SUMMER 2018 LEADER GUIDE WHY ARE WE HERE? NEHEMIAH: BUILDING A LIFE OF SERVICE

SUMMER 2018 LEADER GUIDE WHY ARE WE HERE? NEHEMIAH: BUILDING A LIFE OF SERVICE

LEADING SOMEONE TO THE GREATEST DECISION OF ALL One of the great joys of leading a group in Bible study is seeing group members deepen their walk with Christ. Everyone s walk with Christ begins with an initial decision to follow Him in repentance and faith. There may be people in your group who have not made that decision yet. Take advantage of your time with them to talk about becoming a Christian. As you tell your own story about coming to Christ, share these key truths: 1. We are all sinners, and each of us needs to acknowledge before God that we are sinners. That acknowledgement involves repentance, which is a genuine turning from sin toward God. Refer to Romans 3:23, 6:23, and Acts 3:19. 2. The only way a person can receive the gift of forgiveness is by faith in Jesus as God s Son. Use verses like Acts 4:12, Ephesians 2:8-9, and John 14:6 when talking about faith in Christ. 3. Confessing your faith in Jesus Christ means confessing Him as Savior and Lord. Share Romans 10:9-10,13. Invite the person to pray a prayer similar to this: Dear God, I know I am a sinner and have rebelled against You in many ways. I believe Jesus died for my sin and only through faith in His death and resurrection can I be forgiven. I now turn from my sin and ask Jesus to come into my life as my Savior and Lord. From this day forward, I will choose to follow Jesus. Thank You, Lord, for loving me and forgiving me. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. A Special Note about Why Did Jesus Come? (Session 4). As your group studies and discusses the passage in Luke 1, use it as an opportunity to lead unsaved group members to faith in Christ. Use The Ultimate Stain Remover on the inside front cover of the Personal Study Guide to connect Why Did Jesus Come? with each member s own need to trust Christ and receive His gift of salvation. The inside cover is a guide for understanding how Jesus acts as the Great Physician to forgive and give us eternal life.

CONTENTS Why Are We Here? SUGGESTED FOR THE WEEK OF Don t Miss This.... 4 A Word from Our Team.... 5 Using Bible Studies for Life.... 6 The Attributes of Discipleship.... 12.. Introduction................................................................................................................................ 16 June 3 Session 1 Why Are We Even Here?.... 19 June 10 Session 2 Why Are We in This Mess?... 29 June 17 Session 3 Why Can t We Fix It?... 39 June 24 Session 4 Why Did Jesus Come?... 49 July 1 Session 5 What Should We Do Now?... 59 July 8 Session 6 What Happens Next?... 69 Article: It s Time to Start a New Group When... 79 Tithing: An Obedient Response to a Gracious God July 15 Introduction................................................................................................................................ 80 Article: Four Scriptures to Pray over Your Groups.... 93 Nehemiah: Building a Life of Service. Introduction................................................................................................................................ 94 July 22 Session 1 Pray... 97 July 29 Session 2 Plan... 107 August 5 Session 3 Persist... 117 August 12 Session 4 Protect... 127 August 19 Session 5 Prioritize... 137 August 26 Session 6 Praise... 147 Article: Nehemiah... 157 Join the Conversation... 161 Coming Next Quarter... 162

