Genesis Chapter 5 Summary
Generations from Adam to Noah.
Discussion Questions for Genesis, Chapter 5
- Genesis 5:2 states, “He created them male and female. When they were created, he blessed them and called them mankind.” (CSB) How does this verse address the topic of gender? What is a Biblical response to questions about gender?
- Genesis 5 traces the ancestry through several of the first generations, many of whom reached ages over 900 years. Why do you think many individuals reached these ages? What factors do you think have contributed to the decrease in humankind's life expectancy rate?
- Genesis 5:22 states that Enoch walked with God. Define in your own words what it means to walk with God.
- Genesis 5:24 says, “Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.” What do you think happened to Enoch? How do you think this will be similar to when Jesus returns, as mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 4:17?
- Methuselah is the oldest person recorded, dying at the age of 969 years. What are the most significant events from the last 969 years? What would it be like if you had been alive for all of those? How do you think Methuselah's longevity affected his faith in God? What are some major events that have affected your faith? Why?
- How did the longevity of the people mentioned in Genesis 5 affect the increase in population? If these men lived for hundreds of years, not fathering children until well into their hundreds, how many children do you think each fathered? How did this affect their wives' lives? Was their longevity as long, or would the men have multiple wives?
- We read in Genesis 4 that Lamech is cursed for killing two men. Lamech fathers Noah, the same one who would build the ark to survive the flood. Lamech prophesied about Noah, “Out of the ground that the Lord has cursed, this one shall bring us relief from our work and from the painful toil of our hands.” If you believe that Noah fulfilled Lamech's prophecy, how did Noah do it? If Noah does not fulfill Lamech's prophecy, does this harm God's reputation since it is in the scripture, or is Lamech only seen as a false prophet? Explain your answer.
- How many generations are recorded between Adam and Noah? According to this chronology, how old was Methuselah when Adam died? How old was Methuselah when his grandson, Noah, was born? Do you think Methuselah was able to tell Noah about Adam? If so, what stories do you think Methuselah told?
- In whose likeness was Adam made? What attributes or qualities make up "likeness?" In what ways do people want to be like God? In what ways can people not be like God?
- Giving a genealogy portrays a sense of legacy. What type of legacy have your ancestors passed on to you? If you are able, describe the legacy of your family that has been passed on to you.
Key Words/Phrase
Generations, v. 1.
Characters
Adam, Seth, Enos, Cainan,. Mahalaleel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah.
Strong Verse(s)
24
