Kingdom & Covenant Week 1 - Kingdom Begun
Kingdom Begun
Introduction To Series
Welcome to Kingdom and Covenant. The goal of this 4-part study is to help you see the "big picture" of the Bible. Rather than treating Scripture as isolated stories, this series examines how God’s overarching plan of redemption unfolds through key foundational covenants, demonstrating how every part fits into a unified narrative centred on God's kingdom and ultimate fulfilment in Jesus Christ.
Why Study the Big Picture?
If given a single jigsaw puzzle piece, you can analyse its shape and colour in detail, but you cannot fully appreciate its purpose until you see where it fits in the larger image. The Bible consists of distinct books written over 1,500 years by about 40 different authors, yet together they form one coherent story.
Interpreting Scripture accurately requires understanding its broadest context:
Prevents Misunderstanding: Short daily readings without context can lead to confusion or viewing difficult passages as irrelevant (cf. 2 Peter 3:16).
Affirms All Scripture: Jesus taught that the whole Old Testament points to Him and is fulfilled in Him (Matthew 5:17–18; Luke 24:25–47; 2 Timothy 3:16–17).
Understanding the Bible’s primary structure—whether categorised by the traditional Greek arrangement (History, Poetry, Prophets) or the Jewish threefold division of Law, Prophets, and Psalms/Writings (Luke 24:44)—helps anchor each passage within God's unfolding story.
THE OVERARCHING BIBLICAL STRUCTURE
Genesis 1–11: Introduction (The Problem of Sin)
Genesis 12–Revelation 22: God's Redemption (The Promise)│
Week 1 - Kingdom Begun
The Good Creation & The Adamic Framework
Scripture Reading: Genesis 1:1–31; Genesis 2:15–25
In ancient culture, humanity often lived under the fear of unpredictable spirits or worshipped elements of nature like the sun and moon. Genesis 1 establishes a radically different worldview: a single, sovereign God who speaks creation into existence, orderliness and purpose.
God placed humanity in the garden with clear mandate and freedom:
Tasks: Form family groups, fill the earth, exercise authority, and care for creation.
Boundaries: Enjoy every plant and tree, except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
God pronounced His original creation "very good" (Genesis 1:31). Yet, the Bible ends in Revelation 21:1 with the promise of a new heaven and a new earth, indicating that the original creation's harmony was fundamentally disrupted.
Discussion & Reflection Questions
How does the description of God in Genesis 1 contrast with ancient or modern ideas of how the world came to be?
What do the boundaries given to Adam and Eve in Genesis 2 tell us about true human freedom and stewardship?
Read Genesis 1:1–2:3. Notice how God creates structure in days 1–3 (forming) and fills those spaces in days 4–6 (filling). How does this pattern demonstrate God's design, order, and intentionality?
Compare the creation of humanity in Genesis 1:26–28 with the creation of the animals. What specific phrases or responsibilities highlight the unique role and dignity given to human beings?
In what ways does knowing that God created everything "very good" affect how we view and treat the physical world, our bodies, and other people made in His image?
How can understanding God as the absolute Creator help anchor our personal identity and sense of purpose in everyday life?
