GROW: Genesis 1

I'm behind, I know.
My next post will hopefully be about Easter weekend. It was a big one!
I'll catch up in due time.

This morning our church began an early morning class called GROW. I'm teaching the 3rd-5th grade class. I was nervous before this morning. I didn't know how many students we would have. I didn't know if the way I planned to structure our hour would work well. Would I be a good spiritual leader for these kids? God provides, though.

I was pleased to have 11 amazing kids show up for the first morning today. We decided to start at the beginning, Genesis, and read how God created everything. I love that 4 of the kids were willing to take the risk of reading out loud from the Bible this morning. They aren't all fluent readers, of course, and there are some big words in the Bible. I love that each group really took their time on their posters to show what happened on each day. (They especially liked using the sequins, even the boys. I also think the lion is just cute in day 6.) I love that several students offered prayer requests and one student was even willing to pray out loud. I am so excited for what this group already is and especially for what this group will become as we grow together.

I'm also super excited to have something other than my job to think about and get my creative juices flowing. I'd much rather spend my free time working on the GROW class. (And in just 6 more weeks, 28 more school days, that's exactly where all my creative juices will be flowing!)

Our memory verse: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1

GROW stands for God's word, Relationships, Obedient living, and Worship. These are the four areas we want to encourage in the early morning ministry. 

Genesis 11-21

I know it's been awhile since I shared my studies, but I kind of got off my study routine shortly after the family left. Also, I've been sleeping in really late, for some reason (probably because I've been staying up fairly late), so my study routine is off. Boy, waiting for the bathroom, when the family was down, really helped give me time to read and study my Bible. Never thought I'd say that!

Ok, so...

Tower of Babel (11:1-9) It makes complete sense to me that the whole world had one language because they had all came from Noah's family after the flood. I'm sure "the Lord came down" (11:5) in a different way to see the city as when He walked through the garden in search of Adam and Eve. Because the people all spoke the same language "nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them" (11:6). I wonder what the Lord thinks of our culture today. Aren't we again moving in the direction of having one language that everyone can speak and understand each other? The people were heading down a path that would further separate them from God. Again. Dang humans! Dang sin nature! And another judgment occurred because of pride and self-promotion. People were scattered and languages were confused. 

I am so amazed at Abraham's prompt obedience. I've seen it over and over as I've been reading his story in Genesis. That's the obedience I would like to have for my Father.

I find it interesting that when Lot and Abraham (nephew-uncle) separated, because their fortunes were so great, that Abraham allowed Lot to choose first. I know Abraham was living according to God's will and graces for his life. Then, Lot chose to live near the temptations of Sodom, a historically sinful city. What a silly choice! Why would anyone choose to live near sinful temptations? Well, unfortunately, people do it all the time with alcohol, drugs, food, possessions, etc. I can totally relate. I know I've said to myself before, it's ok if I'm around __ because I have self-control.

One thing I am loving about reading the Old Testament slowly and purposefully is that these characters become more and more human to me the more I read about them. I can relate with their reactions and decisions. They are becoming less heroic and fictional. As they should be. I mean, even Abraham, an intimate friend to the Lord and a great prophet, faltered in his faith from time to time. Even Sarah, mother to a great nation of believers, faltered in her faith from time to time. They were human. Like me.

Sarah lacked faith in the covenant made with God and gave Abraham a son, Ishmael, through her servant. Then, as soon as the covenant is fulfilled (on time, mind you) and Isaac is born from Sarah, she has Ishmael and his mother sent away. Out of jealousy? Seems odd to me that she would set in motion his birth, then send him away (just in case?) so Isaac would inherit all from Abraham. Yet, Isaac was Sarah's blessing. The Lord granted her wishes and stood behind her request, however difficult it might have been for Abraham. (Once again, Abraham responds with prompt obedience anyway. Even though he was sending away his first born son. You gotta love it.)

Oh, and what a positive prophecy for Hagar, right? "Wild donkey of a man... live in hostility..." Makes a mama proud, huh?

