Creation and Fall
Key Thought: God created humanity to live in harmony and unity, but disobedience interrupted that ideal. God called Abraham to establish a people to whom He can restore that unity in Christ.
1. Have a volunteer read Genesis 3:16-19.
- Ask class members to share a thought on what is the most important point in this text.
- What are some of the ways that sin brings disharmony?
- Personal Application: What choices can you make now to help restore harmony among those you interact with? Share your thoughts.
- Case Study: One of your relatives states: “Has sin affected our relationship with birds, animals, insects, and the rest of creation?” How would you respond to your relative?
2. Have a volunteer read Genesis 11:1-9.
- Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
- What does it mean to be created in the image of God?
- Personal Application: What are practical steps we can take to help heal the divisions of race, culture, and language that hurt us in the church? Share your thoughts.
- Case Study: One of your friends states, “How well is your church representing God’s love and unity to the world today? Is it interested in and participating in social and human rights issues that affect the world today?” How would you reply to your friend?
3. Have a volunteer read Hebrews 11:13-19.
- Ask class members to share a short thought on what is the main idea of this text.
- What elements of Abraham’s faith relate to the idea of Christian unity?
- Personal Application: Think about your actions and words this week. How does what you say and do reflect the faith that you claim? Share your thoughts.
- Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “How can we look for a heavenly city when this world is all we know? How can you look at yourself as a stranger or pilgrim here? Aren’t there many things here that you love and would miss in heaven?” How would you respond to your neighbor?
4. Have a volunteer read Deuteronomy 7:6-11.
- Ask class members to share a short thought on what is the main idea of this text.
- Why did God choose Abraham’s descendents to be His people?
- Personal Application: When God chooses people to be His, why does He emphasize love and obedience for them? Share your thoughts.
- 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.
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.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148.
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