Key Thought: Christians must stand firm on the literal story of a six day Creation, for it is foundational to all we believe.

[Teaching Plan for “In the Beginning” January 11, 2011]

1. Have a volunteer read Colossians 1:14-17.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. How can God be called invisible when Adam and Eve walked with Him, Israel wrestled with Him, Moses saw Him, and He appeared to others in the Old Testament?
(Note: No man has seen God (The Father) at any time, the Son has declared Him. John 1:18 The only God man has seen is Jesus.)
C. Personal Application: Is it important for anyone to believe that Jesus is God and the Creator?
(Note: See John 8:23,24. Jesus said that if we didn’t believe He was God, we would die in our sins.)
D. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “How can Jesus be the Creator when He is the firstborn? Doesn’t that mean He was created Himself in the image of God?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Job 38:4-7.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Who are the morning stars and the sons of God? Why were they so happy about the Creation of the earth that they would sing and shout for joy?
C. Personal Application: What makes you the happiest when you look at God’s created world? Share your thoughts.
D. Case Study: One of your friends states, ”If God created everything in six literal days, then why is there so much scientific evidence that the earth is much older than six thousand years? Aren’t we also told that God didn’t use preexisting material in creating the earth?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read John 1:10-14.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Why is Creation and Redemption connected here? Can we accept the plan of salvation without accepting the account of Creation?
C. Personal Application: What power do believers get to become the sons of God? 1) Have you received that power?
D. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “What does it mean that Jesus was not born of blood, the will of the flesh, nor by the will of man? Does that mean Jesus had a different flesh than we did?” How do you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Isaiah 66:22,23.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. How does this text indicate that the concept of keeping time and day and night will continue outside the city?
C. Personal Application: How different do you think the created new heaven and new earth will be from the old one?
D. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Note: “Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.” MH p. 149)

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