Seeds of Faith Podcast

February 12, 2012: Jesus Heals Jairus’s Daughter

sengelem — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:07:06 +0000

The text for this lesson is Mark 5:21–24, 35–43.

Key Point

Just as Jesus by Word and touch raised the dead girl to life, so by His divine Word, Baptism, and Supper, He kills and buries death and raises us to life eternal.
Law: For I have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; therefore I deserve death, the required price for sin.
Gospel: Jesus, the God-man, is life. The killer of death and the giver of life, He gives me life eternal through His Word and Sacraments.

Discussion Points

Has a child or young person close to you ever died or suffered a severe or chronic ailment? How did you feel to see this suffering in youth? Is this more difficult than the death of a loved one who has lived to a good old age?
What is Jairus’s title? What exactly does he do when he meets Jesus? What does this tell you about Jesus’ reputation and standing in the Jewish community at that time?
What do the comments of those from Jairus’s house indicate? How does Jesus counter their misunderstanding? Upon what is Jesus relying to strengthen Jairus?
What can you say about the people “weeping and wailing loudly”? Why are they doing this? How do Jesus’ question and comment counter this commotion?
Think about other miracles Jesus performs and who observes them. For examples, look at Mark 3:1–6; 7:32–37; and John 11:33–46. Why does Jesus here send everyone outside and take only the mother, father, and His closest disciples?
Compare the healing of the woman with the twelve-year flow of blood (especially verses 25–26) with the healing of this girl who was twelve years old. What is the relationship, keeping this number twelve in mind?
What did Jesus “charge” them with and tell them to do after the girl arose? Why did Jesus tell them to give her something to eat? Compare this with Acts 9:17–19.
Without a doubt, it is difficult for us today to face the suffering or death of a child, just as it was for Jairus. Yet Jesus, before He does anything, tells Jairus, “Do not fear, only believe.” What is your reaction to these words? Are they a comfort? How is the sermon in the Divine Service like these words of Jesus?
Do you remember the explanation to the Third Article of the Apostles’ Creed? What does it say about the resurrection? See 1 Corinthians 15:45–50. How is the Holy Spirit involved in the resurrection?

February 5, 2012: Jesus Heals a Man Who Is Paralyzed

sengelem — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:27:50 +0000

The text for this lesson is Mark 2:1–12.

Key Point

The miracle of healing the paralyzed man confirmed that Jesus, the Son of Man, has authority on earth to forgive sins and deliver all believers from death and the power of the devil.
Law: In my sin, I desire all the wrong things, things that lead to my destruction, and I demand that God give them to me.
Gospel: Christ knows what I need, and He bestows it—forgiveness, life, and salvation—without my even having to ask.

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Discussion Points

What are some things that you ask God for? Do you have confidence that He will grant these things? Why or why not?
Look at Mark 10:1. What is Jesus’ custom? In verse 13, who are the ones bringing the children to Jesus? What are they trying to do by bringing the children to Jesus?
Read Mark 1:32–34. How would you characterize Jesus’ ministry since He was baptized by John? Often the evangelists record Jesus out and about in the towns or countryside where the crowds can hear and access Him. Where is He in the passage we are studying today? Why would Jesus have stayed in the house with all the crowds trying to reach Him?
What occurs in Mark 2:4–5? What does Jesus see prior to speaking to the paralytic? What does He say to the paralytic?
What do the scribes say to themselves? What is wrong with their thoughts? What is right about their thoughts?
What does Jesus do again in verse 8, similar to what He had done in verse 5? What do you think of His question in verse 9? Which is easier to say?
Why does Jesus eventually heal the paralytic? See Luke 4:17–21. Does Jesus heal the paralytic only to show that he has authority to forgive sins?
What is the role of miracles in the Bible? Why does it seem like the Bible is so full of miracles, but our lives are not?
What does it mean to blaspheme God? Read Mark 3:22–29. Who was really doing the blaspheming in the passage of the healing of the paralytic? Does God forgive blasphemy?

