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SeasonofCreation:AGroupStudy

Lesson1—Planting:GoodBeginningsLesson2—Mountain:ProtectionandCareLesson3—Sky:DominionandExploitationLesson4—Harvest:TreesandFruitLesson5—BlessingAllCreatures:BringIt!

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AboutSeasonofCreationSeasonofCreation:AGroupStudyisafive-weekcompanionstudybasedontheworshipseries“SeasonofCreation”developedbytheworshipteamatDiscipleshipMinistries.EachlessonusesthesameScripturesandthemesasthepreviousSunday’sworshipservice.ContributorsincludeJacksonHenry,ScottHughes,CraigKennetMiller,JacquiKing,AmySigmon,RyanBennett,andHeatherBennett.AdditionalresourcesandafreePDFofthisstudyisavailableontheDiscipleshipMinistriesWebsiteathttps://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship/september-2018-post-pentecost-worship-planning-seriesorhttps://goo.gl/qvrCTXSeasonofCreation:AGroupStudy©2018byDiscipleshipMinistries.Allrightsreserved.PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica.Nopartofthisbookmaybereproducedinanymannerwhatsoeverwithoutwrittenpermissionexceptin thecaseofbriefquotationsembodied in criticalarticlesor reviews.For information,addressWorshipOffice,LeadershipMinistries,P.O.Box340003,Nashville,TN37203-0003.Scripturequotations,unlessotherwisenoted,arefromtheNewRevisedStandardVersionBible,copyright©1989NationalCouncilofChurchesofChristintheUnitedStatesofAmerica.Usedbypermission.Allrightsreserved.©2018DiscipleshipMinistriesoftheUnitedMethodistChurch

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TableofContents

Lesson1—Planting:GoodBeginnings 5SongofSolomon2:8-13Lesson2—Mountain:ProtectionandCare 9Psalm125

Lesson3—Sky:DominionandExploitation 11Psalm19Lesson4—Harvest:TreesandFruit 14 Psalm1Lesson5—BlessingAllCreatures:BringIt! 16Psalm124 AdditionalResources 19Leader’sGuide 22AdventStudy 24

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Lesson1—Planting:GoodBeginnings

STARTERS(10minutes)

Whatisyourconnectiontonature?

¨Ilovetohikeinthewoodsorneartheseashoretorestoremysoul.¨Ihaveagreenthumb;Ilovetogardenandtogrowhouseplants.¨IenjoywatchingTVshowsandmoviesaboutthebeautyofallcreation.¨Mypethelpsmeappreciateallcreatures.

¨Itrytoliveinawaythathasapositiveimpactoncreationbyrecycling,drivingahybridcarorelectriccar,andusingsolarpower.¨Ieataplant-baseddiet.¨OtherDiscusswithoneortwopeople;thensharewiththewholegroup:• HowoftendoyouacknowledgethebeautyofGod’screation?• Inwhattangiblewaysdoyouembracetheideathatyouarepartofabiggerconnectiontoall

creation?

IntheKnow(15minutes)Readthearticlebelow.Ifyourgrouphasmorethansevenmembers,divideintogroupsoffourtodiscussthefollowing:

Let’sadmitit,wehavealove—haterelationshipwithnature.Ontheonehand,welongfortheidealizedpictureoftheGardenofEdenwhereAdamandEveandGodlivedinrelationshipwithoneanother.Thegardenflourishedwithflowers,trees,rivers,andbeautifulmeadows.Animalsfrolickedwithoutfear,asthey,too,wereatpeacewithoneanother.HarmonyreignedsupremeasGod,humans,creatures,andthecreationitselfwereatpeace. Thisisafarcryfromreality.OneepisodeofNakedandAfraid,DiscoveryChannel’sbreakouthit,isenoughtodissuadeyoufromjumpingintothewildernesswithoutastichofclothing.Eachepisodestartswithtwostrangers,amanandwomanbeingtakentoaremoteareaoftheworldwheretheytakeofftheirclothesandembarkintoahostileenvironment.Theirfirstgoalistomakeclothes,nottocoverthemselves,buttoputonsomecoveringtoprotectthemselvesfromthe

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hordesofinsectsthatareeagerlywaitingtoeatthemalive. Whenitcomesdowntoit,thevastmajorityofpeoplewhoareabletoafforditareperfectlycontenttoliveinabubbleofcomfortat72degrees,freefromthefearoftherealityofthenaturalworld.Theyliketokeepnatureatadistance. ItisinthiscontextthatwelaunchintoaseriesontheSeasonofCreation.Whileweliketheconceptofnature,wehumansareadeptatkeepingitsworstaspectsatbay.Whilewedependonalltheresourcesthatnatureprovides,weareverygoodatusingtherawmaterialsoftheearthtocreateanynumberofitemstokeepusaliveandflourishing. Ouractivitycomesatacost.Pollutionoftheair,land,andwaterisseenthroughouttheworld.ManyofGod’smostbeautifulcreaturesareonendangeredspecieslists.Poorzoningputshousinginlocationsthatencroachonfloodplainsandforestedmountains,puttingpeopleatriskoffloodsandfires.Asaresult,weliveintensionwithourdesireforsafetyandtheneedtoprotectthenaturalworld. Thestoryofcreationisnotjustaboutusashumans;ithastodowithallGod’screation.Ashumanityfacesthechallengesofthefuture,ourunderstandingofGodandourrelationshiptothecreationstoryinformourchoicesabouthowweliveourdailylives.ShareyourthoughtsaboutyourrelationshiptoGod’screation.

