THE POINT?
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WHAT'S
THE POINT? This series dives into what the Bible has to say about meaning and purpose. For people who have wondered "What's the point of life?", "Does God exist?", or "Is there an afterlife?"—this is a great series for them! Everyone has questions, and fortunately, the Bible has a lot of great answers! |
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If you were to ask people to explain what they think the purpose of life is, you would probably get a lot of different answers. Here are three common answers that people might share:
- There is no purpose or meaning in life. There is no God or higher authority. We are all here by random chance, and there’s nothing after this life either.
- Purpose is whatever you want it to be. There is no God in the sense of a higher authority. You are the highest authority, so you get to choose your purpose. So does everyone else. Their purpose is whatever they want it to be.
- Our purpose is determined by a divine authority. We must look beyond ourselves to discover our purpose. Option 3 includes most, if not all religious views - however, there is a lot of variation based on who or what the divine authority is.
We need to realize that it is impossible for all explanations to be true. If something is true, whatever contradicts that truth must necessarily be false. One worldview can be true, but they can’t all be. The issue comes down to who we will listen to. Who decides our purpose? Christians believe that we must look to the God of the Bible to define purpose and meaning for all creation.
People often try to find their purpose in things like status, image, relationships, wealth, possessions, careers, pleasure, and many other things. It is heartbreaking when people are led to despair because they are never satisfied with those things, and they don’t know their God-given purpose. This study will focus on the teachings of the book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible, examining the different things that people find their purpose in.
READ THE PASSAGES
The book of Ecclesiastes was written by King Solomon, the ruler of Israel nearly 3,000 years ago during one of the most prosperous times in the nation’s history. The Bible says that he was wiser than any other person on earth, and that he was one of the wealthiest men to ever live. He seemed to have it all! At the end of his life, reflecting on all that he did and found purpose in, he wrote this book to teach coming generations what he learned.
Solomon begins this book by writing these words: “I devoted myself to search for understanding and to explore by wisdom everything being done under heaven. I soon discovered that God has dealt a tragic existence to the human race. I observed everything going on under the sun, and really, it is all meaningless—like chasing the wind.” (Ecclesiastes 1:13-14) Throughout the book of Ecclesiastes, the word ‘meaningless’ is used 36 times by Solomon to describe many different things. Trying to find purpose or meaning in one of these empty things is comparable to trying to catch the wind. So, what are some of the things that Solomon found to be meaningless? Here’s what he discovered:
Read Ecclesiastes 1:3, 2:4-6, & 2:17-23 - Work and Achievement are ultimately meaningless
- People work all their lives, but can’t gain anything that lasts forever.
- Even if you build a fortune, you can’t keep it when you die.
Read Ecclesiastes 1:11, 4:13-16 - Status and Legacy are ultimately meaningless
- Status and popularity doesn’t satisfy, and will eventually fade.
- Everyone is eventually going to die and most people will be forgotten.
Read Ecclesiastes 1:16-18 - Knowledge and Wisdom are ultimately meaningless
- Solomon had the most wisdom of anyone, but it was still only temporary.
Read Ecclesiastes 2:1-3, 8 - Leisure and Pleasure are ultimately meaningless
- Constant pleasure and leisure accomplish nothing and do not satisfy our hearts.
- Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines and was still unsatisfied.
Read Ecclesiastes 2:7-11, 5:10-12 - Wealth and Riches are ultimately meaningless
- Abundance of wealth doesn’t satisfy.
STUDY THE PASSAGES
Have you noticed that in his quest for meaning and purpose, Solomon tried just about everything? Yet none of these things satisfied him. None of these things gave him actual purpose. He was doing all these things in vain. You know, his list sounds an awful lot like the things people chase after today: success in a career, status, knowledge, pleasure, wealth, etc. He essentially says that there is nothing in this world that will give him a real purpose that is satisfying and worth pursuing.
If you read through the whole book of Ecclesiastes you will see this theme continue throughout. But when you get to the end you see Solomon’s conclusion: “That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey His commands, for this is everyone’s duty.” Ecclesiastes 12:13 At the end of the day, Solomon found true meaning in only one thing - a relationship with God. He says to fear God, which is to respect, revere, honor, and obey Him as your King and heavenly Father. Rather than being left hopeless, Solomon said that everyone ought to fear God and keep His commandments. In fact, he discovered that it is the main purpose for every person. This doesn’t mean that enjoying this life is a bad thing, but it does mean that those things are all secondary to a relationship with our creator!
