One thing is certain: the world in which we now live is vastly different from the one that came forth from the Lord at the end of the Creation week. Certainly, powerful evidence of beauty and design exist almost everywhere; however, we are sin-damaged beings living in and trying to understand a sin-damaged world. Even … Continue reading –>
A scientist once challenged the need for God; he argued that he could create humanity just as well as any God could. God said, “Okay, go ahead and do it.” The scientist began to gather some dirt, but God said, “Wait a minute. Make your own dirt!” Though this story is only a fable, the … Continue reading –>
Read for This week’s Study: Job 12:10;1 Cor. 6:19, 20; Gen. 3:17; John 12:31; 1 Cor. 1:18-21. Memory Text: “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: ‘He catches the wise in their craftiness’” (1 Corinthians 3:19, NIV). Theologian William Paley wrote a book in 1802 entitled Natural Theology, in which he argued that one … Continue reading –>
In the late 1860s in the United States, shortly after the Civil War, which abolished slavery, a former slave owner is loading sacks of vegetables onto his wagon near the town square. Across the street he sees his former slave and yells out to him, “Get over here and load these bags onto my wagon … Continue reading –>
In his book, The Three Edwards, Thomas Costain tells the story of three kings of England from 1272 to 1377 all of whom were conveniently and confusingly named Edward. According to a well-used illustration from Costain’s book, in the mid to late 1300’s, there was a Duke Raynald III. He was extremely overweight. He was … Continue reading –>
“God gave our first parents the food He designed that the race should eat. It was contrary to His plan to have the life of any creature taken. There was to be no death in Eden. . . .”-Ellen G. White, Counsels for the Church, p. 228. “Satan represents God’s law of love as a law … Continue reading –>
They’re off! Thirty-one kayakers wearing life jackets, hats, and eager smiles embarked on a five-day mission adventure down the Rospuda River in Poland. Their colorful kayaks were crammed with sleeping bags, tents, clothes, and food, and their most important cargo—magazines and books to share with people they met along their route. Their goal was to … Continue reading –>
[Thought questions for Creation and the Fall February 6, 2013] 1. Enmity from God. Why did God put enmity between the woman and the snake in the Garden of Eden? (Gen 3:15). How is that sense of hostility carried out even to this day? Why does the Bible refer to the devil as a snake or serpent throughout Scripture? … Continue reading –>
In Genesis 1 and 2, God utters declarative statements (or imperatives) such as: “Let there be lights in the firmament of heaven. . . . Let the earth bring forth living creatures. . . . It’s not good for man to be alone.” All these declarations deal with Creation, and with establishing humanity in that … Continue reading –>
In Genesis 3, after the Fall, the Lord’s opening words are all questions: “Where are you? . . . Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from? . . . What is this you have done?” (Gen. 3:9,11,13 NIV). In contrast, God’s first declarative statement … Continue reading –>
Key Thought : Understanding the issues underlying all temptations better equips us for successful spiritual life. There issues are highlighted in the fall of Adam and Eve. [Teaching plan for Creation and the Fall February 4, 2013] 1. Have a volunteer read Genesis 3:1. A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what … Continue reading –>
Read Genesis 3:4-6. What are the principles that led to Adam and Eve’s downfall? What can we learn from their experience that can help us to deal with whatever temptations we face, as well? Satan was successful in drawing Eve into conversation and in raising doubts about what God said and why. Now he tells Eve … Continue reading –>
