Creation Covenant Encounter Why look at the Bible

Creation & Covenant Encounter

Why look at the Bible? We believe the Bible is God’s Word, therefore every time we read the bible, God speaks! “All scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God might be thoroughly equipped for every good work. ” 2 Timothy 3: 16 -17 “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to God’s Word” Psalm 119: 9

The Bible: One Big Picture One Bible: 2 Halves, 66 Books, 5 Sections, Over 40 Human Authors, Over 1, 500 years One God.

Session 1: Creation and Covenant Introducing Genesis means: “beginnings” or “origins” A book of two halves “How can a young person stay Partthe 1: Creation Global on path of(1 -11) purity? By Scale living according to God’s Word” Part 2: Covenant (12 -50) Local Scale Psalm 119: 9

Creation Read: Genesis 1: 1 -3 God brings Form God brings Fullness Day 1: Separation of light and darkness Day 4: The creation of the lights to fill day and night Day 5: The creation of birds and fish to fill sea and sky Day 2: Separation of the waters to form sky and sea Day 3: Separation of sea from land Day 6: The creation of animals and creates plants humans to fill land Day 7: The heavens and the earth were finished and God rested

Humanity Read: Genesis 1: 26 -28 What does it mean to be made in the image of God? q. Relational with God q. Relational with one another q. To be God’s representatives and co-workers in the world

The Fall Read: Genesis 3: 4 -5 (Temptation & Doubt) Is God a kill-joy keeping us from fulfilment? Read: Genesis 3: 14 -15 (Judgement & Mercy) God is Just – so he banishes humanity from paradise God is Merciful – so he promises a Saviour to restore all things • • Humanity spreads across the world Humanity falls further into evil

The Flood Read: Genesis 7: 23 • God sent a flood of judgement • God saves Noah’s family • God sends a rainbow of promise Read: Genesis 9: 1 • The flood gives the world a fresh start • Noah is like a new Adam

The Tower of Babel ‘Babel’ means: Confusion and resembles our word “babble” Read: Genesis 11: 4 -7 • • • The Tower of Babel – Inspired by an ancient structure built for protection and pagan worship God’s people were not filling the earth, but living life their own way Humanity splits into competing groups – the origin of racism, wars, and multiple languages Genesis 1: Humans made perfectly in the image of God, representing God Genesis 11: Humans completely rebelling from God, making names for themselves

Covenant: Abraham ‘Covenant’ means: A formal agreement between 2 parties There are 2 covenants in the Bible: Old and New (Testaments) Read: Genesis 12: 1 -2 God’s promises to Abraham: • Land – The promised land of Canaan • Nation – Abraham means ‘Father of Many’ • Blessing – All families on earth will be blessed through him Adam/Noah Abraham Moses David Jesus Creation Faith Law Kingdom Grace/Salvation

Covenant: Abraham Genesis 15: Covenant with Abraham Seal, Sacrifice, Sign Genesis 21: Abraham + Sarah = Isaac means ‘laughter’ Isaac was the promised child Abraham – Isaac – Jesus • In Genesis 22, Abraham nearly Sacrificed Isaac on Mount Moriah • But a substitute ram was offered instead • Near that same spot, Jesus was later crucified as our substitute • Jesus was the promised Messiah

Next week: Exodus & Promised Land