Read Genesis 1:1
The Bible opens with a simple fact claim: “In the beginning God created the heavens and earth.” The author doesn’t attempt to support the existence of God, he simply declares God’s existence and action as the starting point of reality. The belief in a god or gods is the prevailing belief in all times and locations of human history. That’s not to say that every person who ever existed is/was a theist; it is to say that the normal human experience is to believe in a god or gods. Theism is the norm.
While such a belief in a god or gods is the normal human experience, the expressions and understanding of the deity/deities varies dramatically. While the religious expressions and forms are varied across time and the globe, they generally have certain elements that constitute a religious system. This week’s lesson focuses on understanding the concept of religion and the Christian framework. In preparation for this lesson, give some thought to your earliest thoughts about God and religion.
Examine your earliest thoughts about God and religion. Perhaps you were raised in a religious environment where your thoughts were guided by parents or grandparents. Maybe, you were raised in a non-religious home, but always believed there must be a god out there. What was that like? Were you raised in a very religious home. What was that like? Perhaps you were raised in a non-Christian religion and changed religions. What was that like?
After careful reflection, please answer these questions.
- How did you first envision God?
- Describe in depth (2 paragraphs) your experience of growing up and learning about God.
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