INITIATION:

Where should we turn for answers regarding environmental issues like climate change, deforestation, pollution, and extinctions? Does one political party or non-governmental organisation have all the answers? Before we try to evaluate the many scientific and ideological viewpoints, let's explore what Scripture says about the environment. First, the Bible clearly teaches God is the Creator of the universe, including the Earth and all living things. Second, the Bible tells us we should be good stewards of all God has made. Third, the Bible describes the redemptive future of God's creation.

BIBLE TEXT:

Col. 1:15-17; Prov. 3:19-20; Luk. 12:22-31; Gen. 1:26-31; Psa. 8:1-9; Rom. 8:18-25; Isa. 11:5-9; Rev. 22:1-5

SUBJECT:

THE BIBLE ON THE ENVIRONMENT

MEMORY VERSE

O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth (Psalm 8:9 KJV).

CENTRAL TRUTH:

Christians must be faithful stewards of God's creation.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

Surely! every student at the end will be able to:

1. Discover how they can learn about God from His creation.
2. See themselves as stewards of God's creation.
3. Explore ways they can steward God's creation and represent Him to others.

MAIN DISCOURSE:

1. GOD IS THE CREATOR:

A. God Created the Environment and Holds It Together (Col. 1:15-17).

Along with numerous other passages, Colossians 1:15-17 establishes with clarity the origin of the universe, the earth, and its inhabitants. This is in stark contrast to materialistic (as opposed to supernatural) theories which say that the matter making up the universe came into existence naturally from nothing. Mainstream science theorises about the beginning of the universe by applying laws of mathematics, physics, matter, and energy. But science cannot explain the source of these natural laws. We know from this passage that God himself is the source.
Not only did God create the universe, but He "holds all creation together" (verse 17). This means He created and is the Sustainer behind the physical and biological processes studied by environmental scientists and ecologists. Because God is the Source, Paul was able to write in Romans 1:19-20 that we can learn about God's eternal power and divine nature by studying His creation. Another way of saying this is that we can learn about God by studying His two books: His Word (the Scriptures) and His world (the environment). Studying God's world provides an amazing supplement to His Word and enhances our understanding of Him.

Questions For Application
How can scientific studies provide insights in to our understanding of the Bible? How can our theological knowledge contribute to science?

In what ways might Christ be holding all creation together?

B. God's Creation Teaches about Him (Proverbs 3:19-20).

Augustine is thought to be one of the first writers to express the idea that all truth is God's truth. In other Words, God as Creator is the source of every truth, whether it is discovered in Bible study, rational thinking, or scientific studies. Some Christians have taught that philosophy and science oppose God, but many Christ-following philosophers and scientists through the millennia speak against such a viewpoint. It was through God's wisdom that He created the Earth and the heavens (Proverbs 3:19-20). Therefore, we can learn a great deal about Him by studying His creation.

We can and should pursue God's truth wherever we can find it, even if it's through studying environmental science and ecology. God has equipped us with curiosity, logic, discipline, and common sense. He expects us to use these abilities in our Bible study and in discovering ways to relate biblical truths to all kinds of other knowledge.

Questions For Application
How do God's wisdom and understanding differ from ours?

What are some challenges We encounter when relating knowledge from the Bible to other disciplines like science?

C. Creation is Designed to Thrive without Our Worries (Luke 12:22-31)

God's creative works are ordered and elegant. For example, ecologists have discovered that most ecosystems flourish when they are left undisturbed. They were designed by the Creator to do so. As Jesus said, "Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet l say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these" (Luke 12:27, KJV).

God planned and guided life to adapt without dying off. However, the system He put into place can be disrupted and damaged. Careless practices like pollution and overuse of natural resources can lead to trouble. As good stewards, we should be concerned and careful about our management practices, but we must not fear that God has abandoned us to a catastrophic fate!

Speaking to the concerns of His listeners, Jesus said, "These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need"
(verses 30-31 NLT). God cares for the Earth with all its resources, and He cares for each of us.

Questions For Application
What are some ways humans have disrupted or damaged God's creation?

Based on what Jesus taught in– Luke 12:22-31, how can Christians effectively battle worry?

2. CHRISTIANS MUST STEWARD CREATION:

A. We Must Regard Creation as God Does (Genesis 1:26-31).

We are set apart from the rest of God's living creation because we bear His image. "Then God said, 'Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground" (Genesis 1:26, NLT). As children of God, we are His representatives and ambassadors in the world. When people watch lives, they should see the qualities of God reflected in us. Part of working in the world on God's behalf includes faithfully fulfilling our responsibility to steward His creation. Remember, even in the sinlessness of the Garden in Genesis 2, God commanded Adam to tend to that garden (verse 15).

God placed great value on His creation, because He "saw that it was very good" (1:31, NLT). We must value God's creation as well, being careful to strike the proper balance. While creation is indeed "very good," we should not worship it. Paul warned against this kind of worship when he discussed the depravity of humanity: "They worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise"
(Romans 1:25, NLT). By acting properly as His representatives in the world He created, we are worshipping our Creator.