Solomon figured out nearly three thousand years ago how empty and worthless most things are. You can’t find true purpose or satisfaction in relationships, status, money, knowledge, achievement, pleasure, fame, riches, sex, or anything else like that. Humans’ true purpose is to know and glorify God. Yet people, to this day, still chase after these meaningless things while rejecting God. We need to realize that God is our Creator and He is the only source of true purpose. All the other stuff is empty in comparison.
DECISION POINT
As you read this, there is an important question to be considered, and a decision to be made. The main question is who or what are you looking to for purpose and satisfaction in your life? Whatever your answer is, are you happy with that? Or do you still feel like something is missing?
This brings us to the decision that needs to be made: Will you continue to seek after things in this world that, as Solomon discovered, will not last and will not satisfy? Or will you turn to seek God and follow His purposes for you and your life? As you continue to go through this series, we pray that you will recognize that God’s purposes and designs for your life are far better than anything you or the world could come up with.
If you have questions and want to learn more about some of the things mentioned here, check out this page.
If you are ready to make a decision to follow Jesus, click the link below to learn more.
- Of the three possible answers people might give when asked about the purpose of life at the beginning of this section, which answer most accurately describes your view?
- The passages in Ecclesiastes claim that things like image, status, achievement, popularity, relationships, wealth, etc. don’t last and cannot satisfy - in your life do you resonate with that claim at all?
- What do you think about the claim that only a relationship with God can bring satisfaction and purpose to our lives?
In many ways the foundation of someone’s life is based on their understanding of where they came from. Where did life come from? Was the universe a result of random chance? Is life an accident? Is there a creator behind it all? If humanity came from random chance, then it follows that there is no greater purpose or value in our lives. In the first part of this series, you read about the Christian view that God is the one who gives purpose and meaning to humanity - in many ways we believe this because we believe God created everything.
This study will explore what God says in the Bible about the creation of the world and the creation of human beings in particular. We will draw out a few key principles from the passage and begin to see how the answer to the question of where we all came from will contribute to our understanding of the purpose of everything!
READ THE PASSAGES
Genesis 1:1-31
Psalm 139
STUDY THE PASSAGES
From this passage there are two key principles that we want to focus on: 1) the Bible has a high view of God, and 2) the Bible has a high view of humans.
Key Principle #1: The Bible has a high view of God
From the very first words, “In the beginning, God…” Gen. 1:1, we see that God has always existed. God is eternal and not bound by time. The Bible teaches that God is the one who created everything just by speaking it into existence. Meaning, He made everything out of nothing, just with His Words - all He did was say, “Let there be…” Gen. 1:3-26. Everything from the smallest single-cell organism to the furthest stars came from the voice of God. Nothing in this world would ever have existed if God wasn’t there beforehand to create it.
Key Principle #2: The Bible has a high view of humans
Humans are very significant to God. The Bible tells us that God created humanity in a special way, different from how He created everything else. Genesis 1:26-27 highlights that God created humanity in His image and likeness - no other part of creation is described like this. Being created in the image and likeness of God brings with it a special authority - this means that humans were created to act as God’s representatives on earth, and were made to rule over and care for the rest of creation (See Genesis 1:28-30).
At the end of it all, after God had created everything, including humanity, He said that it was good. God didn’t create a world full of evil and death but actually made something that was good and without flaw. (In the next section of this study we will look at what happened to bring the world to the state it is in now, and see God’s solution to that problem).
Genesis 1 shows a high view of God and a high view of humans. When people deny God or deny that humans were created by Him, they are building their view of life and purpose on a false foundation. If we want to understand the true purpose and meaning of life, we have to start with God, recognizing that He is the one who initiated, designed, and currently sustains all of creation!
If we jump to Psalm 139, we will see another key principle that is important to understand when it comes to how God views and relates to His creation, particularly humanity. Read Psalm 139:1-4.
Key Principle #3: God cares for humanity deeply.
When you read these verses, it is clear that the all-powerful God who created the universe cares about this one person. You can see that God knows his every thought, attitude, word, and deed before the author even knows them or does them. If you look a few verses later in Psalm 139:13-18, you see the author state that he was made by God with purpose and intention. He says that God knows all the days of his life, seeing all that would happen even before he was born. This kind of specific and intimate knowledge that is displayed in this passage is also true about you - God knows everything about you! You were fearfully and wonderfully made by God with purpose and intention. Every person, regardless of race, gender, economic class, or any other distinction, is created with value and worth in the eyes of God, bearing His image.