January 29, 2012: Jesus and the Little Children

sengelem — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:27:13 +0000

The text for this lesson is Mark 10:13–16.

Key Point

Jesus came to us, who in our sin are helpless, dependent, and needy, to bestow His love and eternal gifts upon us.
Law: In my sinful foolishness, I look for the things of this world to satisfy and save me. I prize self-sufficiency. I believe I can take care of myself.
Gospel: God, in His love, knows that I am like a helpless child who can do nothing to save myself; in His love, He provides all that I need for this body and life, working salvation for me in His Son.

Discussion Points

If you’ve spent much time around children, share your impressions of them. What are their personalities like? Can they be characterized any differently than adults? Would you say that children are “innocent”?
Look at Mark 10:1. What is Jesus’ custom? In verse 13, who are the ones bringing the children to Jesus? What are they trying to do by bringing the children to Jesus?
What is Jesus’ response when the disciples try to keep the children from coming to Him? In verse 14, what is the word Mark uses to describe Jesus’ attitude toward them?
To whom does Jesus say belongs the kingdom of God? Read Mark 9:42. What would it mean to “hinder” someone from coming to the Kingdom?
What exactly does it mean to receive the Kingdom as a little child?
What is the kingdom of God? How do we receive this Kingdom today? What is the role of Baptism in receiving the Kingdom?
What about the Rite of Confirmation? What is the purpose of this rite? What is the difference in someone before and after he or she is confirmed?
What are some ways that we can help our children grow in the kingdom of God? Is there any kind of age requirement for these things?

January 22, 2012: Jesus Calls Matthew

sengelem — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:29:08 +0000

The text for this lesson is Mark 2:13–17.

Key Point

We sinners rejoice, for we, too, have been called from our own sin to dine at the table of the friend of sinners, Jesus.
Law: If I say I have no sin, I deceive myself, and the truth is not in me.
Gospel: Jesus is the friend of sinners, who says to me, “Fear not, I am faithful and just to forgive your sins and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness.”

Discussion Points

How do you show your friendship with others? What kinds of activities do you do together? Do you invite them over for meals? What do the Scriptures say Jesus does with His friends? When and how do we experience this?
See Mark 4:35–41 and 1:16–18. Who is the ruler of the seas? What does Jesus do by the sea?
What difference does Mark record between Jesus’ words to the crowd (compare Mark 1:15) and His words to Levi? How does this distinguish Levi from the crowd? What is the significance of this, considering Levi was a tax collector?
Where is the next place that we see Jesus after calling Levi? What is He doing, and with whom?
What is so surprising and offensive to the scribes? With whom would they expect Jesus to be eating? What does this expectation tell us about Jesus?
Who are the ones who need Jesus, according to His words in Mark 2:17? Are there any that are righteous? Whom, then, does Jesus call?
Who are Jesus’ disciples in this passage? How do we live as His disciples?
What do we say in the Confession and Absolution in the Divine Service? How does this relate to being called by Jesus to be His disciple? Are there other opportunities for Confession and Absolution outside of the beginning of the Divine Service? Why would we want to take advantage of those opportunities?

October 9, 2011: Joseph Forgives

Cody Frazer — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 22:29:16 +0000

The text for this lesson is Genesis 42–45; 50:15–21.

Key Points

Joseph revealed himself to his brothers and forgave them. Our Lord Jesus Christ reveals Himself to us and forgives us in His Holy Word and Sacraments.
Law: My sin causes worry and guilt.
Gospel: Jesus took my sins of worry and guilt to the cross.
Law: Sin in the world hurts me and causes me to doubt God’s love.
Gospel: God’s love and mercy are mine in spite of my sin and the world’s sinful state.
Law: The unconfessed sins I refuse to acknowledge afflict my conscience.
Gospel: In His mercy, the Lord invites me to confess my sins and promises to forgive them for Jesus’ sake.
Law: The Law of God shows me my sins and cries out, “Repent!”
Gospel: The Gospel shows me my Savior from sin and proclaims, “You are forgiven!”

