That's the theme God's given me to teach on board.
On Friday, I embark on an 8-day Alaskan Ministry Cruise where I've been invited to teach Bible studies on the mornings of our sea days.
I'm praying God renews and refreshes us in ways we cannot fully yet imagine.
And as we see and experience the majesty of His unspoiled creation in Alaska, we'll be studying His Word about that very thing.
In the beginning, God created...
Divided into three parts, the study progresses through one sentence to comprise a whole truth:
(1) In the beginning, God created...the heavens and the earth.
(2) In the beginning, God created...you.
(3) In the beginning, God created...the heavens and the earth and you for a purpose.
As we dig deep into His Word, we will be right smack in the middle of some of God's most breathtaking handiwork. Snow capped mountains, deep blue water, whales, bears, seals, dolphins, and so much more.
So as I pray through the finishing touches on this study, I'd love to hear your thoughts:
What questions would you have in each of those sections?
What have you wanted to know, but never quite got the answer you needed about those areas?
Your thoughts may impact how I address and teach those lessons and enrich that study time for our group. Thank you!
This week, please stop by and visit me over at Heather Bleier's blog for a chance to win a signed copy of my new Bible study, The God of All Comfort, plus a goody basket with neat stuff!
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Oh wow, that cruise sounds heavenly in more ways than one. :) You know, I don't know if I've wondered so much why God created the heavens and the earth and me...and honestly, I'm really thankful to have grown up a household in which my parents constantly made clear to me that I was created for a purpose. That's an amazing gift parents can give their kids, I think. But I HAVE wondered...what must it feel like to be God, to have created an amazing heaven, an amazing earth and all these people...and then to see us wander away from His purpose for us. It would have to be endlessly painful...and yet, he continues to find us even when we hide from him. He continues to love us. And that awes me.
ReplyDeleteMelissa, how very blessed you were, indeed. To have such a grounding helps define who and Whose we are. Pondering the free will choices we make lends great insight into God's great love for us. Like the prodigal son, despite the bad or selfish choices we make, He constantly pursues us in love for relationship, yet we find it easy to write off people who hurt us. Thanks for sharing that to provide food for thought!
DeleteAmazing! I'm praying for you and cruisers. What a glorious opportunity to see God's handiwork in a new way. Wish I was there with you!
ReplyDeleteJessica, I wish you were, too! I'm praying God just leaves us speechless and in complete awe of HIM and the beauty He created. Joy!!
DeleteDonna, that cruise sounds amazing! What could make it better? A Bible Study with Donna Pyle! I'd love to hear your lessons on these three sentences (was kind of hoping you'd have them on the blog today!).
ReplyDeleteLike, Melissa, I was blessed to grow up in a family of believers and, if anything, I was overly sure of why God chose to create me. In my mid twenties, I actually had to come to a very humbling time in my life when God showed me that, yes, He had created me, but no, the world did not revolve around me. It reminds me of what my 8 year old said to me just the other night. She said: "Mom, I was so surprised when I found out that the Earth went around the sun, and not the other way around." How true is that for a lot of Christians? To realize that we revolve around Christ, not Christ around us, is one of the greatest steps we can take to humility and usefulness for the Kingdom of Heaven. Sometimes it's so hard, because we're here on the planet and it does look like the sun rises and sets on us - but with knowledge (and powerful telescopes!), the truth is revealed and we learn that we are just one in MILLIONS of other things rotating around the sun.
I was thinking about Melissa's observation above - yes, God must be continually hurt by the humans He created (and in Noah's day He was sorry He made us - maybe He still is?), but God knows the end from the beginning (thankfully He's revealed it to His children) - and that is the Hope that we all cling to!
Gabrielle, you make me smile. I'll be posting the main theme of each sesson in consecutive posts when I get back. YAY! I really love your insights. Yes, we often believe the world revolves around us when we're younger - and sometimes we have trouble learning our way out of that mindset. I believe you're right - we're still murmerers like the Israelites at times!
DeleteDonna, I'm praying God's blessings on you as you teach. What an amazing opportunity for your fellow travelers to see God's handiwork and hear you teach God's Word. One thing that I keep searching for is the purpose I am created for. I know the big picture--I am created to give God glory and have fellowship with Him, but I sometimes struggle in what that looks like in the everyday happenings.
ReplyDeleteSharla, thank you for your prayers. You are not alone in your search for the purpose you were created for. There's tends to be a misconception that each person's purpose has to some huge, profound, life-altering calling. But I think of Mother Teresa's words when a reporter asked her if she set out to change the world. She responsed that she didn't set out to do that, but simply touched the person right in front of her with the love of Christ. And just kept going down the line. When we start there, amazing things happen.
DeleteWhat a fun trip, Donna! I pray you have an amazing time. You'll be doing lots of traveling in the next month.
ReplyDeleteSimilar to Melissa and Gabe's questions above, I've always wondered...and this might not be something that can be answered so much as explored...but why did God still create all of US and THIS if He knew how much we'd screw up?
Lindsay, that is a great question, and one that a lot of people struggle with. When I first became a Christian, I struggled with prayer because I thought since God already had everything planned out, what could I possibly say that would change His mind? Thanks so much for voicing that question! It's one we'll be digging into Scripture to dissect for sure.
DeleteHave an awesome trip!
ReplyDeleteI've started The God of All Comfort. I'm loving it!
Loree, thank you. Oh, how wonderful that you've started the study! I'd love to hear what God shows you as you walk through it. Blessings!
DeleteDonna,
ReplyDeleteOne day ... one day ... me ... and you teaching a Bible study on a cruise. Oh, yeah!
Wow, I'd love to hear you teach and dig in the Word together, Beth. Just name the time/place!
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