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Q & A GOD, THE CREATOR

Genesis0101qa.txt
Genesis: 1:1 - 25
Key Verse: 1:1

1. Memorize verse 1. What does "In the beginning" refer to?

In the beginning implies God is before the beginning. It implies that God existed outside of time in the eternal realm.

In the beginning also refers to the start of space and time, that finite beings live in.

The “beginning” also means there will be an end.

"The heavens and the earth"?

The heavens and the earth refer to all the visible world. All the things in the universe, matter, physics, laws. This term also refers to the creation of the spiritual world or invisible world.

Why the word is "created" significant?

This word is very significant. It implies that we are a creation of a creator. It also means that we were crafted from nothing. (Latin “ex nihilo”, out of nothing.) Being made out of nothing is significant as it shows God’s power. This gives a clear and direct purpose and value to your life. This statement also contradicts all the best theories of man to determine how human life arose and where it is headed.

What do you learn from verse 1?

We learn that Genesis 1:1 is the key to the entire Bible. Without understanding and accepting this verse we cannot truly accept the rest of the Bible. If we accept this then this verse can be a sense of purpose and joy in our lives.
1. God is the cause of all the things in the universe – and also the creator of my life.
2. God is mighty
3. Once I realize that God created the heavens and the earth, I can have a correct relationship with him.

2. Read v. 2. When God created the earth, how did it look? (cf. Jer 4:23)

Verse 2 states that the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep. The earth was a mixed up ball of water and earth – with no order. One could say that it was very useless. One could also say that our lives are formless and empty, and darkness is over them when we do not have God’s word in our lives giving us direction.

Jeremiah 4:23
“ 23 I looked at the earth,
and it was formless and empty;
and at the heavens,
and their light was gone.”

What was the Spirit of God doing?

Even though the was formless and dark, the spirit of God was hovering over the deep. God was about to embrace the world and create something. Much as an eagle hovers over a field and then strikes when ready. The same can be applied to our lives today. The Holy Spirit changes our chaotic lives to order.

3. Read vs. 3-31 and draw a diagram showing what was created each day. In the 6 days of creation, is there any external or internal order?

Day 1
Light and Dark
Day 2
Sky and Water
Day 3
Dry Ground, Land, and fruit and seed bearing plants
Day 4
Sun, Moon, and stars
Day 5
Birds and Fish
Day 6
Animals and Man

Using the primitive form of the earth as an embryo, God formed the harmonious world in 3 dimensions. He first created the expanse to separate the water under the expanse from the water above it, and thus he created the sky. And then, He separated the water from the dirt so that the land and the seas could be made. After creating these 3 dimensions, the sky, the ocean, and the land, He filled them with living creatures according to their various kinds and with all kinds of natural resources and natural principles.

Progression?

Here we see God create from general to specific. There was an ordered sense in that in the first three days he prepared the environments and the last three days he completed the environments with the proper thing.

What can we learn here?

This shows that there is a spiritual order: God -> Man -> Nature. In the same way we learn that we too are God’s good workmanship.

4. How did God create the world? (cf. Heb. 11:3)

Hebrews 11:3
“By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.”

God created the world by his voice and with his command. “Let there be…”

Trace the verses where the phrases 'God said' or 'And it was so' appear.

Verse 3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, and 24 all make this same statement. Notice how when God spoke there was no debate or negotiation. When he spoke it came to be as he exactly said.

What can we learn here about God’s word? (cf. Heb.4:12; Gen.17:1)

Hebrews 4:12
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

Genesis 17:1
“When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty [a] ; walk before me and be blameless.”

If God can speak something happens. How much can his word speak in our lives and change us or save us from our sinful life styles. God’s word is powerful and it is true. The Word of God can create something good in us.

5. Find the verses in which the phrase 'according to their kinds' is repeated.

Verse 11, “Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so.” -- Plants

Verse 14, “So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.” –-Birds & Fish

Verse 24, “And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so.” -- Animals

What are the things that were created according to their kinds?

Plants, fruits, and vegetables for man and animal’s food verse 11.

Birds, fish, and all the creatures of the seas verse 21.

Animals and all that lives on the land verse 24.

What can we learn about God?

When we look at the vast array of nature, in plants and animals, and even the human body, we see such marvelous splendor. It shows God’s unlimited wisdom. It shows us that God is a God of detail and that he is in control creating exactly what he desires.

6. Find the verses in which the phrase 'And God saw that it was good' is repeated.

Verse 4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 24, and 31. After each day of creation God gives his testimony about the results. When God says, “it was good,” God means that what he created was perfect and exactly what he wanted. God was pleased and satisfied with his work. When God was finished creating in verse 31, he said, “It is very good.”

Most of the time in our lives we settle for ok or good enough when we try something. We make a to-do list each day and are pretty pleased if we finish 75% of the things on it. But God was 100% satisfied with what he created.

What does this expression teach us about the purpose of God's creation?

This shows us that all things were created for the glory of God. This shows us that all creation was made good. This shows us then that our life purpose is to please God. Each man is a masterpiece of God’s wisdom and God is good.

God is the Creator who created the universe and everything in it. Because of him, the universe exists. Because of Him, we are here. So we must render glory to God and worship Him. Also in this study, we learned that God created us so wonderfully so that we can manifest His glory, His wisdom and His power. As the heavens declare the glory of God, we too must reveal His glory. Let’s pray and struggle hard that we may bring glory to God through our life here on earth.

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