Don t miss this! Social Media The App Connect with a community of Bible Studies for Life users. Post responses to questions, share teaching ideas, and link to great blog content. www.facebook.com/biblestudiesforlife Get instant updates about new articles, giveaways, and more. @BibleMeetsLife Simple and straightforward, this elegantly designed app gives you all the content of the Personal Study Guide plus a whole lot more right at your fingertips. Available in the itunes App Store and for Android devices; search Bible Studies for Life. EXTRA! Every week, you ll find additional suggestions and helpful add-ons for your group, as well as links to both magazine articles and the One Conversation page for parents. BibleStudiesForLife.com/AdultExtra Commentary Writers: Greg Miller wrote the sessions for the Why Are We Here? study and sessions 1-3 of Nehemiah: Building a Life of Service. Greg is a small group leader at Mountain Lake Church in Cumming, Georgia, and a former editor at LifeWay Christian Resources, and a former church planter. He and Nancy, his wife, have three grown children. Bible Studies for Life: Adult Leader Guide Volume 5, Number 2 Summer 2018 Eric Geiger Senior Vice President, LifeWay Resources Ronnie Floyd General Editor Lynn H. Pryor Team Leader R. Brian Gass Content Editor Ken Braddy Manager, Adult Ongoing Bible Studies Michael Kelley Director, Groups Ministry Send questions/comments to: Content Editor by email at brian.gass@lifeway.com; mail to Content Editor for Bible Studies for Life: Adults, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234; or make comments on the Web at BibleStudiesforLife.com. Printed in the United States of America. Bible Studies for Life: Adult Leader Guide (ISSN: 2330-197X; Item 005562230) is published quarterly by LifeWay, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, Thom S. Rainer, President. 2018 LifeWay. For ordering or inquiries, visit lifeway.com, or write LifeWay Customer Service, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234. For subscriptions or subscription address changes, e-mail subscribe@lifeway.com, fax (615) 251-5818, or write to the above address. For bulk shipments mailed quarterly to one address, email orderentry@lifeway.com, fax (615) 251-5933, or write to the above address. We believe that the Bible has God for its author; salvation for its end; and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter and that all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. To review LifeWay s doctrinal guideline, please visit lifeway.com/doctrinalguideline. CSB All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Christian Standard Bible, copyright 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Bible Studies for Life: Adults sometimes lists websites that may be helpful to our readers. Our staff verifies each site s usefulness and appropriateness prior to publication. However, website content changes quickly, so we encourage you to approach all websites with caution. Make sure sites are still appropriate before sharing them with participants, friends, and family. Bob Bunn wrote sessions 4-6 of the Nehemiah study. Bob serves the First Baptist Church of Nashville, Tennessee, as a deacon, small group coordinator, and in various other capacities. He, too, previously served as an editor at LifeWay Christian Resources. He and his wife, Mary, have three children in college. Cliff Lea wrote the commentary for the special focus session on tithing. Cliff is the senior pastor of First Baptist Church, Leesburg, Florida. He and his wife, Suzy, have five sons. 4 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

A Word from Our Team The Bible Studies for Life Team One of the great joys I have each week is teaching the Bible study lessons we develop as a team. The men in my class have steadily moved toward transparency with one another as we wrestle with the transformational questions that help guide our study. The first question, which we sometimes call the icebreaker, sets the table for our discussions by asking a question each person can easily answer. We each get to hear our own voices, making it easier to engage later when the questions become more personally challenging. This summer we look forward to a study that examines some questions everyone asks, regardless of background or worldview; questions like: Why are we even here? or Why are we in this mess? In our study, we ll see how the Bible answers each of those questions. We ll also consider the life of Nehemiah, a man who showed us what a life of ministry and service looks like. We are all called to serve, so let s use this study of Nehemiah to consider God s call on our own lives. We pray the studies in this book will challenge you and also lead you into a deeper walk with Jesus Christ. Enjoy! Brian Gass Editor @RBrianGass BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 5

