Where Everything Starts
The word Genesis means “beginning.”
These opening chapters of the Bible tell us where everything came from — the universe, humanity, sin, and God’s plan to bring redemption.
If you’ve never read the Bible before, this is where the story starts. Genesis 1–11 gives us the big picture: how God created the world, how people turned away from Him, and how God began His plan to restore what was lost.
This section will guide you through these first foundational stories one at a time. Each reading is designed to help you understand not just what happened, but why it matters.
What You’ll Read in “Beginnings”
Each story below completes a full thought — no guessing where to stop.
You can read one per day or move at your own pace.
| Story | Scripture | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Creation of the World | Genesis 1:1–2:3 | God creates everything by His word — light, land, animals, and people — and calls it all good. |
| Man and Woman in the Garden | Genesis 2:4–25 | God places Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden to live in relationship with Him and care for creation. |
| The Fall | Genesis 3 | Humanity disobeys God, bringing sin and separation into the world — but God also promises redemption. |
| Cain and Abel | Genesis 4 | The first act of violence reveals how sin spreads through the human heart, yet God still shows mercy. |
| From Adam to Noah | Genesis 5 | A genealogy connecting Adam to Noah — showing God’s plan continuing through generations. |
| The Wickedness of Man | Genesis 6:1–8 | Humanity grows increasingly corrupt, and God prepares to judge the world through a flood. |
| The Flood | Genesis 6:9–8:22 | God saves Noah and his family while cleansing the earth, proving both His justice and mercy. |
| God’s Covenant with Noah | Genesis 9 | God promises never again to destroy the earth by flood and sets the rainbow as a sign of His covenant. |
| The Nations of the Earth | Genesis 10 | From Noah’s sons come the nations that will fill the earth — the roots of every people group. |
| The Tower of Babel | Genesis 11:1–9 | Humanity tries to make a name for itself without God, but He humbles them and scatters the nations. |
| From Shem to Abram | Genesis 11:10–32 | God’s plan narrows to one family line — the ancestors of Abraham, through whom blessing will come to the world. |
How to Use This Guide
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Read slowly. Don’t rush. Each story stands on its own.
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Use an ESV Bible. That’s the version we reference throughout this site.
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Reflect as you go. Each reading helps reveal who God is and how He relates to His people.
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Watch or listen. Each story will also include a short video or audio version for those who learn visually or audibly.
Why These Stories Matter
Genesis 1–11 answers the biggest questions we all ask:
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Where did everything come from?
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Why is the world broken?
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What kind of God do we serve?
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Is there hope for humanity?
Even in these early pages, we see that God is the Creator, Judge, and Redeemer — the same God who still invites us into relationship with Him today.
Next Step
Start with the first story:
Creation of the World →