Preview: This lesson identifies the truth of creation comparing it against man’s many interpretations. We will discuss what is written in Scripture and seek to understand God’s true meaning.
Scripture Reading: Genesis 1:1-31.
Memory Verse: Genesis 2:3.
Note: There are many theories and interpretations of the creation. Over the past hundred and seventy years, it has become more and more acceptable to look at each day of creation as millions of years to fall in line with the theory of evolution. What does the actual Word of God tell us? As believers we should understand each day as one literal day and one literal day only.
1. Discuss the verses from the scripture reading above. What are your thoughts for God’s creation?
2. What did God create on the first day? Genesis 1:1-2.
Note: What, if anything, existed before the beginning of creation? Only God existed. Atheistic and naturalistic viewpoints state that there is no intelligent design, just that the universe was created from nothing. (2 Peter 3:4). They believe in a big bang, from nothing, creating dust from nothing to form into actual planets and stars, as well as into living creatures. From there, the naturalistic belief is that over billions of years, evolution by chance took place, creating millions of species. None of this can be proven, as there is no proof. Only followers of God can see and comprehend the many ways God made His creation evident. Many find it easier to believe that everything came from nothing by chance than that there is a God who loves us and carefully crafted our every cell and environment for the perfect, healthy, balanced way to live.
3. What is our proof that God took only one literal day for each part of His creation? Discuss your thoughts. Genesis 1:3-5, Genesis 1:8, Genesis 1:13, Genesis 1:19, Genesis 1:23, Genesis 1:31.
4. God divided the waters from the waters with a firmament. What is a firmament and what did God call it? Genesis 1:6-8.
5. How do you picture God’s design for land and sea? What do you think the world looked like? Genesis 1:9-10.
6. What did God create on Day 4 and why? Genesis 1:14-18.
7. Why do you think God created so many creatures on Day 5? Genesis 1:20-23.
8. Who had dominion over the animals of earth? Genesis 1:27-28.
9. In whose image was man created? How did God create man? Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:7.
10. How did God create Eve and why? Genesis 2:18, Genesis 2:21-22.
Note: God progressed exactly as needed to make sure everything was in place at the right time. Without heaven and earth, there was only void. Without light and darkness, there could be no day and night. The firmament was necessary to provide oxygen and atmosphere for the plants and animals to live. From these examples we can clearly see intelligent design from God our creator! As for the scoffers and nonbelievers, they cannot comprehend such things. They see a worldly view of creation, one taught by false prophets and individuals who deliberately designed a path away from the Word of God.