USING BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE Invite the Holy Spirit s Guidance Because God is the guide for your study, invite Him to show you how to be the best facilitator for your group. Read the Bible passage several times with the Holy Spirit showing you its meaning and application. Personal Study Guide Then read the Personal Study Guide. Its content provides the foundation and direction for the Bible discussion and study by your group. Leader Guide Follow the simple directives in the group plan, which will guide you in engaging your group in discussion around the Bible passage. Read the commentary to help you understand the passage. Share insights from the commentary as needed during the group discussion. Leader Pack The optional Leader Pack is designed to enhance the group experience, especially for visual learners. Pull in the Leader Pack items as referenced in the group plan. The Leader Pack also includes a DVD-ROM with: > > JPEG files of the two main study images that you can use with any presentation software (i.e., PowerPoint). Promote the study by placing these images into an announcement slideshow or display the images during the sessions to reinforce the study topic. > > PDF file of each pack item, so you can create multiple posters. During your session, display the image on a screen using any presentation software, or post the image on social media to promote the study. > > Sample Twitter and email messages to post prior to your Bible study time in order to raise awareness and promote the session topic. > > Promotional videos to introduce both of the studies in this quarter. > > An electronic version of the group plans that you can customize and print. > > Leader articles to assist you as you lead your group. > > Biblical Illustrator articles that allow you to go deeper in your study. 6 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

Additional Ideas Additional discussion questions and teaching suggestions for leaders are available online at BibleStudiesforLife.com/AdultExtra. You ll also find all the magazine articles we mention in this study guide. Prepare Your Group Members Encourage your group members to read the Personal Study Guide prior to the group meeting. (Some group members will prefer to read it after the meeting as a way to follow up and reflect.) Encourage them to join the conversation with others on our Facebook page (Facebook.com/BibleStudiesforLife), our blog (BibleStudiesforLife.com), or on Twitter (@BibleMeetsLife). For Those Who Want to Go Deeper The Advanced Bible Study is written for group members who desire more extensive commentary. It includes exposition of each session s Scripture passage, an examination of key words, an introduction to the setting of the passage and biblical life and times, questions to guide the study, and interactive responses to help readers apply God s truths to their lives today. The Herschel Hobbs Commentary is designed specifically for leaders and provides a comprehensive exposition of each session s Scripture passage. Specific attention is called to items in the biblical text that readers would miss without a commentary. This commentary is based on the King James Version but interacts with all major English translations. Each quarter, Biblical Illustrator offers in-depth background information on Bible customs, history, culture, archaeology, and word studies through vivid photography, engaging maps and graphics, and lesson-targeted articles. You can subscribe to Biblical Illustrator by going to lifeway.com/biblical illustrator or by calling 1-800-458-2772. Forty additional articles (in PDF form) that support this quarter s Bible studies are available at lifeway.com/biblicalillustrator. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 7

My g roup's prayer requests 8 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

My g roup's prayer requests BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 9

My g roup's prayer requests 10 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

My g roup's prayer requests BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 11

THE ATTRIBUTES OF DISCIPLESHIP How do you measure discipleship? Research conducted by LifeWay Christian Resources revealed eight factors that are consistently present in the lives of believers who are progressing in their spiritual maturity. These attributes of discipleship form the foundation for the scope and sequence of studies used in Bible Studies for Life. By regularly engaging these studies, your group will experience an intentional plan for discipleship in the following eight ways: Bible Engagement Transformation can be recognized when our mind is sharpened by the Bible, our perspective is shaped by the Bible, and our actions are directed by the Bible. All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Obeying God and Denying Self Discipleship is the process of obedience to One who is in authority over you. Transformation can be seen when we progressively set aside earthly delights for kingdom priorities. If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me (Luke 9:23). Serving God and Others Transformation is evident when personal needs and even dreams are set aside for the needs we see in others. Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me (Matt. 25:40). Sharing Christ Even with the need to live out the effects of the gospel, maturing believers know that speaking about the message is a necessity. Transformation is evident when we talk about the source of it. Ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you (1 Pet. 3:15). 12 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

For more details about each of the eight attributes, go to BibleStudiesforLife.com/8attributes. Exercising Faith Transformation is seen in believers when risk-aversion is set aside and our lives are characterized by faithful obedience to God s will. I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Gal. 2:19b-20). Seeking God Transformation is seen when our desire is to know God more deeply and experience His work more fully. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you (Matt. 6:33). Building Relationships Our faith is personal but it is not intended to be private. Our horizontal relationships should develop just as our vertical relationship with God does. Transformation is occurring when relational maturity is evident in our lives. They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer (Acts 2:42). Unashamed Transformation is evident when a believer is unashamed in presenting their own life as being aligned with Christ. See page 14 for more details. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek (Rom. 1:16). BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 13