When we understand God’s truth about the origin of humanity, it's no wonder people feel purposeless, apathetic, and hopeless when they don’t know God. But isn’t it wonderful to know that we are created by a God who knows and cares for us intimately? The foundation that the Bible gives for humanity’s purpose is rooted in the fact that God created us and loves us. This is why in John 3:16, we read, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son [Jesus], that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
DECISION POINT
Maybe you’ve never really considered that you were created by God and that He cares for you intimately. As you read these things, consider how you should respond to the truth that God loves you, and that Jesus Christ came into this world as a display of that love. The question that needs to be asked is what is the foundation you have built your life on?
The story of the Bible is centered around the idea of God creating humanity in His image, how sin has distorted that image, and how Jesus Christ came to restore humanity back to what God designed us for - to worship and love our Creator! Will you build your life on the words of God, or will you continue to live on the foundation you have chosen for yourself?
If you are ready to make a decision to follow Jesus, click the link below to learn more.
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What doubts or questions do you have about the claim that God created everything? Do you agree or disagree?
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What stands out to you about God’s relationship with humanity? What are your thoughts about the claim that God created you specifically with intentional design?
So what is the world’s biggest problem and solution? According to the Bible, there is one very clear answer to the question. The biggest problem in the world is sin. It affects every single person, and we cannot fix it on our own! Jesus Christ is the only solution.
READ THE PASSAGES
Romans 5
John 3:16-21
STUDY THE PASSAGES
Open up to Romans chapter 5, and as you read through the following verses, you will see that it speaks clearly to mankind’s biggest problem, and our only solution.
Read Romans 5:6-11 - I hope you notice in these verses some of the descriptions of people who are not following Jesus. The Apostle Paul, the author of Romans, calls them ungodly (5:6), sinners (5:8), and enemies of God (5:10). They were facing God’s wrath (5:9). Sin leaves the sinner cut off as an enemy of God. Do you think anyone stands a chance rebelling against the all-powerful God? Sinners will be found guilty before God, who is a perfectly righteous judge. This is the most important, drastic, and severe problem imaginable. What is the point of making the world a better place if our sin problem is left unresolved and we spend eternity suffering for our sins? It can’t get any worse than that.
Yet there is a solution. God shows His love for ungodly sinners by sending Jesus Christ to die for them (5:8). Sinners can be justified and counted righteous by the blood of Christ (5:9). Sinners can be spared from God’s wrath (5:9). They can be saved and reconciled to Him (5:10-11). Sin is such an enormous problem that only God could provide the solution. He did that by sending Jesus to die on the cross, bearing the punishment for all our sins. If you believe in Jesus, you're credited with His righteousness. Your sins are forgiven before God, and He will give you His Holy Spirit, who will empower you to live as God intended!
Read Romans 5:12-14 - Notice the universal nature of this problem. Paul says that death came to all people because all sinned. Everyone is guilty. Paul also says in Romans 3:23 that “all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory.” If sin was a virus, then we would have to say there is a 100% infection rate - in other words, it is the disease that causes all our problems.
Read Romans 5:15-21 - Every human followed the pattern of the first man, Adam, and sinned, and so there is death for all just as there was for the first man. Yet in the same way, there is life through one man - Jesus Christ. In Jesus alone, there is righteousness and justification for sinners. By His grace and His power, all who believe in Him are saved from the power and the penalty of their sin. Instead of the judgment that they deserve, they receive the righteousness and eternal life that only Jesus can give.
Read John 3:16-21 - When you look at these verses, you can read the words that John, one of Jesus’ closest friends wrote about Him. It tells of how God sent His Son to save, not condemn. You can read about how everyone who does not believe in Jesus is already condemned because of their sin, and see that it is only through Jesus that any of us can be free from our sin. This is the good news - that through Jesus, you can find forgiveness, peace, and eternal life now and forever! Rather than living your life as an enemy of God, you can experience the joy of becoming His child.
DECISION POINT
The passages you just read cover some of the most important things for the Christian faith. The message of Jesus Christ is that we all have sinned and rebelled against God’s good and perfect design - it is only through faith in Him that we can be free from the judgment and wrath that we deserve, and restored to the life that God created us to live.
If you have never before turned to Jesus, asking Him to forgive you of your sins and submitting to Him as the King over your life, we pray that you would do that today. It means recognizing the fact that because of your sin you are separated from God, and that only through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection can your relationship with God be repaired. Will you place your trust in Jesus today?