Discussion Points

Think of a time when a family member or friend sinned against you and hurt you. How did you react to that person the very next time you saw him or her?
Now think of that same family member or friend and that same sin that they committed against you. How can you learn to look at that event as God’s will to humble you and bring you closer to Him and closer to your family member or friend?
Read through Genesis 42 to see how Joseph’s brothers happened to meet him in Egypt. How did God once again use ordinary, natural world events to accomplish His purpose of saving His people? Why did Joseph’s brothers not recognize him (42:8)? How did Joseph’s dreams (37:5–11) become fulfilled as the situation unfolded?
Why did Joseph apparently treat his brothers with suspicion and harshness by accusing them of being spies and then putting them in prison for three days? How did Joseph show them mercy in this first meeting? Why did they view Joseph’s kindness with such fear?
Read through Genesis 43, which shows the second encounter that Joseph had with his brothers in Egypt. When the grain had run out, Jacob ordered his sons to return to Egypt to buy more grain. However, the sons had to convince him to send Benjamin with them. What promise did Judah make in 43:8–9?
Summarize what Joseph did when he saw his brothers again, this time with Benjamin in their company. How did the brothers react to Joseph’s kindness in 43:18–22, and how did the servant respond in 43:23? How did Joseph’s emotions begin to get the better of him? How did Joseph begin to reveal that he knew something about these brothers?
Read through Genesis 44. Summarize the test that Joseph gave his brothers when they began to return home the second time. How did Judah intercede on behalf of Benjamin in 44:18–34? How does this selfless act by Judah foreshadow the intercession of our Lord Jesus Christ for all people?
Read through Genesis 45 to see how Joseph finally revealed himself to his brothers. What prompted Joseph finally to reveal himself to his brothers? In 45:5, how did Joseph absolve his brothers for what they had done to him? In 45:7, what does Joseph teach us about God’s Church as he glorifies God for sending him to Egypt?
Joseph’s brothers lived with unconfessed sin for twenty-two years, and it weighed them down. In fact, their unconfessed sin led them to view Joseph’s merciful deeds with suspicion and fear. How does your unconfessed sin weigh you down and change your outlook on your day-to-day life? Also see Psalm 32:3–4; Psalm 38:3–14; and Psalm 102:3–11.
What can we do to relieve the burden of our unconfessed sins? This time, look up Psalm 32:1–2, 6–7; Psalm 51:7–12; and Psalm 143:9–12. What comfort, relief, and aid do these verses give?
How can you use God’s forgiveness, given in Jesus Christ crucified and risen, to effect healing between you and your family or friends? See Colossians 3:12–13.
When Jacob died (Genesis 50:15ff), Joseph’s brothers were filled with fear because they were still troubled by their sin and doubted Joseph’s forgiveness. What did Joseph say to them when they confessed their sins? How are we like the brothers when God forgives us? How does Joseph’s understanding of God’s actions affect his response to his brothers’ confession of sin? Read Romans 8:28 and discuss the similarities between this verse and Joseph’s words in Genesis 50:20.

September 11, 2011: Esau Forgives Jacob

Cody Frazer — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 16:59:53 +0000

The text for this lesson is Genesis 31:3; 32-33.

Key Points

Jacob struggled against man and God for his birthright. On the cross, Jesus struggled against sin and death to win our heavenly birthright.
Law: Sin separates me from God and from those I love.
Gospel: In Christ, nothing can separate me from the love of God.
Law: Broken families and failed friendships are the result of sin.
Gospel: Jesus’ forgiveness restores my broken relationship with God and can heal my broken earthly relationships as well.
Law: Sin causes me to doubt God and His promises.
Gospel: All of God’s plans for me are good and perfect.
Law: Sin causes fear and shame.
Gospel: On the cross, Christ paid for my sin and destroyed my shame and fear.

