Lesson 4: THE BEGINNING

Lesson 4

THE BEGINNING
Creed/ Aral: Presents the goodness of God through the story of creation

Code/ Asal: Acknowledges God as our Creator

Cult/ Dasal: Thank God for the wonders of His creation

Everything has a beginning. Your life, your school, the earth and even the universe itself
originated at some time and place. Genesis, the first book of the Bible, tells of beginnings. In it, we find
the Creation narratives that show us the truth that everything in the universe, including human beings
comes from God. He has created us in His image and likeness and has called us to a life of friendship
with Him. This truth is foundational tour Christian faith. We hope that this truth that Genesis teaches
makes a difference in the manner we live our lives.

I. GOD’S MESSAGE
The Story of Creation

In the beginning, when God created the universe,  the earth was formless and desolate. The raging ocean
that covered everything was engulfed in total darkness, and the Spirit of God was moving over the
water.  Then God commanded, “Let there be light”—and light appeared.  God was pleased with what he
saw. Then he separated the light from the darkness,  and he named the light “Day” and the darkness
“Night.” Evening passed and morning came—that was the first day. Then God commanded, “Let there be a
dome to divide the water and to keep it in two separate places”—and it was done. So God made a dome,
and it separated the water under it from the water above it.  He named the dome “Sky.” Evening passed
and morning came—that was the second day. Then God commanded, “Let the water below the sky come
together in one place, so that the land will appear”—and it was done.  He named the land “Earth,” and the
water which had come together he named “Sea.” And God was pleased with what he saw.   Then he
commanded, “Let the earth produce all kinds of plants, those that bear grain and those that bear fruit”—
and it was done.  So the earth produced all kinds of plants, and God was pleased with what he saw.  Evening
passed and morning came—that was the third day.
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Then God commanded, “Let lights appear in the sky to separate day from night and to show the time
when days, years, and religious festivals begin; they will shine in the sky to give light to the earth”—and it
was done. So God made the two larger lights, the sun to rule over the day and the moon to rule over the
night; he also made the stars.  He placed the lights in the sky to shine on the earth,  to rule over the day and
the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God was pleased with what he saw.  Evening passed and
morning came—that was the fourth day.  Then God commanded, “Let the water be filled with many kinds
of living beings, and let the air be filled with birds.” So God created the great sea monsters, all kinds of
creatures that live in the water, and all kinds of birds. And God was pleased with what he saw.  He blessed
them all and told the creatures that live in the water to reproduce and to fill the sea, and he told the birds to
increase in number. Evening passed and morning came—that was the fifth day.
Then God commanded, “Let the earth produce all kinds of animal life: domestic and wild, large and
small”—and it was done. So God made them all, and he was pleased with what he saw.  Then God said,
“And now we will make human beings; they will be like us and resemble us. They will have power over the
fish, the birds, and all animals, domestic and wild, large and small.” So God created human beings, making
them to be like himself. He created them male and female,  blessed them, and said, “Have many children, so
that your descendants will live all over the earth and bring it under their control. I am putting you in charge
of the fish, the birds, and all the wild animals.  I have provided all kinds of grain and all kinds of fruit for you
to eat; but for all the wild animals and for all the birds I have provided grass and leafy plants for food”—and
it was done. God looked at everything he had made, and he was very pleased. Evening passed and morning
came—that was the sixth day.  And so the whole universe was completed. By the seventh day God finished
what he had been doing and stopped working. He blessed the seventh day and set it apart as a special day,
because by that day he had completed his creation and stopped working. And that is how the universe was
created.
- Genesis 1: 1 - 2:4

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II. EXPOSITION
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1. SEEING GOD IN THE CREATION

Holy Scripture begins these solemn words:

“IN THE BEGINNING GOD CREATED HEAVENS AND EARTH.”

Confesses itself in the “heaven and earth”

Profession of Faith
all that exist, creation
“creator of heaven and “of all that is, seen and in its entirety
earth” (Apostles’ Creed) unseen” (Nicene Creed)
bond, deep within creation

“heaven” or “the heavens” “the earth”

firmament and God’s own “place” the world of men

refers to the saints and the “place” of the spiritual
creatures, the angels who surround God.

