Restoring Dominion – Discussion Questions
1. Restoring Dominion. What a shock it must have been to see the earth and its inhabitants crumble and fall. What do you think Adam and Eve missed the most about their marvelous life in the Garden of Eden? How do you feel about the idea presented in the lesson that Adam’s dominion passed on to Satan? Was that a greater loss to Adam than “just” losing the beauty of God’s creation? Why or why not? Will that dominion ever be returned to man?
2. Created for Dominion. Are you ever caught in a wonder about how you and I, without wandering away from God in Eden, can still find ourselves alienated from God’s purpose for us? In the beginning, what special talents and skills did God give us that qualified us to hold dominion over the world? What would the world be like today without the terrible fall into the abyss of sin six millennia ago? What does it mean to be created to have dominion over the earth and then lose it all?
3. The Privilege of Dominion. What was the concept of “dominion” as used in Genesis 1? How is that meaning different from the meaning we give the word today? In what way(s) was dominion considered a great privilege and responsibility? Can you discuss from the lesson the meaning of dominion as benevolent? protective? Why do you think the concept has changed so much by now?
4. Boundaries without Limit? In the beginning, was it God’s plan to give mankind total control over all the world? If not, what is an outstanding example of something God held back from Adam and Even before sin? What makes the concept of dominion so attractive to evil forces today? Why do Satan’s followers seem to require control over others? Does that mean throughout eternity that you and I will not be held back by any regulations?
5. Care of the Earth. Do you find from your work in the church that many (maybe most) of our church members don’t like to get in gear to protect the environment? Of course many of them do, but a significant number see “care of the earth” as the responsibility of specially trained workers who are paid to do that. Read the last paragraph in the lesson guide that begins, “Seventh-day Adventists advocate…” Are you a solid supporter of a strong level of support for the environment?
6. Restoring dominion. How can Bible study, prayer, and friendship help others regain a portion of the dominion God intended for all of His children to share? Read the list of texts for Thursday’s lesson and for each one, reach a conclusion about how you as a child of God can lead others to a fuller understanding of Christian dominion. Does your church involve itself as much as it should and could in reaching out to others do show we care for our world?
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The lesson is good. Help me what the meaning of the restoring and Dominion?
Restoring basically means getting back something that was taken from you
Adam and Eve lost the sweet communion with God and dwelling in His divine presence
They related to the animals as towards children there was no fear of them
Dominion over the earth was simply exploring freely
Nothing hindered them
The lions and Tigers moved aside instead of attacking
Birds and butterflies could be summoned to be played with and they were able to ride the whales.The list goes on
Those are some things I'll do in the new Earth
Shall we meet with Jesus there?
as Christians we should have dominion over ourselves before we reach others