03: The Creation Completed – Teaching Plan
Key Thought : How we approach the Creation story can have a big impact on the message received, and how we approach the rest of the Bible..
[Teaching plan for The Creation Completed January 14, 2013]
1. Have a volunteer read Genesis 1:14-19.
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Since it says God made the stars also on the fourth day, is this an explanation that God created more than just the earth and its atmosphere in creation week?
C. Personal Application: Is there any reason to doubt the creation narrative in Genesis because it isn’t easy to explain how God created the sun, moon, and stars on the fourth day? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “Since science has proven the universe does not revolve around the earth, how does this statement on creation affect your idea on how important the earth is in the grand scheme of thing?” How would you respond to your relative?
2. Have a volunteer read Genesis 6:20.
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What does it mean that fowls and animals were made “after their kind”?
C. Personal Application: How different do you believe the animal life is now than when they were first created? Share your thoughts.
D. Case Study: One of your friends states, “What is the main difference between the evolutionary theory on animal species and the Creative account of God creating animals after their kind?” How would you respond to your friend?
3. Have a volunteer read Genesis 2:1-3.
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Why do you think God rested on the seventh day, since He doesn’t get tired? What purpose did God have for a seven day weekly cycle?
C. Personal Application: How important is resting on the seventh day to you? What do you do to spend special time with God on the seventh day? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “The idea of God making the seventh day holy works if you believe in a literal six day creation week. Evolutionists or evolutionary creationists would see no value in a Sabbath day rest. Maybe that’s why many people don’t take the Sabbath rest day seriously.” How would you respond to your neighbor?
4. Have a volunteer read Genesis 1:5,8,31.
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Why is the narrative of the Creation so specific in emphasizing the evening and morning days in describing what God did in each frame of reference?
C. Personal Application: Some say that since a day is as a thousand years, that God’s Creation might have taken much time and that Genesis is a descriptive account of what must have been thousands of years in the making. How do you respond to those people?
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)