UNASHAMED BY PHILIP NATION Everyone has a favorite something. It might be the college football team you cheer for in the fall or a preferred restaurant you enjoy. You may have chosen a hobby (like people who have a passion for running marathons) or a television show that keeps you on the edge of your seat. You talk to others about your favorite thing, whatever that is. You find ways to discover if other people feel the same way you do. We wear your team colors or gather at lunchtime to discuss the latest development on a show. Christians have even more reason to put something on display for the world to see. The more we grow in our spiritual maturity, the more we should be unashamed for others to know about our faith. Paul wrote in Romans 1:16, For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God s power for salvation to everyone who believes. The gospel and its power to change us is what we want the world to notice when they see us. It should come as no surprise to find the trait of unashamed in the Transformational Discipleship research. It is natural that when we are following Christ we will be willing and eager to publicize our faith. The research noted that believers felt it not just appropriate but necessary for others to know we are Christians. When Christ is changing us, we want others to know about it. When we are unashamed about how Christ has changed us, then sharing Christ, exercising faith, and serving others become much easier. It will more naturally make us disciple-making disciples. The research also revealed that maturing believers want to be held accountable for a life exemplary of their faith in Jesus. The level of transparency in maturing believers invites the help of others along their journey. They are unashamed about their pursuit of maturity to the level that they invite help in the process. Holiness is the character and the position that each believer has inherited by Christ s work. Because it is what He has done, they can unashamedly discuss it with others. It is not bragging about themselves; it is declaring the greatness of what Jesus does. 14 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

Being unashamed about our faith ultimately brings an alignment with the heart of Christ. Disciples want to follow not just in name but in manner and method. Living in such a way is counter-cultural to the world. As we mature, we will put it on display because it is a way to pique the curiosity of unbelievers and galvanize the life of other believers. As you think about your life, ask yourself: What am I most unashamed about? Make sure to find Christ, the gospel, and the Word of God at the top of that list. Dr. Philip Nation is the pastor of First Baptist Church of Bradenton, Florida and is the author of Habits for Our Holiness. Gospel BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 15

WHY ARE WE HERE? 16

A good question deserves a good answer Kids are inquisitive, aren t they? God gave us an innate desire to learn, and kids are quick to ask questions. Why is the sky blue? Why do I have brown hair? Why do I have two eyes if I only see one thing? Why don t crabs have eyebrows? Why did swear words get invented if we re not allowed to say them? As we get older, the why questions change. We contemplate the world around us and our place in it. We wonder if God exists. We think about life in new ways and our questions change but we still question everything. And somewhere along the way, we come to the most basic question of all: Why are we here? Whole philosophies have sprung out of a quest to answer that question. Friends might offer their opinions. Thankfully, the Bible answers the basic questions of life. We re not left to guess or hope we get it right. In this study Why Are We Here? we will look at six of these questions and see what answers the Bible provides. We don t have to struggle to find purpose and meaning in life. The answers are just ahead. KEN BRADDY Ken provides leadership to the teams that create LifeWay Christian Resources ongoing studies like Bible Studies For Life. He served as an education pastor for eighteen years. Married to Tammy for thirty-one years, they have two grown sons. Ken has co-authored four books on Sunday School and small groups, including 3 Roles for Guiding Groups, and teaches a weekly Bible study group at his church. Follow his blog at kenbraddy.com. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 17

