WEEK 2

CREATION

 

Nothing. That's what exists at the beginning of the Bible. Nothing but God, that is. He has always existed; He is timeless. Into the nothingness, God speaks. The fullness and extent of His power are on display as light, continents, oceans, plants, and animals spring into existence at the sound of His voice. The pinnacle of all God creates is humanity, made in His image, to glorify Him, to live in relationship with Him, and to rule over and subdue the rest of His creation. 

Of all the foundational realities we learn in the creation account, one of the most important is humanity's need for relationship. We were created to live in relationship -- with God and with other people. As God is creating, He declares each piece of His creation "good," until after creating Adam. He then says, "It is not good that the man should be alone" (Genesis 2:18). The need for relationship is part of who we are at our core. So God creates Eve, thus establishing the covenant of marriage. In the Garden of Eden, we also see that humanity lived in perfect relationship with God. He walked with Adam and Eve, spoke to and interacted with them. This is the way life was intended to be. That is the beauty of the Garden of Eden; we get a glimpse of the way God intended the world and humanity to function, unbroken by the effects of sin.

The creating power of God is not only described in Genesis 1-2. Throughout the Bible, there are references to God and His role as Creator. For this reason, we also include readings from Psalms 33, 104, and 139.

FOR MORE CONTEXT, WATCH THIS VIDEO FROM "THE BIBLE PROJECT"

FOR THIS WEEK'S SERMON ON GENESIS 1-2, LISTEN BELOW:

FAMILIES

Genesis 1-Genesis 2:1-3

FAMILY INGREDIENT: STORYTELLING

The Storytelling ingredient is worth the investment. Storytelling is painting a vivid picture, showing our kids that God is the main character in the world and throughout history. Last week, we learned that God wrote a one-of-a-kind book, the Bible. The Bible's opening story is the story of creation, with God as the master-craftsman. We read that God creates the earth and all it contains. We see His power to make everything out of nothing. God looks upon each aspect of creation and calls it good. After the creation of humanity, God looks at all He has created and says it is very good. We are made in His image, able to think and create, to choose right from wrong, and to live in relationship with Him. He invites us into this relationship to know Him and to work together with Him to accomplish the good which He has mapped out for us. Wow! He is personal, powerful, and good!

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

 

  1. What did God use to make the earth?  

  2. What did He create on each day? 

  3. When God made the world, do you think He had a plan in mind? 

  4. What does it mean to be made in God's image and thus different than all other animals? (Hint: see introduction paragraph).

  5. What do we learn about God from this story? What do we learn about people? 

  6. Relationships develop when we get to know someone, spend time together and help each other. Why does God want to have a relationship with us? What could that look like? 

 

 

FAMILY ACTIVITY

Supplies: Camera

Discuss Gen. 1:27. What is an image? Answer: a physical likeness or representation of a person. Take a picture of each family member. Look at the picture and ask them if the photo or "image" is actually that person. Of course it's not. The image can't speak, think, etc., but it does show a lot about the person and what they are like. In the same way, we are created in the "image of God." We are NOT God, but we are created to be like Him and reflect what He is like. We are not perfect images because sin has warped us. God, however, sent His perfect image, Jesus Christ, to restore God's image in us, starting when we accept Him as our Lord and Savior. 

ADAPTED FROM "A CHRISTIAN OBJECT LESSON - IMAGE OF GOD" BY CREATIVE BIBLE STUDY

SMALL GROUPS

SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION

  • Think about God's creation. God himself created the immensity of the universe in order to display His power and glory. Humanity is the pinnacle of all God’s creation. Humanity is made in His image, to glorify Him, to live in relationship with Him, and to rule over and subdue the rest of His creation. How does this truth make you feel about your place in the universe?