Everything New The Book of Genesis Tim H. Gumm Leader s Guide Lesson One... Lesson Two... Lesson Three... Lesson Four... Lesson Five... Lesson Six... Lesson Seven... Lesson Eight... All rights reserved. This leader s guide is not a copy master. Normal copyright restrictions apply. The purchaser of this kit may obtain additional leader s guides from Northwestern Publishing House. Order stock #22NO952. New edition, 2008 Northwestern Publishing House 1250 N. 113th St., Milwaukee, WI 53226-3284 1996 by Northwestern Publishing House. Published 1996 Printed in the United States of America ISBN 978-0-8100-0593-8
Everything New The Book of Genesis Leader s Guide Page 2 Lesson One God Reveals Himself We Glorify Him Introduction Will Rogers somewhat humorous statement has a very serious element to it. Often a person s first words or actions are the ones we remember. Think of ex-presidents of the United States whose presidencies were unimpressive but whose careers became much more illustrious after they left office. In spite of later successes, these men are most often remembered only as ineffective presidents. Or think of people in show business whose early successful or failed roles have left them labeled for the rest of their lives. But first impressions can be wrong. Shyness, excessive emotions, meeting in a bad situation, and a host of other things can lead to false first impressions. Studying God s Word Glorify God by trusting in him. Most Christians are familiar with other examples of God s power. What are some you can think of? The parting of the Red Sea, the miraculous feeding of the 5,000 with two fish and five loaves of bread, and Jesus walking on the water are some examples. 1. With what instrument did God create the universe? God simply spoke; he used his almighty word to create the universe. 2. What is the significance of the phrase In the beginning? The phrase In the beginning tells us that prior to this time there was nothing. This is the beginning of everything: the earth, the universe, space and time, and everything else. God created everything out of nothing, with no existing materials. 3. What does verse 31 tell us about the following? Deficiencies in the creation Everything in God s creation was very good, that is, perfect. There were absolutely no deficiencies, no mistakes, no shortcomings. God s abilities as the Creator God, who is able to do anything and to make anything, had created a perfect universe. God s abilities as our provider today This same omnipotent God has the unlimited power to preserve and provide for his creation today. 4. Where do you see God s power at work today? The solar system, the makeup and function of the human body, and the laws of nature are some examples. How might God s power touch your life in the following situations? You ve been diagnosed with cancer You re facing a day with too many tasks and too few hours You ve lost your source of income Discuss God s power to heal through a supernatural act (miracle) or through natural means (medical science). God most often provides for our daily needs through natural means. Specific answers to the questions will vary. The theory of evolution opposes the creation account found in Genesis 1 and 2. 1. Explain what you know about the theory of evolution and what it says about the origin of our world, the origin of life, etc. Several things might be mentioned about the theory of evolution. The theistic evolutionist claims that God started the creative process but then allowed a natural process of evolution to take over. The atheistic evolutionist denies the existence of a Creator, credits everything to chance, and claims that everything is in a state of becoming. Life, he says, generated itself. Share details about the big bang theory and Charles Darwin s theory on the origin of life.
Everything New The Book of Genesis Leader s Guide Page 3 2. What effect does adherence to the theory of evolution have on God s glory as the almighty Creator? It robs God of his glory as the Creator. It denies his power, claims that he did not make this universe, and even goes so far as to deny God s very existence. 3. What effect does adherence to the theory of evolution have on a person s trust in God? It makes trust in God, in its truest sense, an impossibility. Evaluate the following statements: a. I pray to God, but how can anybody really be sure that God can do what we ask? b. Miracles were for Bible times. c. I do what the bumper sticker suggests; I simply Let go, and let God! d. Who can help but worry today? In these uncertain times, it s such a natural thing to do! Statements a, b, and d, in one way or another, deny or limit God s power and rob him of the glory that is due him. God is just as almighty today as he was at creation and in Bible times. The prayers of believers, the Bible promises, are powerful and effective (James 5:16). Worry demonstrates a lack of trust in God and his promises and power (see Matthew 6:25-34). Statement c, although somewhat of a cliché, reflects the humble faith of a Christian. On the basis of God s power and loving promises, we confidently let go of the needs, cares, and worries of life and leave all things in the hands of God. Glorify God by following him. 1. From Genesis 1, list the events of the six days of creation. Day 1 light and darkness; Day 2 the expanse; Day 3 the earth, the seas, and plant life; Day 4 the sun, moon, and stars; Day 5 sea creatures and birds; Day 6 land animals and man. 2. Can you see an importance to the order in which God created the world? The order in which God created the world is of tremendous significance. God made this world in such a way that it was ready and able to support and maintain the life that was created in the last two days of creation. The sea creatures, birds, land animals, and people created on Day 5 and Day 6 could not have survived in the chaotic universe of Day 1. 3. Which words and phrases in Genesis 1 show that God planned before he created? The creation was a product of God s plan, purpose, and design. The order mentioned in question 2 gives evidence of this, as does God s assessment of his creation in verses 4, 10, 12, and others. 4. In addition to creation, what are some other things that God has planned? Scripture gives us many examples of planning done by God. He planned the work of his church, the spread of the gospel, and the conversion of sinners. Have the class focus on God s greatest plan of all the salvation of fallen people through Jesus Christ. As managers (or stewards) of the things God gives to us, we will want to use all of them in ways that are pleasing to him. How do God s people glorify him (show their trust) when they plan the following? Their time Our time is a gift from God. We strive to use our time wisely. Keeping a daily, weekly, or monthly calendar and scheduling time for the work of the church and for family time and responsibilities, relaxation, worship and Bible study, and devotions is a helpful practice. Their spending Their retirement Worship and Bible study Since we re stewards of God s money, we plan for its use, remembering our responsibilities to God s church, the government, the poor and needy, ourselves, and our families. Christians will follow God s principles for financial stewardship and for giving offerings (see New Life in Christ, page 106). Christians glorify God, not only by imitating him (that is, planning like him), but also by accepting his plan for their lives.
