Connections
Class 2014-2015
August 24 – In the Beginning
Lesson 01 – Creation
CREATION
Every religion on Earth has its
very own Creation story. In the Bible, God is the Creator of the entire
universe. In other faiths, creation occurs through animals, blood cells, as a
divine side effect, or as an outcome of a battle between the gods. Even
scientists have their own stories of Creation – the Big Bang theory, Dark
matter explosion, or even accidentally out of nothing. Whatever the religion,
faith, or science, people have been trying to explain life, the universe, and
creation by whatever they believe and however they actually live.
In the Bible, Creation is God’s
wonderful gift to all living beings. He made the entire cosmos, bringing order and
the laws of physics to what He makes. According to the Bible, His focus is upon
our planet where He creates special creatures – human beings – made in His image.
Life on Earth is a divine masterpiece and at the heart of God’s amazing works.
He enjoys the act of creating and, when everything is finished, He sits back
and rests in order to delight in all that God has created.
Life, therefore, is not an accidental
occurrence, it is a purposeful event, given by God to all sorts of creatures,
including humanity at the pinnacle of His creative works. As it states in the
old catechism, we are created to worship God and enjoy His creation forever.
The purpose of today’s study is to
look at the first two chapters of Genesis, in order to investigate and discuss
the process of Creation as depicted in the Bible, and what that process means
to 21st century Christians.
Questions for discussion
What do I believe about the universe’s origin? What sustains it?
What do I think about evolution? Can it be equated with the process of
Creation?
Why did God create anything? What is the purpose of
existence?
What are the main differences between Genesis 1 and Genesis
2? Are those differences important?
How does Creation affect my life?
How should the Church teach Creation in the 21st
century?
Any other comments/ questions?
Unison Prayer
Loving Father
and Creator of all, we come to You today deeply grateful for Your Creation. As
we look around us, we are amazed at the greatness and majesty of all that You
have made. Nature around us speaks of Your greatness - the vast expanse of the
sky, the mountains, trees, lakes and streams speak of Your great design. You
have given us such beauty in the colors of the rainbow, the beauty of flowers
and fields.
Words cannot
adequately express the magnificence of all You have created. We join in praise
with the writer of the psalms when he says, "O Lord, our Lord, how
majestic is Your Name in all the Earth." May we show our love and
reverence to You, our Lord, by caring for all that You have created. We humbly
give You praise and thanks. Amen.
NEXT WEEK:
GENESIS 3 – SIN AND SEPARATION
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