Lesson 1: Introduction & Creation: The Beginning of Life As We Know It

The Story

Jan 6, 2019 • Chris Reighley

The Story:
The Bible As One Continuing Story of God and His People

by Mac Lucado & Randy Frazee

The Story tells the grandest, most compelling story of all time!

God goes to great lengths to rescue lost and hurting people. That is what The Story is all about: the story of the Bible, God’s great love affair with humanity. Condensed into 31 accessible chapters, The Story sweeps you into the unfolding progression of Bible characters and events from Genesis to Revelation. Like any good story, The Story is filled with intrigue, drama, conflict, romance, and redemption—and this story’s true!

God’s story begins with intentionality, purpose, and relational design. Lesson 1 of The Story immerses us in Genesis 1–11—the foundational moments of Creation, the Fall, the Flood, and Babel. These chapters don’t just tell us what happened—they reveal why we’re here, what went wrong, and how God’s redemptive plan begins to unfold. We learn that despite human rebellion, God’s “Upper Story” of love and restoration continues. This episode reframes our origins not as a random accident, but as a divine masterpiece with eternal purpose.

Lesson 1 – Introduction & Creation:
The Beginning of Life As We Know It

Scripture Covered:

Genesis 1–4; 6–9 (with summary of 10–11)

I. Introduction to The Story

• God’s Story (Upper Story): His plan of redemption
• Our Story (Lower Story): Our choices and need for rescue
• Five Movements:
  1. The Garden (Gen. 1–11)
  2. Israel (Gen. 12–Malachi)
  3. Jesus (Gospels)
  4. Church (Acts–Jude)
  5. New Garden (Revelation)

II. The Formation (Genesis 1–2)

• Creation reveals origin, purpose, and intentional design
• Humanity made in God’s image for relationship and stewardship

III. The Fall (Genesis 3–5)

• Sin enters the world through disobedience
• Consequences of the fall: shame, death, separation, exile

IV. The Flood (Genesis 6–9)

• Sin escalates; God judges the earth
• Noah’s obedience, the ark, and covenant promise of mercy

V. The Fallout from Rebellion (Genesis 10–11)

• Tower of Babel: humanity’s pride scatters nations and languages
• The beginning of God’s plan to rebuild through Abraham

VI. Application Takeaways

• We were created by God and for God
• Our identity, purpose, and destiny are rooted in Him
• Life only makes sense when we live in light of His greater story