Discussion Points

When your prayers to God seem to go unanswered, do you think He may be ignoring you? Can you trust a God who seems to ignore you?
How do you respond when you pray for something, but God seems to answer your prayers in the exact opposite way from what you asked?
How do you wrestle with God in your life—with understanding His message in Holy Scripture, with trusting His purpose and will for you, and so on?
Jacob had fled from his uncle Laban, and Laban caught up with him and confronted him (see Genesis 31). Next Jacob had to prepare to meet his brother, Esau, who was greatly angered when Jacob stole his blessing (see Genesis 27:18–30). Why was Jacob so fearful of his brother? See Genesis 27:41–45. How did Jacob turn to God for comfort at this time of fear and anxiety (see Genesis 32:9–12)?
In Genesis 32:13–21, how did Jacob try to appease his brother, Esau? That is, how did he try to earn his brother’s favor?
Hosea 12:4 summarizes this story by saying, “[Jacob] strove with the angel and prevailed; he wept and sought His favor.” With whom did Jacob wrestle, with an angel or with God Himself? What clues can you find in the text (Genesis 32:22–32) to answer this question?
Even as Jacob wrestled God and prevailed, his hip was dislocated. However, Jacob did not let go and give up. What did he do after his hip was dislocated (see Genesis 32:25–26)? Why is this important?
When Jacob asked for a blessing, the “Divine Wrestler”—the LORD—changed his name from Jacob to Israel. What does the name Israel mean? What was the significance of this name for Jacob? For his descendents? For his ultimate descendant and heir, Jesus Christ?
In the morning, after the wrestling match, what did Jacob call the place and why (see Genesis 32:30)? How is this like the experience that Moses had in Exodus 33:17–23?
In Genesis 33:1–20, how did Jacob try to win the favor of his brother, Esau? Why was this unnecessary (33:9)? In this blessed reunion of two long-estranged brothers, how did Jacob turn from trying to appease his brother to living the holy life of faith (33:10–11)?
When Jacob feared the reunion with his brother, Esau, he tried to appease Esau, or earn his favor. When we realize that our sin separates us from God, how do we try to appease God—that is, earn His favor? Why does this create only fear and anxiety for us?
Remember a time when you had a serious disagreement with a family member or a friend. What frightens you about being reconciled to that family member or friend? How does that fear get in the way of being reconciled?
How does our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ wrestle with us? See, for example, Matthew 15:21–28. What benefit or blessing does our Lord Jesus bring out of such wrestling matches?
Just as Jacob wrestled with God and was blessed by seeing God, we also get to see God with the eyes of faith, even as we wrestle with trusting His saving promises. How do we see God in the Christian Church? How are we delivered and blessed?

April 24, 2011: The Resurrection of Jesus

Cody Frazer — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 18:16:08 +0000

The text for this lesson is .

Key Points

The resurrection reveals that the Father has accepted the Son’s sacrifice for our sins, and it fills us with confident hope that, as Christ has been raised from the dead, we, too, will rise to eternal life.
Law: Because of sin, I deserve eternal death and separation from God.
Gospel: The Father has accepted His Son’s sacrifice for sin, making me an heir of eternal life.
Law: As a result of sin, I am filled with fear.
Gospel: As the Spirit works through the Word of God to comfort me, fear is replaced with joy.
Law: I am slow to believe and hesitant to tell others about Jesus.
Gospel: The Holy Spirit grants me faith and empowers me to tell others about the Lord’s resurrection.

