The Embraceable Mystery God Student Book 2006 Serendipity Published by Serendipity House Publishers Nashville, Tennessee All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, without express written permission of the publisher. Requests for permission should be addressed to Serendipity House, 117 10th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37234. ISBN: 1-5749-4293-X Dewey Decimal Classification: 231 Subject Headings: GOD \ CHRISTIAN LIFE Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible. Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Scriptures marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission. To purchase additional copies of this resource or other studies: ORDER ONLINE at www.serendipityhouse.com WRITE Serendipity House, 117 10th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37234 FAX (615) 277-8181 PHONE (800) 525-9563 1-800-525-9563 www.serendipityhouse.com Printed in the United States of America 13 12 11 10 09 08 07 06 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Session 1 Who is God Really? SESSION 1 So Near Yet So Far Genesis 1:26-2:7 7 Get Ready SESSION 2 Name Dropping Exodus 3:1-15; John 8:54-59 17 SESSION 3 Read Setting one Perimeters these short Bible passages Exodus each 19:10-25; day Hebrews and spend 12:18-24 a few minutes 27 wrapping your brain around it. Be sure to jot down any insights you discover. SESSION 4 Beyond the Big House 2 Samuel 7:1-17; Acts 17:24-29 35 MONDAY Read SESSION Exodus 5 3:1-3 God Get the got Message Moses attention through an 1 unusual Kings 19:1-18 sight a bush that was on fire but 45 was not being consumed. What s the strangest thing that has happened to you SESSION 6 recently? The Good, Have The Bad, you ever & the felt Ugly that God Job was 39:26 40:14 trying to get your attention through this 55 event or another one? SESSION 7 Mediator for Acceptance Job 9:32-35; Hebrews 4:14-16 63 SESSION 8 No Trivial Pursuit Psalm 139:1-18 73 TUESDAY Read Exodus 3:4-6 Who SESSION is the 9 most important person you have ever met? Were you intimidated to be Decoding God s Directions Isaiah 6:1-10 83 around this person? Why was Moses afraid when God spoke to him? SESSION 10 A Force to Be Reckoned With John 3:1-15 93 SESSION 11 WEDNESDAY I Heard a Rumor Read Exodus 3:7-10 Ephesians 3:1-13; John 14:8-11 103 Do SESSION you think 12 that God knows about your struggles? How does this passage give you hope? A Family Try Affair to imagine the emotions that Galatians Moses 3:25 4:7 experienced during this moment. 111 SESSION 13 Unsolved Mystery Revelation 21:1-5; 1 Corinthians 13:9-13 119 Acknowledgments 127 Group Directory 128 3
EXPERIENCE Combine teaching that engages a large group with dynamic small-group experiences and discussions and you end up grappling with reality and experiencing real life change. Throughout 13 sessions, small groups will find power just being together and connecting. Get Ready To get the most from this experience, spend some time with God each day leading up to your group session. Wrap your brain around the short Bible passages, listen to God, and jot down thoughts and insights. LifePoint Your large-group leader will welcome everyone. You ll hear the LifePoint or big idea for the session, and then divide into small groups. Say What? Enjoy fun, interactive experiences and discussions in your small group. Discuss the Random Question of the Week and join activities or discussions that lead into the session topic. So What? The master teacher will lead the entire group in understanding what God has to say on the topic. Content is deep and engaging. Follow along, jot notes, and respond to questions in your book. Do What? All study should direct us toward action and life change. It s easier and more helpful to discuss application in small groups. The goal is to be real with each other in order to connect with God and each other. Find power in the support and prayers of other students. Now What? To see real power in your life, you don t want to leave the session and just go on with life as normal. The Now What? assignments help you continue your journey and give you an opportunity to go deeper with God. 4
AT A GLANCE Get Ready Daily Time with God & Your Journal LifePoint Large Group: Welcome & Theme Say What? Small Group: Fun & Interaction So What? Large Group: Teaching & Discovery (Master Teacher) Do What? Small Group: Getting Real & Connecting Now What? Continue Your Journey.. 5
It is important that your group covenant together, agreeing to live out important group values. Once these values are agreed upon, your group will be on its way to experiencing true Christian community. It s very important that your group discuss these values preferably as you begin this study. The first session would be most appropriate. (Check the rules to which each member of your group agrees.) Priority: While you are in this course of study, you give the group meetings priority. Participation: Everyone is encouraged to participate and no one dominates. Respect: Everyone is given the right to his or her own opinion, and all questions are encouraged and respected. Confidentiality: Anything that is said in the meeting is never repeated outside the meeting without permission. Note: Church staff may be required by law to report illegal activities. Life Change: We will regularly assess our own progress in applying LifePoints and encourage one another in our pursuit of becoming more like Christ. Care and Support: Permission is given to call upon each other at any time, especially in times of crisis. The group will provide care for every member. Accountability: We agree to let the members of the group hold us accountable to the commitments we make in whatever loving ways we decide upon. Unsolicited advice giving is not permitted. Empty Chair: The group is open to welcoming new people at every meeting. Mission: We agree as a group to reach out and invite others to join us. Ministry: We will encourage one another to volunteer and serve in a ministry and to support missions by giving financially and/or personally serving. 6