My last big thought was about the events surrounding the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (18:1-19:29). Abraham entertains 3 guests- the Lord and 2 angels. First, I was in awe of Abraham's relationship with the Lord during this interaction. Second, I was in awe of the time and preparation put into their visit. It obviously wasn't short. Abraham didn't just throw some leftovers down on a plate for these men and call it good. I mean, Sarah made bread from scratch (in a time without bread machines and quick-baking ovens). A servant slaughtered, prepared, and cooked a calf. They spent a good part of their day at Abraham's tent.
Then, Abraham saved Lot. Again.
Such a tragedy that Sodom and Gomorrah were so filled with sin. So sad that today's culture is deep in sin too. Why would Lot offer his 2 daughters to the men who came after Lot's visitors? That doesn't make sense to me. I mean, I know that their tradition was to protect visitors at all costs, but at that cost too? Really? Lot lost family. He lost his wife. His daughters took advantage of him. What a sad story.

I was glad to end my study today with 2 very important truths (that aren't so sad). God is faithful, like in keeping his promise to Abraham and Sarah. God continually provides, like He did for Hagar and Ishmael after they had left and were thirsty.

Genesis 1-9

I decided I wanted to study the Old Testament for a while because. . . well, many reasons. I want to know more historical information about biblical times and characters. I think knowing and reading about the Old Testament will help me understand more from the New Testament. I just haven't made it a priority. . . ever. Until now.

I don't want to be a Christian that only reads and studies from the New Testament.

I've only read/studied through Genesis 9, but I've been averaging about 2-3 chapters a day. Genesis has 50 chapters, so it could take me most of June to accomplish this book. Not to mention the fact that family is in town for 7 days, so I likely won't have as much study time.

That said, here is some of the information I've learned / found interesting / thought noteworthy and some of the questions I've wondered so far. . .

• Books in the ancient times were customarily named after the first word or two.

• The first 3 chapters of Genesis are reflected in the last 3 chapters of Revelation. . . so guess where I'm going next. . .

• Even though everything else had a beginning, God has always been. *super important!

• In the Old Testament, create is used only in divine activity, not human activity.

• So interesting the way God just says something and it happens - an awesome illustration of His surpassing power!

• A syllogism for you: Everything God created is good. Sin is not good. Thus, God did not create sin. Another one: Everything God created is good. God created man. Thus, man was good... until the fall.

• In Genesis 1:27-28, when it says God created man and God blessed them. . . I've always wondered about who the children married. Is it possible that He created more than just Adam and Eve initially? Or do man and them both refer to Adam AND Eve?

• Kings would often set up an image of themselves in conquered territories. Man was made in God's image. He is our sovereign God. He also gave man kingship over every living thing.

• All people and animals were vegetarians. . . until after the flood. Then, part of God's covenant with Noah was that him and his descendants were able to eat any plant or animal.

• The Hebrew word for man is adam, which sounds like the word for ground, adamah. It is so amazing that He formed man from the dust of the ground. We have so many intricacies in our body. God formed us purposefully, knowing all the little (and big) things our body would need to do. So much planning and foreknowledge!

• God's will for man was life, thus the access to the tree of life. He had an intimate relationship with first man. The Bible mentions Him walking in the garden as if it's a normal occurrence. Eating from the other tree (the knowledge of good and evil) would leave them morally independent from God. Separated from Him. It's interesting that God says for when you eat, not if you eat. . . then you will surely die. (2:17) Once again shows God's foreknowledge. So, if God's will for man was life. . . and He knew what would happen beforehand. . . why give man the opportunity to screw up the awesome relationship with Him and experience death?

• God provided animal skins for Adam and Eve. This was the first animal sacrifice. Man was banished from the garden and the tree of life. Now Christ is our only access to eternal life.

• Good advice God gives Cain, which he of course doesn't follow. (4:7) If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.

• It's amazing to me how Cain could have absolutely no remorse for killing his brother. Oh, how lost he was! Premeditated murder. Lies. Self-pity. Stuck in sin.

• 7 generations later, the Lord was grieved that man's heart was so, so wicked and so far separated from Him. He cares so much about his creation. Sin makes Him sad. A flood was the only way to wipe out most of His creation and the sin that had taken over. A flood would be His judgment for their wickedness.

• I also think the whole story of the flood is fascinating. The Bible said that all the high mountains were covered with water. (7:19) I wonder what the tallest mountain is/was. Once the flood waters ceased, it took 3 months before the tops of the mountains were visible again! Wow. The first part of the flood was judgment and the second part was redemption even though every inclination of man's heart is evil from childhood. (8:21) How gracious is our Father!

Good reading.

So far I'm liking my project. I know there will be moments where it'll be difficult to make my way through. I plan on persevering though.