http://www.answersingenesis.org/assets/images/articles/am/v3/n3/mosaic-chart-large.jpg
Here's Pastor Doug Batchelor from www.amazingfacts.org with the Sacramento church
To study the lesson with Dr Derek Norris of the Lake Forest church,
click on the following link:
http://media.forestlakechurch.org/content/media/2010q205-01-environment
PLEASE GO TO YOUR SIDE BAR AND CLICK ON VIEW AND ON ZOOM IN + AS MANY TIMES AS NEEDED TO ENLARGE THE WHOLE PAGE SO YOU MAY EASILY READ IN THE PDF WHOSE FONTS YOU MAY ENLARGE DIRECTLY BY RAISING THE PERCENTAGE INCLUDED. THANK YOU.
http://www.absg.adventist.org
AND JUST LEAVE YOUR CURSOR ON THE VERSES SO YOU MAY READ THEM
www.cqbiblestudy.org
The Environment
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it” (Ps. 24:1, NIV).
Are We Responsible?
Emily Helen Adams, Valley Center, California, U.S.A.
Sabbath Introduction
Ps. 24:1
It arrived at the shores of Alaska. The camper’s green plastic soda bottle that perhaps was thrown off La Jolla beach in California, grouped with a larger pile of rubbish off Saint Lawrence Island in the northern Bering Sea. Alaska and other northern regions are vulnerable to pollution from faraway places.* Today, more and more people dump their trash anywhere without thinking of the harm it does to the environment. When I told her of the soda bottle on the Alaska beach, one of my fellow dorm residents said, “I feel bad for the polar bears.” So should we all. Animals suffer from our careless habits.
The polar bears deserve to have a home to live in too.
Careless use of the earth’s resources will surely backfire. Scientists are predicting food and water shortages in the near future. They say we should take shorter showers, buy less food, and conserve natural resources by recycling much more and driving less. In a talk at Andrews University, conservationist Dr. Matthew Sleeth observed that the average person could cut fuel costs in half by leaving the car in the garage twice as much. Such conservation would not only reduce pollution but help equalize the use of natural resources among industrialized and developing countries.
The earth holds many splendors: the Grand Canyon, the Great Barrier Reef, and even the seemingly endless Sahara Desert. Wouldn’t it be tragic if all of these splendors would be ruined with debris, marring the pure brilliance of God’s crea-tion? God created the earth for us to love and to take care of. As His children, we are responsible for taking care of His precious gift that He left for us to love and admire. I take responsibility, not only by being a good citizen, but in caring for the earth by minimizing my use of disposable food containers, recycling, and keeping the area that I live in clean.
Psalm 24:1 states that the earth is the Lord’s. So why wouldn’t we want to take care of it? We should make a commitment to manage His world and its treasures because He assigned us to be its caretakers. The polar bears deserve to have a home to live in too. The earth is our gift from God, so it is our responsibility to protect His gift until He returns. This responsibility is the topic for this week’s study.
____________
*Alaska Conservation Foundation, “Toxic Pollution in Alaska,” http://www.akcf.org/_attachments/pdf/events_amp_publications/acf_dispatch/acf_dispatch_sum00.pdf (accessed February 13, 2009).
God’s Creation: Past, Present, Future
Christy Yingling, Berrien Springs, Michigan, U.S.A.
Sunday Logos
Genesis 1−2:7; 2:18−24; 3:7, 17, 19;
Ps. 24:1; Matt. 25:34−46; Mark 2:27, 28; 3:4
Idyllic Creation (Gen. 1:1–2:7; Mark 2:27, 28; 3:4)
“Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light” (Gen. 1:2, 3, NIV). Thus began God’s miracle of Creation. Those first six days of earth’s history provided a visual representation of His glory and love. The psalmist says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands” (Ps. 19:1, NIV). God repeatedly stepped back to look at the work He had done and proclaimed that “it was good” (Gen. 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31). Creation culminated with the Sabbath, the day to commune with God in the natural world He had created for humans. Sabbath, like the earth, was created for our benefit—a way for us to better understand our Creator. God intended the Sabbath rest for all of His creation, not just humans (Exod. 23:10–12).