Session 1 Who is God Really? Get Ready 1 Read one these passage short each Bible day passages during your each one-on-one day and spend time with a few God. minutes Keep a pen wrapping handy your to jot brain down around any insights it. Be sure you to receive. jot down any insights you discover. MONDAY Read Exodus Genesis 3:1-3 1:26-27 God What got three Moses words attention would you through use to an describe unusual God? sight a How does bush realizing that was you on are fire created but was in His not image being impact consumed. the way What s you feel the strangest about yourself thing and that how has you happened treat others? to you recently? Have you ever felt that God was trying to get your attention through this event or another one? TUESDAY Read Genesis 1:28-30 God loves to be generous with His children. Name some ways you feel He has TUESDAY Read blessed Exodus you. Stop 3:4-6 and spend some time thanking Him for those blessings. Who is the most important person you have ever met? Were you intimidated to be around this person? Why was Moses afraid when God spoke to him? WEDNESDAY Read Genesis 1:31 According to television shows examining the lives of the famous, what does the WEDNESDAY good Read life Exodus look like? 3:7-10 How does this compare with what God describes as very good, Do both you in think this passage that God and knows throughout about your the struggles? Bible? How does this passage give you hope? Try to imagine the emotions that Moses experienced during this moment. 7
THURSDAY Read Genesis 2:1-3 Are you surprised to find that even God took a day off? Do you feel you get enough time to rest and relax? If not, how can you add chill time to your schedule? FRIDAY Read Genesis 2:4-7 Life is a gift from God. How well are you taking care of the physical and spiritual life God has given you? What could you do to improve? SATURDAY Read Psalm 104:27-30 Whom do you depend on most? What do you depend on that person to provide? Why do you think it s important to learn how to depend on God? SUNDAY Read Galatians 1:10 Whom do you work hardest to please: parents, friends, teachers, or God? Why is it important to place God s approval above that of all others? LifePoint God s character is more complex than anything we can imagine. He is holy and yet highly interested in having a relationship with us. We are created in God s image and as we know Him better we will appreciate ourselves, others, and Him in even greater measure. 8
SMALL-GROUP TIME: Divide into smaller groups of 4-8, preferably in a circle. You will have a smallgroup leader for Say What? Say What? (15 MINUTES ) Random Question of the Week: Should vegetarians eat animal crackers? 1 Group Experience: Common Denominators You will participate in a get-to-know you activity with others in your group. LARGE-GROUP TIME: Turn to face the front for this teaching time. Follow along and take notes in your Student Books. So Near Yet So Far So What? (30 MINUTES ) 1. God is a Being Who is far too for us to approach. 2. He can also be present and willing to every moment. 9
Learning from the Bible Genesis 1:26-2:7 Learning from the Bible [GOD] 26 Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the animals, all the earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth. [NARRATOR] 27 So God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female. [NARRATOR] 28 God blessed them, and God said to them, [GOD] Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that crawls on the earth. [NARRATOR] 29 God also said, [GOD] Look, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the surface of the entire earth, and every tree whose fruit contains seed. This food will be for you, 30 for all the wildlife of the earth, for every bird of the sky, and for every creature that crawls on the earth everything having the breath of life in it. [I have given] every green plant for food. [NARRATOR] And it was so. 31 God saw all that He had made, and it was very good. Evening came, and then morning: the sixth day. Genesis 2 1So the heavens and the earth and everything in them were completed. 2 By the seventh day, God completed His work that He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work that He had done. 3 God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, for on it He rested from His work of creation. 10
LARGE-GROUP TIME: Your leader will share key points with you. Follow along and take notes in your Student Books. Creative Differences 3. What are two methods God used to create? 1 God Created You in His Image 4. How did God describe His creations? God Wants You to Become More Like Him 5. What prevents us from being as holy, perfect, and powerful as God? 6. How can we experience a restored relationship with God? 11
