Our Objectives

1. To enable participants to understand how to properly lead pre-Bible study discussions.
2. To enable participants to understand the correct methods of Bible reading and summarise the key points of correct Bible reading methods.
3. To enable participants to understand how to apply the knowledge of Genesis Chapter 1 to help analyse real-life pastoral problems and begin to practice solving corresponding problems.

Case Study 1

The following are questions that many people have after reading Genesis Chapter 1:

Question 1: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. When was the beginning?

Question 2: The first day, the second day, how long is one day?

Question 3: God created the great sea creatures and every living thing with which the water teems. What is the difference between the great sea creatures and other creatures in the water?

Question 4: Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness... How many gods are there, referring to us?

Case Study 1 Discussion Questions

1. When you read Genesis Chapter 1, besides the above questions, do you have any other questions or confusions?
2. What kind of questions do you think are good questions when reading the Bible?
3. What do you think the correct way to read the Bible should be?

Case Study 1 Summary

• We were not present at the scene. Answering these questions is mere speculation, without any evidence.
• The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us.
• The Bible is written for us humans. We must first understand the clear things.
• Listen to God's word and put it into practice. First, grasp the important things that can be implemented and put them into practice.
• We are made in God's image, and we can do what He does.
• God's glorious image includes: the Spirit of God moving; positive declarations; each according to its kind; God saw that it was good; ruling the earth, managing the whole earth.

Case Study 2

Xiao Su suffers from many years of auditory and visual hallucinations, often hearing and seeing a lot of messy things. Her mind is confused, and she cannot work and study normally.

Although Xiao Su has been a believer for a long time, she has never received the Holy Spirit and tongues. Her parents are helpless about her condition. Besides giving her medicine, they cannot do anything. And occasionally, they often release a lot of negative words to Xiao Su, such as: Alas! You will have to live on medication for the rest of your life. You are so old and can't do anything. I will have to support you for the rest of my life. Xiao Su is also very disappointed in herself. She also feels that she will have to live on medication for the rest of her life, that she can't do anything, and that she needs to be supported for the rest of her life.

In addition, Xiao Su lives alone in another place, and the room is very messy. Books and quilts are put together; some clothes are in the closet, some are in the suitcase, and some are on the desk; the drawers are filled with all kinds of sundries, and opened snacks are also inside, attracting many ants.

Case Study 2: Discussion Questions

1. In relation to the key messages of Genesis Chapter 1, what are Xiaosu's main issues?

2. If you were to minister to Xiaosu, how would you minister to her through the study of Genesis Chapter 1?

Case Study 2: Summary

• Xiaosu's issues: Not receiving the Holy Spirit; frequent negative thinking and negative declarations; a chaotic lifestyle lacking the good habit of separation according to kinds.

• How to address Xiaosu's issues:
  Teaching: Cite Genesis 1:1-3, cite Genesis Chapter 1, separation according to kinds.

• Practical application: Practice being filled with the Holy Spirit, practice making positive declarations frequently, lead in organizing household chores according to kinds, and follow up with guidance.

Homework Assignment

1. Summarize the key factors for correct Bible study, and apply these factors to complete a Bible study summary of Genesis Chapter 1.

2. Read the case study, analyze it, and consider how to apply the knowledge from Genesis Chapter 1 to solve the specific problems in the case study (case study and questions on the next page).

Homework Assignment Case Study

Xiaoxue is a psychiatric patient who developed a deep-seated resentment towards a teacher after being misunderstood in middle school. Her academic performance plummeted, and she developed a condition where she would fall ill whenever someone misunderstood her. During these episodes, she would become enraged, roll her eyes, and convulse, as if suffocating. Over time, the problem worsened, leading to paranoid delusions, often feeling that others were trying to harm her. She felt unloved by her parents and her memory was filled with instances where others had done her wrong.

Xiaoxue's mother, although a Christian, sought medical treatment everywhere to solve Xiaoxue's illness, spending hundreds of thousands of dollars a year on medication and medical care. When medical treatment proved ineffective, she began seeking help from various spiritual mediums and Taoist priests to treat her child, placing over 100 idols in her home. Ultimately, this did not solve Xiaoxue's problem, but rather exacerbated it.

Homework Assignment Case Study Questions

1. What are Xiaoxue's problems? How can the knowledge of Genesis Chapter 1 be applied to teach Xiaoxue?

2. What are Xiaoxue's mother's problems? How can the knowledge of Genesis Chapter 1 be applied to teach Xiaoxue's mother?