EPIC: God’s Story, Your Story

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The common thread: There is a Holy God who lovingly pursues a relationship with His creation, Man.

Big Picture

1. 1.  God is Holy and Creator.
2. 2.  Humans created in His image and likeness.
3. 3.  Humans created to live forever.
4. 4.  Humans given choice to trust God or self.
5. 5.  Humans rebel and are cast out of the garden & God’s presence.
6. 6.  Humans were never created to determine/judge good & evil for themselves. This is God’s sole authority.
7. 7.  God pursues rebellious humans.

 Scene 1 ~ Beginnings

Genesis 1-3, Job 38, Isaiah 14, Revelation 12

 Scene 2 ~ First Humans

Genesis 1-2, Psalm 8

We are made in God’s image and likeness.

Genesis 1:26-28, Genesis 2:7

Q: Who do you view yourself to be? What makes up your identity?

• What kind of relationship did God have with the humans?

1. 1.  He spent time with Adam and Eve. They loved being with God.
   1. 2.  He gave them responsibility
   2. 3.  He showed them the best possible way to live.
   3. 4.  He protected them from evil.
   4. 5.  He gave them the ability to choose.

 

 Things to think about…

• For the next few days try and notice something new about the way people, animals, nature—everything—is created. Do you see an amazingly creative design behind these things? If God’s first act was as an artist designing a beautiful creation, how should that impact us?

• Think about your own body, or that of your child (if you have one)…How amazing it is! What keeps your heart beating? Where does your creativity, intelligence and life come from? Think about having the “breath of life” in you.

• What questions would you ask an amazing “Creator of All” about the world, if you had the chance?

 

•  If God were to design a test especially for you and “put a tree in your garden,” what might that be?

• How would Satan or “evil” tempt you to choose your ways over God’s ways?

• Spend some time this week talking to God about these things—He’s listening…try listening to Him too.

 

Jeff Austin is the pastor at Real Life Community Church of the Nazarene. He is my friend of over 25 years and my pastor.

Please accept my invitation to one of our Life Groups where you can meet people and ask the questions you’ve always wondered about. For more about Life Groups, click here.