Be sure to arrive early and to have the environment set up. You want to be ready to greet people at least five minutes before class begins.
Ask a student ahead of time to open in prayer and choose another to close, rather than putting them on the spot when it is time to pray.
Officially begin class by asking them to join in prayer. Once they have opened in prayer, move directly into:
Conduct a brief review of the first four weeks’ lessons, stressing the main theme of each week and eliciting as many responses from the students as possible.
Discuss this final quote from the video. What do people think their “purpose” is? What informs their reason for being?
This is one of those philosophical questions that everyone thinks about, but not everyone is necessarily adept or comfortable talking about. For this reason, the discussion should take place within the small groups. It is hoped that by the fifth week people are beginning to feel a little more comfortable with their groups and will be willing to open up. The goal of this conversation is not to judge answers but to bring presuppositions to the surface. Encourage groups not to defend their answers but to explain their answers. In particular, have them try to identify where this understanding of why they exist comes from. Is it from their faith? Is it from the Bible? If not, then where? Is it from the world, their family, etc.?
You will have about twenty minutes to use for this section and the next. The breakdown of ten and ten is somewhat arbitrary, and you should keep an eye on the clock and switch into the second part of this activity when people seem ready.
Assign one or two of the following Bible passages to each of the groups. Ask each group to briefly study the passage and answer the following questions:
Below is a list of the passages, along with some of the possible answers provided by Dr. Arand. Use these as you travel from group to group to help along any who are struggling.
This passage tells us that we are his workmanship and that we were created for a purpose, namely, to do good works. Furthermore, these good works were prepared for us “beforehand.”
The implications for interacting with creation that we draw from this text may depend on how we define “good works.” Generally, we think of good works as activities directed to other human beings for their benefit. But if these were prepared for us beforehand, namely, before the creation of the world, might they also include our activities toward creation for the well-being of creation, as suggested in Genesis 1 & 2? It is also worth considering the wider impact of our good works upon creation and their effect on our fellow man. Often by caring for the environment we are also caring for our fellow man. What are some examples of this?
This text is interesting, as it includes God’s initial commission to his human creatures. That task is directed toward the earth (cultivating and conserving it) and not toward humans (though by implication, they would be included). In addition, it suggests that the earth needs human attention for it to flourish (“there were no bushes in the field for there was no human to till it”).
The implications for our work in creation are twofold. First, we are to keep creation healthy and flourishing as God intended. Second, this work affects the well-being of humans as well. A healthy earth is necessary for healthy human lives.
This text is really interesting in how it reflects the thoughts of Genesis 1 & 2. The second half of the psalm makes the point that God gave us this honor and glory of overseeing or looking after the works of his hands in creation—an incredible responsibility!
What does this mean for our interaction with creation? The authority to rule that God gives us is coupled with a sense of humility that finds expression in the first few verses. This humility reminds us that we exercise dominion as people who themselves are creatures and who cannot completely fathom or comprehend a universe that we did not make. Therefore, we carry out that work with not only humility, but also with awe and wonder.
This text suggests that a connection exists between being made in the image of God and being given dominion over the earth. In other words, God made us in his image in order to exercise a benevolent dominion over his creation as he does (or, in order to exercise a dominion that reflects God’s own dominion, he made us in his image).
How might we interact with creation? It would seem that God made us in his image in part so that we can see the creation as he sees it and oversee it as he does. Thus, in verse 30 (after God makes man), the point is reiterated that God provided food for all of his creatures.
We are a new creation. Our purpose is to live as new creatures. Might this mean that we are to live as God first created us? Or does it mean that we are to live presently in the way that we will live in the new age to come? At the very least, it means that we are not to live as we did when we were under the realm of sin.
In answering the second part, it might help to consider Colossians 1:15?20, as well. The language of reconciliation is intriguing. Colossians 1 says that Christ reconciled all things to himself. Our ministry of reconciliation is first and foremost reconciling people to God and to each other. But might it also include reconciling humans to creation by the way we live in creation (with it rather than against it)?
This is a great passage for summarizing God’s will for his people and his design for our lives: love God and love your neighbor! This captures the two tables of the law (i.e., the Ten Commandments).
There is nothing explicit about our relationship to creation in this text. But if we consider what it means to love God, could it not also include a love for that which God loves (his delight in all of his creatures and the creation)? And how do we love our neighbor apart from taking care of the creation (land, water, food, air, nature) that our neighbors need for their lives?
Have each small group share its passage and findings with the rest of the class.
Take a moment to do a brief overview of today’s class.
Encourage the students to use the devotional helps located on the back of their worksheet.
NOTE: Make sure to tell students that you will be outside for next week’s class, rain or shine, hot or cold, and to dress appropriately. You may want to meet in the classroom and head out together or to designate an official outside meeting place.
Have a student close in prayer, ending with the entire class praying the Lord’s Prayer.
Stay around to answer any questions.