In the Beginning:
The Book of Genesis

In the Beginning: The Book of Genesis examines the earliest events in biblical history to consider how they’ve shaped our Christian faith. This 28-lesson Catholic Bible study from Turning to God’s Word has been granted an imprimatur from the Most Reverend Richard E. Pates, bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Des Moines. Written by Jennifer McGaw Phelps and Matthew Phelps, In the Beginning: The Book of Genesis is intended to provide a strong foundation for serious examination and contemplation of other books of the Bible. The first seven lessons provide an in-depth look at the scriptural accounts of Creation, the Fall of Adam and Eve, the story of Cain and Abel, and the Flood; remaining lessons focus on the lives of the patriarchs and the role that each played in preparing for the coming of Jesus Christ. You can purchase In the Beginning: The Book of Genesis from our website shop.

Check out our online study pages for additional commentary and video overviews for each lesson plus links to Revised Standard Version (Catholic Edition) cross references in the primary biblical text. These links can be accessed at the top of every online study page for In the Beginning: The Book of Genesis. Other features include maps of the patriarch’s travels, an expanding family tree tracing genealogies in the book of Genesis, and colorful illustrations by Tami Palladino. 

In the Beginning: The Book of Genesis lessons are listed below; each is inked to its corresponding  online study page and video overview:

Lesson 1 And God Said, Let There Be Light*
Lesson 2 It Is Not Good That the Man Should Be Alone
Lesson 3 The Fall of Adam & Eve
Lesson 4 Cain Rose Up Against His Brother
Lesson 5 The Wickedness of Man Was Great
Lesson 6 The Great Flood & God’s Covenant with Noah
Lesson 7 Canaan: A Slave of Slaves
Lesson 8 The Call of Abram
Lesson 9 Abram Questions the Lord GOD
Lesson 10 God’s Covenant with Abraham
Lesson 11 The Destruction of Sodom & Gomorrah
Lesson 12 The Birth of Isaac
Lesson 13 God Tests Abraham
Lesson 14 Isaac & Rebekah
Lesson 15 The Brothers Esau & Jacob
Lesson 16 Isaac Blesses Jacob; Jacob’s Dream at Bethel
Lesson 17 Jacob & Rachel
Lesson 18 Jacob Separates from Laban
Lesson 19 Jacob Wrestles at Peniel
Lesson 20 The Story of Dinah
Lesson 21 The Birth of Benjamin & the Death of Rachel
Lesson 22 Joseph Is Sold into Slavery by His Brothers
Lesson 23 Judah & Tamar; Joseph & Potiphar’s Wife
Lesson 24 Joseph Interprets Dreams
Lesson 25 Joseph’s Brothers Travel to Egypt
Lesson 26 Joseph Discloses His Identity to His Brothers
Lesson 27 Thus Israel Dwelt in Egypt
Lesson 28 Jacob’s Final Words to His Sons

*includes a sample lesson

check out all of our in-depth Catholic Bible studies

• You Shall Have No Other Gods: The Book of Exodus (2023)—an extensive look at how the second book of the Old Testament prefigures Christianity. Read the online study page and link to a video related to Lesson 1: The More the People Are Oppressed, the More They Multiply.
• The Revelation of Jesus Christ: The Faithful Witness (2022 revision)—an expanded study of the final book of the New Testament, including illustrations of images appearing throughout the biblical text, as well as relevant maps and an online glossary. Read the online study page and link to a video related to Lesson 1: The Ruler of Kings on Earth.
• Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption (2021) looks at biblical prophecy from the time of the Babylonian Exile through the book of Revelation. Read the online study page and link to a video related to Lesson 1 How the Divided Kingdom Came to an End.
• The Gospel According to John: An Encounter with Grace & Truth (2019 revision)—a study of the life of Jesus Christ presented in the Fourth Gospel. Read the online study page and link to a video related to Lesson 1 In the Beginning Was the Word.
• Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume I: A Kingdom Divided (2018)—a study of biblical prophecy from Creation until the Babylonian Exile. Read the  online study page and link to a video related to Lesson 1 The LORD Announces He Is About To Do a New Thing.
• The United Kingdom of Israel: Saul, David & Solomon Foreshadow Christ the King (2017)—a study of the reigns of Saul, David, and Solomon. Read the online study page and link to a video related to Lesson 1 God’s People Ask for a King. The print version of this study is temporarily unavailable; contact us if you’re interested in purchasing a digital version.
• Sing a New Psalm: Communicating with God Through the Prayers of the Church—Volume I: Lauds & Vespers (2015)—a study of Psalms prayed for Lauds and Vespers using The Abbey Psalms and Canticles translation prepared by the Benedictine monks at Conception Abbey and published by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Read the online study page related to Lesson 1 Set a Guard on My Mouth. No videos accompany this Bible study. The print version of this study is temporarily unavailable;  contact us if you’re interested in purchasing a digital version. Sing a New Psalm: Communicating with God Through the Prayers of the Church—Volume II: Vigils, Day Prayer and Compline is scheduled for publication in late summer of 2025.
• The Letter to the Hebrews: An Explanation of the Mechanism of Our Salvation (2014 revision; digital only)—a study of the Letter to the Hebrews. Read the online study page and link to a video related to Lesson 1 Superior to Angels.
• Scripture & the Rosary: New Testament Mysteries, Old Testament Parallels (2012 revision; digital only)—a study of the biblical foundations of the Rosary in both the Old and New Testaments. This study has been converted to a digital version with the first six lessons available free year-round. The remaining 20 lessons, also free, alternate throughout the year based on the liturgical season (the Joyful Mysteries during Advent and the Christmas season, the Sorrowful Mysteries during Lent, the Glorious Mysteries during the Easter season, and the Luminous Mysteries during Ordinary Time). No videos accompany this Bible study, but the study directory includes links to online study pages for posted lessons.
• Jesus’ Passion: The Story of Redemptive Suffering (2014 revision; digital only)—an in-depth explanation of the biblical accounts of Jesus’ Passion, death, and Resurrection. This Catholic Bible study, which has been granted an imprimatur, is based on Scripture and designed to be used with or without the film The Passion of the Christ. A free digital version of Jesus’ Passion: The Story of Redemptive Suffering is posted each year during Lent, along with related online study pages. No videos accompany this Bible study.