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Theme: 'I believe in God the Father..'
Text: Psalm 8 and Luke 12:22-34
Topic: 'The God I believe in ... Maker of heaven and earth'
Share:
Have you ever had an experience of seeing something in creation, that moved you to say, ’There must be a God.’?
What would you say to this quote from Dr Jacob Bronowski, who wrote a book,’The Ascent of Man’: ’The aim of science is to get rid of angels, blue fairies with red noses and other agents whose intervention would reduce the explanation of physical events to other than physical terms.’?
Is there inevitably a conflict between science and faith?
Consider:
When the first Soviet Cosmonauts flew into space, they returned, saying ‘We did not see God, therefore there is no God’.
When the American Astronauts flew to the moon in 1969, they expressed their feelings as they looked by saying, ’In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth ...’
What do you see as you look at creation? Do you see what the David saw? (Psalm 19:1-2)
Think:
In the context of creation, how important do you think human beings are?
(Read Psalm 8)
What are the responsibilities that come with the special position humanity occupies?
How does this position of authority not justify human exploitation and abuse of the created order? How should we live in regard to the resources and creatures of the planet?
Priorities:
(Read Luke 12:22-34)
In what ways ought a belief in God, as the Maker of heaven and earth, take away worry and stress about the needs of our lives?
How would you make sense of these verses if you were sharing them with someone in a region of the world struck by famine or drought?
According to these verses, what is the most essential need of life?
How much does your thinking, lifestyle, and priorities reflect this?
Consider the final verse (v34). Where is your heart, which is to ask, where is your treasure? Are you at peace with what this reflection reveals about yourself?
Is there a need for you to seek God’s help to change your priorities?
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