Questions For Application
Why do you think God assigned humans to be stewards of His creation?
What are some ways to a void crossing the line between stewarding creation and worshipping creation?

B. We Have Been Instructed to Be Good Stewards (Psalm 8:1-9)

Psalm 8 features an inclusio-parallel opening and closing lines that encapsulate the meaning of the psalm (see verses 1,9). In this case, the theme is God's majesty filling the Earth. The first "O Lord" in each verse is Yahweh, the holy name of God, while the second "Our Lord" is Adonai which indicates God's position as sovereign Master. In the intervening verses, the Psalmist extols the beauty of God's creation and expresses wonder that God Would even think about "mere mortals"
(verse 4, NLT). Yet God has gone so far as to give human beings "charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority" (verse 6, NLT).

As representatives of our majestic and sovereign God, we have been commanded to exercise thoughtful control over the environment. What an amazing duty! Jesus illustrated the seriousness of one's responsibility in the Parable of the Three Servants in Matthew 25:14-30. May we one day hear the same praise from our Master as the good steward heard from his: "Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithfu l in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!" (verse 21, NLT).

Questions For Application
What can we learn from parable about being stewards of creation and the environment?

What good or bad spiritual consequences might result from the quality of our environmental stewardship?

The theory of intelligent design says we can see evidence of the Creator in nature (see Psalm 8:3-4). What are some examples that you find inspiring?

3. GOD WILL REDEEM CREATION

A. A Future Free from Death, Decay, Sin, and Suffering (Romans 8:18-25).

We do not know the timeline, but one day the effects of the Fall will be reversed. Paul writes, "The creation looks forward to the day when it will join God's creation in glorious freedom from death and decay" (Romans 8:21, NLT). In the Book of Revelation, John describes his vision of this promise coming to pass: "I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared"
(21:1, NLT). We can trust God's promise with the highest level of confidence. As God's image- bearers, it is likely we will have important roles to fulfil in that future kingdom. Until then, we would be foolish to think we have no responsibility to this version of God's creation.

As God's ambassadors, our job is to combat the effects of death, decay, sin, and suffering. That includes sharing the good news and showing compassion to those in
need. One way to allocate more money for missions and other charitable giving is by reducing our consumption and recycling nonrenewable resources. Not only does this kind of lifestyle allow us to provide for the work of the ministry, but it also improves the overall health of the environment.

Questions For Application
Though we are promised a new earth, how important is it to consider future generations and choose to be wise stewards of the environment?

B. New Natural Laws (Isaiah 11:5-9).

Isaiah prophesied that during the millennial reign of Christ, the natural order will be radically different from our current reality. The roles of predator and prey will be removed, as "nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain" (lsaiah 11:9, NLT). The focus will shift from the survival of the fittest to the universal worship of the King!

The peace Isaiah described can never happen in the world as we know it. Yet we can anticipate this miracle as we look forward to the "time when Christ will reign on the Earth. Meanwhile, as God's stewards, we must care for what He has entrusted to us and offer His hope of abundant, eternal life to others.

Questions For Application
Read Isaiah 11 in its entirety. How does the context help you better understand and interpret verses 5-9?

C. The Curse is Lifted (Revelation 22:1-5).

The purpose behind the new creation is to free us from the turmoil of our present life, allowing us to experience unrestricted connection to God. (Compare Genesis 2:17-19 with Revelation 22:3.) Our new home will be vibrant, bountiful, and restorative. No death or disease will tarnish it. We will have a direct and intimate relationship with God. We will see His face and bear His image in a new way with His name written on our foreheads (verse 4). The Almighty God will illuminate the universe, and we will reign alongside the Lamb for all eternity (verse 5).

He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, Yes, I am coming soon - Amen! >Come, Lord Jesus!" (verse 20, NLT).

Questions For Application
How does this promise of a completely unrestricted connection to God motivate us to do everything He has called us to in the meantime?
Which part of the new creation do you most look forward to experiencing?

CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP:

When God created the Earth, He gave humanity dominion over it, intending that we would care for it and use its resources in a responsible manner. Because of Adam and Eve's sin, followed by the continued sin and rebellion of all humans since then, the Earth itself has suffered greatly. But rather than giving up on us, God loved us so much that He sent His Son to
restore our relationship with Him. And He is preparing a place for us without the decay, death, and disease that accompanied the Fall. He calls us to faithfully carry out our responsibilities as stewards of creation until the time
He reveals the new heavens and new earth and all barriers between God and us are removed.

MINISTRY IN ACTION:

Take at least one new action this week to be a good steward of God's
creation.

Use your stewardship of the Earth as a way to share the love of Jesus with someone in your circle of friends and neighbours.

Ask God to help you be a better steward of all He has given you.

DISCLAIMER:

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The original production and publication of this extract belong to Sunday School Department of Assemblies of God Nigeria, as shown on the front page. We teach in the church and social media platforms available.