The creation of the world

Lesson No. 4 WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT THE ORIGIN AND PRESERVATION OF THE WORLD AND MAN ? A Look At God's Word By Oswald Riess

1. HOW WAS THE WORLD MADE ?
THE BIBLE SAYS -

*(a b) Gen 1:1. In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
    (b) Gen 1:3. God said, LET THERE BE! (See also Gen. 1:6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24.)
    (b) Heb. 11:3. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed BY THE WORD OF GOD, so that things which are seen were NOT MADE OF THINGS WHICH DO APPEAR.
    (c) Ex. 20:11. In six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is.
    (c) Gen. 1:5. And THE EVENING AND THE MORNING were the first DAY. (See also Gen 1:8, 13, 19, 23 31, and Gen 2:1, 2.)

FROM THIS WE LEARN -
    (A) All things were made by God.
    (B) He created them, calling them into existence out of nothing by His almighty Word.
    (C) He did this in six natural and consecutive days.

2. WHAT DID GOD CREATE ON THE RESPECTIVE DAYS ?
THE BIBLE SAYS -

Gen. 1. (Read the whole chapter.)

FROM THIS WE LEARN -
   God observed the following order in the work of creation:
     First day: the earth in darkness and chaos; the light.
     Second day: the atmosphere, or expanse of heaven (firmament.)
    Third day: the arrangement of dry land and water; plant life.
    Fourth day: the heavenly bodies.
    Fifth day: fishes and sea animals; birds.
    Sixth day: land animals; man.

3. HOW DID GOD CREATE MAN ?
THE BIBLE SAYS -

*(a b) Gen. 2:7. The Lord God FORMED MAN OF THE DUST OF THE GROUND, and BREATHED INTO HIS NOSTRILS THE BREATH OF LIFE; and man became a living soul.
    (c) Gen. 2:18-25. (The creation of woman. Read this passage.)
    (d e) Gen 1:26,27. God said, Let us make man IN OUR IMAGE, AFTER OUR LIKENESS: and let them HAVE DOMINION over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man IN HIS OWN IMAGE, IN THE IMAGE OF GOD created He him; male and female created He them.
    (e) Col. 3:10. (Ye) have put on the new man, which is renewed in KNOWLEDGE AFTER THE IMAGE OF HIM THAT CREATED him.
    (e) Eph. 4:24. Put on the new man, which AFTER GOD is created in righteousness and true holiness

.FROM THIS WE LEARN -
    (A) God especially formed the body of one male (Adam) of the dust of the earth.
    (B) He gave him a rational soul.
    (C) He made one woman (Eve) of a rib taken from Adam.
    (D) He placed man as ruler over all the earth.
    (E) Man was created in God's image, consisting in blissful knowledge of God and in perfect righteousness and holiness.
    (F) Man is the foremost of all the visible creatures.

4. HOW DOES GOD PRESERVE HIS CREATURES ?
THE BIBLE SAYS -

    (a) Heb. 1:3. (He upholds) all things by THE WORD OF HIS POWER.
    (b) Gen. 1:28. God blessed them (Adam and Eve), and God said unto them, BE FRUITFUL, AND MULTIPLY, AND REPLENISH THE EARTH. (See also Gen. 1:11,22.)
    (c) Gen. 8:22. While the earth remaineth, SEEDTIME AND HARVEST... SHALL NOT CEASE. (See also Gen. 1:29, 30 and Gen. 9:3.)
    (c) Ps. 145:15,16. The eyes of all wait upon Thee; and Thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest Thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.
    (d) Matt. 10:29, 30. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing ? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the VERY HAIRS OF YOUR HEAD ARE ALL NUMBERED.
    (d) Ps. 91:10. There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh they dwelling.
    (d) Gen. 50:20. Ye thought evil against me: but GOD MEANT IT FOR GOOD, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

FROM THIS WE LEARN -
    (A) God preserves all things by His almighty Word.
    (B) He endows His creatures with the ability to reproduce after their kind.
    (C) He provides them with the necessities of life. (Providence.)
    (D) He guards and protects us from all evil.
    (The Bible ascribes the work of creation and preservation especially to God the Father.)

5. WHAT DO WE OWE OUR HEAVENLY FATHER FOR ALL THIS ?
THE BIBLE SAYS -

    (a) Gen. 32:10. I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which Thou hast showed unto Thy servant.
    (b) Ps. 139:14. I will PRAISE Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
*(b) Ps 118:1. O GIVE THANKS unto the Lord; for He is good: because His mercy endureth forever.
   (c) 1 Pet. 5:7. CASTING ALL YOUR CARE UPON HIM; for He careth for you.
   (d) Ps. 116:12. What shall I RENDER UNTO THE LORD for all His benefits toward me?

FROM THIS WE LEARN -

    (A) We should acknowledge our utter unworthiness as far as all God's benefits towards us are concerned.
    (B) We should praise and thank Him for having so wonderfully made and so graciously preserved us.
    (C) We should trust in Him, confidently believing that He will provide for us and keep us also in the future.
    (D) We should gladly serve him all our days.

BEFORE THE NEXT LESSON

.Fill out Work Sheet No. 4.
Memorize the Bible passages marked with an asterisk(*). The First Article (without the explanation). See Catechism.
Read Genesis, chapters 22-28.

Work Sheet No. 4 ONE How does the theory of evolution compare with the Bible account of creation -

(A) As to time ? .......................................................................................................

(B) As to method ? .....................................................................................................

(C) As to the various "kinds," or species ? ............................................................................

(D) As to the soul of man ? ............................................................................................

TWO (A) God made and still preserves all things by

His.....................................................................

(B) The two parts of man are ...............................and ........................................................

(C) the divine image consists of ...........................and of

.....................................................

(Complete these sentences.)
THREE God provides us with food and clothing -
(A) Because we work for them. [_]
(B) Because we are good. [_]
(C) Because He is gracious. [_] (Check the correct answer.)
FOUR
Quote one or more table prayers which you may know ........................................................

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(B) Why should we regularly and sincerely use such prayers at the table ?

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