Let’s start at the very beginning
I. READING the CREATION stories (PLURAL). (Gen. 1-2)
A. There are MORE than ONE. (Gen. 1,2; Job 38-41; Ps. 104; Prov. 8:22-31; John 1)
B. The CHALLENGES that they PRESENT. (Gen. 1-2)
Today we address the biggest existential question of all, “Why are we here?” While we may not consciously ask this question, our whole lives seem directed at finding the answer in some way. We want our lives to count. We want to have and fulfill a purpose. So let’s start at the very beginning.
1. Kid’s Question: What stands out to you most about the stories in Genesis 1 and 2?
2. How do you settle the challenges that are presented to the traditional creation account?
II. TWO important UNDERSTANDINGS. (2 Tim. 2:15)
A. Less a BLUEPRINT and more a FAMILY ALBUM. (2 Pet. 3:16)
B. More about the WHY of creation than the HOW. (Eph. 1:8-10)
One of the biggest struggles we have with Scripture is coming to it and trying to make it fit our agenda. The Scriptures call us to handle them well. To read and apply with wisdom. When we come to it with a preconceived idea of what it should say we often only hear what we want to hear.
3. Do you read the Bible more as a blueprint or as a family album? Why? Is one way better than the other?
4. If you had to sum up the “why” of creation in a couple of sentences what would you say? How does that “why” impact your life on a day to day basis?
III. WHY do it this WAY God? (Is 55:9)
A. Gen. 1 – One GOD and His TEMPLE. (1:1-25; Acts 7:48-50)
B. Gen. 2 – Humanity REPRESENTS, RULES, and RELATES. (1:26-2:25)
Why does it seem so challenging to understand what Scripture is driving at? Why the challenges? Maybe the unsettling nature of the text is good for us. Maybe it shatters our preconceived ideas and forces us to hear things in a new and clear way. What do these first two Creation accounts say to us?
5. How does the “temple” theme shape what you think as you read Genesis 1? How might that impact your day to day life?
6. In what ways has God called you to “represent, rule, and relate” in your personal context? How do those things look done through you?
IV. SHARING the “HOME” story, not WINNING the “HOUSE” battle. (Mt. 28:18-20)
A. KNOWING the “WHO” of God. (Jn 17:3)
B. Seeing the “WHAT” of CREATION. (Rom 8:20-22; Rev. 21:1-5)
C. LIVING into the WHY of us. (Gen 1:26-28; Rom 8:29)
My point is that often the way we use Scripture limits us in actually accomplishing the mission that God has for His church. Far too often we want to win or to be right, instead of communicating clearly that God loves the whole world, that He is in the process of redeeming and restoring it, and that He seeks to bring us home.
- Do you find that your attempts to witness are more geared to sharing the home story or winning the house battle? How’s that working for you?
- If you had to define why you exist in just 2-3 sentences, what would you say? (Check back next week if you need help with this one.)