2. CREATION STORY TABLE

Day Naming Separating Day Filling

st
1 Light Light from 4th Sun, moon,
darkness stars
2nd Sky Waters above 5th Birds, fishes
from waters (water
below creatures)
3rd Land (sea), Land from 6th Animals,
Vegetation waters below human beings

7th Day: Celebrating (God Rest)

3. SCRIPTURAL MEANING
 “God said… and so it was.” – God does so through a simple word of command. This ease which he
make all thing is a sign of God’s great power.
 “Evening came, morning came.” – God separates “light” from the sun and moon to show that God
alone (and not the sun and the moon) is to be thanked for the gift of light. The writer also pictures/d
the sun and moon (called ‘lamps”) as being the mere servants of man, as calendar and clocks, rather
than the lords of man.
 “Let us make man in our image.” – The sacred author speaks here of all mankind as being in the image
of God; he clearly states the quality of male and female. The Hebrew word for image is “selem” which
refers to a duplicate, like a statue. What is important is not so much WHAT the image is, rather WHY
mankind is created in the image of God.
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 “let them be masters” – man functions in the universe a steward; he rules in the place and in the name
of God. There is further purpose: because he is the image of God, mankind – unlike any of the other
animals – is able to have a personal relationship with God.
 “image” – refers to the whole, living, human being and not just a part of him. God’s image refers to
his intellect and will. The purpose of being an image is to stand for God and to relate with God.
“in the likeness of ourselves – means appearance and similarity. It indicates resemblance without
stressing tangible similarity.
 “Let us”- can be a plural or majesty. It expresses a kind of deliberation between God and the heavenly
court (angels).
 “Be fruitful and multiply.” – Sexuality is being viewed as a blessing from God; its purpose is clear,
fertility. In the mind of the author: children are blessing. Mankind is good, therefore children are good
gifts from the Lord.
 Food. In the concept of harmony, no living thing (man and animals) should have to destroy life for
food. There should be no killing at all. In the science of the time, vegetation is seen as being part of
the “earth” without an independent life of its own. Thus in vss 29-30, living things receive their own
food to eat. Man is to eat fruit and vegetables; animals are to eat grass and leaves. In the opinon of
the author, both man and animals should (ideally) be vegetarians (but see in Gen 9:3, where, in the
face of damaged harmony, God permits man to eat meat).
 “God said that it was good.” This phrase is repeated six times, the last time with greater emphasis,
“very good” (1:31). – The author is underlying God’s full acceptance of all creation.
 “Very good” – has the sense of ‘perfect,” exactly what I wanted,” and it refers especially to harmony,
the order, the sense of good purpose that is in all creation. The very fact that creation continues to
exist affirms in God’s love for it. (see Wisdom 11:24-26)
 The Sabbath Rest. It is noteworthy that God completed His work on the seventh day; the completion
of work is rest. The formula which concludes the other days (“evening came, morning came”) is
missing for the seventh day. By blessing and making the Sabbath day holy, God shows that his endless
rest is not for him alone.

III. POINTS FOR REFLECTION

1. Do you believe that everything God created is good? Why?
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2. What is the direct/main message of the creation story?
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IV. INTEGRATION
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Learner’s Activity
Creed/Aral
How did God reveal in the whole Genesis 1:1-2:4? How did He do it?

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Code/Asal: BE A LIGHT!
“In the beginning the earth was formless and dark. Then God said, ‘Let there be light.”
There is still a kind of formlessness and darkness on earth. As you begin this begin this
biblical journey,
DARE: “Be a light.”
How? – Create a one-line quote phrase or words of encouragement. Post it in your social media
accounts and in your class Facebook page (if you have one). Don’t forget to put the hashtag
#BeAlight

Cult/Dasal: STARGAZING
1. Read Psalm 8.
2. Find a suitable place and time for stargazing. While looking at the stars,
contemplate on the message of Psalm 8. Relish the awe the stars inspire and reflect
on the mystery of God who dearly loves us and calls us to be responsible for all creation.
3. Write your insights below.

Reference: Frago, E., Salvosa, B., (2013). Christian Life Education High School Series: Called to Discover our
Christian Roots. 927 Quezon Ave., Quezon City: Sibs Publishing House Inc.
Salibay, E., Ines, J., Sepeda, B., Valera, F. (2007). People's Journey With God (Salvation History).
856 Nicanor Reyes, Sr. St.: Rex Book Store, Inc
Lesson 4: THE BEGINNING