Author: Pastor Paul A. Bartz
Note: Creation Moments exists to provide Biblically sound materials to the Church in the area of Bible and science relationships. This Bible study may be reproduced for group use.
Evolutionists are certain that things evolved. To them evolution is a “fact.” The only questions are how, and when. As creationists, we are just as certain of creation. This Bible study will look at the question of how (for data on when, consult a faithful book on biblical chronology). How does the Bible say God created the world? That is the task for this study.
We want to go beyond the answer “God did it.” We want to know how God did it. We look to Scripture. The Scriptural account of creation is in Genesis 1. Turn to Genesis 1 and read the account of the creation for general knowledge. Then we will look at some questions.
1.What does Genesis 1:1 say? What does the word “heavens” mean?
Is this the creation of all of the universe or only our planet we are reading about?
Some have suggested that this is the creation of matter and energy (and possibly space) that is referred to here. Notice that time was created here, too. “In the beginning” also means “the beginning of time,” for, as modern science will attest, time is a function of matter and energy.
2.Genesis 1:2: Beginning with a modern understanding of nature and reality, how would you describe the scene pictured in verse 2?
How could you picture “formless and void”?
What common, necessary element of all life (as we know it) was already present at this very early stage of creation?
3.Then God created light (v. 3). Why is light without a source so hard to imagine?
Try to recall a verse which would indicate that even the unimaginable is possible for God. How did God describe the creation so far?
What is the first clue(s) that the “day” in Genesis 1:5 was a regular, literal day?
4.Day 2 (v. 6-8): What does this description sound like in modern terms?
How would we talk about the “expanse called heaven” today?
5.Day 3: This was a busy day (v. 9-13). Name the general classifications of the things God created on day 3. What was the creative “technique” reported in Scripture?
Does the order on day three make sense? How so?
What principle of life (as we observe it today), did God install in the plants?
How does this principle argue against evolution?
6.Day 4: Now evening and morning can make more sense to us. What did God create on day 4 to make it so?
What is the purpose of all the “heavenly bodies” according to Scripture?
How did God judge the creation so far?
7.Day 5: Does it appear that God created animals two by two, or in great numbers?
How does the Bible describe God’s creative action?
8.Day 6: Verses 24-31 describe the final day of the creation week (except the Sabbath rest). What would you put into each of the categories of land creatures created on day 6?
Does the division of life listed during creation week seem reasonable to you?
List the various kinds of life, and try to give examples of each kind mentioned during creation week.
9.The final creation was man. Chapter 2:4-25 gives us greater detail on the creation of man. Make a list (using chapters 1 and 2) of the differences between the creation of other forms of life and man.
Make a note of differences expressed, not just differences we observe; i.e., Gen. 1:27 mentions that God created man both male and female. We recognize that animals are generally (but not always) male and female, but this is the only place there is a special mention made of the fact. Does that mean it could be significant?
What is special about the creation of man? What special care did God use?
What special gift(s) did God give man? What responsibilities did man share with the rest of creation? What responsibilities did man have unique to man?
10.Genesis 1:31: God saw that everything was “very good.” How good do you think it had to be for God to consider it very good?
Read Psalm 33:6 9. How did God create? What response is seen as appropriate in the light of this?
Read John 1:13, Hebrews 11:3, 2 Peter 3:5. What is the common thought concerning “how” God created?
Evolution is a “fact,” but evolutionists have no mechanism, no “how” to explain it. We have the how, the Word of God. What two meanings can we give for the phrase “Word of God?” Even in creation, we are reminded of Christ. With this insight, try to identify all three persons of the Trinity in Genesis 1:12.
Close with a prayer of thanksgiving.
Footnotes:
1986 Bible Science Newsletter.
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