What is Reality. AG Teen Sunday School Manual.

Text: Psalm 8:3-8;Rom 1:18-20;13:1-2; Gal 4:4-6; Col 1:15-20
Key Verse: Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is Impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.(NIV)

Focus
A person’s worldview is a crucial component of his or her life. It will determine how he or she views his or her circumstances and choices, and ultimately how he or she determines his or her actions. Many people don’t take the time to consciously dissect their world view. Too often, it ends up being ”pieced together” by influences and experiences throughout life.
Your students are faced with a barrage of non-Christian, even anti-Christian, world views that seem to have become the mainstream thought of today’s culture. As Christians, we must determine that our worldview is based on God and His Word. Those two components are non-negotiable.

The key to influencing our society is to hold steadfast to our Christian worldview- our belief that God exists and that He has a plan for His creation. In this study, your students will learn that the bedrock of a Christian’s worldview – the very existence of God – must be accepted on faith. Once that is established, the rest of the components-His creation of the universe and His active role in it- are easily accepted. Challenge your students to stand strong in the face of opposition to their worldview, but to do so with the care and compassion Jesus would show.

The Basic Message: Explain to students…

WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA?
Our definition of reality must begin with faith that God created the universe for a purpose.

WHY DOES IT MATTER?
We often meet people who deny God’s existence or reject that He’s in control of the universe.

HOW DO I LIVE IT?
Look to God for your definition of reality and encourage doubters to make Him the Lord and Loader of their lives.

Activity Option: SEE NO EVIL,HEAR NO EVIL

Before class, prepare two or three identical bags with some sort of food item inside (e.g., crackers, cupcake, cooked spaghetti noodles, etc.).The more interesting the food, the more fun the activity will be. Ask two volunteers to work together to determine what is in each bag and describe it to the class. However, one student can only use her eyes and hands. (She can look, touch, etc., but cannot speak.) The other student can only use his ears and mouth. (He can speak and taste, but cannot look or touch. You may want to blindfold him to make it easier.)

Guide: Explain that a person’s perspective, especially a limited one, has a great impact on how they view the world. And how a person views the world greatly impacts the choices and decisions that person makes.

Study Overview: Explain that today’s study considers…

• How a Christian worldview is based on belief in God through faith.
• That the universe, and everything in it, has a purpose.
• How in spite of the seeming bad things that have happened in history, God has been present through it all.

Inform and Discuss

a). Who Is God?
1. Read or ask a volunteer to read Heb 11:6. How would you answer someone who asked you to prove that God exists? Answers might include: share personal testimony, argue science, etc.

Guide: Explain that although those are great ways to try to convince someone of the existence of God. But the Bible itself doesn’t try to prove that God exists. Instead, that truth is accepted as fact from the beginning.

2. How would your relationship with God be different if you could prove scientifically that He exists?

Guide: Focus on the fact that God has established that faith is what pleases Him.

3. Read or ask volunteers to read Gen 12:1-9;Heb 1:8-10.Discuss the role faith played in these passages.

Guide: Explain that a Christian’s belief in God is the foundation of his or her worldview. Because a Christian accepts God’s existence by faith, every experience is viewed through this truth.

4. Read or ask a volunteer to read Rom 1:18-20. What did Paul mean when he wrote that ”men are without excuse”?

Hint: Creation gives us evidence of God – by simply observing creation we can see proof of God’s existence.

5. Why do you suppose some people still choose to reject the existence of God?

Hint: If they accept God’s existence, they would have to accept His Word and His commands.

b). What ls the Universe?
1. Read or ask a volunteer to read Psalm 8:3-8. What are some different views about how the world (and universe) came to be? What does this passage say about creation?

Hint: Creation, evolution, big bang theory, and aliens are some of the different views about how the world(and universe) came to be. However, the Psalmist clearly credits God with the work of creation. A Christian’s worldview includes believing that God created the universe and has a purpose for His creation- even humans.

2. What purpose do evolutionists say the universe has? What purpose do you think God has given to humans?

Hint: According to evolutionists, there is no intention to the accidental “evolution” of life. On the other hand, the Bible clearly states people were made rulers over God’s creation. It is our job to take care of the earth and all who inhabit it. We might even assume that spiritual well-being is included along with the physical. We were also created to have fellowship with God.

3. Read or ask a volunteer to read Col 1:15-20.Discuss Christ’s involvement in creation, based on this passage.

Hint: He is the firstborn of all creation; He has always existed; He created all things; He holds all things together.

Guide: Explain that Christ’s role in creation establishes the fact that He is God. The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross provided for our salvation and reconciliation to God, our Creator. God’s purpose for His creation is still as vital as it was the day He spoke the universe into creation.

c). What about History
1. Read or ask volunteers to read Rom 13:1-2. How does this passage explain that God is in control of everyday events? [Hint: Paul explains that the authority of every leader, even those who make poor choices, exists only because God has allowed it.]

Guide: Explain that if we believe that God created the universe for a purpose, then we must believe that God is in control of that universe. We may not always understand why He allows some things to happen, but we know He is aware-and in control-of what is going on.

2. Read or ask a volunteer to read Gal 4:4-6. What do you think the phrase “when the time had fully come” means?

Hint: It was in God’s perfect timing, the circumstances were perfect for Christ’s coming, etc.

Guide: Explain that the world was certainly ready for Christ’s coming. Most of the world spoke a single language (Greek) when Jesus came to earth, making it an ideal time to spread the gospel. But Christian worldview would say that Christ came at the perfect time in God’s plan because God has a plan.

3. What evidence is there to show that God is still at work in our lives?

Hint: Salvation, healing, provision, deliverance, Students may wish to share personal testimonies here.

Involve Them: Have two volunteers role-play a discussion between a person with a Christian worldview and a person with a non-Christian worldview. The person taking the non-Christian role should begin the conversation with the following questions:
• How can you prove there is God?
• What makes you think the world didn’t simply evolve?

After a few minutes, instruct the volunteers to switch roles. Then ask them: Was it easy or difficult to explain your worldview? Why or why not?

Guide: Explain that as Christians we view the world through the lens of our knowledge of God and His Word. But we must acknowledge that we live among many people who do not have the same perspective. We must holdfast to our faith, without hating those with differing worldview but share the gospel with them in love.

Inspire Them: Remind students THE BASIC MESSAGE of this study(pg 31), even as you explain WHAT the Big Idea behind the study is; WHY it matters; and HOW we can live the lesson captured in this study.

Ministry Activity: Divide the class into groups. Allow students to share encounters they’ve had with individual who have a different worldview. Instruct each group to spend a few moments in prayer for those people.
Conclude by challenging students to consider how to allow their worldview to influence their daily lives. Encourage students to allow those truths to impact their decisions, thoughts, and actions in the coming days.

Teacher Hint: Ask Yourself…

1. Are students able to articulate their belief in God’s existence through faith?
2. Do they recognize worldviews that are contradictory to God and His plan?
3. Are students compassionate (instead of judgmental) toward others with differing worldviews?

Daily Dew Drops
Mon: His Word Lives – Heb 4:12
Tue: Worthy Passion – Psalm 27:1-4
Wed: Worthy Thoughts – Phil 4:8
Thu: Understanding Spiritual Things – 1 Cor 2:12-16
Fri: Unavoidable Appointment-2 Cor 5:10
Sat: We Shall Be Changed – 1 Cor 15:51-57

Action Point
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I know you might agree with some of the points that I have raised in this article. You might not agree with some of the issues raised. Let me know your views about the topic discussed. We will appreciate it if you can drop your comment. Thanks in anticipation.

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