If you are ready to make a decision to follow Jesus, click the link below to learn more.
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What do you think of the claim that everyone, including you, is a sinner who deserves judgment? What about the claim that Jesus can save you from that judgement?
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If you were to stand before God and be asked why you should get into heaven, what reason would you give?
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What, if anything, is stopping you from following Jesus today? What doubts, fears, or worries do you have that might hold you back?
Imagine this scenario: A relative of yours passes away while you are in high school. In his will, he designated that 10 million dollars be left to you. But you don’t get any of it now - on your 21st birthday, all the money will be transferred to you. If you knew you were going to receive this large inheritance, what would you do in the meantime? Would you change your behavior or decisions or plans? I think it’s fair to say that this would change things for all of us. Even before we received any of the money, it would affect our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. The point is this - How we live now is determined by what is coming next.
As we explore what the Bible teaches about life after death, consider: What do you think happens when you die? Some say there is no afterlife and that we simply cease to exist. Others say that you will be reincarnated. Some people think most everyone ends up in heaven. While some people live in constant anxiety of death, others couldn't care less about the topic. What do you think?
The scary reality is that all of us will die someday. The Bible tells us that some will end up in heaven, and countless people will end up in hell. The opportunity to be forgiven in Christ only exists before death. We can’t miss how urgent this matter is! No one knows when they will die. We need to think seriously about this right now - today!
READ THE PASSAGES
Revelation 20:11-15
Revelation 21:1-8, 22-27
STUDY THE PASSAGES
We will be looking at some specific sections in chapters 20 and 21 in the book of Revelation. This book at the end of the Bible is written by the Apostle John, who receives visions from God about the future when Jesus will ultimately return in triumph and judgment.
Read Revelation 20:11-15 - John sees God seated on a great throne with all creation waiting for judgment - both the living and the dead. And they will be judged by Him according to what they have done. Then books were opened, containing the deeds of every person. Just as we read in Romans, everyone is a sinner who stands guilty before God. According to these verses there are two paths. Anyone whose name is not found in the book of life, will be condemned by their deeds and cast into the lake of fire, also known as hell. This is called the second death.
However, the second path is for those whose names are written in the book of life. These people are those who have turned from their sins and have trusted in Jesus Christ to save them, making Him the King over their lives. If your name is written in the book of life, then no matter what the other book might say about what you have done, you will be spared judgment because of what Jesus has done for you.
Read Revelation 21:1-4 - Rather than suffering in hell, those who are in the book of life will dwell together with God in the new heaven and the new earth where there will be no more tears, mourning, death, or pain. All that will be gone, and instead there will be eternal life with God. Those in the book of life will live in eternal perfection with God. Those who were not written in the book of life are thrown into hell. This is not because God is malicious, but because He is just and cannot ignore sin.
Read Revelation 21:5-8 - God then says that He is indeed making all things new. He is the beginning and the end. He was there before anything else, and will last forever. God will save all those who come to Him, and it’s not because they paid Him or earned it somehow, but instead because He is gracious and merciful to save those who are followers of Jesus Christ, His Son.
Read Revelation 21:22-27 - In the new heavens and earth, there will be no need for a temple because God will dwell with mankind. Throughout the Bible, the temple represents God living among His people, but now that His people are living with Him, there is no need for the temple! Imagine how awesome it will be to dwell in the glorious presence of God forever! Yet notice again - this is not for everyone. Only those whose name is written in the book of life will be saved, enter into this paradise, and dwell with God in heaven forever.
DECISION POINT
The Bible is very clear, all of us will someday die, and all of us will stand before God to give an account for our lives. There are only two options, and once we die, there are no second chances - either we will be with God for eternity, or we will be separated from Him in hell. The truth is, none of us are guaranteed another moment in this life - don’t waste your time pursuing things that will not last and will not satisfy, and seek after the one who can give you abundant, and eternal life.
This free gift from Jesus is available to you today! Jesus is offering to put your name in the book of life permanently - don’t wait, today is the day of salvation! It is as simple as praying to God, saying something along the lines of, “Lord, I admit that I am a sinner who needs your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus died for my sins, and rose from the dead. I want you to be the King of my life.” Will you follow Jesus today?
If you are ready to make a decision to follow Jesus, click the link below to learn more.
If you want to learn more about what that looks like, check out our Next Steps page!