Why Are We Here? Session 1 Why Are We Even Here? Genesis 1:1-5,26-31 Session 2 Why Are We in This Mess? Genesis 3:1-7,14-19 Session 3 Why Can t We Fix It? Deuteronomy 5:32-33; Galatians 3:10-12,19a,24-25 Session 4 Why Did Jesus Come? Luke 1:68-79 Session 5 What Should We Do Now? Acts 2:37-47 Session 6 What Happens Next? Revelation 21:1-8 Find additional tools and resources to support this study, all available online at BibleStudiesForLife.com/AdultExtra. 18 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

SESSION 1 WHY ARE WE EVEN HERE? The Point God created us to live in fellowship with Him. The Passage Genesis 1:1-5,26-31 The Bible Meets Life My favorite courses in college were Astronomy I and II. At one point during Astronomy II, the professor told our group to go to the outskirts of town and reassemble at an out-of-the-way park but not before 9:00 p.m. He had a surprise for us. That night we observed parts of the Milky Way galaxy through powerful telescopes owned by the university. The sky was pitch black. The stars were bright. It was incredible to see the vastness of the countless stars beyond, yet in that moment I felt smaller than ever before. In those moments when we feel small maybe even insignificant questions about the deeper meaning of our small lives can surface. Who am I in this vast, immeasurable universe? Do I randomly exist because human life accidentally developed from single-celled organisms? Why are we even here? The Bible is clear why we re here. In fact, the Bible begins with the explanation of our existence. God created us with design and purpose. He created us to live in fellowship with Him. The Setting Genesis 1 introduces us to Almighty God the Eternal One who is beyond time and summarizes how He brought order out of emptiness at the beginning of history. This opening section of the Bible reveals God s original intent for His creation not only the purpose, order, and harmony of everything that exists, but also the original perfect fellowship of God with the crowning glory of His creation: human beings. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 19

What does the Bible say? Genesis 1:1-5,26-31 Created (v. 1) In the Old Testament, the Hebrew verb bara signifies the creation of something new or the transformation of something, and always has God as its subject. Image (v. 26) The Hebrew word for image is synonymous with the word for likeness, which means a resemblance. It can refer to a carved statue or painted picture that represents something else. Subdue (v. 28) The term means to dominate or exercise control over. Adam, Eve, and their progeny were to subdue creation in the sense of serving as its caretakers. 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. 3 Then God said, Let there be light, and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light day, and the darkness he called night. There was an evening, and there was a morning: one day.... 26 Then God said, 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 livestock, the whole earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female. 28 God blessed them, and God said to them, 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. 29 God also said, Look, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the surface of the entire earth and every tree whose fruit contains seed. This will be food 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. And it was so. 31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good indeed. Evening came and then morning: the sixth day. 20 Session 1

THE POINT God created us to live in fellowship with Him. GET INTO THE STUDY 5 minutes LEADER PACK: Display Pack Item 1, the Why Are We Here? poster, to introduce the major theme of this study, along with the specific focus of each session. Notes ACTIVITY (OPTIONAL): In advance, print cards representing answers to the question Why Are We Here? from different worldviews, including a Christian view. Hand out all the cards to each group member as they arrive, noting who received the Christian view. After group members have an opportunity to answer the question on their own, call for volunteers to read aloud their cards in answer to the question. Direct the volunteer to whom you gave the Christian response card to go last. Discuss reactions after all have shared their responses. Note: Sample responses may be found at BibleStudiesforLife.com/AdultExtra. DISCUSS: Question #1 on page 13 of the Personal Study Guide (PSG): When have you seen something in nature and thought That s amazing!? Allow time for each person to respond. Want to know about biblical culture, people, archaeology, and history? Biblical Illustrator has articles that tie to each session in this study at lifeway.com/bi. GUIDE: Direct group members to The Bible Meets Life on page 14 of the PSG. Introduce the importance of why we are here by reading or summarizing the text or by encouraging group members to read it on their own. GUIDE: Call attention to The Point on page 14 of the PSG: God created us to live in fellowship with Him. PRAY: Transition into the study by asking the Lord to open our hearts to see His divine purpose for our lives. TIP: When helpful, use this Notes column to record additional discussion questions, concepts, and activities that connect the study content with your specific group. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 21

