Main Point: God not only created the Heavens and the Earth, He designed them to reveal Himself to us.
The Discussion Starter: Creation Calls by Brian Doerksen
What do you get when you pair high definition footage of nature with the music of Dove Award winning Christian artist Brian Doerksen? This video.
Creation Calls is a 6-minute-long clip of the wonders of God’s Creation as filmed by the BBC and punctuated with the beautiful song by Doerksen. The images show the beauty of God’s creation on every continent. Animals our minds could not even imagine roam their habitats, while waterfalls, clouds, and sunsets happen by God’s timing. In the background, worship leader Brian Doerksen asks “How could I say there is no God when all around Creation Calls?” This is a powerful video that will spark lots of conversation about God’s existence and His nature.
The Clip:
The video can be found online at the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCeeZ_hdrBM
Transitional Statement:
Pretty powerful stuff, huh? I saw things in this clip I didn’t even know existed. The majesty of Creation is amazing to many humans who realize that they are just one part of God’s handiwork. You know, God is smart enough that He could have made any kind of Creation; He could have put everything in rows and straight lines and toned down the colors, the sounds, and the smells. But He didn’t. He went crazy with the design of the universe, Earth especially! That’s because God wants his Creation to reveal Himself to us. Not only did God create everything we see, it has a job. That job is to make us aware that He is out there and that He is good. Let’s talk about that for a few moments as we look at God’s Word.
Divide into Small Groups:
Let’s go ahead and split up into our discussion groups, and then afterward we’ll come back together for a final word.
CLICK HERE for a quick training article on how to maximize your small groups using our small group format—a great resource to equip your small group leaders.
Discussion Questions:
- AROUND THE CIRCLE: As we get started, let’s all take a second to share our names and the most beautiful place we’ve been to on Earth.
- ASK A FEW: What is one place on Earth you would go if money was no object? Why?
- ASK A FEW: What was the most amazing sight you saw in the clip? What made it stick out in your mind?
- ASK A FEW: We’ve all heard the expression “seeing is believing.” How does that apply to this video?
- ASK A FEW: The singer asks, “How could I say there is no God when all around me Creation calls?” What does he mean by that question?
- ASK A FEW: What were some of the evidences of God’s wonders in this video?
- ASK A FEW: In reflecting on the song, what does the Creation we see tell us about the Creator we don’t see?
- ASK A FEW: What do you believe about God based on the Creation?
- ASK A FEW: Verse 1 says the “heavens declare the GLORY of God” not His “existence.” What’s the difference? (Leaders – Throughout the pages of the Bible, God’s existence is assumed; this is just another example. Here David basically says, “Not only does God exist, but He’s pretty amazing, as well!”)
- ASK A FEW: Can you give an example of Creation pointing to God’s glory “day after day”?
- ASK A FEW: The singer says he knows there is a God when he looks at Creation. So, why do other people, like some of our friends and neighbors, see the same Creation and say there is no God?
- ASK A FEW: OK, but what do verses 3 and 4 have to say about that? Based on these verses, can anyone rightfully say, “Yeah…I really didn’t know there was a God out there anywhere”?
- ASK A FEW: This passage turns its attention from God’s Creation (skies, heavens, etc.) to God’s Law. What does it have to say about God’s Law?
- ASK A FEW: If the purpose of God’s Creation is to declare His glory…and we are part of that Creation…then what should our purpose be?
- AROUND THE CIRCLE: How will you proclaim God’s glory this week to those that do not know Him yet?
Read the following passage:
Psalm 19:1-14 (NIV)
For the director of music. A psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. 3 There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. 4 Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, 5 which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. 6 It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat. 7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. 10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. 11 By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. 12 Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. 13 Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression. 14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Wrap Up:
I hope you never take another sunset for granted, mainly because there will never be another one like it in all of eternity.
During our time together, we discussed the fact that God created all we see and is using that to declare His glory. So, God uses the leopard’s spots, the tiger’s stripes, and the shark’s gills to show off. How cool is that? He also uses the genius of gravity and photosynthesis to provide for and protect what He has created. Think about that for a moment!
When you pause long enough to pull your eyes off your iPhone and look around, what you see is actually breathtaking! God exists; we can see proof of that.
But here’s the other side of that coin. Some folks look at the exact same Creation that you and I see and claim, “There is no God.” Ironically, the Bible calls those people “fools” (Psalm 14:1). They see waterfalls, zebras, and the rings around Saturn and chalk it up to chance. What a bummer.
But the best part is, YOU and I are a large part of God’s creation. Think about it. He gave us a brain that we can see, but a mind that no one can see. He gave us a heart that is tangible, but a will that isn’t. We are fearfully and wonderfully made, the Bible says.
So, here’s my challenge to you this week. Join in with the work of the banyan tree, the alpaca, and the hagfish to declare the glory of God to those around you. You don’t have to be weird in your message. Just say stuff like, “Look at that sunset!” “Check out that moon!” “Did you know that the structure of JUST the human eye is bewildering to many scientists?” “Isn’t God great?”
You know which of your friends and family members need to be reminded of God’s existence AND glory. Fulfill your role as a part of Creation and declare His glory “day after day.”
Close in Prayer
Written by David R Smith
Jonathan McKee
Jonathan McKee is the author of over twenty books including the brand new The Guy's Guide to FOUR BATTLES Every Young Man Must Face; The Teen’s Guide to Social Media & Mobile Devices; If I Had a Parenting Do Over; and the Amazon Best Seller - The Guy's Guide to God, Girls and the Phone in Your Pocket. He speaks to parents and leaders worldwide, all while providing free resources for youth workers on TheSource4YM.com. Jonathan, his wife Lori, and their three kids live in California.
