Bible ReadingGenesis 1:1–2:25“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.”
[33:34]“And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.”
“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’”
[43:10]“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’”
[49:05]“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation. These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens.”
[38:46]Colossians 1:16–18“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.”
[41:39]“And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
[42:03]“And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.”
[42:15]Romans 1:20–28“For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.”
[33:43]“For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.”
“Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.”
[51:05]“For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.”
[51:29]“And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.”
[51:52]Psalm 19:1–3“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”
[34:01]“Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.”
[34:08]“There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard.”
[34:21]Observation questions- In Genesis 1, what repeated actions show that God is actively ruling over creation rather than creation happening by accident? [40:44]
- What does Genesis say about both the value of human beings and the responsibility given to them over the rest of creation? [43:20]
- According to Colossians 1:16–18, what three things are said about Christ’s relationship to all created things? [42:03]
- In Romans 1, what exchanges do people make when they refuse to honor God as Creator? [51:05]
Interpretation questions- If all things were created through Christ, for Christ, and are held together by Christ, what does it mean for Christ to have “first place” in a believer’s ordinary decisions, priorities, and relationships? [42:24]
- Genesis says that men and women are made in God’s image. How does that truth shape the way a Christian should speak about and treat people who are weak, elderly, disabled, unborn, sinful, or deeply different from them? [46:42]
- Romans 1 connects sinful desires with exchanging the truth of God for a lie and worshiping the creature rather than the Creator. How can good created gifts become controlling things in a person’s life? [51:17]
- Genesis presents creation as good, while the rest of the Bible recognizes that it has been damaged by sin. How can a believer hold both truths together without either worshiping creation or treating it carelessly? [53:39]
Application questions- Christ has first place over every part of creation. What area of life most competes for first place in your heart right now—comfort, work, money, relationships, entertainment, approval, or something else? What would yielding that area to Christ look like this week? [42:24]
- Every person is made in God’s image and has God-given dignity. Is there someone you have been tempted to dismiss, avoid, look down on, or treat as less important? What would it look like to honor that person’s dignity in a concrete way? [46:32]
- God did not create people for isolation. Where have you been pulling away from godly community, friendship, family, or the church? Is there one person you could contact this week for honest encouragement, accountability, or fellowship? [44:47]
- God created relationships for love, faithfulness, and growth. How are you presently using your words, time, and attention to strengthen the relationships God has placed around you? [47:08]
- Sexuality is a good gift that belongs under God’s purposes, and Christ’s forgiveness reaches every kind of sin. How can the group be a place that speaks truth clearly while also offering humility, compassion, repentance, and hope to people facing sexual temptation or sexual brokenness? [52:39]
- God placed humanity in creation to tend and steward it. What is one realistic way you or your household could better care for the resources, spaces, animals, or land God has placed in your care? [53:39]
- God has made Himself known through creation and through His Word. What regular practice could help you know God more personally this week—reading Genesis 1–2, praying through Psalm 19, spending time noticing creation, or studying Colossians 1? [58:04]
