Memory Text — Genesis 1:30-31 30 And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. 31 And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
Heidelberg Catechism 6: Did God then create man so wicked and perverse? By no means; but God created man good, and after his own image, in true righteousness and holiness, that he might rightly know God his Creator, heartily love him and live with him in eternal happiness to glorify and praise him.
Monday: Gen 1:31. From what you know of Israel on the way to the Promised Land, why might they question the goodness of God, or the goodness of the world (e.g. Ex 17:3, 8, 32:8)? What kinds of things make you ask such questions? How could the truths of Gen 1:31 help? What often helps the Psalmists (e.g. Psalm 6:3)?
Tuesday: What is God’s evaluation in Gen 1:31? How expansive is it (1 Tim 4:4)? What does this tell you about God’s character? What does this tell you of Adam and Eve’s nature (see Heidelberg 6 above)? How well was creation set up to accomplish God’s design and purpose? What does this original “very good” promise folks who live in the “very bad” (Rev 21:1, 4, 5)?
Wednesday: Gen 1:31. How does the world describe The Good Life (Gen 3:6, Gal 5:19f)? As those joined to Christ, believers live a Truly Good Life. Who do we pattern The Truly Good Life after? How/Where to we learn it? How does Phil 4:8 move us in this direction? Can you pinpoint “the good” (Gal 5:22) in your ordinary living? Do you see it in another believer? Consider telling them.
Thursday: Gen 1:31. What does God’s “very good” say about his purposes, designs, and boundaries established before the fall? Name as many good designs as you can find in Gen 1-2 (e.g. goodness of the body, gender). How is the world seeking to throw off God’s good design? Pray about these things.
Friday: Gen 1:31. Many struggle with pain, sorrow, broken dreams, etc. How does knowing a “very good” God is behind it all help (Ps 42:11, Rom 8:28)? In dark seasons have you ever noticed hints of goodness (beauty, love, justice) shine through? How do these dark seasons make us cling to God more than our secondary goodnesses (Rom 8:23-26)? How can the church be a signpost of God’s “very good”?
Saturday: Gen 2:4-17. Look for signs that we are to be humble and royal priests to God in these verses.