Our lesson on Sunday started with students dividing into small groups and drawing posters of the days of Creation (Genesis 1). When they completed their drawings we discussed each day of creation, reading the verse and asking what part stood out and what might have been a surprise or something they never heard before.
In Genesis 1, the Creation story, scripture shows us that God is a Creator, and loves all that he has created and cares about the well-being of his creation. It also shows us God's power. Throughout the creation story we see that God speaks it and creation happens. He can do all. He is all powerful.
In Genesis 1: 27 -- So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. What does this mean that God created man in his image? It doesn't necessarily mean that we physically look like God but it means that we share many of God's characteristics. One way we are like God is that we have the ability to create things. Some examples of things we create are: model airplanes and cars, artwork (paintings and drawings), wood working projects, knitted scarves, etc. Creativity is one way we are made in God's image. Since we are created in God's image, as we learn more about God and who He is, we learn more about who we are, who he created us to be, and who God calls us to be. In Genesis 1:28 God gives humankind dominion over all the Earth and in Genesis 2:15, God tells Adam to till and keep the garden. So part of who God calls us to be is to care for his creation. But being a caretaker of God's creation is more than just protecting his environment or caring for his plants and animals. We also have to faithfully use our gifts and talents to honor God, to show people God's love and to let others know the good news about what God has done through Jesus.
Last week in our table time we read and acted out some different scripture to demonstrate who God is. Each of these passages tells us something different about who God is. Its like a story I heard....
there are these 6 blind men walking down a road together in India. They came upon an elephant and each of them touched it and had a differnt experience. One touched the tusk, a second touched the trunk, the third an ear, the fourth a leg, the fifth a tail and the last the side of the elephant. As they continued on their walk they talked about their experience with the elephant and started to argue. One said it was like a spear, another said it was like a large snake, the third said it was like a warm, thin flat leaf, the next said it was like a trunk of a tree, the fifth said it was like a rope that he could hold in his hand, and the last insisted it was like a wall. Try as they might, they could not agree on what an elephant was like. Each was convinced he was right and the others were wrong. Who was right? What is the point of the story? How does this story relate to our understanding about God?
We will not learn everything we need to know about God from any one scripture or experience. God is much bigger than we can know fully, but God invites us to spend a lifetime knowing Him better and better. He wants us to know him by having a relationship with Him. Also, what we know and feel about God may not be exactly the same as what someone else experiences with God. That's also why being in community is important-- so we can share our knowledge and experiences and learn more.
So what are some ways we can know God better: Confirmation class, worship, Bible Study, reading the Bible, praying, serving others, seeking God, devotional time, being part of a faith community.
Homework: Memorize John 15:5
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