Meet the Author - In the beginning

The best place to start is right at the beginning! These notes are taken from the Share the light study course which is being incorporated into the Christian Chat "God's word for you" this Christmas.

PRAY: Father please "open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your law" Psalm 119:18

Spend a few moments reading Genesis 1 and 2

Right from the start, the Bible introduces us to its main character: "In the beginning... God" (1:1) The rest of this unique and wonderful book is all about him. There are theologians who describe the Bible as God's "self revelation". That means it's not only a book about God, it's a book by God. He inspired the human writers see 2 Peter 1:21; 2 Timothy 3:16 so today IF you want to meet God, read HIS book.

Next the Bible tackles one of life's biggest questions: How do we explain the origins of the universe? Some scientists look at the rocks, seas and even space for answers.But the Bible looks to the heavens (1:1) Obviously science has its place in helping us explore the natural world - but for the answers about creation we need to accept that God made it.

The Big picture (1:1-2:3) As we read this overview of the 7 days of creation we notice that God took the initiative. He had a plan and a design for his world - it was not a mishmash nor a mistake. Experiences like holding a newborn baby or looking at the stars on a clear night are evidence of how incredible his design is.

The human interest story (2:3-25) Genesis 2:4 is like a "hyperlink" to more information on a key part of the story - the creation of humankind. We've already learned that God chose to make men and women and that both reflect HIS image (2:7). Now we learn that people posses at least two other distinctives: God's life (2:7) and God's standards (2:16,17). We have a God given conscience, an innate sense that there is such a thing as a right and wrong. To live as if it were no so in inhuman.

APPLY What evidence for the existence of God do you see in the world around you? When do you feel closest to God? What evidence of God does the world around you see in You?