Article One

The Big Idea: God creates and sustains all that exists.

Remember: God's creative work in the world is ongoing.

The Bible~

The first book of the Bible, Genesis, tells of God creating the heavens and the earth and all creatures. The first chapter of Genesis talks about God's speaking—God's word forming an orderly creation from chaos. God separates light from darkness, to create order. The second chapter is about human beings and their relationship to the rest of creation. Humans are formed from the dust of creation and are intended to care for creation. God is creator of all that is. All that God creates is good.

But God's creation has fallen (Genesis 3). All of history is traveling to find a final peace with God and creation (Romans 8:19-25) in a new creation. This new creation is the aim of God's relationship with us and our relationship with God. God's creative power was not only in the beginning but continues (2 Corinthians 5:17). Finally, God's creative power will make all things new, a new heaven and a new earth (Isaiah 65:17, 66:22; Revelation 21:1-4).

God Thoughts~

This is who God is and what God does. God created all that exists, and not just "in the beginning" but always. God's creativity continues to bless all that exists. This includes each one of us and all creatures. God's creation also includes homes, schools, workplaces, libraries, stadiums, train stations, and all places. It includes relationships—our personal relationships with friends, family, neighbors, and people we don't like so much, and "bigger" relationships among nations and peoples. Out of fatherly love, God created and keeps all that exists. Our relationship with God is one of thanksgiving and trust, resembling a relationship between our parents and us. We have and do nothing on our own apart from God.

Today~

Using non-renewable resources, topsoil erosion, air and water pollution, ozone depletion, and global warming are among the environmental concerns that we face. How can we use our God-given abilities to work with God in the ongoing creation and preservation of the world? We are called to care for the earth as God cares for the earth. We make choices every day—for example, about the transportation we use, the foods we eat, the levels at which we heat our homes—that are part of our ministry as Christians. We are partners with God, the Creator, who sustains all things and who promises "new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home" (2 Peter 3:13). We can work in hope. In thankfulness and service to God, and dependent on God, we can witness to God's renewing activity in the world.

Article One

"I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth." This statement of faith gives God all the honor and glory of creation. The first article is a living testament of faith. God did not create heaven and earth and let it go. God is at work in our world now, in the past and into the future. Christians believe that God is the center of our universe. God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit form our concept of God as triune. Water may help us to understand the Trinity. Water may be liquid, solid, or steam—water in three forms, but still water. God is God in three forms, but still God.

Opening Prayer

L: Creator God,

C: You created me and all I have.

L: Creator God,

C: You provide me daily with all I need for life.

L: Creator God,

C: You made us all stewards of your creation.

L: Creator God,

C: Help make us better stewards

L: So that where there is hunger, homelessness, and despair

C: There may be food and shelter and hope.

ALL: Amen

My Faith Story

Tell of a personal faith story that shows your appreciation for God's creation. Is there a place that comes to mind first for you when you think of God's good creation? Is there an occasion in your life when you have been reminded of what marvelous things God has given to you?

His Faith Story

Farmers have a unique relationship with creation. Through their stewardship of the land, one family can raise enough food to feed many other families. Farmers can tell us about the kind of things they do to take care of their land so that it will still feed others generations from now.

The Creator Created You to Be Creative

At first glance the woman in this cartoon seems as if she's bossing God around. Actually, she's acting as if she's created in the image of God. The promise that we are made in the image of God is filled with meaning and possibilities. Our Creator has bestowed us with creativity. As followers of Christ we are co-creators. We all have gifts and talents that are intended to benefit the world and each other.

Name one of your gifts and talents and tell how this talent could be a part of the ongoing creative work of God in the world.

Open the Catechism

Martin Luther wrote:

"In the first place, the Creed has before been divided into twelve articles, although, if all points which are written in the Scriptures and which belong to the Creed were to be independently set forth, there would be far more articles, nor could they all be clearly expressed in so few words.

"But that it may be most easily and clearly understood as it is to be taught to children, we shall briefly sum up the entire Creed in three chief articles, according to the three persons in the Godhead, to whom everything that we believe is related, so that the First Article, of God the Father, explains Creation, the Second Article, of the Son, Redemption, and the Third, of the Holy Ghost, Sanctification.

