DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Chapter 2—Creator
1. This chapter says, “we Christians are unbelievers when it come to competing stories of creation. It is an unusual way of thinking about Christians—as “unbelievers.” Discuss the similarities between the “Christian unbeliever” [in non-Christian or anti-Christian accounts of creation or other things] and the unbeliever in the Christian account to such things…how are they similar and different?
2. The writer claims we can seldom convince unbelieving others that God is the Creator. Yet scientific research into the origins of matter and life is a worthy endeavor for Christians—why?
3. If marshalling scientific date to prove God as creator seldom convinces people with the opposite view how do such people “get converted?—what makes them want to become a Christian?
4. Describe both views of the activity of God in creation (page 41—the distant initiator and the imminent creation-by-touch) then find Scripture that seems to suggest either of these view. Which do you (the students) prefer? Why?
5. Discuss the role of the entire Trinity in creation. How is this different than the [non-Orthodox] notion that “the Father” created everything and the Son and Holy Spirit came later?
6. Chat about how most discussions of “creation” seem to dwell on a limited part of creation (Humans, this planet) and why. Then ask someone to describe the “scope” of creation (matter, the universe, seen, unseen etc.)
7. Describe the view of creation that says “God is still creating even today” then ask is anyone in the group has an inclination to that approach inviting them to describe it and even mention Scripture supporting that view.
8. Discuss this sentence: ”How he created is interesting but not relevant to our core faith.”
9. This chapter is willing to let scientists offer up creation theories about the how and when, but insists Christians care most about who and why. What must any theory of creation include for Christians to be able to accept it?
10. Have the group read the “What about us” ending to this chapter to themselves as a closing meditation, or have someone prepared to read it aloud for the group. Consider closing by having someone read the prayer at the end for the group, or praying their own prayer based on the response we have to this part of Christian beliefs.
I invite you to post your own ideas on this chapter by adding a comment to this post to help other leaders. -- Keith Drury
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Greetings Keith Drury,
We found it useful to read Genesis Chapter One (each participant reading a verse in rotation)before discussing Creation, while it was fresh on our minds. It gave the unprepared fodder to engage the discussion involved in this chapter.
Most of the class pre-read the chapter. You are making them think. The rest were encouraged to read the text and catch up.
I closed by reading the verses from "This Is My Father's World," Maltbie D. Babcock.
Post a Comment