In the Beginning, God Created.

Introduction:

Genesis 1:1 - In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Why I Believe in Creation (Genesis 1:1):

1. The alternative is clearly False .

   Hasn't science proven evolution?

   But what about the cavemen?

   Mark 10:6 - But from the beginning of creation, 'God made them male and female.'

   But what about fossils?

   What about genetic mutations?

2. Science Confirms creation.

   Psalm 14:1 - The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.

3. God Said He created the heavens and the earth in six literal days. (2 Thes 3:13-15)
4. Jesus Believed and Taught creation.

   Matthew 19:4 - He answered, "Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female..."

Why it Matters

1. It Determines How We View God's Word .

   2 Timothy 3:16 - All Scripture is breathed out by God...

2. It Determines How We View God .

   Psalm 100:3 - Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

3. It Determines How We View Salvation .

   Romans 5:15 - But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.

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Foundations - In the Beginning, God Created

Jeff Miller

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Small Group Discussion
Read Genesis 1:1

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. How would you respond to a fellow Christian saying, “It doesn't really matter if Christians believe in creation. That's just a secondary issue.”?
   

3. Why can't Christians believe God used evolution/millions of years to create? Why is that inconsistent with the Bible?
   

4. How is creation tied into our salvation? Read 1 Corinthians 15:45.

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Build Yourself a Babel

Introduction:

What is a Babel?

Build Yourself a Babel in 3 Easy Steps: (Genesis 11:1-9)

1. Put God's Word Aside . (Gen 11:4,9:1,9:11)

   (Isaiah 30:1) - "Ah, stubborn children," declares the Lord , "who carry out a plan, but not mine, and who make an alliance, but not of my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin;

2. Make it all about Me . (Gen 11:4)

   Genesis 11:4 - Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth."

3. Seek the approval of Other People (Gen 11:6).

   Genesis 11:6 - "Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do."

God's Response

DON'T Build Yourself a Babel in 3 Easy Steps:

1. Put God's Word First .

   Proverbs 18:10 - The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.

   Proverbs 16:9 - The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

2. Make it all about Christ .

   Romans 10:9 - "Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

   Acts 4:12 - "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

3. Seek the approval of God Alone .

   Matthew 25:21 - "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master."

   1 Peter 2:5 - "You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

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Guest Speaker - Dan Thompson - Build Yourself a Babel

Jeff Miller / Dan Thompson

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Small Group Discussion
Read Genesis 11:1-9

1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?
   

2. What babels have you built before? Are you building any now?
   

3. What is one thing that you learned from this passage? And how will this change you?
   

4. Applying the revised 3 steps, what practical and specific steps can you take to ensure that you don't build a babel?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Dare to [Not] Compare!

Introduction:

Genesis 3:1-7

1 John 2:16 - For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

1. Comparison breeds Discontent . (Gen 3:1)
2. Comparison encourages Compromise . (Gen 3:2-5)
3. Comparison causes Disaster . (Gen 3:6-7)

Dare to NOT Compare!

1. Know the Word . (Gen 3:1)

   Philippians 2:3 | Hebrews 13:5 | Ephesians 5:8 | Galatians 3:26, 4:6 | Ephesians 2:4-6

2. Take your eyes off the World .

   1 John 2:15-17

3. Fix your eyes on Jesus .

   2 Peter 1:3

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Dare to [Not] Compare

Guest Speaker - Rich Sprunk

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Small Group Discussion
Read Genesis 3:1-7

1. What are your big takeaways from the text and/or the message?
   

2. Why do you think we are so prone to compare ourselves with others?
   

3. Can you think of a time when you compared yourself to another person (besides Jesus) and it produced constructive thoughts and a holy outcome?
   

4. Why is knowing Scripture essential to overcoming the urge to compare?
   

5. What are some practical ways we can “put off” the world and “put on” Christ?

Breakout
Pray that God will enable you more and more to fix your eyes on Jesus, and to refuse to compare yourself and your circumstances to others.

Joseph: Trust.

Introduction:

Ephesians 1:11 – who works all things according to the counsel of His will

Romans 8:28 - And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Three other factors:

1. Sin
2. Time
3. Purpose

God doesn't cause the evil, but He brings something good from it.

When I Choose to Trust that God is in Control... (Genesis 50:15-21)

1. I don't need to be in Control. (Gen 50:19)
2. I can see the Good He has done. (Gen 50:20)
3. I am free to just Love people. (Gen 50:21)

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Bible Basics - 2 Joseph: Trust.

Jeff Miller

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Small Group Discussion

WHOLE GROUP
Read Genesis 50:15-21

1. Do you believe God is sovereign over all that happens, or just some of what happens? Do you believe man's free will can interfere with God's plan? Be honest. How do your beliefs line up with Joseph's in this passage?

2. God uses evil done to us - ultimately for good. How can a victim of abuse or rape honestly believe God can and will use that for good?

3. Name a time that you saw God use the actions of an evil person to ultimately bring something good.

BREAKOUT

Tell of the hardest time you've ever had to forgive someone. How did you do it? Pray for one another that you each can have a heart of forgiveness and trust in God's sovereign will.

Abraham: Faith.

Introduction:

Faith is: Believing the Word of God, no matter how I feel, because God promises a good result.

3 Reasons Faith is Difficult. (Genesis 22:1-28)

1. Faith doesn't make (human) Sense. (Gen 22:1-2)
2. Faith means Doing hard things. (Gen 22:3-8)
3. Faith requires Total commitment. (Gen 22:9-12)

Faith is always Rewarded.

Hebrews 11:17-19 - By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who hadrecieved the promise was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named." He considered that God was able from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did recieve him back.

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Bible Basics - 01 Abraham: Faith.

Jeff Miller

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Small Group Discussion

WHOLE GROUP
Read Genesis 22:1-18

1. Define “faith”. What are some wrong ideas about what faith is?

2. Why did God test Abraham (Gen 22:1)? Does God still test people today? Do you believe God has ever tested you?

3. What is the hardest thing you’ve ever done because of your faith?

BREAKOUT
Is there any area YOU have struggled to be “100% all in”? Be honest, encouraging, and judgment-free! Pray for one another to over-come that struggle area of faith.