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What do you think about the claim that the only two options after death are life with God or eternity in hell?
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What, if anything, is stopping you from following Jesus today? What doubts, fears, or worries do you have that might hold you back?
If you were to ask people to explain what they think the purpose of life is, you would probably get a lot of different answers. Here are three common answers that people might share:
- There is no purpose or meaning in life. There is no God or higher authority. We are all here by random chance, and there’s nothing after this life either.
- Purpose is whatever you want it to be. There is no God in the sense of a higher authority. You are the highest authority, so you get to choose your purpose. So does everyone else. Their purpose is whatever they want it to be.
- Our purpose is determined by a divine authority. We must look beyond ourselves to discover our purpose. Option 3 includes most, if not all religious views - however, there is a lot of variation based on who or what the divine authority is.
We need to realize that it is impossible for all explanations to be true. If something is true, whatever contradicts that truth must necessarily be false. One worldview can be true, but they can’t all be. The issue comes down to who we will listen to. Who decides our purpose? Christians believe that we must look to the God of the Bible to define purpose and meaning for all creation.
People often try to find their purpose in things like status, image, relationships, wealth, possessions, careers, pleasure, and many other things. It is heartbreaking when people are led to despair because they are never satisfied with those things, and they don’t know their God-given purpose. This study will focus on the teachings of the book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible, examining the different things that people find their purpose in.
READ THE PASSAGES
The book of Ecclesiastes was written by King Solomon, the ruler of Israel nearly 3,000 years ago during one of the most prosperous times in the nation’s history. The Bible says that he was wiser than any other person on earth, and that he was one of the wealthiest men to ever live. He seemed to have it all! At the end of his life, reflecting on all that he did and found purpose in, he wrote this book to teach coming generations what he learned.
Solomon begins this book by writing these words: “I devoted myself to search for understanding and to explore by wisdom everything being done under heaven. I soon discovered that God has dealt a tragic existence to the human race. I observed everything going on under the sun, and really, it is all meaningless—like chasing the wind.” (Ecclesiastes 1:13-14) Throughout the book of Ecclesiastes, the word ‘meaningless’ is used 36 times by Solomon to describe many different things. Trying to find purpose or meaning in one of these empty things is comparable to trying to catch the wind. So, what are some of the things that Solomon found to be meaningless? Here’s what he discovered:
Read Ecclesiastes 1:3, 2:4-6, & 2:17-23 - Work and Achievement are ultimately meaningless
- People work all their lives, but can’t gain anything that lasts forever.
- Even if you build a fortune, you can’t keep it when you die.
Read Ecclesiastes 1:11, 4:13-16 - Status and Legacy are ultimately meaningless
- Status and popularity doesn’t satisfy, and will eventually fade.
- Everyone is eventually going to die and most people will be forgotten.
Read Ecclesiastes 1:16-18 - Knowledge and Wisdom are ultimately meaningless
- Solomon had the most wisdom of anyone, but it was still only temporary.
Read Ecclesiastes 2:1-3, 8 - Leisure and Pleasure are ultimately meaningless
- Constant pleasure and leisure accomplish nothing and do not satisfy our hearts.
- Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines and was still unsatisfied.
Read Ecclesiastes 2:7-11, 5:10-12 - Wealth and Riches are ultimately meaningless
- Abundance of wealth doesn’t satisfy.
STUDY THE PASSAGES
Have you noticed that in his quest for meaning and purpose, Solomon tried just about everything? Yet none of these things satisfied him. None of these things gave him actual purpose. He was doing all these things in vain. You know, his list sounds an awful lot like the things people chase after today: success in a career, status, knowledge, pleasure, wealth, etc. He essentially says that there is nothing in this world that will give him a real purpose that is satisfying and worth pursuing.
If you read through the whole book of Ecclesiastes you will see this theme continue throughout. But when you get to the end you see Solomon’s conclusion: “That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey His commands, for this is everyone’s duty.” Ecclesiastes 12:13 At the end of the day, Solomon found true meaning in only one thing - a relationship with God. He says to fear God, which is to respect, revere, honor, and obey Him as your King and heavenly Father. Rather than being left hopeless, Solomon said that everyone ought to fear God and keep His commandments. In fact, he discovered that it is the main purpose for every person. This doesn’t mean that enjoying this life is a bad thing, but it does mean that those things are all secondary to a relationship with our creator!