Discussion Points

In a time of war, we often say that soldiers “make the ultimate sacrifice” as they lay down their lives to defend their country. We also say that they “pay the price” by spilling their own blood so that their fellow citizens may live in freedom. How can we apply this image to Jesus’ death and resurrection and thus thank our God for His victory over death and the grave?
Read the whole Easter story in Matthew 28:1–10. Why does Matthew say, “After the Sabbath”? Why does he specify that this event takes place “toward dawn of the first day of the week”? See also Genesis 1:3–5; 2:1–3. What is significant about the women, “Mary Magdalene and the other Mary,” going to see the tomb? See 1 Corinthians 1:27 and Genesis 3:6.
In Matthew 28:2–3, what does the earthquake mean as the angel descends to roll the stone away from the tomb? See Isaiah 29:6. Why is the stone rolled away from Jesus’ tomb? What is significant about the angel’s appearance and clothing? Also see Mark 16:5.
Matthew 28:4 gives us the only reference to the guards in all of the four Gospel accounts of the resurrection. Why does Matthew mention that “the guards trembled and became like dead men”? See Matthew 27:62–66.
Read once again the angel’s message to the women in Matthew 28:5–7. Why does the angel tell the women, “Do not be afraid”? Why does the angel mention “Jesus who was crucified”? What grand proclamation does the angel give, and what is the force of the phrase “He has risen”? What proof does the angel give for this grand proclamation? In verse 7, why does the angel tell the women a second time that Jesus “has risen from the dead”?
In Matthew 28:8–9, what mixture of emotions do the women have? How do they respond when they actually meet and see the risen Lord?
The Early Church considered each Sunday a “little Easter.” As a result, every Easter was viewed as “a big Sunday.” How does this show the centrality of Jesus’ resurrection for our Christian faith? How might we unwittingly downplay the centrality of our Lord’s resurrection victory over death? To help discuss these questions, look up 1 Corinthians 15:14, 17, 20–23; Romans 4:25; and 6:5.
What is the most appropriate response that we can have to the great proclamation of Jesus Christ risen from the dead? Why does the Church celebrate Easter for seven whole weeks? How do we truly get to celebrate Easter every Sunday in the Divine Service?
Some people believe that the Christian Church should still worship on the Sabbath Day, that is, Saturday. Why did the one, holy, Christian, and apostolic Church decide to worship on Sunday, the first day of the week, and why does she still worship on Sunday? See Acts 20:7 and Colossians 2:16–17.

March 13, 2011: The Temptation of Jesus

Cody Frazer — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 16:13:56 +0000

The text for this lesson is Matthew 4:1-11.

Key Points

Jesus faced the temptation of Satan for us and resisted it with the Holy Word of God. God’s Word strengthens and enables us to resist Satan and grants us forgiveness when we fail.
Law: With crafty words, Satan tempted Adam to disobey God’s will, and he tempts me to do the same.
Gospel: With the Word of God, Jesus overcame all the temptations of Satan.
Law: Temptation overcame Adam, bringing death and condemnation through his original sin.
Gospel: Jesus overcame sin and death, bringing forgiveness and life to sinners who believe.

