Overview of the Bible (1) Creation

In the beginningIn the beginning

God createdGod created

the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1

And God said

Let there be light!

And there was light!

And God saw that the light was good.And God saw that the light was good.

And God saidAnd God said“Let there be a huge space between the waters.” And it happened!“Let there be a huge space between the waters.” And it happened!

And that And that happened happened too!too!

God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered into oceans. Let dry land appear!”God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered into oceans. Let dry land appear!”

Then God said:Then God said:

And it happened!And it happened!

Let the land produce plants and trees, each bearing fruit with seeds in it.

Let the land produce plants and trees, each bearing fruit with seeds in it.

And God saw that it was good!

And God saw that it was good!

And God saw that it was good!

And God said, “Let there be lights in the huge space of the sky, a sun and a moon to give light to the earth.

God said: Let the waters be filled with living things. Let birds fly above the

earth.

God said: Let the land produce all kinds of living creatures: cattle and snakes and tigers.

And God saw that it was good!

Then God said, “Let’s make a human being, someone like us. They can rule over the fish and the birds and all of the animals for us.”

Then God said, “Let’s make a human being, someone like us. They can rule over the fish and the birds and all of the animals for us.”

So the Lord God made a woman. And he brought her to the man. And the man said, “Here is some-one like me! She is exactly what I need!”

So the Lord God made a woman. And he brought her to the man. And the man said, “Here is some-one like me! She is exactly what I need!”

God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.

God blessed them, “Have children, fill the earth and bring it under your control.

God saw everything that he made.

God saw everything that he made.

Then God rested. It was the seventh day.

And it was And it was very good!very good!

At the beginning of the Bible, we learn about:

At the beginning of the Bible, we learn about:

God

God

• God is eternal• God is eternal

• God is powerful• God is powerful

• God is creative• God is creative

(We will learn much more about God as the story unfolds, especially about his love, his justice, his hopes for human life, etc. )

(We will learn much more about God as the story unfolds, especially about his love, his justice, his hopes for human life, etc. )

• He enjoyed/delighted in what he made.• He enjoyed/delighted in what he made.

At the beginning of the Bible, we learn about:

At the beginning of the Bible, we learn about:

The worldThe world• God made it. Therefore it’s existence depends on God.• God made it. Therefore it’s existence depends on God.

• It was very good; full of beauty and life.• It was very good; full of beauty and life.

• God blessed the animals and birds.• God blessed the animals and birds.

• Violence, evil, war, etc. are not part of God’s original creation.• Violence, evil, war, etc. are not part of God’s original creation.

At the beginning of the Bible, we learn about:

At the beginning of the Bible, we learn about:

Us human beingsUs human beings

• We were created in God’s image. What might that mean? • We were created in God’s image. What might that mean?

• God blessed us.• God blessed us.

• We are social beings; we need other people to be fully human.

• We are social beings; we need other people to be fully human.

God’s reaction to what he had made:

God’s reaction to what he had made:

God saw everything he had made. And it was very good! Genesis 1:31

God saw everything he had made. And it was very good! Genesis 1:31

By the 7th day God had finished the work he had been doing. So on the 7th day he

rested…. God blessed the 7th day and made it holy. Genesis 2:2-3

By the 7th day God had finished the work he had been doing. So on the 7th day he

rested…. God blessed the 7th day and made it holy. Genesis 2:2-3

1. Why did God rest?1. Why did God rest?

God’s reaction to what he had made:

God’s reaction to what he had made:

2. Why would God declare a day to be blessed?

2. Why would God declare a day to be blessed?

3. What does it mean to make something holy?

How can a day be holy?

3. What does it mean to make something holy?

How can a day be holy?

The End of the StoryThe End of the Story

I saw a new heaven and a new earth. I heard a loud voice from the throne. It said, “Now God makes his home with human beings. He will live with them. They will be his people. And God himself will be with them and be their God. And he will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or sadness. There will be no more crying or pain. Things are no longer the way they used to be. Revelation 21:1-4

I saw a new heaven and a new earth. I heard a loud voice from the throne. It said, “Now God makes his home with human beings. He will live with them. They will be his people. And God himself will be with them and be their God. And he will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or sadness. There will be no more crying or pain. Things are no longer the way they used to be. Revelation 21:1-4

The End of the Story

• One of God’s commandments is “Remember the 7th day by keeping it holy.”

• One of God’s commandments is “Remember the 7th day by keeping it holy.”

Why would God want us to remember that day?Why would God want us to remember that day?