1. Whatisyourbiggestconcernaboutthewayhumanityisimpactingthecreation?2. Howdoyoubalanceyourdesireforsafetyandcomfortwithhowthemodernlifestyle

impactsthenaturalworld?ReflectionontheBible(20minutes)AskamembertoreadaloudthefollowingpassagefromSongofSolomon2:8-13.AskanotherpersontoreadtheBackground.Thevoiceofmybeloved!Look,hecomes,leapinguponthemountains,boundingoverthehills.Mybelovedislikeagazelleorayoungstag.Look,therehestandsbehindourwall,gazinginatthewindows,lookingthroughthelattice.Mybelovedspeaksandsaystome:“Arise,mylove,myfairone,andcomeaway;fornowthewinterispast,therainisoverandgone.Theflowersappearontheearth;thetimeofsinginghascome,andthevoiceoftheturtledoveisheardinourland.Thefigtreeputsforthitsfigs,andthevinesareinblossom;theygiveforthfragrance.Arise,mylove,myfairone,andcomeaway.”(SongofSolomon2:8-13)Background:

Aswelookatthispassage,weseethreethemesthatremindofusofourconnectiontocreation.First,thereislonging.Thislongingisseenintheopeningwords,“Thevoiceofmybeloved.”Eachofus,regardlessofourstationinlife,desiresforsomeonetocallus“beloved.”Whetheritisthevoiceofa

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parentcallingouttoachild,orafriendcallingoutinagreeting,oralovedonewelcomingushome,eachusofhasthedesiretobeknown.Thereisareasonforthis:it’sthewayweweredesigned.Genesis2:18says,“ThentheLordGodsaid,‘Itisnotgoodthatthemanshouldbealone;Iwillmakehimahelperashispartner.’”Fundamentally,atourcore,wehumanswerecreatedtobeinrelationship.Whenrelationshipsareabsent,wefeelcastaway.Whenwefeelloneliness,welong. Second,ourenvironmentshapesourunderstandingofourselves.Forthesetwolovers,theallusionstonatureabound.Mountains,gazelles,flowers,turtledove,figtrees,vines,fragrance—allcaptureatimeandplacewherepeopleweredeeplyconnectedtotheland.Fromourvantagepoint,weseethispassagepaintingamysticalpictureofpeopletiedtothecreation.Thesewords—forthefirsthearersofthem—capturedtheessenceoftherealityoflifeasanagrarianpeople. Ontheotherhand,thebelovedoftodaymaybedrivingabrandnewcar,postingInstagramphotosofabelovedonasmartphone,listeningtoasoundtrackstreamedthroughearbuds,andwearingafragrancesoldbyapopularcelebrity.Howweinteractwithourenvironmentsaysalotaboutwhoweare. TheSongofSolomonpassagepaintsapictureofone-to-oneintimacy.ThechallengeforustodayistodeterminehowmuchourtechnologyeitherenhancesordistractsusfromtrueconnectionstoothersandtoGod. Third,thereisjoyinloving.“Arise…andcomeaway.”Whenwearetrulylovedbythosearoundus,wefindjoy.Again,atouressence,wehavetheGod-givencapacityforinfinitejoy—thejoyinbeingknowncompletelyandlovedfullybyGod. QuestionsforDiscussion:DivideintosmallgroupstodiscusstheScripturepassage.1.Whatdoesthispassagesayabouttheimportanceofrelationships?2.Howdoyouexperiencelongingandjoy?3.Howdoesyourphysicalenvironmentenhanceordistractfromtruerelationships?

MakingItPersonal(10minutes)ItmaybehelpfultoaskourselveshowwecanlovetheCreatorwithoutlovingthecreation,andhowwecanloveourneighbors(currentneighborsandfuturegenerationsofneighbors)withoutseekingtoprotectourneighbors’foodsupply,airsupply,andwatersupply.Wecannotgivelipservicetocaringforcreation.WehavetocareforcreationasaresponsetolovingGod,andwemustdoitwithallourheart,mind,soul,andstrength;andwemustincludelovetowardneighbor.InGenesis2:15,Godgiveshisfirstcommandtohumanity:totendandkeepthegarden.Caretakingistherootofstewardship.HumanitywasplacedinthemidstofGod’screationandgiventhecommandofstewardship—toruleovercreationwisely.Itisimportanttohaveastrongbeginning,asitactsasafoundationforeverythingthatistofollow.

• Howdoyourrelationshipswithothersinfluenceyourrelationshiptothenaturalworld/

• Whatdoestheconceptofstewardshipsaytoyouaboutyourresponsibilityfortendingandkeepingthegarden?

