Grow Guide | September 18, 2022
Who We Are
Genesis 9:8-17
Connecting Questions
Have you personally experienced life-threatening weather, such as a hurricane, earthquake, tornado or flood? What was it like? How did you cope?
Name a difficult time of transition in your life. What helped you through it? How did it affect your faith?
Context
This week, we continue with our worship series called “Who We Are,” which focuses on stories from early in the Bible that still shape our faith today. Last week we heard the creation story from Genesis 1, and this week we witness creation’s power of destruction. God is furious with humanity’s evil tendencies, and God’s solution is to destroy the earth through a great flood, drowning all life except the people and animals on Noah’s ark. The violence in this story should give us pause. God has lost hope and decides to start over. Yet, as we read in chapter 9, this experience profoundly changes the way God relates to creation, which leads to a new covenant full of life and hope.
Life continues to bring times of destruction, transition and rapid change. When we feel unmoored and like we’re floating aimlessly with no land in sight, God’s promises remain true. We can hold on to God’s unending love and grace.
Look at the Book
· Read Genesis 9:8-17.
· This reading comes after the flood has subsided and a dove finally returns with an olive branch, which signals that the earth is again growing. Imagine what Noah felt in that moment. Was he nervous to get off the boat? Was he excited to see the earth return to life?
· In Genesis chapter 8, after the flood, God admits in God’s heart that “…the inclination of the human heart is evil from youth.” God understands that humans will continue to struggle and fail, yet God makes a covenant to never again destroy the earth through a flood. This covenant doesn’t depend on humanity’s ability to change; it depends on God’s grace and mercy. What does it mean to you that God’s love and commitment is not dependent on human perfection, but is dependent on God’s love?
· Read verse 10. In it, God expands the covenant to include creation. Why do you think this is? How does this inform how we interact with creation?
· The “bow” in this reading could either refer to a rainbow or a hunting bow at rest. God has set down the hunting bow and no longer needs to use it against creation. What do you think of the suggestion of the “bow” being a hunting bow?
· Why do you think the story of Noah is often told to children? Have you experienced new understandings of this story as you’ve grown?
Taking it Home
· Water is both life-giving and life-taking. Remind yourself of power of this precious resource as you use it throughout the day: when you wash your hands, bathe, and cook. Each time, remember the gift of baptism and God’s promise to love you as God’s child.
· Spend time with water in nature this week. Take a walk near a lake or river; look at videos of the ocean. Notice how the power of water affects your body and senses. How does it make you feel? How do you experience God in these moments?
· Reflect on your favorite places near water—a family cabin, a beach vacation spot, etc. What do you remember about these special places? Why are they important to you?