Everything New The Book of Genesis Leader s Guide Page 4 Read the following pairs of Bible passages. What do they tell us about God s plan for our lives? Offer a short personal plan of action that might be a God-pleasing way of carrying out this plan. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him (Colossians 1:16). Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made (Isaiah 43:6-7). You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9). You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). God s plan and purpose for all that he created, including humans, is that they glorify him by their very existence. Christians will strive, therefore, with God s help, to live their lives in such a way that their existence fulfills God s purpose: his glorification. Perhaps St. Paul summed it up best: So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). God also has a special plan and purpose for believers. He wants them to share the message of salvation in Christ with others. Christians, therefore, following the example of their God and the early church, will make plans for this work corporately, as a church, but also individually. They will plan when, where, how, and with whom to share the gospel. In addressing the congregation in the city of Corinth, St. Paul said, Everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way (1 Corinthians 14:40). How can our congregation glorify God as we plan or practice the following? Worship The use of Word and sacraments The church should call public ministers to preach the Word, conduct worship services following a structured and meaningful order of service (liturgy), and administer the sacraments as instituted by Christ. Evangelism work God s order is reflected when a congregation plans its ministry of outreach: training evangelists, nurturing prospects, using the mass media, promoting friendship evangelism. Church finances When a congregation adopts a budget that plans for ministry, anticipates offerings from God s people, and projects expenses, it glorifies God. Glorify God by loving and serving him. How do the following verses show God s special love for all people? Genesis 1:27 tells us that Adam and Eve, unlike the other creatures, were created in the image of God. A brief discussion of this term is in order. The image of God might be summarized with four points: (a) Adam and Eve, like God, were sinless and holy; (b) Adam and Eve had the ability not to sin they had free will; (c) Adam and Eve enjoyed a close and intimate relationship with God their thoughts and wants were the thoughts and wants of God; (d) Adam and Eve knew God s will perfectly. Genesis 1:28 tells us that God showed his special love for Adam and Eve by giving them rule over all creation. Genesis 1:31 shows God s love for Adam and Eve in that he gave them a world that was absolutely perfect. 1. Even in his command... God was showing his special love for all people. Explain. The leader should be sure to defuse the idea that the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was somehow a bad thing. It was a good thing. God had showered Adam and Eve with his undeserved love and blessings, and they needed a way to show their gratitude to God. To satisfy that need, God gave them the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and through his prohibition to eat from it, they had an opportunity to serve God and obey him. 2. At the end of chapter 2 we hear of blessings God gave especially to man, and not to the animals. What were these?
Everything New The Book of Genesis Leader s Guide Page 5 God gave mankind the blessings of marriage, home, and family. 3. What in Genesis 2 also prompts our love for God? When John wrote the words, We love because he first loved us (1 John 4:19), he had in mind especially the love God showed us in sacrificing his own Son for our salvation a love so great that it moves us to love too. But God s great, undeserved love can already be seen in the creation, and there too his love calls for a response of love on our part. Review what Genesis 1 and 2 and the rest of the Bible tell us about the following: God-pleasing sexual relations When God established marriage in Genesis 2 and gave human beings the gift of sex, he regulated both. The Bible tells us that men and women may enjoy sexual relations and yet remain sexually pure in the eyes of a holy God, but only within the bonds of marriage. Notice that Adam and Eve, husband and wife, were naked but felt no shame. The gift of children Notice too that God blessed Adam and Eve and said, Be fruitful and increase in number. Children are a gift from God and throughout Scripture are considered a blessing. God s plans for husbands and wives Notice that Eve s role is described as the suitable helper and that she was created for Adam. This is an important point. From creation, God s intent for man was that he be the head and that the woman be his helper. Reading Ephesians 5:21-33 might be helpful at this point. If you are married, share some ways in which you can glorify God in your marriage. Be specific. If you are not married, share some ways in which you can glorify God for his gifts of sex and marriage. Be specific. Both the married and unmarried can glorify God for his gifts of sex and marriage by living according to his will concerning these gifts. Both will want to remain sexually pure in their thoughts and words, as well as in their actions. Married people will strive to live according to the role that God established for them as husbands or wives. They will pray for and honor their spouses and nurture the love in their marriages. Single people, likewise, will honor marriage and will use whatever means God has given them to strengthen the marriages of those around them. Share one of your favorite passages from the Bible that speaks of God s grace. What does the passage mean to you personally? What has the promise it contains moved you to do? Summary 1. How does your relationship with the Creator God make a difference in the following? How you view your value to him Without the knowledge of and a relationship with the Creator God, we can have only a partial understanding of our value to him. We are forced to focus on ourselves for our sense of value and worth something that can only lead to despair. But focusing on the Creator contributes to a real sense of value before God. We are wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), and from the beginning we have been the objects of his love a love that values us so highly that it sent Jesus to be the Savior of this fallen world. How you judge the meaning and purpose of your life Without the knowledge of and a relationship with the Creator God, our existence is without true meaning. We cannot understand the divine purpose that God has given to our existence, that of glorifying the Creator. At best, we see the purpose of existence as serving, pleasing, and glorifying ourselves. How you view marriage A relationship with the Creator God is also necessary for a truly fulfilling marriage. Apart from God, marriage is subject to faulty ideas and sinful whims. It cannot be the kind of blessing that God intends it to be. Christians, however, understand that God established marriage for their good, and by his grace they will receive all of the rich blessings that God has in mind for them.