CloseinPrayer(5minutes)

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Lesson2—Mountain:ProtectionandCare

STARTERS(10minutes)

AMountain-TopExperience

Mountain-topexperiencescanbegreatspiritualmomentswhereweencounterthepresenceofGodortheycanbesimpleencountersthatremindusofGod’sgrace.Anansweredprayer,thebirthofachild,thewordsofafriendwhenyouareinneed,atimewhenyougivebacktoanotherperson,canallbepowerfulexperiences.Takeafewmomentstodescribeamountain-topexperience:

Discusswithoneortwopeople,thensharewiththewholegroup:• Whatmadeyourmountain-topexperiencespecial?• Howdidyoushareyourexperiencewiththosewhoareclosetoyou?

IntheKnow(15minutes)Readthearticlebelow.Ifyourgrouphasmorethansevenmembers,divideintogroupsoffourfordiscussion. Godlikestodobusinessonmountains.Thinkaboutit:MountAraratisthemountainwhereNoahandthearklandedaftertheflood.ItwaswhereNoahsawtherainbowofGod’spromise.MountAraratiswherethepeopleleftthearkandpraisedGod.ItisthemountainwhereGodmadeacovenantnevertodestroytheearthagain.GodprovidedAbrahamasacrificeinsteadofhissononamountain(Moriah).God,asaburningbush,calledMosestofreeGod'speoplefromslaveryonamountain(Horeb).GodgavetheTenCommandmentstoMosesonamountain(Sinai).GodgaveMosesaglimpseofthePromisedLandonamountain(Pisgah).Itwasonamountain(Carmel)thatthegreatprophetElijahprovedtothepeoplethathisGodistheonetrueGod.Jesuswasledintothewildernesstofastforfortydays,thenwasleduptoamountain(knownastheMountofTemptation),wherehedemonstratedhowtoresisttemptation. Itwasonamountain(possiblyMountHermon,thehighestinthearea)thatJesuswas

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transfigured,showingthegloryofGodtosomeofhisdisciples.WhenJesusstruggledwiththetaskbeforehim,hewenttotheMountofOlivestopray,"Fatherifyouarewilling,takethiscupfromme;yetnotmywillbutyoursbedone"(Luke22:42).And,inthebookofRevelation,theLambofGodstandsonMountZiontoshowustheultimatedestinationforthosewhoarefaithful.Itcouldbesaidthatmountainsserveasabridgeorahalfwaypointofsortsbetweenheavenandearth.ItiswhereGodoftenmeetsanddoesbusinesswithhumanity.ShareyourthoughtsaboutGod’sencounterswithpeopleonmountains.

1. WhydomountainsplaysuchanimportantpartinGod’sinteractionswithpeople?2. Whydomountainsinspire?

ReflectionontheBible(20minutes)AskamembertoreadaloudthefollowingpassagefromPsalm125.AskanotherpersontoreadtheBackground.ThosewhotrustintheLordarelikeMountZion,whichcannotbemoved,butabidesforever.AsthemountainssurroundJerusalem,sotheLordsurroundshispeople,fromthistimeonandforevermore.Forthescepterofwickednessshallnotrestonthelandallottedtotherighteous,sothattherighteousmaynotstretchouttheirhandstodowrong.Dogood,OLord,tothosewhoaregood,andtothosewhoareuprightintheirhearts.ButthosewhoturnasidetotheirowncrookedwaystheLordwillleadawaywithevildoers.PeacebeuponIsrael! (Psalm125)Background:Psalm125ispartofacollectionofPsalms(120-134)knownastheSongsofAscent.TheseweresongsthatpilgrimswouldsingastheyascendedtoMountZion.Beingatanelevationofalmost2,500feetabovesealevel,mostpilgrimscomingtoJerusalemforoneofthereligiousfestivalswouldliterallyascendtoJerusalem.ThesesongsrevealtheirhopesforworshipintheholyTemplethatlayontheMountZionportionofJerusalem.Psalm125highlightsGod’sprotectionbyusingtheanalogyofhowthemountains(orhills)protectJerusalemfrominvasion.Thus,thepeoplecantrustGod’sprotection,eveninthepresenceofascepterorrodofwickedness.QuestionsforDiscussion:DivideintosmallgroupstodiscusstheScripturepassage.1.Inwhomorwhatdoyoutrust?2.Whyishopesotiedtoprotection?

MakingItPersonal(10minutes)Considerthemajestyofamountain.Dependingonyourcontext,theSmokyMountains,RockyMountains,oranynumberofothermountainsdepictmajesty.Thesong“AmericatheBeautiful”(UMH696)speaksof“purplemountainmajesties.”Itishardtolookatamountain—suchasignificantmonumentofGod’screation—andnotbeinspired.IbelieveitisimpossibletostandontopofamountainandlookoutandnothaveanencounterwithGod.

• WhereinnaturedoyouseekGod?(lookingatthemoon,orasunrise,oraspecialplace)?

