Date: June 9, 2024
God’s Promise of Preservation
The Point: God promised to preserve His creation.
Get Into the Study
Begin the study by discussing Question #1, then share the following information.
Spring weather has been hard on several areas of the United States. In early May, torrential rains inundated Southeast Texas, producing flooding that rivaled Hurricane Harvey, and required hundreds to be rescued from their homes. Then, later in the month of May, a band of tornados swept across the Midwest and South, with nine tornados confirmed in Middle Tennessee alone. Finally, Omaha, Nebraska experienced four to eight inches of rain in a forty-eight-hour period that produced significant flooding in the Omaha area. With weather like that, it would not be surprising to find some folks looking for Noah and the Ark.
Call attention to The Point: “God promised to preserve His creation” and say, “Thankfully, as we study today’s passage, we will see that God has given us a promise to preserve His creation. While there might be natural disasters that affect our world, God is still in charge and God’s promises are true.
Continue with the introductory discussion by summarizing the information found in The Bible Meets Life.
- https://weather.com/news/weather/news/2024-05-02-houston-flash-flooding-texas
- https://www.newschannel5.com/news/may-8th-tornado-damage
Get Into the Study [Option from the Adult Leader Guide]
In advance, play a video clip of a scene from a natural disaster. Then ask Question #1.
Study the Bible [Option from the Daily Discipleship Guide Leader Guide]
As part of your discussion around Genesis 9:4-7 and how God affirms the value of human life, take time to examine information on what things cost in years past versus what they cost now. Use this link to talk about how the value of things has changed over the years but the value of human life never changes.
Live It Out
As you discuss the “Live It Out” section, share the following information.
God has promised to preserve His creation. That is a promise, but have you considered what your responsibility might be in that preservation? Many Southern Baptist have chosen to live out that responsibility through Disaster Relief ministries. Almost every state convention has an organization that responds when natural disasters occur. In the past, Baptist Disaster Relief (DR for short) responded to Hurricanes Katrina, Sandy, Harvey, and other storms. DR was also visible at the Twin Towers after 9/11, offering aid and support. On a regular basis, volunteers respond to meet needs, comfort, and share the Gospel with hurting people. In addition to chainsaws, food preparation and construction, DR chaplains accompany each team.
For example, in the past three months, the Arkansas Baptist State Convention DR has responded by donating and transporting hay to farmers and ranchers in the fire-stricken areas in the West. They deployed to Oklahoma when twenty-seven tornados swept through the state, and to Houston, Texas to assist with flood relief. This is an example of just one state convention’s efforts. Other states are just as involved and ready to serve.
Say: While you may not be interested in or able to be a part of this kind of ministry, all believers are called to live out their faith by serving others. God’s covenant with Noah is also His covenant with us.
- https://www.sendrelief.org/focus-areas/respond-to-crisis/
- https://arkansasbaptist.org/post/sbtc-disaster-relief-gives-a-huge-thank-you-to-arkansas-baptists-for-hay-donations/
- https://arkansasbaptist.org/post/abdr-teams-deploy-to-oklahoma/
- https://arkansasbaptist.org/post/abdr-deploys-to-texas/
Lynn Riley is retired from the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, where he served as a team member in the areas of evangelism and church health. He and his wife Cheryl live in Smyrna, Tennessee and are active members of Rolling Hills Community Church in Nolensville, Tennessee. They are spending their retirement years serving their church and spoiling grandkids.
Additional Questions
Icebreaker
- When are new beginnings positive and when are they negative?
- What’s the closest you’ve ever come to living through a natural disaster and how did you respond?
- Which type of natural disaster would you be the most fearful to experience and why?
- When have you witnessed a natural disaster?
- What’s the closest you’ve come to a natural disaster? How has that moment impacted you?
- What’s a new journey you’re especially glad you got to start? (BG)
Genesis 9:1-3
- How do God’s words to Noah remind you of His covenant with Adam?
- What does it mean to be “fruitful and multiply” and what does that look like in application for your life?
- How does God’s interaction with Noah give you hope?
- What responsibilities come alongside the authority God gives to Noah’s family?
- When has God reaffirmed a promise in your life?
Genesis 9:4-7
- What can we do as Christians to ensure dignity for all human beings?
- In what ways do God’s promise and God’s warning demonstrate His attitude toward human life?
- What opportunities do you have, in your everyday circumstances, to be a protector and preserver of life?
- What does this passage reveal about what God values?
- What responsibilities do we have for preserving the lives of others?
- What are some ways our actions can fail to value human life?
- Where do you see the value of human life being threatened today?
Genesis 9:8-13
- What does God reveal about Himself with this covenant? How should that influence how we relate to Him?
- How does it make you feel to know that God keeps his covenant with you?
- How does God’s covenant with creation influence how we should relate to creation?
- How can this promise impact the way you pray for others?
- Where do you see God’s grace and mercy in these promises?
- How would you summarize the provisions of the covenant described in these verses?
For Those in Your Group
Send the following link to your group members as either a teaser before the group meets or as a follow-up thought:
The Beauty of God’s Faithfulness
Magazine Article
This article complements the study. Share this link with your group members.
HomeLife – So Far Beyond Us
Podcast
Click here for a 20-minute podcast for both the group member and the leader.
Podcast (adultsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
The truth of the matter is that ALL people have been made in the image of God. That may be part of why the culture today uses the rainbow as a symbol to remind us of the importance of treating all humans with dignity and love.
Just listened to next week’s podcast and wanted to say check out the rainbow apparel when you go to Ark Encounter in Kentucky.