Discussion Points

The fourth-century pastor Jerome told the story of a young Christian wrestling with tempting thoughts. An older father in the faith advised the young man: “Dear brother, you cannot prevent the birds from flying over your head, but you can certainly keep them from building a nest in your hair” (cited in Luther’s Works, 42:73). What does this vivid picture tell you about temptations in your life? What does it tell you about how Christians can respond to temptations?
Look up and read 1 John 2:15–16. What three things does the apostle John warn us about as we live in this fallen, sin-filled world?
Immediately after He was baptized by John (Matthew 3:13–17), “Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” (Matthew 4:1). How is Jesus’ temptation tied back to His Baptism? Why does the Holy Spirit lead Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan? See Hosea 11:1 and Exodus 15:25–26; 16:4.
Read Matthew 4:2–4. What “weak point” of Jesus does Satan target in this first temptation? How does Jesus resist and overcome this temptation? How does Jesus replay and reverse the original temptation of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden? See Genesis 3:1–7, especially verse 6. How does our Lord replay and reverse the failed test of Israel in the wilderness? See Exodus 16:2–4.
Read Matthew 4:5–7. How does Satan use Holy Scripture to tempt Jesus in this second temptation? See Psalm 91:11–12. How does the Lord resist this temptation? How does this temptation replay and reverse the temptation of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:6? How does this temptation replay and reverse the temptation of Israel in the wilderness? See Deuteronomy 6:16 and Exodus 17:1–7.
Read Matthew 4:8–10. In the third temptation, to what does Satan appeal as he further tries to lure Jesus away from faithfully trusting God? How is this similar to the original temptation in the Garden of Eden (again, see Genesis 3:6)? What infamous event in Israel’s history showed that God’s Old Testament “son” utterly failed to worship and serve Him? See Exodus 32:1–10. How does Jesus again replay and reverse these temptations?
In Matthew 4:11, we read that “the devil left [Jesus], and behold, angels came and were ministering to Him.” What crucial detail does Luke 4:13 add to this picture, and when does this happen in the life of Jesus? See Matthew 26:63–64; 27:40; and 27:43.
How does Jesus’ work of resisting temptations and conquering Satan give you hope and comfort when you face temptations? How does your Lord give you an example of how to fight temptations yourself?
How does Hebrews 4:14–16 give us Christians great hope and comfort as we do hand-to-hand combat with Satan on the battlefield of temptations?
Why is the account of Jesus’ temptation important for observing the season of Lent?

October 3, 2010: Noah and the Flood

Cody Frazer — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 19:38:28 +0000

The text for this lesson is Genesis 6:1-9:17

Key Points

In the flood, God destroyed sinful people. Jesus, His Son, destroyed sin, once and for all, in His death and resurrection, giving life to sinful people.
Law: God demands obedience to His Law.
Gospel: God sent His Son to obey the Law perfectly for me.
Law: God used water in a flood to drown sinful humankind.
Gospel: In Baptism, God uses water to drown my sins, granting me eternal life through Jesus, His Son.

Discussion Points

In December 2004, a tsunami killed hundreds of thousands of people in Southeast Asia. In late August 2005, Hurricane Katrina left New Orleans and other parts of the Gulf Coast underwater. What images of these disasters come to mind? How would they compare to the universal flood that God sent in Noah’s day?
“I just don’t believe that Noah could have built that ark with the primitive technology they had then. And how could a flood cover the entire earth?” How would you respond to a friend who said such things?
“It seems so cruel that God would destroy all those people and animals in the flood. How could He choose to save only eight people and still be a good and gracious God?” How would you respond to a friend who said this?
Read Genesis 6:5–7. What was the condition of the human heart at the time of Noah? Read Genesis 6:11–13. What kind of behavior resulted from the condition of the human heart? Was humanity any better off after the flood? See Genesis 8:21. Are we any better off today?
Read Genesis 6:8–9; 7:1. What motivated God to save Noah? Why was Noah called “righteous”? Note that Genesis 9:18–29 indicates that Noah was not without sin.
Read Hebrews 11:7. How was Noah’s faith demonstrated?
Once Noah and his family and the animals had entered the ark, Genesis 7:16 says that God shut Noah in. Could Noah have done this himself? What does this lead us to conclude about the nature of salvation, that is, rescue from harm and danger?
Read Genesis 8:20–21. Why did Noah offer sacrifices to the Lord? How did the Lord receive the sacrifices? What kind of sacrifices are we to offer to the Lord today? See Romans 12:1.
Read Genesis 9:8–11. What might the fact that animals are part of the covenant indicate?
Read Matthew 24:37–39. What were the wicked, faithless people doing when the flood came? How do the wicked live in our own generation? Should Christians be involved in the same deeds as unbelievers?
Read Genesis 9:12–17. How is the rainbow a more effective sign of God’s promise than words alone? What visible signs of His promise does God give to the Church?
It says in 1 Peter 3:20b–21, “In [the ark] a few people, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you . . . through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” What images does this verse bring to mind about the salvation we receive in Baptism?
In Genesis 9:4, God tells Noah, “You shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.” This verse is the first of many in the Bible that prohibit the consumption of blood (Leviticus 3:17; Deuteronomy 12:15–16; Acts 15:29; and others). Here, and elsewhere in the Old Testament, blood is equated with the life of the living being. How does this fact about blood help us understand the significance of the true presence of Christ’s body and blood in the Lord’s Supper?

