Dysfunctional families, substance abuse, and gang violence—just some of the problems filling our headlines. It would be easy to think of them as new, but the truth is, these problems have been around for almost as long as humankind has walked the face of the earth. In the biblical account of Genesis, we see these same problems, and more, played out in the lives of our earliest forefathers and mothers. If you have not taken a close look at the book of Genesis since the days you heard these stories in Sunday school, you may be surprised or even shocked by what you are about to read! As you dig into this first book of the Bible, you might be encouraged to see that even the heroes of our faith shared many of our weaknesses. Or you might feel discouraged that humanity’s moral depravity is the same today as it was in the days of Adam and Eve. In either case you will also be able to see that God has been at work from the beginning to engage women and men in a loving and personal relationship.
Debbie Schmidt teaches weekly Bible studies as part of the women’s ministry at Central Presbyterian Church in Baltimore, Maryland, where her husband is senior pastor. Previously the Schmidts were on staff at First Presbyterian Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, served as PC(USA) mission co-workers in Japan for ten years, and worked with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship in New Orleans. The Schmidts have two grown children. In her free time Debbie enjoys needlework, meeting friends for coffee, and exploring Maryland with her husband.
Dysfunctional families, substance abuse, and gang violence—just some of the problems filling our headlines. It would be easy to think of them as new, but the truth is, these problems have been around for almost as long as humankind has walked the face of the earth. In the biblical account of Genesis, we see these same problems, and more, played out in the lives of our earliest forefathers and mothers. If you have not taken a close look at the book of Genesis since the days you heard these stories in Sunday school, you may be surprised or even shocked by what you are about to read! As you dig into this first book of the Bible, you might be encouraged to see that even the heroes of our faith shared many of our weaknesses. Or you might feel discouraged that humanity’s moral depravity is the same today as it was in the days of Adam and Eve. In either case you will also be able to see that God has been at work from the beginning to engage women and men in a loving and personal relationship. 
Debbie Schmidt teaches weekly Bible studies as part of the women’s ministry at Central Presbyterian Church in Baltimore, Maryland, where her husband is senior pastor. Previously the Schmidts were on staff at First Presbyterian Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, served as PC(USA) mission co-workers in Japan for ten years, and worked with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship in New Orleans. The Schmidts have two grown children. In her free time Debbie enjoys needlework, meeting friends for coffee, and exploring Maryland with her husband.