Based on the message by Pastor Chad Everett
Overview
Before culture shaped our beliefs, before we formed our own preferences, before sin distorted identity, God established His original intent for humanity. He defined who we are, how we are meant to live, and the spiritual authority we are called to walk in. This study guide invites you to return to the beginning—Genesis 1 and 2—to rediscover God’s design for dominion, identity, relationship, and partnership.
Pastor Chad reminded us that:
“God’s intentions need to be our expectations.”
The way God intended something to be is what we should expect—even if we aren’t experiencing it yet.
How to Use This Study Guide
This guide is designed for both individuals and Roads Groups and follows a simple Read • Reflect • Respond rhythm.
For Groups: When used in a group, the Reflect portion invites each person to pause and consider what is happening in their own heart—these are self-awareness questions meant to help us notice where our expectations, beliefs, or attitudes may or may not match God’s intentions. People may share, but they are not expected to. The Respond portion shifts the focus from inward awareness to outward alignment, helping the group discuss what God’s Word teaches and how to act on it together.
For Individuals: Reflect becomes a time of journaling or prayerful listening, while Respond becomes digging into and studying the truth of Scripture and the message. Open up your Bible & take notes.
Whether you are studying alone or with others, allow God’s Word to shape your expectations so they reflect His original design.
SECTION 1 — GOD’S ORIGINAL INTENT
READ
Read Genesis 1:1–5 and 1:26.
Then read this key quote from the sermon:
“Original intent is not about what we’re currently experiencing… it’s about what God intended—even if I’m not walking in it yet.”
Definitions from sermon notes:
- Image — tselem: likeness, appearance, replica
- Likeness — demûwth: character, nature, essential qualities
REFLECT
Before culture existed, God revealed His heart through creation. He defined light, order, identity, purpose, and authority. Nothing in Genesis 1 is accidental—it is intentional revelation.
Ask yourself: (In a Group discussion – open up for people to share)
- Do my expectations match God’s intentions?
- Where have I allowed experience, disappointment, or culture to redefine what God made clear?
- What has God said is good that I have questioned?
- What has God called me to be that I have resisted?
Original intent confronts us because it calls us back to God’s voice, not our own reasoning.
RESPOND
- Open your Bible again to Genesis 1:26. Based on the passage, what does God define as humanity’s purpose?
- Compare the definitions of image and likeness. What part of God’s nature do you see reflected in yourself?
- Where have you “moved the goalposts” (as Pastor Chad said), accepting less than what God intended?
SECTION 2 — IMAGE, LIKENESS & DOMINION
READ
Read Genesis 1:26–28.
Study these definitions:
- ʾâdâm — mankind, human beings
- tselem — image, representation, replica
- demûwth — likeness, essential nature
- râdâh — dominion; to rule, bring under control
- kabash — subdue; to conquer, restrain, or bring into order
From the sermon:
“Our dominion and authority is only connected to our relationship with the One who has ultimate authority.”
REFLECT
God gave dominion before there were problems to solve or enemies to resist. Authority was part of identity—not reaction.
Dominion is:
- not domination of people
- not pride or control
- not aggression
- not passive or optional
Dominion is the expression of God’s rule through His people.
Reflect deeply:
- Where have you misunderstood dominion as personality instead of identity?
- How do the Hebrew definitions challenge your view of yourself?
- Do you see spiritual authority as something you carry or something only “special Christians” have?
RESPOND
- In your Bible, underline the verbs in Genesis 1:28. What do they reveal about God’s assignment for humanity?
- Which definition (image, likeness, subdue, dominion) confronts you the most—and why?
- What area of your life currently does not reflect God’s original intent? Write it down.
SECTION 3 — SUBDUE & HAVE DOMINION: SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY TODAY
READ
Read Genesis 1:28 and Ephesians 6:12.
From the sermon:
“What if Christianity was never meant to be about surviving, but about subduing what does not look like Him?”
“The enemy’s strategy is to convince Christians they have no say, so he can run unchecked.”
REFLECT
Many believers live hoping to “hang on until heaven,” but God intended something very different. Spiritual authority is not a personality trait—it’s a mandate.
Ask yourself:
- Have I accepted passivity as humility?
- Have I avoided spiritual conflict instead of exercising authority?
- Where have I allowed the enemy’s influence because I did not subdue it?
Dominion today looks like:
- resisting lies
- refusing compromise
- aligning with truth
- speaking God’s Word
- confronting anything that contradicts His nature
Authority is not about being loud—it’s about being aligned.
RESPOND
- Where in your life have you said, “That’s just how things are,” instead of using spiritual authority?
- After reading Ephesians 6:12, identify one spiritual battle you’ve been treating as a natural problem.
- What expectation do you need to raise to match God’s intention?
SECTION 4 — HELPER & COMPARABLE: GOD’S BLUEPRINT FOR PARTNERSHIP
READ
Read Genesis 2:15–25 and Matthew 19:3–6.
Study these definitions:
- ʿêzer — helper; one who contributes to fulfilling a purpose
- neged — comparable; corresponding, opposite yet complementary
- dâbaq — joined; fastened, glued, attached
From the sermon:
“A helper is not an assistant. She contributes to the fulfillment of purpose. God uses the same word (ʿêzer) for Himself.”
REFLECT
God formed man and woman differently but created them spiritually equal. Their design reveals:
- partnership
- purpose
- unity
- complementarity
Not sameness—but fit.
This speaks not only to marriage but also to:
- how God uses people in your life
- how relationships reflect His authority
- how unity strengthens spiritual purpose
Reflect:
- Have cultural ideas shaped how you view the roles of men and women more than Scripture?
- Where do you resist the complementary design of others in your life?
- How does God’s design for unity confront your independence?
RESPOND
- After reading Genesis 2, what does comparable mean in God’s terms—not culture’s?
- How does the definition of ʿêzer challenge your view of “help”?
- What relationship in your life is God inviting you to strengthen, honor, or realign with His design?
UNIFIED WEEKLY APPLICATION
For the next 7 days, choose one specific area where your expectations need to come into alignment with God’s original intentions. This could be:
- how you see yourself (identity)
- how you walk in spiritual authority
- how you relate to others (marriage, family, friendships, church)
Then practice this rhythm each day:
- Anchor it in Scripture
Choose one key passage that speaks to that area (for example: Genesis 1:26–28; Genesis 2:18–25; Matthew 19:3–6; Ephesians 6:12). Read it out loud once a day. - Write a Truth Statement
Turn the Scripture into a short, personal statement/prayer of agreement with God’s intentions
Examples:
- “God made me in His image, so I will not agree with shame.”
- “God gave me authority in Christ, so I will not live passive.”
- “God designed marriage as a partnership, so I will pursue unity, not pride.”
- Pray and Realign
Each day, ask Holy Spirit:
- “Where am I thinking, speaking, or acting below Your original intent?”
- “How can I agree with Your design today?”
- Act on it Intentionally
Take at least one simple action each day that agrees with God’s intention in that area—whether that’s a step of obedience, an act of humility, a conversation, a boundary, repentance, or speaking truth.
If you’re using this guide in a Roads Group, close your time by sharing:
- the area you chose
- the Scripture you’re standing on
- one way you plan to respond this week
Pray for one another to walk in God’s original intent with renewed confidence and spiritual authority.