Once you get past the table of contents in your Bible, you enter the book of Genesis. The name alone tells you something is about to start. As the saying goes, first things first. Before people existed, the world did, but even before the world, there was God.
To Think About:
- Read Genesis 1:1-25. You might want to list the days and what was created each day. What does God’s organization tell you about him? When the days and the created parts are described as good, what do you imagine is meant by that?
- Read 1:26-31. God made humanity in his image. When you look in the mirror, what about that person reminds you of God? Consider what is inside and not just on the outside. What do you see in others that gives you a glimpse of their Creator?
- Read 2:1-3. God was not tired, but he did cease what he had been doing. When did you last benefit from stopping what you were doing for a while? Are there other lessons you should learn from this besides taking a day off?
To Pray About:
- Tell God what you see when you look in the mirror and think about the person he created. What is happening outside and inside of you that you are thankful for? What can you invite him to help you with? (Remember, he created you, so nothing will surprise him.)
- Use your words, a song, a prayer, a drawing, etc. to convey to God what you feel about the created world. Whether it is the sun on a winter day, that tree down the street that is fascinating even without its leaves, or the animal you saw as you passed by that TV channel the other night.
- Ask God to forgive you for misusing his creation or even your own body.
To Live Out:
What will you start now that you’ve read the very beginning of Genesis? You might care more for yourself or more for something in nature. You might value your pet more or love your neighbor more. You can have a greater appreciation of time as the sun moves through the sky or think differently of the items on your plate at supper tonight. All of them had their beginnings at the beginning – in Genesis.
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