Following on with Andrew Ollerton’s book, The Bible, A Story that makes Sense of Life, this week we continued with the second part of our Origins series as we explored Human Identity and the role in which humankind has in the bigger picture of the Creation story.
This week using chapter four of the book we briefly explored the masterpiece of God’s creation from days 1 - 6, and discovered how God saw that it was good. Then, also on day 6, God made humankind, he made them in his image, in his likeness, he made them male and female. And God saw that it was VERY good!
Gods creativity climaxed with the making of humankind in his image and likeness. However, as part of the talk, we explored how this likeness had nothing to do with physical traits. Rather, the likeness and image we are made in is based on Gods character and his attributes.
Being compassionate, loving, forgiving, peaceable, and joyfully finding beauty in the small and the big things in life. We replicate this through living in community like the Trinity, caring for creation and serving each other just as Jesus served those around him, and indeed, he served all of humankind when he gave himself to save...us!
We find our identity in God through the creation story, and in genesis 1:28 we are find out why were created. To have stewardship over all of creation, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea and over all the creatures that roam and crawl across the earth. But what does this mean.
The job description God gave to humankind is to ensure the earth and all that is in it flourishes under our gentle hand.
If you want to relisten to the talk you can click here
Using the typical bible study questions, re-read the creation story starting at Genesis 1:1 through to 2:4. Spend some time reflecting on what you have read.
What does this passage tell you about God?
What resonates with you, or might you find challenging?
What do you find your identity in?
How is God etched on your life?
Think about the role of stewarding creation… with the COP26 happening right now in Glasgow, reflect on what you currently do to care for creation. Could you do more?
Spend some time in prayer thanking God for creation, for making you in his image. Pray for the COP26 meeting. Ask God to show you ways in which you can encourage others to realise their identity in Christ and to care for the environment around them.
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