CloseinPrayer(5minutes)

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Lesson3—Sky:DominionandExploitation

STARTERS(15minutes)Inthelistbelow,lookforactionsyoualreadydo,activitiesyouwanttolearnabout,anditemsinwhichyouarenotinterested.Usethisasawaytoseehowdailyactionscanmakeadifferenceforthecreation.

I already do this

I want to learn more

I am not interested

1. Ihavemademyhouseenergyefficient.

2. Iuserecyclebinsatmyhome.

3. Ibuyfoodthatisfairtrade,local,and/ororganic.

4. Iparticipateinafoodco-opthatgetsfooddirectlyfromlocalfarmers.

5. Ihaveagardenorparticipateinacommunitygarden.

6. Iparticipateinanexchangeprogramtosharetools,toys,andotheritemsIuseoccasionally.

7. Iparticipateinprojectstobettermycommunity.

8. IgivetotheUnitedMethodistCommitteeonRelieforsimilargroupstohelpthoserecoveringfromnaturaldisasters.

9. Iwalk,rideabike,usepublictransportation,and/orcarpool.

10. Iprayandparticipateinsmallgroupsthatfocusontakingcareofthecreation.

Tip Sheet based on material by Blessed Earth. Find more tip sheets at: www.blessedearth.org/resources/downloadable-tip-sheets/

Discusswithoneortwopeople,thensharewiththewholegroup:• Whatdidyoulearnaboutyourself?• Arethereanyactionsyouandotherswanttolearnaboutfromothersinyourgroup?

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IntheKnow(15minutes)Readthearticlebelow.Ifyourgrouphasmorethansevenmembers,divideintogroupsoffourfordiscussion. Considerweeds.Agooddefinitionwouldbe“wildplantsgrowingwheretheyarenotwantedandthatcompetewithcultivatedplants.”Thisdefinitionisbasedonhumanwishes.Aweediswhereahumandoesnotwantit,butGodcreateddandelionstobedandelions.Theygrowwhenconditionsarerightforthemtogrow.Whilemostpeopleconsiderdandelionstobeweeds,dandelionsareaprimaryfoodsourceforbeesandarefoodforotheranimalsandevenhumans.Theyareprettyandasourceofjoywhentheybegintoseedandchildrenpickthemupandblowonthem.Butwhenanadultdiscoversadandelionsmackinthemiddleofawell-manicuredlawnandsnatchesitfromtheground,childrendiscoverthatadandelionisaweed–somethingthatisbad. Callingagiftofcreationaweedandtryingtogetridofitcanbeamisunderstandingofdominion. WhenwereadinGenesis1:28andGenesis2:15thathumansweregivendominionandresponsibilitytotakecareoftheworld,wesometimeshearitasexploitation—dowithnaturewhateveryouwant.ButthesetwopassagescomebeforeGenesis3:6,beforesinenteredtheworld.Dominion,then,isnotdestroyingnatureforourbenefit;instead,itisaGod-givenresponsibilitytotakecareofthecreation,tonurture,respect,andco-existinharmonywiththecreatedworld.Shareyourthoughtsabouttheideaofdominion.

1. Whatdoyouthinkabouttheideaofdominion?2. Wherehaveyouseenexamplesofpeoplelearningtonurtureandtoco-existwithnature?3. Wherehaveyouseenexamplesofpeopleadvocatingforpracticesandpoliciesthat

protectthecreation?ReflectionontheBible(20minutes)AskamembertoreadaloudthefollowingpassagefromPsalm19.AskanotherpersontoreadtheBackground.

TheheavensaretellingthegloryofGod;andthefirmamentproclaimshishandiwork.Daytodaypoursforthspeech,andnighttonightdeclaresknowledge.Thereisnospeech,noraretherewords;theirvoiceisnotheard;yettheirvoicegoesoutthroughalltheearth,andtheirwordstotheendoftheworld.Intheheavenshehassetatentforthesun,whichcomesoutlikeabridegroomfromhisweddingcanopy,andlikeastrongmanrunsitscoursewithjoy.Itsrisingisfromtheendoftheheavens,anditscircuittotheendofthem;andnothingishiddenfromitsheat.ThelawoftheLordisperfect,revivingthesoul;thedecreesoftheLordaresure,makingwisethesimple;thepreceptsoftheLordareright,rejoicingtheheart;thecommandmentoftheLordisclear,enlighteningtheeyes;thefearoftheLordispure,enduringforever;theordinancesoftheLordaretrueandrighteousaltogether.

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Moretobedesiredaretheythangold,evenmuchfinegold;sweeteralsothanhoney,anddrippingsofthehoneycomb.Moreoverbythemisyourservantwarned;inkeepingthemthereisgreatreward.Butwhocandetecttheirerrors?Clearmefromhiddenfaults.Keepbackyourservantalsofromtheinsolent;donotletthemhavedominionoverme.ThenIshallbeblameless,andinnocentofgreattransgression.Letthewordsofmymouthandthemeditationofmyheartbeacceptabletoyou,OLord,myrockandmyredeemer.(Psalm19)

Background:Toourears,thispsalmmayseemunremarkable.Butinthetimethiswaswritten,thewords,“Intheheavenshehassetatentforthesun,”wererevolutionary.Ratherthanworshipingthesun,thepsalmistwasproclaimingthatGod,theCreator,isinchargeofthesun.AndbecauseGodcreatedtheuniverse,weaspeopleofGodarecalledtofollowGod’sways.ByfollowingGod’slaw,oursoulsarerevived;wearemadewise;ourheartsrejoice;andoureyesareenlightened.Theseways,thelawsofGod,aretobemoredesiredthangoldandaresweeterthanhoney.QuestionsforDiscussion:DivideintosmallgroupstodiscusstheScripturepassage.1.WhyistheideaofGodasCreatorsorevolutionary?2.Whatdoyoudesirethatisbetterthangoldandsweeterthanhoney?

