GOD CREATED AND CARES FOR HIS WORLD

= A statement telling what we believe or trust in

APOSTLES: Give a brief summary of main Bible teachings NICENE:Defend the teaching that Jesus is God ATHANASIAN:Defend the teaching of the Triune God written to: The Three Main Christian Creeds

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty,

GOD CREATED ALL THINGS * from nothing

6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. 7 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses. 8 Let all the earth fear the LORD ; let all the people of the world revere him. 9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.

GOD CREATED ALL THINGS * from nothing * by His almighty Word

11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

GOD CREATED ALL THINGS * from nothing * by His almighty Word * in six normal days

31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning-the sixth day.

GOD CREATED ALL THINGS * from nothing * by His almighty Word * in six normal days * all things were “very good”

Click on this link to see a video of the six days of creation!

EVOLUTION The hypothesis that All things came into being by chance, developing (evolving) from lower to higher forms

CREATIONEVOLUTION

CREATIONEVOLUTION 6 days4-6 billion years TIME

CREATIONEVOLUTION 6 days4-6 billion years God’s Word and decreeChance or accident TIME METHOD

CREATIONEVOLUTION 6 days4-6 billion years God’s Word and decreeChance or accident A special creatureA higher animal TIME METHOD MAN

CREATIONEVOLUTION 6 days4-6 billion years God’s Word and decreeChance or accident A special creatureA higher animal To glorify GodNo special purpose TIME METHOD MAN MAN’S PURPOSE

CREATIONEVOLUTION 6 days4-6 billion years God’s Word and decreeChance or accident A special creatureA higher animal To glorify GodNo special purpose TIME METHOD MAN MAN’S PURPOSE MAN’S RESPONSIBILITY To GodOnly to himself

3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

GOD CREATED ALL THINGS Hebrews 11:3 says: By faith we understand that the universe was formed by the Word of God.

Prove why this statement is true: It takes more faith to believe in evolution that it does to believe in creation.

Your science textbook may say that the human race is part of the animal kingdom. Give a number of reasons why that statement is wrong.

People who believe in evolution rather than the Bible’s account of creation have a whole different view of human life. Why?

Agree or Disagree: A person cannot be a Christian if he or she believes the theory of evolution.

GOD GAVE MANKIND SPECIAL BLESSINGS

27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

GOD GAVE MANKIND SPECIAL BLESSINGS 1. The image of God (holiness, sinlessness)

28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."

GOD GAVE MANKIND SPECIAL BLESSINGS 1. The image of God (holiness, sinlessness) 2. Authority and rule over other creatures

18 The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." 19 Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. 21 So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. 23 The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman, [4] ' for she was taken out of man." 24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. 25 The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.

GOD GAVE MANKIND SPECIAL BLESSINGS 1. The image of God (holiness, sinlessness) 2. Authority and role over other creatures 3. Marriage, home, family

15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."

GOD GAVE MANKIND SPECIAL BLESSINGS 1. The image of God (holiness, sinlessness) 2. Authority and role over other creatures 3. Marriage, home, family 4. The opportunity to show his thankfulness

The tree of the knowledge of good and evil has been called Adam and Eve’s altar. Why is that description fitting?

GOD’S CARE FOR HIS WORLD (GOD’S PROVIDENCE)

15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.

GOD’S CARE FOR HIS WORLD 1. He gives all His creatures what they need for life

1 Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), 2 and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick. 3 Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. 4 The Jewish Passover Feast was near. 5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. 7 Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!" 8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, 9 "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?"

10 Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. 12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. 14 After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world." 15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.

GOD’S CARE FOR HIS WORLD 1. He gives all His creatures what they need for life - by miracles when He wants

10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." 11 We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat.

GOD’S CARE FOR HIS WORLD 1. He gives all His creatures what they need for life - by miracles when He wants - normally by natural means (work)

GOD’S CARE FOR HIS WORLD 1. He gives all His creatures what they need for life - by miracles when He wants - normally by natural means 2. He gives special care to His believers

Reflect on your needs vs. wants. Is there anything that has become more of a want than an actual need?

11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;

GOD’S CARE FOR HIS WORLD 1. He gives all His creatures what they need for life - by miracles when He wants - normally by natural means 2. He gives special care to His believers - through His good angels (messengers)

Can you think of a time when it seemed very obvious that God used his angels, unseen by you, to protect you from harm.

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

GOD’S CARE FOR HIS WORLD 1. He gives all His creatures what they need for life - by miracles when He wants - normally by natural means 2. He gives special care to His believers - through His good angels (messengers) - He makes all things work out for our good

Agree or disagree: Sometimes God actually causes bad things to happen so that he has a chance to use them for our good.

HOW WILL WE RESPOND TO GOD FOR ALL THIS?

... O LORD, you preserve both man and beast. 7 How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings.

HOW WIL WE RESPOND TO GOD FOR ALL THIS? 1.We will admit He does cares for us out of grace (undeserved love)

31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

HOW WIL WE RESPOND TO GOD FOR ALL THIS? 1.We will admit He cares for us out of grace (undeserved love) 2. We’ll trust Him as our Maker and Preserver (vs. worry)

31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

HOW WIL WE RESPOND TO GOD FOR ALL THIS? 1.We will admit He does this out of grace (undeserved love) 2. We’ll trust Him as Maker and Preserver (vs. worry) 3.We’ll thank, serve, and obey Him as Lord in all things (vs. grumbling)

1 Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. 2 Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. 4 For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.

HOW WIL WE RESPOND TO GOD FOR ALL THIS? 1.We will admit He does this out of grace (undeserved love) 2. We’ll trust Him as Maker and Preserver (vs. worry) 3.We’ll thank, serve, and obey Him as Lord in all things (vs. grumbling) 4. We’ll tell others about our gracious Lord

Evaluate this statement: If I continue sinning, the LORD is probably going to remove the roof from over my head, the food from my table, and the clothes from my back.

Agree or Disagree: As long as I say my table prayers, I can be sure I am thanking God to his satisfaction.

Discuss a situations in your life that tempts you or your youth to worry.

Come up with a list of things you are thankful for right now and share them with each other.

1.Study carefully the notes you have taken in class; be sure you understand them. 2.Study questions # , p. 135 in the Catechism. 3.Complete the “Working with God’s Word” section. 4.Memorize these Bible verses: VIP Hebrews 11:3 – “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command.” Psalm 118:1 – “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 – “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

5.Memorize the 1 st Article of the Apostles’ Creed and What Does This Mean? To “all evil.” 6.Memorize in order the names of the following Old Testament books: GenesisJoshua1 & 2 Samuel ExodusJudges1 & 2 Kings LeviticusRuth1 & 2 Chronicles NumbersEzra DeuteronomyNehemiah Esther 7. Complete Worksheet #4 at home and have your parents correct it.

Lesson Four The three main Christian creeds are the ________________ Creed, the ________________ Creed an the ________________ Creed. The Bible says God created all things from ________________ in ________________ days. He made humans without sin, that is, in the ________________. God still cares for his world normally by natural means, but sometimes by ________________. He created ________________ to serve his believers and promises us he will work everything out for ________________.

Lesson Four The three main Christian creeds are the APOSTLES Creed, the NICENE Creed and the ATHANASIAN Creed. The Bible says God created all things from NOTHING in SIX days. He made humans without sin, that is, in the IMAGE OF GOD. God still cares for his world normally by natural means, but sometimes by MIRACLES. He created ANGELS to serve his believers and promises us he will work everything out for OUR GOOD.