10 minutes STUDY THE BIBLE Notes Genesis 1:1-5 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. 3 Then God said, Let there be light, and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light day, and the darkness he called night. There was an evening, and there was a morning: one day. READ: Ask a group member to read aloud Genesis 1:1-5 on page 15 of the PSG. GUIDE: Use the Commentary on the next page of this Leader Guide for these verses to help group members understand the significance of the opening statements of God s Word to finding His purpose for our lives. God created with intentionality. ALTERNATE QUESTION: Why does what we believe about the origin of the universe matter? DISCUSS: Question #2 on page 15 of the PSG: What aspect of creation often leads you to recognize the power and majesty of God? SUMMARIZE: Highlight the main points from pages 16 of the PSG. > > A God existed before there was a universe. > > God created the heavens and the earth. > > God created the heavens and earth simply by speaking them into existence. > > God created order, separating light and darkness. > > God showed His authority by naming portions of His creation. TRANSITION: The next verses demonstrate not only that God is our Creator, but that we were created in His image. 22 Session 1

THE POINT God created us to live in fellowship with Him. Genesis 1:1-5 Commentary [Verse 1] The early chapters of the Book of Genesis focus on God as the Creator of the world and everything in it. Scripture states in the opening words of Genesis that God was present in the beginning; in fact, He was present before the beginning. God exists apart from His creation, outside of space and time. He is eternal, having no beginning or ending. The term heavens refers to everything that exists above and outside the earth. Taken together, the heavens and the earth refer to everything that was created. [Verse 2] While biblical scholars have proposed different translations for this verse. The traditional interpretation understands it as further commentary on God s creative activity introduced in verse 1, thus the opening word now almost carries the sense of here is how it (the creation mentioned in verse 1) happened. When God created the earth, it was initially formless and empty. These terms can refer to a barren wasteland without purpose or meaning. In this case, however, God did not create the earth to remain empty, but rather with purpose and meaning. (See Isa. 45:18.) The darkness and watery depths on the earth were created by God and were part of His good creation even though they initially made the earth uninhabitable for human life. The Spirit of God hovered over the surface of the waters, overseeing this part of creation and preparing for the coming transformation of the earth. The Hebrew word for hovering pictures a bird in mid-air not motionless but stationary (like a hummingbird) protecting its offspring. (See Deut. 32:11.) [Verse 3] God s first action in creating a suitable habitation for life was to bring light into existence. Note that God s creative activity happened instantly as a result of His authoritative word. Each day of creation contains a form of the phrase, Then God said and there was (or and it was so ), which is a reminder of the authority and power of the Creator. [Verses 4-5] After His creation of the light, God saw that it was good. The Hebrew term for good has a wide range of meaning in both Genesis and throughout the Old Testament. It can be good in the sense of that which makes an individual happy, being visually pleasing or being beneficial. It can refer to something being of the highest quality, of ultimate value, or being morally righteous. In this instance, because the light dispelled the darkness that had covered the earth, it fulfilled the purpose for which God created it. God called the light day, and the darkness he called night. Some scholars suggest that the creation of light indicated the creation of time. This could be the case since our understanding of time is based on the 24-hour cycles we live through that includes day and night. These correspond to the periods of light and darkness that always occur during each rotation of the earth. Still, because the sun was not created for three more days this poses a difficulty in knowing whether each day of creation represented a day as we know it. There is honest debate among Christians on this issue. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 23