SMALL-GROUP TIME: Small-group leaders will direct your discussions. Everyone will gain more if you are open and honest in responding to questions. Image Conscious? Do What? (15 MINUTES ) 1. Whom do people often say you resemble? 2. In what area(s) do you feel you most reflect God s image? Creativity I m always coming up with new ideas. Mystery I am still learning who I am. Generosity I happily donate time, talent, or whatever else is needed. Complexity I have great depth. Other 3. What aspect(s) of creation says the most to you about God s nature? Expansive solar system We serve a BIG God! Astounding assortment of flowers, plants, and trees God is so creative! Depth of human love God s love is amazing. Intricate way everything works together God s wisdom is astounding. Combination of good and evil God s ways are a mystery. Harsh nature of our world Sometimes God seems so distant. Other 4. Which artistic approach do you find most appealing God s powerful method of creating with His word or His up-close-and-personal method? Why? 12
LIFEPOINT REVIEW DO POINTS God s character is more complex than anything we can imagine. He is holy and yet highly interested in having a relationship with us. We are created in God s image and as we know Him better we will appreciate ourselves, others, and Him in even greater measure. These Do Points will help you grab hold of this week s LifePoint. Be open and honest as you answer the questions within your small group. 1 1. Appreciate the gift of life God has given you. It s easy to get down on life; sometimes we have unrealistic expectations and sometimes life is just tough. Determine to praise God daily for your life. Make the most of it no matter what you encounter. Why is it sometimes difficult to appreciate the gift of life? 2. Always look for the beauty within. Don t become so preoccupied with your faults or weaknesses that you forget to look for the great things God created within you. Remember, you are created in His image!what areas of life do you need to see in a more positive light? 3. Accept God s complex nature. Revel in the fact that God s ways are not our ways. He is far bigger, wiser, and more amazing than anyone could hope to understand or control. Why is having a highly complex and larger-than-life God beneficial? 13
Prayer Connection: Now is the time to encourage, support, and pray for each other as your journey begins toward a greater understanding of God s complex character. Share prayer needs with the group, especially those related to accepting the complexity of God. Your group facilitator will close your time in prayer. Prayer Needs: Remember your Get Ready daily Bible readings and questions at the beginning of Session 2. Now What? Take it to the next level by completing one of these assignments this week. Option #1: Walk around a garden, park, or other natural area. Observe the brilliant variety of flowers, plants, and trees. Journal about what you see and how it makes you feel about life and about God. Option #2: Get together with a good friend. Over refreshments, share some of the positive ways that person has impacted your life or list some of his or her traits that you admire. Then ask your friend to do the same for you. Reflect on how the good things the other person shared with you make you feel. 14
Genesis 1:26 Genesis 1:27 Genesis 1:28 Genesis 1:31 Genesis 2:3 Bible Reference Notes Use these notes to deepen your understanding as you study the Bible on your own. image likeness. God created people to be like Him. Adam and Eve became unlike God only when they tried to be like Him in terms of power, authority, and knowledge, instead of just in spirit (3:5). Romans 8:29 reminds us that it is still God s intention to make us into His likeness, the likeness as revealed in Jesus Christ. male and female. Who of us is not aware of the differences between men and women? And yet, both were created in the image of God and given the responsibility to take care of the earth. In how men and women relate to each other, we are different; in how we stand in relation to God, we are the same. rule. God gave people the responsibility to rule over the world. Ruling over and subduing does not mean merely being the boss nor is it an invitation to exploit. Instead, people s rule over the world means nurturing it with creativity and care. very good sixth day. This last day of creation was not just described as good but as very good. Jesus once said that the word good could be applied to God alone (Mark 10:18). So describing God s final creation as very good was high praise indeed. It was an apt description of the world God intended for us to live in and wanted us to have. He rested. Sabbath comes from the Hebrew word to rest. Though His energy is unlimited, God rested from His creative work. When God gave the Ten Commandments He referred to this, telling people to remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy (Ex. 20:8). 1 Genesis 2:4 the records. Genesis tells us the stories of the main players in the history of the world (chapters 1-11) and Israel (chapters 12-50). Most of these stories begin with These are the records [or accounts] of Genesis 2:7 formed. God made humankind. The complexity and the miracle of the human person is God s handiwork. The word formed pictures a potter working with clay. We owe to God the wonder of our bodies, minds, and souls. breathed the breath. In Hebrew, the word for breath and spirit is the same word rhuah. So this phrase could have just as easily said breathed the spirit of life into the man. Probably both meanings were intended. 15