Questions for Personal Reflection and Group Discussion:
Read Genesis 1:1-5 & 14-19 (NIV):
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. ….
14 And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth.” And it was so. 16 God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. 17 God set them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth, 18 to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day.
- Julian Barnes said, “I don’t believe in God, but I miss him.” How have you seen this same sentiment in people you know? What does this communicate about humans?
- “On day 4 of the creation story, we see that heaven and earth were meant to be deeply connected.” What is meant by this?
- Why is this connection between heaven and earth so important?
- Genesis 1:14 says that the lights in the sky are to “serve as signs.” What did God mean by this? What do the sun, moon and stars point to?
- Genesis 1:14 also indicates that the heavenly lights would “mark sacred times.” How do the various events in the sacred calendar give direction and order to our lives?
- What are some effects of darkness on humans? How do you tend to feel in darkness, other than when you want to sleep?
- God is the source of all light. What are some qualities of light that reflect God’s character and his relationship with us?
- How does a relationship with our Creator affect a person? How has your relationship with God impacted you?
- What did you sense God saying to you through this passage and this message?