10 minutes STUDY THE BIBLE Notes Genesis 1: 26-27 26 Then God said, 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 livestock, the whole earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female. DO: Direct group members to complete the activity Design and Purpose on page 17 of the PSG to help them understand God s role in our design. List three things that help you see God s role in our design. Next list three things that have helped you recognize your purpose. Finally, write a prayer of thanks to the God who created us to live in fellowship with Him. READ: Ask a group member to read aloud Genesis 1:26-27 on page 18 of the PSG. GUIDE: Use the Commentary on the next page of this Leader Guide for these verses to help group members understand the special features distinguishing humanity from the rest of God s creation. SUMMARIZE: Highlight the main points from pages 18 of the PSG. ALTERNATE QUESTION: What does it mean that both male and female were created in the image of God? > > People are made in God s image. > > People are made to rule over animals. > > People are made to rule over the earth. DISCUSS: Question #3 on page 18 of the PSG: How does being created in the image of God affect the way you see yourself and others? TRANSITION: The next verses demonstrate that we were created by God to steward and enjoy His creation. 24 Session 1

THE POINT God created us to live in fellowship with Him. Genesis 1: 26-27 Commentary [Verses 26-27] The sixth day of creation is perhaps the most important period of God s creative activity. On this final day of creation God first created all the living creatures that dwell on the land. (See vv. 24 25.) His final act, the high point of His creative activity, came in the creation of human beings. Several special features distinguish the creation of humanity from all of God s other creation. First is the dialogue. Then God said, 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 livestock, the whole earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth. In this verse we are introduced to this plural pronoun: us. There is obviously a discussion that occurred prior to God s ultimate creative activity. The Hebrew word for God (Elohim) is a plural word. While several ideas have been suggested about how to understand this plural, the most likely interpretation seems to be as a Trinitarian reference, albeit a veiled reference. We have already been introduced to God s Spirit hovering over the dark, uninhabited waters. (See v. 2.) Not until the time of Jesus, however, would humans discover the role God the Son had in creation (the Word as noted in John 1:1 3) or hear the terms Father and Son used alongside Spirit (see Matt. 28:19), which would give us a glimpse of God s Three in One nature. A second special feature of the creation of human beings is the differentiation between male and female, the first time such a distinction has been noted among individual creatures in God s created order. Certainly among all the other living creatures God distinguished between the sexes so they could multiply (see Gen. 1:22), yet up to this point there was no mention of such a distinction. Perhaps this was intentional, in order to give greater emphasis to the complementary sexual nature of humans and set the stage for God s coming command to the man and the woman to procreate and give oversight to the rest of creation. Another feature on day six is God s plan to create man in His image, according to our likeness. The terms image and likeness are likely synonyms. It is a common Hebrew literary technique to repeat a thought, using different synonymous terms, simply for emphasis. The Hebrew term for man (adam) can refer to an individual or to all of humanity, both male and female (as it does here). Out of all of God s creation, only humans were created in His image. Scholars have long debated what God s image includes. Perhaps part of its meaning is found in the appointed role of humans to rule over the other living creatures, including fish, birds, and all other creatures that move on the earth. (See v. 28.) This is an incredible position of stewardship, which includes privileges and responsibilities not given to any other living creature. Because the rest of the Bible deals with God s interaction with human beings, however, being made in the image of God possibly also carries a interpersonal element and includes the idea of being in relationship with Him. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 25

15 minutes STUDY THE BIBLE Notes Genesis 1:28-31 28 God blessed them, and God said to them, 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. 29 God also said, Look, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the surface of the entire earth and every tree whose fruit contains seed. This will be food 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. And it was so. 31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good indeed. Evening came and then morning: the sixth day. READ: Ask a group member to read aloud Genesis 1:28-31 on page 19 of the PSG. DISCUSS: Question #4 on page 19 of the PSG: How do you live out the responsibilities given in this passage? ALTERNATE QUESTION: How do we draw the line between subduing the earth and abusing it? RECAP: God created us to live in relationship with Him, and He did not leave us in the dark to guess or figure out what we are to do. After pronouncing a blessing over them, God gave Adam and Eve five commands to obey: be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, subdue the earth, and rule over all the creatures on the earth. DISCUSS: Question #5 on page 19 of the PSG: What does the creation story teach us about God? ACTIVITY (OPTIONAL): Play the music video for Let There Be Light by Third Day after you ask Question #5. Have group members reflect upon their answers while they watch or sing along to the video. Note: A link to the video may be found at BibleStudiesforLife.com/AdultExtra. GUIDE: Refer back to The Point for this session: God created us to live in fellowship with Him. 26 Session 1

