In the Beginning, God…

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While I was excited about utilizing the Gospel Project to unite all ages with one curriculum, I never imagined I was personally going to get so much out of it as I have.  I have loved the group interaction time, the discussion time with our family, and utilizing the family Bible reading plan.

I taught the first lesson with my discipleship group, my college group, and talking about it with my family.

Here are some of the things I am focusing on this week.

Lessons from Creation

  1. The Bible’s first claim is that God exists (Gen. 1:1).  This truth is foundational to pleasing God (Heb. 11:6).
  2. Plural Elohim singularly created.  The Hebrew wording alludes to the Trinity in the fact that God(s) singularly created.  The noun is plural but the verb is singular.
  3. The earth was without form and void (Gen. 1:2).  God fixed its formlessness and its emptiness in 3-day sections.  He formed it (days 1-3) and then filled it with corresponding entities (days 4-6).
  4. He made everything good.  It was good morally, beautifully, and functionally.
  5. God made light on day 1 and sun, moon, and stars on day 4.  The light came from God only days 1-3 and Rev. 22:5 says that in the end, we will return to Eden with God being our light.
  6. Creation tells us there is a God (Ps. 19:1-6; Rom. 1:20); the Word tells us who he is (Ps. 19:7-11) [notice the shift in the two stanzas of Psalm 19 from the generic God to LORD].
  7. Creation provides general revelation and the Word provides special revelation.
  8. Beholding creation should humble me not exalt me.  It was made for his glory and not for my amusement (Ps. 8:1-4).
  9. The fiercest of creatures are nothing more than a playful pet to God (Ps. 104:26).
  10. When I behold Creation, I tremble.  When God beholds Creation, it trembles (Ps. 104:32).
  11. God must humble himself to behold that which causes me to stand in awe (Ps. 113:5-6).
  12. God looks down on that to which I look up (Ps. 113:5-6).
  13. We were created from God and through Christ (1 Cor. 8:6).

“Who Is Playing That?”

I shared this story with groups this week.  A few years ago, I walked through our Family Life Center to hear beautiful music on the piano.  I knew by the sounds it wasn’t anyone that was normally in the building at that time.  I was not content to listen to the piano, I had to draw near to see the pianist.  His work caused me to want to know the musician more.  As I drew near, I discovered Stephen Rutland, a college student, who became a dear friend over the next few years.

Creation should cause us to be the same way.

It is not enough just to enjoy Creation – it should cause us to draw near to the Creator.

I pray you are drawing near this week!