Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
PERSONAL STUDY: DAY 1
The point: God created everything.
Read Genesis 1:1.
In verse 1, the Bible introduces the concept of the heavens and the earth. What Person is also introduced here? How is this significant? Explain.
What was the action that occurred in verse 1? Why do you think it’s important to realize that God was the one to take this action?
How does verse 1 go against what so much of our culture believes? Why is it important for believers to understand this foundational truth?
Underline the words God used to describe the earth in verse 2.
The word create means to bring into existence. God created everything from nothing, but even more amazing is the truth that God already was, before anything else existed. The fact that God created everything means that nothing, other than God Himself, is eternal.
While many in our culture believe that the universe sprang into existence from nothing, such beliefs are implausible, and science itself testifies to this. According to the standard scientific beliefs in cosmology, the finite universe came into existence at a certain point in time/space/history. Since both science and philosophy discredit the claim that something can come from nothing, the empirical knowledge we have makes it look more and more like the Christian worldview gets it right on the creation account.
How does knowing that we have a Creator change the way believers view our meaning and purpose?
Respond
Journal your thoughts on this: The God who existed before the world began is the same God who made me.
Jot down a few ways you can look at life differently, knowing that the eternal God created you, loves you, and wants a relationship with you.
THE GOD WHO CREATES SESSION 1.1
PERSONAL STUDY: DAY 2
The point: God created everything good.
What comes to mind when you hear the word good? A good person? A good movie?A good day? A good game? Considering all of these phrases, what is your personal
definition of the word good?
Read Genesis 1:3-25.
Briefly describe what God created on each day.
First Day:
Second Day:
Third Day:
Fourth Day:
Fifth Day:
At the end of each day, God was pleased with what He had made. Circle each instance of“God saw that it was good.”
Why is it important that God saw creation as good? What are the implications for our lives now?
God’s definition of good is sometimes different than our own. God’s creation was good because it fulfilled its main purpose: to display His glory. Everything beautiful tells of His beauty. Everything He made is good because He is good.
Respond
If the weather permits, go outside and take a short walk. Spend a few minutes listening, looking around, and paying attention to the smell. Notice the parts of God’s creation you usually pass by.
PERSONAL STUDY: DAY 3
The point: God created everything through His Son.
Read John 1:1-3,14.
As Christians, we believe in the Trinity—that God is One, in three persons: God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit (See John 14). Combining this belief with what we read earlier thisweek, we know that in the beginning, all three persons of the Trinity were present: God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
List the three things John said about “the Word” in verse 1.
Read through the verses once more, replacing “the Word” with Jesus. How does this help your understanding of these verses? Explain.
According to these verses, how was everything created? Why is this important?
Summarize the truth of verse 14 in your own words. What is so significant about the fact that Jesus took on flesh and walked on earth with His people?
Read Colossians 1:15-17.
Jesus is the perfect image of the invisible God, the only One who rules wisely over creation, perfectly relates to God and others, and through His work, earns our everlasting rest. By the Son, for the Son, and through the Son, all things exist and hold together.
Respond
How does understanding that the entire Bible is the story of Jesus change the way you approach reading it?
What are some areas of your life in which you need to remember that Jesus holds all things together?
THE GOD WHO CREATES SESSION 1.1
PERSONAL STUDY: DAY 4
The point: We reflect God in how we rule wisely over the world.
Read Genesis 1:26-31.
Summarize verse 26 in your own words. How does knowing we are made in God’s image and likeness affect the way we live and rule over His creation?
According to verse 27, both men and women were created _____ ________ ___________ _____ ________. Why is this significant?
Using verses 28-30, list what God instructed Adam and Eve to rule over, as well as whatHe told them to use.
Rule
Use
God created everything, and He has ultimate power and control over everything. Still, He made us in His image, and then gave us authority to rule over creation.
What do you think this shows about God’s character? Explain.
Respond
Think about items, people, or tasks you have a responsibility to rule wisely over. What aresome ways you can influence each area in a way that reflects God?
God created the world, which speaks of Him, and He created us, who bear His image. The way we interact with the world around us also speaks of Him. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you wisely influence the people, places, and things around you for God’s glory.
PERSONAL STUDY: DAY 5
The point: We reflect God in how we relate to Him and others.
Read Genesis 2:4-9,16-25.
Verses 4-7 summarize the creation of the heavens and the earth, as well as man.Before God created man to cultivate the earth, how did things survive?
God could have sustained the earth on His own, but He made Adam to take care of Hiscreation. This was the beginning of the first relationship—between God and man.
Considering this, why do you think it’s important that God “placed” man inthe garden (v. 8)?
What are the implications of God’s command in verses 16-17? Why are these commands significant?
The animals weren’t enough to complement Adam and be His helper, so God created anotherhuman—woman. Community and relationships are important to God. From the beginning, Goddidn’t intend for people to be alone.
Circle Adam’s job in verses 19-20.
Although God gave Adam an important job to do, even that work couldn’t fulfill him. He neededa helper, so God created Eve. God had established the second relationship, this time between man and woman.
What is unique about the way God created Eve from the way He created Adam or the rest of creation?
Respond
The first relationship God created was between Himself and man, and the second was between man and woman. Our relationship with God should always come first. Does your life currently reflect this priority?
Do your current relationships bear the image God intended? What are some ways youare accomplishing God’s work together with the people in your life?
The point: God created everything.