Solomon figured out nearly three thousand years ago how empty and worthless most things are. You can’t find true purpose or satisfaction in relationships, status, money, knowledge, achievement, pleasure, fame, riches, sex, or anything else like that. Humans’ true purpose is to know and glorify God. Yet people, to this day, still chase after these meaningless things while rejecting God. We need to realize that God is our Creator and He is the only source of true purpose. All the other stuff is empty in comparison.
DECISION POINT
As you read this, there is an important question to be considered, and a decision to be made. The main question is who or what are you looking to for purpose and satisfaction in your life? Whatever your answer is, are you happy with that? Or do you still feel like something is missing?
This brings us to the decision that needs to be made: Will you continue to seek after things in this world that, as Solomon discovered, will not last and will not satisfy? Or will you turn to seek God and follow His purposes for you and your life? As you continue to go through this series, we pray that you will recognize that God’s purposes and designs for your life are far better than anything you or the world could come up with.
If you have questions and want to learn more about some of the things mentioned here, check out this page.
If you are ready to make a decision to follow Jesus, click the link below to learn more.
- Of the three possible answers people might give when asked about the purpose of life at the beginning of this section, which answer most accurately describes your view?
- The passages in Ecclesiastes claim that things like image, status, achievement, popularity, relationships, wealth, etc. don’t last and cannot satisfy - in your life do you resonate with that claim at all?
- What do you think about the claim that only a relationship with God can bring satisfaction and purpose to our lives?
In many ways the foundation of someone’s life is based on their understanding of where they came from. Where did life come from? Was the universe a result of random chance? Is life an accident? Is there a creator behind it all? If humanity came from random chance, then it follows that there is no greater purpose or value in our lives. In the first part of this series, you read about the Christian view that God is the one who gives purpose and meaning to humanity - in many ways we believe this because we believe God created everything.
This study will explore what God says in the Bible about the creation of the world and the creation of human beings in particular. We will draw out a few key principles from the passage and begin to see how the answer to the question of where we all came from will contribute to our understanding of the purpose of everything!
READ THE PASSAGES
Genesis 1:1-31
Psalm 139
STUDY THE PASSAGES
From this passage there are two key principles that we want to focus on: 1) the Bible has a high view of God, and 2) the Bible has a high view of humans.
Key Principle #1: The Bible has a high view of God
From the very first words, “In the beginning, God…” Gen. 1:1, we see that God has always existed. God is eternal and not bound by time. The Bible teaches that God is the one who created everything just by speaking it into existence. Meaning, He made everything out of nothing, just with His Words - all He did was say, “Let there be…” Gen. 1:3-26. Everything from the smallest single-cell organism to the furthest stars came from the voice of God. Nothing in this world would ever have existed if God wasn’t there beforehand to create it.
Key Principle #2: The Bible has a high view of humans
Humans are very significant to God. The Bible tells us that God created humanity in a special way, different from how He created everything else. Genesis 1:26-27 highlights that God created humanity in His image and likeness - no other part of creation is described like this. Being created in the image and likeness of God brings with it a special authority - this means that humans were created to act as God’s representatives on earth, and were made to rule over and care for the rest of creation (See Genesis 1:28-30).
At the end of it all, after God had created everything, including humanity, He said that it was good. God didn’t create a world full of evil and death but actually made something that was good and without flaw. (In the next section of this study we will look at what happened to bring the world to the state it is in now, and see God’s solution to that problem).
Genesis 1 shows a high view of God and a high view of humans. When people deny God or deny that humans were created by Him, they are building their view of life and purpose on a false foundation. If we want to understand the true purpose and meaning of life, we have to start with God, recognizing that He is the one who initiated, designed, and currently sustains all of creation!
If we jump to Psalm 139, we will see another key principle that is important to understand when it comes to how God views and relates to His creation, particularly humanity. Read Psalm 139:1-4.
Key Principle #3: God cares for humanity deeply.
When you read these verses, it is clear that the all-powerful God who created the universe cares about this one person. You can see that God knows his every thought, attitude, word, and deed before the author even knows them or does them. If you look a few verses later in Psalm 139:13-18, you see the author state that he was made by God with purpose and intention. He says that God knows all the days of his life, seeing all that would happen even before he was born. This kind of specific and intimate knowledge that is displayed in this passage is also true about you - God knows everything about you! You were fearfully and wonderfully made by God with purpose and intention. Every person, regardless of race, gender, economic class, or any other distinction, is created with value and worth in the eyes of God, bearing His image.
