The Bible gives us a powerful and positive vision of what it means to be a human being; a vision that is not only intentional, but beautiful, meant to reflect the nature of God himself. In this series, we will look to the first chapters of the first book of the Bible, Genesis, to understand God’s design for many essential and complex aspects of life as humans: dignity; gender; work and rest; diversity; marriage, singleness, and sex; sin and the promise of restoration. Genesis has explanatory power for the way we experience the world. Through our sermons and additional opportunities for discussion, we hope to model a compassionate, thoughtful, and clear approach to these topics, full of grace and truth.

Sermon Series Preview

Open this PDF to get a preview of the topics we’ll cover each Sunday, from Genesis 1–3.

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Dear Fellow Image-Bearer,  

I address you that way because this sermon series is all about what it means to be a human being, made in God’s image. Some of the issues which are closest to our hearts are often hardest to talk about. These tend to be issues dealing with the question: what does it mean to be a human being? In this sermon series, we will look to the first book of the Bible, Genesis, to understand God’s powerful and positive design—a design that is not only true, but good—for human life in the world. In particular, we’ll discuss God’s design for dignity, gender, work and rest, diversity, marriage, singleness, and sex, and his response to sin by the promise of restoration.

Our sermons each Sunday will explore these topics, but we recognize the need for opportunities to delve deeper into practical matters. We believe that the best place to explore these topics more deeply is in community, where we can work out together how to be compassionate and thoughtful, full of both grace and truth. I would encourage you to take part in these discussions over the next few months, designed for your stage of life: Adult Christian Education (ACE) classes, young adult Round Tables, and other opportunities for children, students, and their families will complement our sermon topics. You can see upcoming events below. 

This page also includes a number of resources—books, articles, discussion questions, and more—to help you go deeper into the subjects we discuss. Use these individually, with your family, friends, Community Group, or at other gatherings. Because these are complicated issues, we encourage you to listen and read with biblical wisdom and discernment. While we cannot endorse everything you will find in these resources, our pastors and ministry leaders have found them helpful. 

Our hope in all of this is that our church will grow in grace and truth together, as we know more profoundly God’s good design for our lives. 

In him,
Ryan Laughlin, Senior Pastor

Resources to Go Deeper

  • Genesis

  • Genesis

  • Creation

  • Gender

  • Dignity

  • Diversity

  • Marriage, Singleness, and Sex

  • Christianity

  • Work & Rest

Books

The Message of Genesis 1–11

by David J. Atkinson | Atkinson explores how the first chapters of Genesis serve as an illustration to the rest of the Bible. VIEW RESOURCE

Genesis: An Introduction and Commentary

by Andrew E. Steinmann | This commentary and analysis explores and defines the book of Genesis and its role in the Bible as a whole. VIEW RESOURCE

Interpreting Eden: A Guide to Faithfully Reading and Understanding Genesis 1-3

by Vern S. Poythress | This book examines Genesis 1–3, and offers a deep direction for approaching these early chapters. VIEW RESOURCE

Foundations of the Gospels: A Believer’s Commentary on Genesis 1-3

by Kuldip Singh Gangar | Gangar argues that believers can read the Bible at face value and trust the historical accuracy of its account of creation. VIEW RESOURCE

book

Thinking Through Creation: Genesis 1 and 2 as Tools of Cultural Critique

by Christopher Mark Watkin | Watkin looks to Genesis as a framework for seeing all of life biblically. His theory of ‘diagnolization’ is a great tool for fruitful conversation. VIEW RESOURCE

Paper

Report of the Creation Study Committee

Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) | This paper affirms our denomination’s biblical view of creation, including various interpretations. VIEW RESOURCE

podcast

Creation (Tough Texts!: Episode 3)

by RTS Washington Faculty | In this particular episode, on Genesis 1, the professors discuss orthodox views of creation and propose helpful ways for thinking through the text. VIEW RESOURCE

books (for CHILDREN)

God Made Boys and Girls: Helping Children Understand the Gift of Gender

by Marty Machowski | This is a book that helps children understand that their gender is a gift from God who made them and loves them. VIEW RESOURCE

God’s Design

by Sally Michael and Gary Steward | Filled with Scripture, application activities, and discussion questions, this guide helps parents begin the discussion with their children about God’s good design for them. VIEW RESOURCE

About Being a Boy or a Girl: Discussing Gender and Marriage with Little Ones in Light of God’s Word

by Lisa Updike | This children’s book helps families discuss gender and marriage in light of God’s Word. VIEW RESOURCE

books (for PARENTS)

