Genesis 1:26-28 | In the Beginning  | F24_WK4

Life Group Sermon & discussion Guide

SERMON OUTLINE

THE PLAIN MAIN THINGS:

• The first three days of creation seek to showcase the beautiful _____________ of God in order to _______________. (Genesis 1:26-27, John 1:1-3)

• The first six days culminate in the crown jewel of creation, ________________. (Genesis 2:18)

• Humans are made in the image of a _________________________ and, therefore, are made for ________________.

MADE FOR RELATIONSHIPS:

• We are made for a deep, personal relationship with our ____________. (Proverbs 8:31-32)

• We are made for a deep unity with other ____________________.

• When you find yourself in rich community, you will know ______ better, and you will know _____________ better.  (Psalm 56:8)

LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

1.        What is your clearest/fondest childhood memory?

2.        What is one of the most impactful relationships, outside of family, that you have ever had?

QUICK REVIEW

1.        Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything that particularly caught your attention, challenged, or confused you?

2.        This weekend Pastor Justin shared that when you find yourself in rich community, you will not only come to know God better, but you will also know yourself better. How did that hit you?

TRIADS

READ Genesis 1:26-28

1.        What does this passage say about the character of God?

2.        What does this passage say about fallen humanity and the world we are in?

3.        Where  does this passage specifically expose sin or unbelief in my own life? How does it specifically call me to change my thinking, redirect my affections, replace behaviors, and trust in my Savior?

DIGGING DEEPER

1.        READ Genesis 1:26, Psalm 102:25-28.  God who is eternal and exists outside of time, made humanity to be with Him, forever, even after earth passes away.  How might it look, being in this “forever” relationship with Him?

a.        READ Isaiah 55:8-9, Revelation 21:1-4. Why is it so hard for us to comprehend this sense of God wanting to dwell with us “forever”?

2.        READ Genesis 1:27-28a.  God is the Great “Bara-er” (or Creator), He put His greatest “Bara-er-ness” (or Creativity) into the creation of humanity and followed that announcement with blessing them.  What is that blessing?

a.        READ Genesis 1:28.  The rest of v.28 articulates the blessing, which is a command to partner with God in caring for creation.  How is this a blessing? How do we partner with God?

3.        READ Genesis 1:28.  Notice here, how God now speaks directly to His creation, which means that His image bearers can hear and receive His words.  The same is not said about anything else in creation.  What are we to do with this? What does that mean to you?

a.        READ Jeremiah 31:33, John 1:12-13, 1 Corinthian 6:19-20.  The Bible speaks often about God’s desired relationship with us.  What do these three authors tells us about that special relationship?

b.        How have you experienced God choosing you to be His, to be His child, to have His Holy Spirit?

TAKING IT HOME

READ John 13:34-35.  Some have said that we might be, through our actions, the only way that others will see and experience God.  How can the “image-bearer” in you, make a difference at your school, at your workplace, and/or within your family, friends, and neighborhoods? Does knowing that God created you this way, make it easier or harder to live as His image-bearer? Why?

PERSONAL REFLECTION

READ John 17:1-3.  The word, “know,” in v.3, conveys so much more than a basic knowledge of the existence of God.  This “knowing” isn’t like we would know about the existence of a ball, or a tree, something we can hold or touch.  This “knowing” is a deep connection and an intimate relationship that goes beyond the realm of what is only physical.  Does that describe your relationship with God? What might be missing? What might you have to work on this week?