The symbiotic relationship God intended was damaged.
Relationship Between People and the Earth (Gen. 1:26, 28; 2:18–24; Matt. 25:34−46)
Genesis describes Adam and Eve’s relationship with the rest of the creation in chapter 2: “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it” (verse 15, NIV). The relationship is expressed by the Hebrew word mishmar, meaning “allegiance,” “duty,” or “charge” (Num. 18:3–5, 8, 9). Mishmar has the same root as the word used in Numbers 18, where God describes the care the Levites are to have for God’s sanctuary. Here God reminds them that this responsibility is a precious gift, just like the earlier gift to Adam of caring for the earth. The same responsibility and privilege of careful superintendence over the earth still exists for us today. The earth is the Lord’s (Ps. 24:1), but God has given us the awesome responsibility of caring for it (Ps. 8:6–8).
Our relationship with the earth is further explained in verses that discuss steward-
ship. Jesus addressed this idea through several parables. In Matthew 25:14–30, He tells the story of the man going on a journey who entrusts his servants with his property. The man who invested wisely and protected his master’s interests was rewarded with even more responsibility. We all have different abilities and resources, and God has indicated that we should do what we can to be good stewards of these things, especially His original gift to us—the earth.
In the passage in Matthew, Jesus goes on to tell the story of the sheep and the goats who will be separated based on how they have taken care of those in need (Matt. 25:34–46). Again, Jesus emphasizes the idea of good stewardship of the resources we have been given.
God’s Earth Marred by Sin (Genesis 3)
With the entrance of sin, God’s ideal has been marred. Selfishness brings the tendency for us to use the earth without regard for the preservation of our resources. When Adam and Eve realized they were naked, they tore fig leaves from a tree to fashion crude clothing (Gen. 3:7). Later, God implemented the first animal sacrifice and used the skins to create more permanent clothes for them (Gen. 3:21). Thus death was an immediate result of sin.
Further effects of sin appear in the curse God delivered after Eve’s fateful decision. God said the ground would produce thistles and that humans would be able to eat only through “painful toil” with the earth (Gen. 3:17–19). The symbiotic relationship God intended was damaged.
God’s people continued to misuse the earth. Much later in earth’s history, the Israelites abused the land God gave them. His commands to allow a Sabbath rest for the land every seven years were ignored. When the Israelites were carried into captivity, the land would finally have its Sabbath rest (2 Chron. 36:20, 21).
Not only does our exploitation of the earth harm it; it also harms us and all the living inhabitants of the planet. We now have to worry about sun exposure, toxic smog, polluted water, chemicals in our food, and many other human-created environmental problems that threaten our health.
The Restoration
As long as we live on earth, we have a responsibility as Christians to preserve God’s creation to the full extent of our ability.
Though Jesus will re-create the earth when He comes (Rev. 21:1), we cannot use that as an excuse to ignore our duty to take care of the earth now. In fact, God has made it clear that a time is coming when He will reward those who have done good work, which could certainly include taking care of the earth (Ps. 62:12). He also explicitly states that those who destroy the earth will be punished (Rev. 11:18).
In God’s new earth, we will be able to see again God’s ideal Creation, never again to be marred by sin. We will be able to say with the seraphim, “ ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory’ ” (Isa. 6:3, NIV).
REACT
1. What changes can each of us make in our daily lives to protect and care for the earth?
2. In what ways can we still see God’s love and power reflected in a creation that is marred by sin?
Love the Earth, Love God
Stephanie Honrada, Berrien Springs, Michigan, U.S.A.
Monday Testimony
Genesis 1−2:7; 2:18−24
“As the earth came forth from the hand of its Maker, it was exceedingly beautiful. Its surface was diversified with mountains, hills, and plains, interspersed with noble rivers and lovely lakes; but the hills and mountains were not abrupt and rugged, abounding in terrific steeps and frightful chasms, as they now do; the sharp, ragged edges of earth’s rocky framework were buried beneath the fruitful soil, which everywhere produced a luxuriant growth of verdure. There were no loathsome swamps or barren deserts. Graceful shrubs and delicate flowers greeted the eye at every turn. The heights were crowned with trees more majestic than any that now exist. The air, untainted by foul miasma, was clear and healthful. The entire landscape outvied in beauty the decorated grounds of the proudest palace.”1
“Nature and revelation alike testify of God’s love.”