MakingItPersonal(10minutes)Whatiftheskyisblockedfromview?Weblockourselvesfromtheviewbyspendingmostofourtimeindoorsorbeingoutsidewithourfacesinourphones.Humansalsoblocktheskywithpollution.In2014,inBeijing,China,smogwassobadthatpeopleworeairmasks;scenesofsunriseswereshownacrossmassiveTVscreensthroughoutthecity.Peoplewerestarvedofthesun.Withoutlight,weliveindarkness,anditiseasytoloseourway.

1. Inwhatwaysdoyoublocktheskyinyourlife?2. Whattangibleactionscanyoutaketoembracethebiblicalconceptofdominion—totake

careofthecreation,tonurture,respect,andco-existinharmonywiththecreatedworld?

CloseinPrayer(5minutes)

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Lesson4—Harvest:TreesandFruit

STARTERS(10minutes)

ConsidertheMajestyoftheTree

Asyouthinkaboutthepartsofatree,jotdownsomethoughts:

1.Whatareyourootedto(family,faith,work,etc.)?2.Whatisyourtrunk—thoseaspectsofyourlifethatgiveyoustrength?3.Whatgivesyoutheairtobreathe?(Leavesarekeytoproducingoxygen.)

Discusswithoneortwopeople;thensharewiththewholegroup:• Howdothepartsofatreeworktogether?• Whichpartofyourtreeisthehealthiest?Inthemostneedofcare?

IntheKnow(15minutes)Readthearticlebelow.Ifyourgrouphasmorethansevenmembers,divideintogroupsoffourfordiscussion.TheBibleassumespeopleareconnecteddeeplywithagricultureandtheland.IntheOldTestament,beinginthePromisedLandorawayfromthelandwasasignofGod’sfavor.IsraelisoftenpersonifiedbytheuseofvineyardsandtreesintheOldTestament.Thefirstpeoplelivedinagarden.IntheNewTestament,Jesus’parablesoftenreferenceagriculture.EvenRevelationendsinagardenwithGodasitssustainer.However,mostofusareurbanorsuburbanfolkslargelyunfamiliarwithgrowingourownfoodandharvesting.Ifwemisstheconnectionbetweenhumanity

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andtheearth,wenotonlymisstheinsightsfromagricultureordownplaytheimportanceofhumanity’srelationshipwithcreation,butwealsoperceivetheBible’sonlyconcernas“spiritual”matters.Treesanchorustotherealityofourdependenceonthemforlife.Treesproducetheoxygenthatsustainslife.Ittakesseventoeighttreestoproduceenoughoxygenforonepersoneachyear.Shareyourthoughtsabouttrees.

1. ShareastoryorpassagefromtheBiblethattalksabouttreesorplants.2. Whatdoesthedirectlinkfromtreestoyoutellyouabouttheirimportance?

ReflectionontheBible(20minutes)AskamembertoreadaloudthePsalm1passage.AskanotherpersontoreadtheBackground.Happyarethosewhodonotfollowtheadviceofthewicked,ortakethepaththatsinnerstread,orsitintheseatofscoffers;buttheirdelightisinthelawoftheLord,andonhislawtheymeditatedayandnight.Theyareliketreesplantedbystreamsofwater,whichyieldtheirfruitinitsseason,andtheirleavesdonotwither.Inallthattheydo,theyprosper.Thewickedarenotso,butarelikechaffthatthewinddrivesaway.Thereforethewickedwillnotstandinthejudgment,norsinnersinthecongregationoftherighteous;fortheLordwatchesoverthewayoftherighteous,butthewayofthewickedwillperish.(Psalm1)

Background:Psalm1setsthetonefortherestofthepsalmsbyusingtheimageoftreestorepresentthespirituallife.ThosewhoarehappyarefulfilledbytakingtheirdelightinmeditatingonthelawoftheLord.Incontrast,thewickedareblownawayinthewind.Liketreesthatareplantedbyastreamofwater,therighteousprosper.QuestionsforDiscussion:DivideintosmallgroupstodiscusstheScripturepassage.1.Wheredoyoufindyourstreamsofwater?2.Whatisthedifferencebetweenthosewhoarehappyandthosewhoarewicked?

