Connection Group Questions 2.7.2021
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.
And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.”
~ Genesis 1:1 & 31
- February 7, 2021
- Series: God is Good
- Message: God is Still Good
Open
We’re coming on a year into the COVID pandemic. It’s been hard. How are you with the following statement,
“God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good!”
- Are you holding steady in your faith? Are you a bit shaken? Or are you finding it hard to keep faith at all?
- What does it really mean to say, “God is good all the time?”
Discuss
Read Genesis 1
- Read through the first chapter and list the refrains. What patterns do we find emerging?
- The first three days speak of “forms.” The fourth through sixth days talk about “filling” the forms. What does this tell us about creation and God’s plans?
- George mentioned that the creation story, “Doesn’t give us a scientific account of creation, but give us an account of the creation of science.” What does that mean?
- George never got into the young earth/old earth, literally seven days/day-age theory/figurative seven days (and more) debates. You don’t have to either. Of you can! If you do, please remember that while Christians can debate the method and the means of creation, all Christians have agreed that God created, that God created from nothing, that God created for His pleasure and glory, that men and women are the image-bearers of God, that men and women are called to be stewards of creation, and, among other things, that the creation is good. So remember that while we may disagree on some things, there is much on which we should be able to agree.
- Now let’s get into the “good.” What does it mean for God to declare that His creation is ultimately “very good?”
- How does a very good creation fit in with the fall and sin?
- George said, “We can declare that much in our world and in our lives stinks. We dare not call what is evil ‘good.’ But that doesn’t change that fact that God’s creation has been declared good.” Are you more of a “Life stinks” or a “It’s all good” kind of person?
- Unpack what James, the brother of Jesus, wrote to the church, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)
- Unpack what Paul wrote to the church in Rome, “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.” (Romans 2:28).
- This verse has been of great comfort to many, but problematic for some. What is the proper and contextual understanding of this promise that God will work all things together for good?
- George ended with an illustration from the show “Good Bones.” Where do we see good bones in the midst of broken, abandoned and forsaken parts of creation?
Apply
End with some sharing and praying about the good things you’ve experience, seen or know about God’s creation. Perhaps even write your own Psalm declaring the goodness of God!