THE POINT God created us to live in fellowship with Him. Genesis 1:28-31 Commentary [Verse 28] God created human beings to enjoy His creation and to be His stewards over it as well. As He did with other living creatures on day five (see v. 22), God blessed the first humans. Throughout the Old Testament, a blessing from God was typically connected to a relationship with Him. God s blessing includes His favor and provision. Without favor and provision man and woman would not have been able to be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth. Part of God s command to the man and the woman was that they were to subdue the earth and rule over the other living creatures that are part of God s creation. The Hebrew word for subdue typically refers to exercising control over someone or something. The responsibility to rule over (exercise authority over) is focused here on the subjugation of fish, birds, and all the other creatures that move along the earth. The term rule emphasizes responsible stewardship. In addition to caring for the animals, subduing creation may also include the idea of creatively using the earth s resources (including water, minerals, plants, and so forth) for good purposes. [Verses 29-30] God provided everything needed for the survival of living beings both humans and every other creatures having the breath of life in it. God instructed the humans about the food He had provided for them to eat, which included every seed-bearing plant, as well as every tree whose fruit contains seed. God had called forth this vegetation on the third day of creation. (See vv. 11 13.) God s care and concern for His creation is seen in the abundance of food available to the man and woman, which included every seed-bearing plant and fruit tree throughout the earth. The only restriction placed upon the man and woman, which is detailed in Genesis 2, was the prohibition against eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (2:17). God s provision obviously reflected a vegetarian diet for both humans and animals. While it was the perfect diet in the perfect environment, there is nothing in the rest of the Bible to suggest it is expected or required for God s people today. It wasn t until after the flood, however, that God would allow humans to add meat to their diets. (See 9:3.) God s words to the first man and woman included both privilege and responsibility. While they were free to enjoy all manner of food and other natural resources that God had created, they had a corresponding obligation to be good stewards of His creation, especially in those areas where they had been given authority as God s overseers. This privilege and responsibility was not limited to the first humans, however. It continues for us as followers of Christ. (See Luke 12:48; 1 Pet. 4:10 11.) [Verse 31] With the end of the sixth day God s creative activity came to a close. While each of the previous days ended with God s affirmation about the things He had created, on day six God looked at all that he had made and saw that it was very good. It went above and beyond being acceptable and approved. Everything worked perfectly and was perfectly suited for His ultimate purpose to experience fellowship with humanity. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 27

5 minutes Notes LIVE IT OUT GUIDE: Direct group members to page 20 of the PSG. Encourage them to take the following steps: > > Remember your Creator. Ecclesiastes 12:1 encourages us to Remember your Creator. When you gaze at the night sky this week, remember that God spoke every star and planet into existence, and thank Him for His creativity and power. > > Memorize Matthew 6:26. Consider the birds of the sky: They don t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren t you worth more than they? God cares more for you than He does a sparrow. Repeat this verse when you re tempted to think He s no longer on your side. > > Begin a relationship with God. God created you for a purpose and to relate to you. His Son, Jesus, died for you. Talk with your group leader or pastor about beginning a relationship with God. Wrap It Up TRANSITION: Read or restate the final paragraph from page 20 of the PSG: You don t have to wonder or guess why you re here. You were created to live in fellowship with God. PRAY: Conclude by praising the Lord for His wonderful creation. Thank Him for your unique design and purpose. Free additional ideas for your group are available at BibleStudiesforLife.com/AdultExtra 28 Session 1