When we understand God’s truth about the origin of humanity, it's no wonder people feel purposeless, apathetic, and hopeless when they don’t know God. But isn’t it wonderful to know that we are created by a God who knows and cares for us intimately? The foundation that the Bible gives for humanity’s purpose is rooted in the fact that God created us and loves us. This is why in John 3:16, we read, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son [Jesus], that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
DECISION POINT
Maybe you’ve never really considered that you were created by God and that He cares for you intimately. As you read these things, consider how you should respond to the truth that God loves you, and that Jesus Christ came into this world as a display of that love. The question that needs to be asked is what is the foundation you have built your life on?
The story of the Bible is centered around the idea of God creating humanity in His image, how sin has distorted that image, and how Jesus Christ came to restore humanity back to what God designed us for - to worship and love our Creator! Will you build your life on the words of God, or will you continue to live on the foundation you have chosen for yourself?
If you are ready to make a decision to follow Jesus, click the link below to learn more.
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What doubts or questions do you have about the claim that God created everything? Do you agree or disagree?
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What stands out to you about God’s relationship with humanity? What are your thoughts about the claim that God created you specifically with intentional design?
So what is the world’s biggest problem and solution? According to the Bible, there is one very clear answer to the question. The biggest problem in the world is sin. It affects every single person, and we cannot fix it on our own! Jesus Christ is the only solution.
READ THE PASSAGES
Romans 5
John 3:16-21
STUDY THE PASSAGES
Open up to Romans chapter 5, and as you read through the following verses, you will see that it speaks clearly to mankind’s biggest problem, and our only solution.
Read Romans 5:6-11 - I hope you notice in these verses some of the descriptions of people who are not following Jesus. The Apostle Paul, the author of Romans, calls them ungodly (5:6), sinners (5:8), and enemies of God (5:10). They were facing God’s wrath (5:9). Sin leaves the sinner cut off as an enemy of God. Do you think anyone stands a chance rebelling against the all-powerful God? Sinners will be found guilty before God, who is a perfectly righteous judge. This is the most important, drastic, and severe problem imaginable. What is the point of making the world a better place if our sin problem is left unresolved and we spend eternity suffering for our sins? It can’t get any worse than that.
Yet there is a solution. God shows His love for ungodly sinners by sending Jesus Christ to die for them (5:8). Sinners can be justified and counted righteous by the blood of Christ (5:9). Sinners can be spared from God’s wrath (5:9). They can be saved and reconciled to Him (5:10-11). Sin is such an enormous problem that only God could provide the solution. He did that by sending Jesus to die on the cross, bearing the punishment for all our sins. If you believe in Jesus, you're credited with His righteousness. Your sins are forgiven before God, and He will give you His Holy Spirit, who will empower you to live as God intended!
Read Romans 5:12-14 - Notice the universal nature of this problem. Paul says that death came to all people because all sinned. Everyone is guilty. Paul also says in Romans 3:23 that “all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory.” If sin was a virus, then we would have to say there is a 100% infection rate - in other words, it is the disease that causes all our problems.
Read Romans 5:15-21 - Every human followed the pattern of the first man, Adam, and sinned, and so there is death for all just as there was for the first man. Yet in the same way, there is life through one man - Jesus Christ. In Jesus alone, there is righteousness and justification for sinners. By His grace and His power, all who believe in Him are saved from the power and the penalty of their sin. Instead of the judgment that they deserve, they receive the righteousness and eternal life that only Jesus can give.
Read John 3:16-21 - When you look at these verses, you can read the words that John, one of Jesus’ closest friends wrote about Him. It tells of how God sent His Son to save, not condemn. You can read about how everyone who does not believe in Jesus is already condemned because of their sin, and see that it is only through Jesus that any of us can be free from our sin. This is the good news - that through Jesus, you can find forgiveness, peace, and eternal life now and forever! Rather than living your life as an enemy of God, you can experience the joy of becoming His child.
DECISION POINT
The passages you just read cover some of the most important things for the Christian faith. The message of Jesus Christ is that we all have sinned and rebelled against God’s good and perfect design - it is only through faith in Him that we can be free from the judgment and wrath that we deserve, and restored to the life that God created us to live.
If you have never before turned to Jesus, asking Him to forgive you of your sins and submitting to Him as the King over your life, we pray that you would do that today. It means recognizing the fact that because of your sin you are separated from God, and that only through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection can your relationship with God be repaired. Will you place your trust in Jesus today?
If you are ready to make a decision to follow Jesus, click the link below to learn more.