MakingItPersonal(10minutes)“I’vecometounderstandthatoneofthemostimportantreasonsGodchosetreesisthatateverystageoftheirlives,treesgive.”—Dr.JMatthewSleeth,ReforestingFaith(tobereleasedin2019)

• Howdoesthislessonincreaseyourgratitudeforthegiftoftrees?• Whatcanyoudotogivebacktothecreation?(Plantatree,advocateforprotectionof

forests,etc.)

CloseinPrayer(5minutes)

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Lesson5—BlessingAllCreatures:BringIt!STARTERS(10minutes)

TheCreationCareJourneyTherearetworeasonsthatpeopledonotstartonthejourneyofcreationcare:eitherthetaskandneedsoutthereseemoverwhelming,orpeoplequestionwhetherwhattheydoreallymattersintheschemeofthings.Therealityis,youhavetocrawlbeforeyoucanwalkandwalkbeforeyoucanrun.Thosewhoarealreadyonthisjourneyoftenforgethowharditwastostart.Ifyouarejuststarting,orifthisissomethingthatisabigpartofyourlifestyle,weareallinthistogether.Eachofusiscalledtomakeprogressrightwhereweare.

Writedownthreeactionsyoucantakeinthenextmonthtotakebettercareoftheearth.

1.2.3.

Writedowntwolong-termactionsyoucantake.

1.2.

Discusswithoneortwopeople;thensharewiththewholegroup:• Whatobstaclesgetinthewayoftakingbettercareofyourselfandthecreation?• Whoisanexampleforyouofcreationcare?

IntheKnow(15minutes)Readthearticlebelow.Ifyourgrouphasmorethansevenmembers,divideintogroupsoffourfordiscussion. Peopleoftenforgetjusthowinterconnectedweare.Noneofcreationstandsinisolationfromtherest.Weknowhumanlifeisdependentontreesandtheoxygentheyproduce.Whenwedeforestlands,wecuttheearth’soxygen-producingcapacityandharmhumanity.Wearestilllearningtodaytheimpactthatpesticidesarehavingonourecosystem. Pesticidesareproducedto“killoff”aspecifictypeof“pest,”butthetruthis,pesticidesdonotdiscriminate.Theworld’sbeepopulationhasbeendrasticallyreducedduetopesticides.This,in

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turn,hashurtcropsworldwide;beesareneededtopollinatetheplantsthatproducethefruitsandvegetablestheworldneeds. Weareallconnected.Careforcreationandallthecreaturesultimatelycomesbacktocareforhumanity.Thinkbackabouttheearlierlessonondominion.Whenweexerciseourdominioninawaythatdoesnotdemonstrategoodstewardship,thenallofcreationsuffers,includinghumanity.Whenwearepoorstewardsoftheairaroundus,themostvulnerableamongus,specificallychildrenandseniors,suffertheconsequenceswithasthma,emphysema,andmanyotherhealthissues.Thesameholdstrueifwedonotprotectourfoodsupplyandwatersupply.Anditalsoholdstrueinhowweprotectalllivingcreatures.Weareallconnected.Shareyourthoughtsabouthowallcreationisconnected.

1. Whendoyoufeelmostconnectedtocreation?2. Whatisyourbiggesthopeforthenaturalworld?

ReflectionontheBible(20minutes)AskamembertoreadaloudthefollowingpassagefromPsalm124.AskanotherpersontoreadtheBackground.IfithadnotbeentheLordwhowasonourside—letIsraelnowsay—ifithadnotbeentheLordwhowasonourside,whenourenemiesattackedus,thentheywouldhaveswallowedusupalive,whentheirangerwaskindledagainstus;thenthefloodwouldhavesweptusaway,thetorrentwouldhavegoneoverus;thenoveruswouldhavegonetheragingwaters.BlessedbetheLord,whohasnotgivenusaspreytotheirteeth.Wehaveescapedlikeabirdfromthesnareofthefowlers;thesnareisbroken,andwehaveescaped.OurhelpisinthenameoftheLord,whomadeheavenandearth. (Psalm124)Background: Thepsalmist’simageryinthispsalmremindsusofJesus,walkingoutonthestormywatertoaboatwherePeterstoodontheside.PeteraskedJesustoallowhimtocomeoutonthewater.Jesusallowedit.WhilePeterremainedfocusedonJesus,hewasabletodotheimpossible—walkonwater.Oncehefocusedonthestormsaroundhim,hebegantosink. Thepsalmistsawthestormsaroundhim.Hefeltthewavescrashingaroundhimandfeltlikeabirdcaughtinthesnare.Yet,hecontinuouslyremindedhimself,“hadtheLordnotbeenonourside.”Hehopedthatthestormswouldnotovertakehimandthesnareswouldnotholdhim.AslongashekepthisfocusontheLordwhowaswithhim,whocouldbeagainsthim? Thisisthesameissueasweapproachcreation.Therearesomanyissues,somanyconcerns,somanythingsweneedtobedoinganddoingbetterinourcareofcreation.Thestormsandwavesandpoorstewardshipfeeloverwhelming.Inthemidstofit,though,wehavetokeepourfocusontheLordbelievinggraceandhopewillseeusthrough.QuestionsforDiscussion:DivideintosmallgroupstodiscusstheScripturepassage.1.Haveyoueverfoundyourselfinthemidstofastrugglethatseemedtooverwhelmyou?2.Howdoesyourfaithgiveyouhopeinthemidstofdangerandstress?

