God and Human Beings Lesson 1 December 6
God and Human Beings Lesson 1 December 6, 2020 Psalm 8: 1 -9 Purpose: To explore what it means to be made in God’s image
Psalm 8: 1 -2 1 LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name throughout the earth! You made your glory higher than heaven! 2 From the mouths of nursing babies you have laid a strong foundation because of your foes, in order to stop vengeful enemies. Common English Bible, copyright 2011 by Common English Bible. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Psalm 8: 3 -4 3 When 4 I look up at your skies, at what your fingers made— the moon and the stars that you set firmly in place— what are human beings that you think about them; what are human beings that you pay attention to them? Common English Bible, copyright 2011 by Common English Bible. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Psalm 8: 5 -9 5 You’ve made them only slightly less than divine, crowning them with glory and grandeur. 6 You’ve let them rule over your handiwork, putting everything under their feet— 7 all sheep and all cattle, the wild animals too, 8 the birds in the sky, the fish of the ocean, everything that travels the pathways of the sea. 9 LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name throughout the earth! Common English Bible, copyright 2011 by Common English Bible. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Psalm 8 is a psalm of praise and is the only hymn in the Old Testament entirely composed as a direct address to God is not only its addressee, but also its primary subject. The psalm declares God’s sovereignty over creation.
What of nature’s wonders or other features of the created world lead you to marvel that God listens to you?
What of nature’s wonders or other features of the created world lead you to think about your place in God’s world?
What privilege and responsibility does God give to mortals?
What is our role in the created world relative to our Creator?
Four traditional interpretations of what it means to be made in God’s image: • a physical resemblance to God • a mental resemblance to God • our relationship to creation • our autonomy and freedom
Why do you think the student book writer says none of these definitions adequately describes what it means to be made in God’s image?
How does your status as “slightly less than divine” (Psalm 8: 5) inform the way you live your life?
What should you do in your status as “slightly less than divine”? What should you not do?
Pray: Praise and glory are yours, Creator God! Be patient with me. Work on me so I might reflect some glimmer of your image to the world. Amen.
If you are enjoying the use of these free Power. Point presentations associated with the Adult Bible Studies Winter Lessons, let us know! Send an email to adultbiblestudies@cokesbury. com We look forward to hearing from you!
- Slides: 15