Anchoring Your Child in God’s Truth in a Gender-Confused Culture

by Dr. Gary Yagel | This book is designed to equip adults to understand the culture that is shaping their children’s views of sexualityVIEW RESOURCE

teaching plan (for students of teens)

God’s Plan for Sex and Gender: 10 Teaching Points for Home and Church

by Walt Mueller | This is a teaching plan from the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding, that gives parents a brief summary of biblical teachings on Sex and Gender. VIEW RESOURCE

articles (for adults)

The Music and the Meaning of Male & Female

by Alastair Roberts | This article explores what Genesis 1 and 2 have to say about the theological significance of our gendered identities. In other words, does it really matter that God made man male and female? And if it does matter, what does Genesis 1 and 2 have to say about it? VIEW RESOURCE

[Letter] PCA Petition to US Government

Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) | In January, our denomination published a letter petitioning the government to protect children from gender reassignment surgery. VIEW RESOURCE

Books (for adults)

The Genesis of Gender

by Abigail Favale | Catholic scholar Abigail Favale interacts with feminist views of gender through the lens of Genesis. VIEW RESOURCE

Understanding Gender Dysphoria: Navigating Transgender Issues in a Changing Culture

by Mark A. Yarhouse | Wheaton professor Mark Yarhouse provides an overview of gender dysphoria from a Christian pyschologist’s perspective. Written in 2015, Yarhouse engages relevant studies, at the time, to define and respond to gender dysphora. He admits not every Christian will agree with his conclusions on practical matters—but his analysis of the issue and biblical wisdom is worth considering. VIEW RESOURCE

Books (for adults)

Biblical Critical Theory: How the Bible’s Unfolding Story Makes Sense of Modern Life and Culture

by Christopher Watkin | This book illustrates how Christians can boldly engage with the world in a way that is biblically faithful and culturally sensitive. VIEW RESOURCE

Departing in Peace: Biblical Decision-Making at the End of Life

by William Clifford Davis | Through case studies and biblical insight, Davis guides readers to face the difficult the questions surrounding the value of human life in regards to modern medicine. VIEW RESOURCE

Choosing the Good: Christian Ethics in a Complex World

by Dennis P. Hollinger | In this book, Dennis Hollinger surveys several different approaches to ethics, considers the most critical issues facing Christians today, and suggests that any viable perspective must be rooted in a Christian worldview. VIEW RESOURCE

videos

The Importance of Pastors Preaching on the Dignity of Life

by Paige Cunningham | In this video, Paige Cunningham examines the reasons why pastors preaching on the dignity of life is crucial today. VIEW RESOURCE

Book (for children)

God Made Me Unique: Helping Children See Value in Every Person

by Joni and Friends | This book helps children see the value in every person. VIEW RESOURCE

Books (for adults)

Cultural Identity and the Purposes of God: A Biblical Theology of Ethnicity, Nationality, and Race

by Steven M. Bryan | In this book, the author describes the cause and effect of how cultural divisions began by asking the question “How can Christians embrace God’s purposes for diversity and experience renewal and unity as his people?” VIEW RESOURCE

No Flesh Shall Glory: How the Bible Destroys the Foundations of Racism

by C. Herbert Oliver | Using the Bible’s freeing conception of humanity, the author dissects the topics surrounding race superiority, the doctrine of racial solidarity, and the whitewashing of history and Scripture. VIEW RESOURCE

Oneness Embraced

by Tony Evans | In this book, Evans demonstrates how the gospel provides a way for Christians to find unity despite the obstacles that cause division. VIEW RESOURCE

Books (for children)

God’s Very Good Idea (Tales That Tell the Truth)

by Trillia J. Newbell | This is a book that places the reality of human diversity in the larger story of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration. An excellent book that highlights God’s goodness in our diversity. VIEW RESOURCE

God Made Me AND You: Celebrating God’s Design for Ethnic Diversity

by Shai Linne | This is a children’s book that invites children to explore God’s design for ethnic diversityVIEW RESOURCE

Article (for parents)

Equipping Our Children to Think About Race

by Ben Sciacca | An article that gives parents a starting place for equipping our children to think about race from a Biblical worldview. VIEW RESOURCE

Books (for adults)

Why does God care who I sleep with?

by Sam Allberry | A short book that roots our understanding of sexuality in God’s plan and design. VIEW RESOURCE