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MakingItPersonal(10minutes) Aswewrapupthisseries,wefeelthatacalltoactionisappropriate.Asapeople,wecanfindourselvesdividedaboutwhattheresponseshouldlooklike.Asleadersofthechurch,weneedtonavigatearoundtheimpasseofstormsandfocusontheLord.Peoplewithinourcommunitiesmaychooseactivismtoinfluencelegislationthatbenefitstheenvironment.Otherswillfeelthatpersonalresponsibilityiskeyandthatcaringforcreationshouldstartfromthegroundup. Lookforthewaysyourfaithcommunitycanliveoutagoalofresponsiblecreationcare.Findopportunitiestoadvocateforchangeinyourcommunityandintheworld.Lookforlike-mindedpeoplewhowillworkwithyouandencourageyou.Remember,Godcallsustocareforcreation. Tobeeffective,weneedknowledgeaboutwhattheBiblesaysaboutcareforcreation.Wearetolookforpracticalwaystopracticestewardshipoverallwehaveanddo. Wemustalsoremembertobatheourteachingandpracticewithgrace,sothatothersareinvitedtoparticipateinthisjourneywithus.ClosewiththisPrayer:CreatorGod,sendyourSpirittogiveusthehearttobethankfulfortheabundanceweexperience;giveustheeyestonoticewhenourenjoymentcomesattheexpenseorharmofanother;giveusthewisdomtobewisestewardsofallthatyouhaveentrustedtous.Aswebecomebetterstewardsandgrowincompassionfortheearthandforthosearoundus,helpusbeawareofhowwecanbestexerciseproperdominionandgrowinChrist-likeness.Weprayinyourholyname.Amen.

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AdditionalResourcesAdditionalresourcesandafreePDFofthisstudyisavailableontheDiscipleshipMinistriesWebsiteathttps://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship/september-2018-post-pentecost-worship-planning-seriesorhttps://goo.gl/qvrCTXHereyouwillfindtheworshipandsermonnotesforthisseries.OriginallydesignedforSeptember2018,itmaybeusedatanytimeoftheyear.Otherworshipseriesarepostedatthissiteaswell.WebResources—SpiritualPractices:“Createa‘GreenTeam,’”https://www.upperroom.org/resources/create-a-green-team“GardeningwithCreation”byElizabethWhiting,https://www.upperroom.org/resources/gardening-with-creation“PrayingfortheWorld,”https://www.upperroom.org/resources/praying-for-the-worldBlessedEarthhttp://www.blessedearth.org/NationalClimateControlReport:https://nca2014.globalchange.gov/Books:EarthGospel:AGuidetoPrayerforGod’sCreationbySamHamilton-Poore(UpperRoomBooks,2008)SpokenIntoBeing:DivineEncountersThroughStorybyMichaelE.Williams(UpperRoomBooks,2017)(Therearetwogreatcreationstoriesinthisbook)ChristBesideMe,ChristWithinMe:CelticBlessingsbyBethA.Richardson(UpperRoomBooks,2016)AllEarthIsWaiting:GoodNewsforGod’sCreationatAdventbyKatieZ.Dawson(AbingdonPress,2017)MakingPeacewiththeLand:God’sCalltoReconcilewithCreationbyFredBahnsonandNormanWirzba(IVPBooks,2012)GodandWorldintheOldTestament:ARelationalTheologyofCreationbyTerenceE.Fretheim(AbingdonPress,2005)BabyBoomerSpirituality:SevenValuesfortheSecondHalfofLifebyCraigKennetMiller(DiscipleshipResources(2017)

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UnderstandingwhatTheUnitedMethodistChurchbelieves:

• SocialPrinciples:http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/the-natural-world• CareforCreation:http://www.umc.org/topics/topic-united-methodists-care-for-creation• CreationPrayers:http://www.umc.org/resources/gods-gift-of-the-earth-a-photo-prayer

LocalCongregationsandAnnualConferenceresponses:

• SouthEndUMC:http://seumc.org/CreationCareWorshipandDevotionalResources• NorthGeorgiaAnnualConference:https://www.ngumc.org/creationcare• VirginiaAnnualConference:https://www.vaumc.org/Caretakers

UnitedMethodistAgencyresponses:

• Church&Society:https://www.umcjustice.org/who-we-are/social-principles-and-resolutions/caring-for-creation-a-call-to-stewardship-and-justice-1033

• GeneralResources:https://www.umcjustice.org/resourcesandhttp://main.umc-gbcs.org/resources-websites

• GlobalMinistries:https://www.umcmission.org/find-resources/newworldoutlookstetmagazine/2016?may/june/0512creationcareministry

• UMCOR:https://www.umccreationcare.organdhttp://centerformissioninnovation.org• UMW: Climate Justice: A Call to Hope and Action, Edited by Pat Watkins, appointed as

a Missionary to the Earth from the UMC. • UMW: God’s Extravagant Garden: A Children’s Study on Climate Justice, by Pat Hoerth