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What do you think of the claim that everyone, including you, is a sinner who deserves judgment? What about the claim that Jesus can save you from that judgement?
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If you were to stand before God and be asked why you should get into heaven, what reason would you give?
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What, if anything, is stopping you from following Jesus today? What doubts, fears, or worries do you have that might hold you back?
Imagine this scenario: A relative of yours passes away while you are in high school. In his will, he designated that 10 million dollars be left to you. But you don’t get any of it now - on your 21st birthday, all the money will be transferred to you. If you knew you were going to receive this large inheritance, what would you do in the meantime? Would you change your behavior or decisions or plans? I think it’s fair to say that this would change things for all of us. Even before we received any of the money, it would affect our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. The point is this - How we live now is determined by what is coming next.
As we explore what the Bible teaches about life after death, consider: What do you think happens when you die? Some say there is no afterlife and that we simply cease to exist. Others say that you will be reincarnated. Some people think most everyone ends up in heaven. While some people live in constant anxiety of death, others couldn't care less about the topic. What do you think?
The scary reality is that all of us will die someday. The Bible tells us that some will end up in heaven, and countless people will end up in hell. The opportunity to be forgiven in Christ only exists before death. We can’t miss how urgent this matter is! No one knows when they will die. We need to think seriously about this right now - today!
READ THE PASSAGES
Revelation 20:11-15
Revelation 21:1-8, 22-27
STUDY THE PASSAGES
We will be looking at some specific sections in chapters 20 and 21 in the book of Revelation. This book at the end of the Bible is written by the Apostle John, who receives visions from God about the future when Jesus will ultimately return in triumph and judgment.
Read Revelation 20:11-15 - John sees God seated on a great throne with all creation waiting for judgment - both the living and the dead. And they will be judged by Him according to what they have done. Then books were opened, containing the deeds of every person. Just as we read in Romans, everyone is a sinner who stands guilty before God. According to these verses there are two paths. Anyone whose name is not found in the book of life, will be condemned by their deeds and cast into the lake of fire, also known as hell. This is called the second death.
However, the second path is for those whose names are written in the book of life. These people are those who have turned from their sins and have trusted in Jesus Christ to save them, making Him the King over their lives. If your name is written in the book of life, then no matter what the other book might say about what you have done, you will be spared judgment because of what Jesus has done for you.
Read Revelation 21:1-4 - Rather than suffering in hell, those who are in the book of life will dwell together with God in the new heaven and the new earth where there will be no more tears, mourning, death, or pain. All that will be gone, and instead there will be eternal life with God. Those in the book of life will live in eternal perfection with God. Those who were not written in the book of life are thrown into hell. This is not because God is malicious, but because He is just and cannot ignore sin.
Read Revelation 21:5-8 - God then says that He is indeed making all things new. He is the beginning and the end. He was there before anything else, and will last forever. God will save all those who come to Him, and it’s not because they paid Him or earned it somehow, but instead because He is gracious and merciful to save those who are followers of Jesus Christ, His Son.
Read Revelation 21:22-27 - In the new heavens and earth, there will be no need for a temple because God will dwell with mankind. Throughout the Bible, the temple represents God living among His people, but now that His people are living with Him, there is no need for the temple! Imagine how awesome it will be to dwell in the glorious presence of God forever! Yet notice again - this is not for everyone. Only those whose name is written in the book of life will be saved, enter into this paradise, and dwell with God in heaven forever.
DECISION POINT
The Bible is very clear, all of us will someday die, and all of us will stand before God to give an account for our lives. There are only two options, and once we die, there are no second chances - either we will be with God for eternity, or we will be separated from Him in hell. The truth is, none of us are guaranteed another moment in this life - don’t waste your time pursuing things that will not last and will not satisfy, and seek after the one who can give you abundant, and eternal life.
This free gift from Jesus is available to you today! Jesus is offering to put your name in the book of life permanently - don’t wait, today is the day of salvation! It is as simple as praying to God, saying something along the lines of, “Lord, I admit that I am a sinner who needs your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus died for my sins, and rose from the dead. I want you to be the King of my life.” Will you follow Jesus today?
If you are ready to make a decision to follow Jesus, click the link below to learn more.
If you want to learn more about what that looks like, check out our Next Steps page!
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What do you think about the claim that the only two options after death are life with God or eternity in hell?
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What, if anything, is stopping you from following Jesus today? What doubts, fears, or worries do you have that might hold you back?