As we begin Bible story God has created an abundant garden for God’s people, but rather than enjoying what is, they desire to be something they are not. Not content to be creatures of a loving God, they seek to be ‘like God’, and cause separation and shame. Yet God continues to love, forgive, and bless.
Worship this week:
Saturday at 5:00 p.m. Modified traditional worship in the chapel
Sunday at 8:30 a.m. Traditional worship in the Sanctuary
9:30 a.m. Sunday School Registration in Fellowship Hall
10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship in the Sanctuary
Creation and Fall September 10-11, 2016
SHARE: What was a high point/low point of your day?
READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding of Sunday’s text:
Sunday: Creation and Fall, Genesis 2:4b-7, 15-17; 3:1-8
Monday: Cain and Abel, Genesis 4:1-16
Tuesday: Noah, Genesis 6:11-22
Wednesday: The Tower of Babel, Genesis 11:1-9
Thursday: God Calls Abram, Genesis 12:1-9
Friday: Abram Lies to Pharaoh about Sarai, Genesis 12:10-13:1
Saturday: Abram and Lot Part Ways, Genesis 13:2-18
How do these early stories portray the relationship between God and God’s people?
TALK: Consider some of these ideas:
The first humans on earth are living the good life. They have free access to everything they need; what more could they possibly want? Only the one thing they’ve been told they cannot have. Our shame makes us vulnerable and exposed. God’s love forgives and heals.
- How does being a caretaker of God’s creation shape how you live your life?
- What can you do to care for the planet and God’s people?
- What does it mean to you that God’s breath lives within you?
Observe the ways in which you experience shame. Observe too, ways in which God’s forgiveness offers you new opportunities for life.
PRAY: O Lord, you create all, you know all, you see all. Have mercy on our shortcomings and release us from our shame. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
BLESS: May God bless you as abundantly as God created stars. Amen.