"Just as though the Creed were briefly comprehended in so many words: I believe in God the Father, who has created me; I believe in God the Son, who has rescued me; I believe in the Holy Ghost, who blesses me. One God and one faith, but three persons, therefore also three articles or confessions."

Learning the creed is learning a lesson in the Trinity. The Apostles' Creed is divided into three parts called articles, one for each of the persons in our Triune God. First comes God, the Father and creator.

Find the the First Article of the Creed and read it and its meaning. You would think that being the creator of the whole, huge, impossible-to-imagine universe, would guarantee that the article about God the Father would be the longest. It's not. Why does that makes sense. It's not about the details; it's about the whole: the beautiful and very complex world that we live in..

Dim the lights and invite learners to lie down on the floor and close their eyes. Quietly read them Genesis 1. Signal that they can open their eyes when light is mentioned in verse 14, and can sit or stand (and dance, if they wish!) when you reach verse 26, the creation of humankind.

Bible Connection: Father Creator

• Genesis 1:1. There are actually two "creation" stories in Genesis. The first one is Genesis 1:1—2:4a and the second one is Genesis 2:4b-25. Read Genesis 1:1—2:4a. On a piece of paper make a list of what God created on each day.

• Look back at each of the days and write what God said at the end of each day.

• Read Genesis 2:4b-24. Compare 2:4b-24 and 1:1—2:4a. How are they the same? How are they different? How is God's role the same or different? What does God think of creation in both stories?

• What does it mean to be partners with God in taking care of creation?

• Turn to Romans 8:19-25. Paul is emphasizing the relationship between creation and human beings. Both were created good, but both now suffer under the bondage of sin. Make a list of ways that creation suffers from human sin.

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Closing Questions

• Why do some Christians have trouble with scientific theories like the Big Bang and evolution, while others can reconcile the two creation stories with modern science?

• If God provides enough resources, food, water, and so forth for all people, why are so many people hungry?

• What are some ways that we are partners with God in taking care of creation?

• What are some ways that we fail to be good partners with God in taking care of creation?

Luther again:

“Even if there are pieces of thae creed which we do not understand or find difficult, we are confident to share in that faith which we have inherited and perhaps take some of it on trust!

It may also be helpful to remember that in the Apostles' Creed we do not say 'I believe that,' but rather 'I believe in ...' There is a world of difference between 'that' and 'in.'

There is a difference in saying 'I believe that you are a human,' and 'I believe in you.' To believe in you, means I put my trust in you.

As Christians, we say we 'believe' in God, because our faith is always a relationship with God based on trust. We Christians trust not only the promises of God and live accordingly, but we trust our very lives completely to God by surrender and commitment. We trust the everlasting arms of God, underneath us, to save us from fear, death, and hell. By faith we commit our lives into God's hands and we can relax.

Of course we must also remember that such faith develps into more than just talking. When we fully say that we believe in God then that faith and commitment starts to show itself in action, obedience, or works. In that respect the Apostles Creed is the beginning of an ethical response as well.

In the morning (evening), when you rise (retire), make the sign of the cross and say, "In the name of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen." Then, kneeling or standing, say the Apostles' Creed and the Lord's Prayer. Prayer. ...

--Luther's Small Catechism

Closing Ritual

L: The Lord be with you,

C: And also with you.

L: Let us pray. Father and creator, you have blessed us abundantly with life and all the things necessary for living. Grant that we may work with you to make sure that all people of your world have the necessities of life. Help to end hunger, want, and poverty. We ask all of this in Jesus' name.

C: Amen

Closing Blessing

L: May God go with you this week and keep you safe. May you be a witness to the love of God in all you do. In the name of the Father +, and of the Son +, and of the Holy Spirit +. Amen

At Home

Big Fun Idea

• God looks upon creation and calls it good. Make a list of the things that each member of the family thinks are good things in your family life.

• Talk about the way your family uses its resources. How do you use the gifts of money, time, and service that you have received from God to help those who are less fortunate?

• In Genesis 2:18, God says that it is not good for people to be alone. Talk about ways that your family makes life better for each member of the family.