Day One It’s All In How You Look At It Genesis 1

1. I have frequently shared how Andrea loves to poke fun at my descriptions of anything and anyone. I have many times overheard her quietly and sarcastically say, “This should be good” as I would begin to describe something or someone. Many times we have been in a parking lot looking for a space to park when I would proclaim “Mom and dad must be here, there is their car” and she would quickly explain that not only was that not the make or model of their car, it was not even the color of their car. But, there would be something about the car that I saw that made me think of my folk’s car. My kids would immediately point out that it couldn’t be their car because it was missing the “flag” bumper sticker. While Andrea would be observing the facts about the car, my kids would be noticing the extras, and I would be noticing…..I actually have no idea what it is that I notice, we all would come to a conclusion based on the way we approached the observation. Sometimes it is the same conclusion and sometimes it is a different conclusion. The truth is that it is usually the manner in which we approach a question that determines the manner of our answer. Some people approach matters with great analysis while others jump to a conclusion based on what they feel. We all have different ways we come to our answers and conclusions. What would you say is the guiding force in your approach to observations and answers?

2. Read Genesis 1:1. What is your first thought and interpretation of this statement? Do you find yourself thinking about the scientific implications and questions or do you jump to an automatic blanket assumption that this is a truth that invalidates scientific thought?

3. Putting aside all thought of the details and their implications on our theology or our science read Genesis 1. As you read, attempt to alter your usual approach to the topic of creation and just look to see what it tells you about God Himself and His creation. What are your observations when you take this approach?

In what ways does taking this approach enlarge or enhance your view of God and His creation?

Does this approach limit your view of God and His creation?

Day Two A Dual Approach Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1-3 and 14

1. Paul Simon and Art Garfunkle were the two parts of the notable music duet “Simon and Garfunkle.” Much of their music is still played and automatically recongnizable today. If you are younger you still probably know of some of their music (even if you do not know them). They made beautiful music together but were not able to stay together for very long. They had many strains on their professional relationship probably including a certain amount of jealousy based on talent. One of the main things they point to as they look back though is that they had a different view of where they were going and how to get there. Simon was probably all about the music (and most say that he was the more talented of the duo) and Garfunkle had other aspirations chiefly an acting career. These two different approaches to their work and future ended up tearing them apart and the creation of the music that had touched a generation was halted. Disagreement all too often stops discussion. As we continue to look at the event of creation we know that the same is true. Creation is a very contentious issue that often divides and even alienates individuals from the church and even Christ. What do you feel is the main contentious issues in the topic of God’s creation?

2. Herschel Hobbs, a former pastor of OKC First Baptist Church, and a theological leader in the Southern Baptist Convention in the sixties and later, said (in 1960) “Theology is nothing more than man’s effort to rationalize God’s Biblical revelation; theoretical science is simply man’s attempt to rationalize God’s natural revelation.” How do you see a conflict between science and faith today?

What are your own feelings and thought regarding this conflict? Why do you think there is such a conflict?

How do you see the discussion of God’s creation impacted by this conflict?

3. Part of the conflict may be that theology and science have competing aims that have become incompatable. Instead of attempting to work to confirm and affirm each other, the two have made it their chief goal to invalidate the other. Instead of making beautiful music together they have determined to destroy. The blame probably lies with both sides. It is best, as we look at creation, to start at the beginning with the two basic truths.

a.) Read Genesis 1:1. What is the basic undeniable truth in this passage?

b.) Read John 1:1-3 and 14 and list the basic undeniable truth in this passage.

Can you look at these two truths and see any way that theology and science can work together? What would it take on part of both approaches?

Day Three So Many Questions Genesis 1 and 2

1. Somewhere along the way, preachers have become the paramount source of all answers. Preachers know everything about theology, science, family, parenting, finances, politics, health, as well as fashion and interior design. Now, don’t be shocked by this, but….we (preachers) don’t really know everything about everything, we don’t even know everything about the Bible. We may be quick to spout off answers but it is everyone’s responsibility to seek truth. While you may know that no one person has all the answers you still may have a fear of having questions. You may self interpret questions as being a lack of faith or a fear that questions will lead to disbelief. The truth is that questions are not bad. If we don’t ask or have questions we often accept teachings that are invalid. When we accept invalid teachings as truth and fact then we can only become defensive when those teachings or “truths” are questioned. True truth can withstand questions. Many Christians do not like the creation story to be questioned. There is a defensiveness because we consider questions to be attacks based on the unbelieving “scientific” world. We need to be people who ask questions though, because it is through asking questions that we come to truth and peace in that truth. Read Genesis 1 and 2 and ask some questions.

2. Look back over your questions and attempt to group them by subject. It is probable that many of the questions deal with the element of time, some may deal with the order of creation, or you may find that you have some conflict in reading chapter one and then chaper two.

Do you have any questions that cause you to have conflict with Genesis 1:1?

As you look at your questions you will probably also find that even without resolution to these questions you can still see God’s love and provision for and to us in the creation account.

How much of your questioning is more because of the manner in which this story is told rather than the truth of the overall concept?

3. Think again on the truths of the story of creation and the truths of God’s provision as well as of Christ’s participation. Once more contemplate the revelation of God’s love and of Christ’s redemptive plans even in creation.

Day Four Something From Nothing Colossians 1:17 and Hebrews 11:1-3

1. During his time as governor of Oklahoma beginning in 1971, David Hall determined that he was going to create a new town that I believe was going to be named “Hallville.” You cannot find much about this town now as it was never actually created. I cannot even tell you where or why the town was to be created except that the creation never happened. It is tough to create something out of nothing. The term for “to create” is “bara” in scripture. This word is combined with the phrase “ex nihilo” which together means “to be created out of nothing.” That is what creation was, it was out of nothing. This is why it is so difficult for science to grasp the concept of creation and for theology to defend the concept of creation. Something out of nothing is a very unfamiliar concept for humans. This is why it not only takes faith to follow Christ but it takes faith to accept His creation.

2. What does Hebrews 11:1-3 instruct us about faith and our acceptance of creation?

3. What does Colossians 1:17 tell us about Christ’s involvement in creation?

4. How do both of these require and increase faith?

Day Five Created with a Purpose Romans 8:22-23

1. A couple of summers ago we picked up our kids from camp in Missouri and headed out for Colorado where Andrea was to attend a seminar in Boulder. The kids had all been looking forward to the trip because they had never been through Kansas and were looking forward to the adventure. While I was proclaiming the beauty of the Colorado mountains they would see, all they could think about was seeing Kansas. Since we were starting our trek through Kansas at Kansas City which is on the extreme east side of Kansas and Colorado is on the extreme west side of Kansas there was little doubt that the kids were going to see Kansas. The excitement was there as we crossed the border, but soon, as they realized that once you see a couple of minutes of Kansas you have seen all of Kansas, their excitement began to wane. Less than an hour into the long drive across Kansas, then four year old Isaiah shouted out, “When is Kansas going to be over?!” Their misplaced focus on a part of our trip threatened to destroy the needed focus of the aim of our trip. We do this also with the story of creation, we can easily focus on the story, and even controversy, of the creation account and miss the entire purpose of creation. Why do you think the creation took place?

2. Romans 8:22-23 says that the creation was the beginning of our yearning to be Sons of God. Why do you think that this began immediately?

What does this tell you about God’s reason for creation and what does it tell you about the creation of man?

3. As you take a moment to consider the profound meaning of the event of creation, allow it to impact your own view and perception of God and your relationship with Him.