Sharing Scripture for May 23, 2020
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This is a tool for you to use if you lead a Sabbath School (SS) class or small group. It is keyed to the Bible texts used in the current week’s Adult SS Lesson and includes a brief story from current news you can use to introduce the discussion and then a series of discussion questions in a relational pattern designed to build fellowship and spiritual reflection.
For use: May 17 – 23
Texts: John 1:1-3; Genesis 1:3-5; Exodus 20:8-11; Revelation 14:7; Matthew 19:3-6; Romans 5:12
The most important feature of any well-built home is the foundation. Foundation problems can greatly affect the viability of the rest of the house. Angie’s List shares some problems you may experience in your home that are symptoms of deeper, foundational issues.
A shifting foundation can cause doors to not open or close smoothly, as settling even a fraction of an inch will cause them to drag. Cracks in your walls near doors and windows can indicate foundation problems. Balky windows are another symptom. A gap beneath a garage door indicates that the house is changing its shape due to a faulty foundation. Of course, an un-level floor is a clear indication of complications. Even stretched or bulging caulking around doors and windows is a sign of potential troubles. These seemingly simple, unrelated issues can be signs of serious structural problems. [1]
Similarly, any proper understanding of biblical truth and the nature and character of God begins with a solid Scriptural foundation; an improper understanding of the introductory principles of who God is as the Creator will skew every other aspect of our theology.
The best storybooks and movies set a foundational stage and then build the rest of the narrative on it. The Creation story found in Genesis is that foundation for our understanding of the nature of the universe and the story of redemption.
In this story, we find the doctrinal basis for our understanding of the Trinity, the relationship between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Here we also see the power of God to create and to destroy, and the basis for our worship—God is the Creator and we are the creation. It also establishes the importance of human relationships. Just as the Holy Trio worked in equal partnership to create the heavens and the earth, so the family unit is to live in a state of equal partnership to establish the building blocks of society.
That’s why the Creation story stands in such stark relief to the world we live in now that is in such a state of disarray. It also reveals the love of God in the promise of a Redeemer who extends unmerited grace to us. Any misunderstandings of these basic tenets of the Christian faith signals a shift in our spiritual foundations and has the potential of altering the way we live our lives because we have lost our true north as revealed in Creation.
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Connecting: Have you ever lived in a home that just wasn’t right? What specific problems did you experience? Were you able to identify the root of those issues?
Sharing: Why is it important to understand Creation as outlined in Genesis?
- It establishes God as omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent
- If we try to rationalize the story as anything other than a literal account, we are placing our knowledge over God’s Word
- We really don’t have to understand it as a literal account, as long as we grasp the principles the story teaches
- If we say it’s a story and not a real account of actual events, then we can spiritualize away the rest of God’s claims in Scripture
- The point of the Creation story is to establish that God made everything, and that every part of it was good
- Other…
Applying: Share your own family history of origin, as you understand it. How far back can you go in your genealogy? Why is it important to know your roots? When sharing the love of God with others, why is it important to establish that God is the Creator before you go on to other aspects of God’s character?
Valuing: When did you first learn the biblical story of Creation? What impact did this have on your life? Pray that God will give you the opportunity to discuss Genesis’ account and its importance to someone this coming week.
~ Chuck Burkeen
[1] https://www.angieslist.com/articles/6-symptoms-faulty-foundation.htm