Liturgies:https://seasonofcreation.com/worship-resources/liturgies/ArticlesaboutCreation:

• InterpreterMagazine:http://www.interpretermagazine.org/departments/to-be-united-methodist-festival-of-gods-creatiion

• UMCOR:https://www.umcor.org/umcor/resources/news-stories/2017/august/0816newclassofearthkeeperspreparestolaunchcreationcareprojects

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www.umcdiscipleship.orgTheDiscipleshipMinistriessitehasresourcesforstartingnewchurches,leadingthechurch,ministeringtopeople,andlivingtheUnitedMethodistway.ItalsoisthegatewaytotheUpperRoomBookstoreandnumerousresourcesforworship,stewardship,evangelism,andleaderdevelopment.

http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/webinarsThis is your connection to anongoing collectionofwebinars that cover all the essential areas ofcongregationallife.Webinarsonstewardship,worship,laity,churchleadership,children’sministry,older-adult ministry, congregational development and numerous other topics are offered byDiscipleshipMinistriesstafftocreatevitalcongregations.

http://www.teamworksumc.org/ThisisyourportaltotheTeamWorkssiteatDiscipleshipMinistries.HereyouwillfindTeamWorksseminars,downloadablepresentations,andinformationabouthowtousethesematerialsinyourchurchtocreatevitalcongregations.TeamWorksGuidebooks,createdbyCraigKennetMiller,canbeorderedfromAmazon.

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Leader’sGuideSeasonsofCreationisafive-weekcompanionstudybasedontheworshipseries“SeasonofCreation”developedbytheworshipteamatDiscipleshipMinistries.ItisintendedforuseduringSeptember2018.EachlessonusesthesameScripturesandthemesasthepreviousSunday’sworshipservice.Thepreferredpatternisforpeopletoexperiencetheworshipservicebasedonthethemefirst,followedbythegroupstudyduringtheweekthatfollows.Thisstudymaybeusedatanytimeoftheyear.Eachparticipantwillneedacopyofthematerial.YoumaydownloadafreePDForpurchasetheguideonAmazon.ResourcesandlinkswillbeavailableontheDiscipleshipMinistriesWebsiteathttps://goo.gl/qvrCTXorhttps://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship/september-2018-post-pentecost-worship-planning-series.WhyUseThisinaGroup?Peoplelearnbestwhentheyareinconversationswithothers.Theformatofthisresourceisdesignedtogeneratediscussionandinteraction.Ratherthanhavingalarge-groupdiscussion,theparticipantswillbreakintogroupsoftwo,three,orfourduringthelesson.Insteadofhavingthediscussiondominatedbyoneortwopeople,thisgroupingallowseveryonetogetinvolved.Togetthemostoutofthisstudy,besuretofollowtheinstructionsinthematerial.Time Thelessonsaredesignedforsixtyminutes.Alongsideeachsection,youwillseearecommendedtimeforthatparticularpartofthestudy.Tofacilitategreaterdiscussion,youmayinstructthegrouptofocusononequestioninthediscussionfollowingtheScriptureandin“MakingItPersonal.”

Starters Eachlessonhasasurveyorsetofquestionsforeachparticipanttoreadandto

answer.(Providepencilsorpensforpeopletouse.)DiscussionQuestions

First,haveparticipantssharewithoneortwootherpeople,thenwiththewholegroup.

IntheKnow AnarticlebasedonthepreachingnotesforSeasonofCreationwillfocusonthetopicofthelesson.

ReflectionontheBible

TheScripturesareusedtohelptheparticipantsfocusonthethemeforthelesson.

Background ThisisabriefcommentaryonthepassagetohelpparticipantsunderstandtheScriptureandapplyittotheirlives.

QuestionsforDiscussion

BreakintogroupsofthreeorfourtodiscusstheBiblematerial.

MakingItPersonal

Questionsaredesignedtotakethediscussiondeeper.

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WorshipGroupStudiesfromDiscipleshipMinistriesRehab:AGroupStudyinvitesyoutoexploretogetherthemysteriesofthegiveandtakeofourspirituallivesasweundergotransformation.

https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship/lent-2018-worship-planning-series

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UpcomingforAdvent2018:PreparetheWayLiketheRehabandtheSeasonofCreationresources,theupcomingadventstudyfor2018willincludeastudyguidethatcomplimentstheworshipresources.HerearethetopicsforPreparetheWay:AdventSunday1 StandDecember2,2018 Jeremiah.33:14-16,Luke21:25-36AdventSunday2 RefineDecember9,2018 Malachi3:1-4,Luke3:1-6AdventSunday3 DoDecember16,2018 Zephaniah3:14-20,Luke3:7-18,AdventSunday4 WelcomeDecember23,2018 Micah5:3-5a,Luke1:39-55ChristmasEve ArriveDecember24,2018 Isaiah9:2-7,Luke2:1-20Christmas1 SearchDecember30,2018 Luke2:41-52Epiphany FindJanuary6,2018 Isaiah60:1-6,Matthew2:1-12