject of this passage and of this entire book is God. The object is creation. Keeping the focus on God as the subject – the One that the Bible is about – will serve us well as we read through the Bible. This passage tells us a lot about God – what He’s capable of, and what He expects.

Second: Humanity is special. We are made in God’s image, given “dominion” over creation, filled with the breath of life.

Third: Pay attention to words, themes, or phrases that get repeated or revisited. The canopy in chapter 1; the “naked and not ashamed” and “for this reason a man shall leave his house” that gets flipped around between chapters 2 and 3; and the act of naming in all three chapters.

Finally, when you get to chapter 3 (which recounts what is called “The Fall”), look at the deceit, disruption, and blaming between the characters. Pay attention to what they’re afraid of, and how they respond to that fear.

We’ll end each day this week with John 1:1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Genesis 1 through 3. Go read it!