Creation and Fall
Gregg Brenes
Part of We Believe
April 14, 2024

Who am I? and Why am I here?

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good… —Genesis 1:1-4 NASB

…Then God said, “Let us make mankind in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the ground.” 27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. —Genesis 1:26-27 NASB

…God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” … 31 God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good… —Genesis 1:28, 31 NASB

  • Imago Dei *– “image of God”*
    o We are created to reflect God’s character.
    o We are appointed to be representatives of God’s rule.
    o We are called to partner with God in spreading His presence and His kingdom in the world.

What we believe about creation and the fall…

  • God made all things good. (Genesis 1:1-4, 31)

Bring all who claim me as their God, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them. —Isaiah 43:7 NLT

  • God governs everything He made. (Nehemiah 9:6)

  • God made humans in His image. (Genesis 1:26-28)

  • Humans rebelled against God. (Genesis 3:9-11; Romans 5:12-14)

  • All humans are sinful. (Romans 3:10-12)

Until we understand the magnitude of our problem, we can’t appreciate the greatness of God’s provision

Discipleship Guide

Let’s Talk About It

Two big questions that everyone wonders… “Who am I?” and “Why am I here?” The account of creation and the fall helps us understand the bigger story we’re a part of. We believe God created all things, visible and invisible, out of nothing, and all very good. He sovereignly sustains and governs creation for his glory and the benefit of his creatures. God created humans in his image, male and female, to know, love, and glorify him in covenant relationship and to serve as stewards of the earth. The first man, Adam, sinned against God, resulting in alienation, death, guilt, shame, and a curse upon the earth. Separated from God and subject to his judgment, all humans have inherited a sinful nature from which they cannot save themselves.

Genesis 1:1-4, 26-31; Isaiah 43:7 NLT; Psalm 19:1; Nehemiah 9:6; Genesis 2:15-17; Genesis 3:9-11; Romans 5:12-14; Romans 3:10-12; Ephesians 2:1; Romans 8:19

Purple Book, review:

  • What did you learn about prayer and worship from chapter eight of TPB?

  • How have you seen God’s Spirit move through prayer? Where do you need answered prayer? Take time to pray as a group and trust the Spirit to move mightily.

Sermon questions:

  • Which part of the message impacted or challenged you?

  • Read Genesis 1:1-4; 26-31. Why is it essential to have a worldview shaped by the biblical account of creation, and what are some results of denying the biblical account of creation?

  • What is the image of God, and why does it matter that we believe and embrace it?

  • Read Genesis 3:9-11 and Romans 3:10-12. What are the consequences of human rebellion in our relationship to God, others, and the creation?

  • Read Isaiah 43:7. What would it look like for your life to give God glory? What would you need to start doing? What might you need to stop doing? What should you continue doing?

Take a Step

  • Think about how you can better reflect God’s glory to the world this week and take a step to do it.

Here’s My Prayer
The whole of creation declares Your glory, Lord, and You reveal Yourself in the everlasting fabric of the world. You are the God of heaven and earth, seas and rivers, sun and moon, and all the stars. The sun sings Your praises, the moon gives You glory, and all creatures offer a hymn to You. Let everything that has breath praise and exalt You forever. Lead us, O God, from the sight of Your beautiful creation to the thought of You, our Creator, and grant that by delighting in Your creation, we will delight in You.