Read Genesis 1:1.
In verse 1, the Bible introduces the concept of the heavens and the earth. What Person is also introduced here? How is this significant? Explain.
What was the action that occurred in verse 1? Why do you think it’s important to realize that God was the one to take this action?
How does verse 1 go against what so much of our culture believes? Why is it important for believers to understand this foundational truth?
Underline the words God used to describe the earth in verse 2.
The word create means to bring into existence. God created everything from nothing, but even more amazing is the truth that God already was, before anything else existed. The fact that God created everything means that nothing, other than God Himself, is eternal.
While many in our culture believe that the universe sprang into existence from nothing, such beliefs are implausible, and science itself testifies to this. According to the standard scientific beliefs in cosmology, the finite universe came into existence at a certain point in time/space/history. Since both science and philosophy discredit the claim that something can come from nothing, the empirical knowledge we have makes it look more and more like the Christian worldview gets it right on the creation account.
How does knowing that we have a Creator change the way believers view our meaning and purpose?
Respond
Journal your thoughts on this: The God who existed before the world began is the same God who made me.
Jot down a few ways you can look at life differently, knowing that the eternal God created you, loves you, and wants a relationship with you.
THE GOD WHO CREATES SESSION 1.1
PERSONAL STUDY: DAY 2
The point: God created everything good.
What comes to mind when you hear the word good? A good person? A good movie?A good day? A good game? Considering all of these phrases, what is your personal
definition of the word good?
Read Genesis 1:3-25.
Briefly describe what God created on each day.
First Day:
Second Day:
Third Day:
Fourth Day:
Fifth Day:
At the end of each day, God was pleased with what He had made. Circle each instance of“God saw that it was good.”
Why is it important that God saw creation as good? What are the implications for our lives now?
God’s definition of good is sometimes different than our own. God’s creation was good because it fulfilled its main purpose: to display His glory. Everything beautiful tells of His beauty. Everything He made is good because He is good.
Respond
If the weather permits, go outside and take a short walk. Spend a few minutes listening, looking around, and paying attention to the smell. Notice the parts of God’s creation you usually pass by.
PERSONAL STUDY: DAY 3
The point: God created everything through His Son.
Read John 1:1-3,14.
As Christians, we believe in the Trinity—that God is One, in three persons: God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit (See John 14). Combining this belief with what we read earlier thisweek, we know that in the beginning, all three persons of the Trinity were present: God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
List the three things John said about “the Word” in verse 1.
Read through the verses once more, replacing “the Word” with Jesus. How does this help your understanding of these verses? Explain.
According to these verses, how was everything created? Why is this important?
Summarize the truth of verse 14 in your own words. What is so significant about the fact that Jesus took on flesh and walked on earth with His people?
Read Colossians 1:15-17.
Jesus is the perfect image of the invisible God, the only One who rules wisely over creation, perfectly relates to God and others, and through His work, earns our everlasting rest. By the Son, for the Son, and through the Son, all things exist and hold together.
Respond
How does understanding that the entire Bible is the story of Jesus change the way you approach reading it?
What are some areas of your life in which you need to remember that Jesus holds all things together?
THE GOD WHO CREATES SESSION 1.1
PERSONAL STUDY: DAY 4
The point: We reflect God in how we rule wisely over the world.
Read Genesis 1:26-31.
Summarize verse 26 in your own words. How does knowing we are made in God’s image and likeness affect the way we live and rule over His creation?
According to verse 27, both men and women were created _____ ________ ___________ _____ ________. Why is this significant?
Using verses 28-30, list what God instructed Adam and Eve to rule over, as well as whatHe told them to use.
Rule
Use
God created everything, and He has ultimate power and control over everything. Still, He made us in His image, and then gave us authority to rule over creation.
What do you think this shows about God’s character? Explain.
Respond
Think about items, people, or tasks you have a responsibility to rule wisely over. What aresome ways you can influence each area in a way that reflects God?
God created the world, which speaks of Him, and He created us, who bear His image. The way we interact with the world around us also speaks of Him. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you wisely influence the people, places, and things around you for God’s glory.
PERSONAL STUDY: DAY 5
The point: We reflect God in how we relate to Him and others.
Read Genesis 2:4-9,16-25.
Verses 4-7 summarize the creation of the heavens and the earth, as well as man.Before God created man to cultivate the earth, how did things survive?
God could have sustained the earth on His own, but He made Adam to take care of Hiscreation. This was the beginning of the first relationship—between God and man.
Considering this, why do you think it’s important that God “placed” man inthe garden (v. 8)?
What are the implications of God’s command in verses 16-17? Why are these commands significant?
The animals weren’t enough to complement Adam and be His helper, so God created anotherhuman—woman. Community and relationships are important to God. From the beginning, Goddidn’t intend for people to be alone.
Circle Adam’s job in verses 19-20.
Although God gave Adam an important job to do, even that work couldn’t fulfill him. He neededa helper, so God created Eve. God had established the second relationship, this time between man and woman.
What is unique about the way God created Eve from the way He created Adam or the rest of creation?
Respond
The first relationship God created was between Himself and man, and the second was between man and woman. Our relationship with God should always come first. Does your life currently reflect this priority?
Do your current relationships bear the image God intended? What are some ways youare accomplishing God’s work together with the people in your life?
Full sermon from Judah
Session 4
How's Your Soul
Session 4
How's Your Soul