September 12, 2010: God Creates Adam and Eve

Cody Frazer — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 18:13:02 +0000

The text for this lesson is Genesis 1:26-2:25

Key Points

God made us in His image, provided all things for our good, and made us rulers over the earth and everything in it.
Law: God expects me to wisely rule His creation for His glory and the good of others.
Gospel: God in Christ offers me forgiveness when I exploit, waste, or spoil His creation, and He mercifully grants all that I need in body and spirit.
Law: I sin when I view the creation to be more important than humankind.
Gospel: God created all things for my good and in Christ forgives me when I place the creation higher than humanity.
Law: I sin when I worship the creation and not the Creator.
Gospel: God in Christ forgives my sins of self-idolatry and offers me eternal life with Him.

Discussion Points

Of your many earthly gifts from God, which are the most important to you? How does the creation account demonstrate which of His creatures should be most important?
“Do you think that many people today believe that God instituted marriage? In light of the creation account, should same-sex marriage ever be recognized by the Christian Church?
The creation myths of ancient Babylon teach that humans were created to serve God’s needs. Is this view compatible with Genesis? Why did God create humankind?
One aspect of the image of God is righteousness, that is, being without sin. Just as God is without sin, so humankind was created sinless and righteous. When Adam and
Eve sinned, did they completely lose the righteousness that they originally had from being created in the image of God? Instead of original righteousness, what is each of us born with? How does God restore us to righteousness and His image? See Colossians 1:15–20 and 1 Corinthians 1:30.
A second aspect of the image of God is dominion, that is, control and rule or lordship. Read Genesis 1:26 carefully. What is the connection between humankind being created in God’s image and God’s command for us to rule over the world? How does a good ruler or lord treat his subjects? How, then, should people rule over the world? How has the fall affected our understanding of dominion? How does our Lord Jesus Christ rule us? See Matthew 20:25–28.
A third aspect of the image of God is that we have the breath of life from God. We confess in the Nicene Creed that the Holy Spirit is “the Lord and giver of life.” Read Genesis 2:7. How does the Spirit give us life? What does the word inspiration mean in Christian theology? Read John 6:63. Whose words are inspired? Read John 20:19–23. How does God breathe new life into people who are dead in sin?
God created the first man and woman in His image to share in a perfect relationship of love. Love is expressed in community. An aspect of the image of God is community. Read Genesis 2:18. Why was it not good for Adam to be alone? Why did he need a suitable helper? How does God dispel loneliness and provide community through the institution of marriage? Read Ephesians 5:22–33. How does Christian marriage provide a picture of Christ’s love for His Church and of the Church’s love for Christ?
As Christians, we believe that Genesis 1–2 describes God’s intentional and loving creation of humankind. How does what we believe about creation affect our view of the dignity of every living person? How does what we believe about Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice affect our view of each other? See John 3:16.
Read Genesis 2:16–17. By giving this command, God was telling Adam that he was to trust and believe in Him only. What kinds of created things or people do we make into gods? Ultimately, what becomes of us if we create our own gods? See Isaiah 44:9–10.
Read Genesis 2:15. Was the need to work part of God’s perfect creation or the result of sin? Why is work sometimes such a difficult and joyless thing? Why would a life of idleness not be God-pleasing? How does our work serve God?
Read Genesis 1:28. When God says, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth,” what is He telling Adam and Eve to do? Read Psalm 127:3–5. What does God’s Word tell us about children? How do these verses contrast with many people’s views of marriage and childbearing today?