The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God

by Timothy & Kathy Keller | This book is a Christian exploration of marriage and its significance for our walk with Jesus. Useful and helpful whether you are married or not. VIEW RESOURCE

Love Thy Body: Answering Hard Questions about Life and Sexuality

by Nancy R. Pearcey | Pearcy tackles the hard questions about life and sexuality with keen cultural analysis and clear biblical truth, serving as a useful guide through difficult topics. VIEW RESOURCE

A Better Story: God, Sex And Human Flourishing

by Glynn Harrison | Harrison describes and wrestles with how we as Christians are to recognize the reality of evil in the world to  understand and share the good news in the face of moral conflict, especially in regards to sexual ethics. VIEW RESOURCE

Marriage and the Family: Biblical Essentials

by Andreas J. Kostenberger & David W. Jones | This book gives insight into the spiritual solution to our culture’s current confusion: a return to, and rebuilding of, the biblical foundation of marriage and the family. VIEW RESOURCE

Real Sex: The Naked Truth about Chastity

by Lauren F. Winner | In this book, Winner speaks candidly to Christians about the difficulty—and the importance—of sexual chastity. VIEW RESOURCE

podcast

Marriage

by Tim Keller | Based off his book, “The Meaning of Marriage” Keller digs into the different ways in which marriage paints a picture of following Christ. VIEW RESOURCE

Video

A Theology of Singleness

by Tim Keller | Keller illustrates the meaning of singleness and the importance of its mission. VIEW RESOURCE

Paper

Report of the Ad Interim Committee on Human Sexuality

Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) | A thorough and detailed discussion of same-sex attraction and the necessary biblical and pastoral approaches to this question both culturally and personally. VIEW RESOURCE

article

Chastity as Worship

by Rachel Welcher | Welcher digs into what it means to understand chastity in the context of a broken world and how we can develop a better understanding of sexuality in our present day context. VIEW RESOURCE

article (for parents of teens)

Teaching Biblical Sexuality Points Teenagers to the Gospel

by Syler Thomas | This article, written as a guide for youth ministers, gives a helpful example of how a conversation with a teen or child on the topic of same-sex attraction can be re-focused on our call to glorify God in all things and place him at the center of our worldview. VIEW RESOURCE

Book

Biblical Critical Theory: How the Bible’s Unfolding Story Makes Sense of Modern Life and Culture

by Christoper Watkin | This book is helpful to Christians who want to engage the world in a way that is biblically faithful and culturally sensitive. VIEW RESOURCE

The Secular Creed: Engaging Five Contemporary Claims

by Rebecca McLaughlin | The author equips us to disentangle our beliefs as Christians and invites us to converse with our neighbors about the things that matter most.  VIEW RESOURCE

Delighting in the Trinity: An Introduction to the Christian Faith

by Michael Reeves | In this lively book, Reeves reveals how the Trinity lays the foundation of our basic beliefs of Christianity. VIEW RESOURCE

Book (for teens)

10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (and Answer) about Christianity

by Rebecca McLaughlin | This book invites teen to ask their hardest questions about Christianity and responds with biblically-based, gospel-centered answers. VIEW RESOURCE

Book

How Then Should We Work?: Rediscovering the Biblical Doctrine of Work

by Hugh Whelchel | Hugh Whelchel lays out the biblical case that our work is neither a necessary evil nor the center of our self-worth. It’s God’s holy calling through which we use our God-given talents for the furtherance of His ultimate plan – the Kingdom of God. VIEW RESOURCE

Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Work

by Tim Keller | Keller shows readers that biblical wisdom is immensely relevant to our questions about work today. That the Christian view of work—that we work to serve others, not ourselves—can provide the foundation of a thriving professional and balanced personal life. VIEW RESOURCE

Work: Its Purpose, Dignity, and Transformation

by Daniel Doriani | Providing historical background and inspiring stories of God-honoring workers, Doriani explains the Bible’s teaching on the nature, glory, misery, and eventual restoration of work. VIEW RESOURCE

These resources are meant to provide clarity on biblical perspectives and model compassionate thoughtfulness on these topics. While we’ve found these resources to faithfully articulate a biblical view of the topics presented, inclusion in this list does not indicate a full and complete endorsement. 

Discussion Questions

Use these weekly discussion questions to equip you for fruitful conversations in your Community Groups, or with your friends, family, and other gatherings. These will be updated after each sermon.

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