“Nature and revelation alike testify of God’s love. Our Father in heaven is the source of life, of wisdom, and of joy. Look at the wonderful and beautiful things of nature. Think of their marvelous adaptation to the needs and happiness, not only of man, but of all living creatures. The sunshine and the rain, that gladden and refresh the earth, the hills and seas and plains, all speak to us of the Crea-tor’s love. It is God who supplies the daily needs of all His creatures.”2
“In His teaching from nature, Christ was speaking of the things which His own hands had made, and which had qualities and powers that He Himself had imparted. In their original perfection all created things were an expression of the thought of God. To Adam and Eve in their Eden home nature was full of the knowledge of God, teeming with divine instruction. Wisdom spoke to the eye and was received into the heart; for they communed with God in His created works. As soon as the holy pair transgressed the law of the Most High, the brightness from the face of God departed from the face of nature. The earth is now marred and defiled by sin. Yet even in its blighted state much that is beautiful remains. God’s object lessons are not obliterated; rightly understood, nature speaks of her Creator.”3
REACT
Why is it worthwhile to keep the earth clean now if it will be destroyed with sin anyway?
____________
1. Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 44.
2. Steps to Christ, p. 9.
3. Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 18.
Stewardship of the Earth: What Does God Expect?
Michael Riess, Berrien Springs, Michigan, U.S.A.
Tuesday Evidence
Gen. 1:28
What did God mean when He told Adam, “Fill the earth and subdue it” (Gen. 1:28, NIV)? It’s obvious that He wants us to respect all of His creation, even though we are superior to it. But should we give nature precedence over our needs as humans?
God instructed His faithful servant Noah to cut down
a virgin forest to build an ark.
When God created Adam, He made him ruler over the entire planet, and He expected Adam to govern it wisely, nurturing what He made to serve humans. However, after the Fall the situation changed. Humans and nature then began to compete with each other. Nature experienced its first losses when Adam and Eve “killed” fig leaves to make clothes and when an animal was killed to make clothing for the fallen couple. People now needed to use and manipulate nature to survive in this new, sin-infested world. God never speaks out in opposition to this practice. In fact, in Genesis 6:14, God instructed His faithful servant to build an ark so that people could survive the worldwide flood that was coming. Even as the water receded, Noah was told that he and his family could eat the clean animals, so that the people wouldn’t die. It is evident from these verses that humans are intended to use nature for their basic needs and survival.
God also instituted the ancient Hebrew sacrificial system, where a sacrificed lamb was used to represent Jesus Christ. As a burnt offering (Leviticus 6), the animal was set on an altar and burned before the Lord. The people had a command from God to take the life of the animal so that they could better understand the future sacrifice of Christ. The people were, in fact, required by God to do this. We need to always rule over nature wisely, as God commanded us. God never gave us permission to abuse what He and His creative power have made. In fact, God makes it clear that one day He will destroy those who destroy the earth (Rev. 11:18). He does, however, grant us permission to use the resources He has given us and makes it clear that we are to use them wisely.
REACT
1. To what extent can we use the resources we have been given? Should we, for example, allow off-shore drilling?
2. What principles should we use to find a middle ground between using what God gave us and needlessly wasting it?
Appreciating Nature
Raquel Molina, Berrien Springs, Michigan, U.S.A.
Wednesday How-to
Gen. 1:26
During the six days of Creation, God made a special gift for Adam and Eve and their
descendants. How should we treat His gift? Here are two ideas:
Don’t leave it at the edge of the table where it may be knocked off and broken. We need to consider that the environment is as precious as our own lives. Both are gifts from God. Genesis 1:28 makes it clear that with this gift comes the responsibility to care for it. So why do we so readily abuse God’s present to advance our own desires? We have battered and abused our environment for the past few hundred years. We have destroyed whole forests. We are experiencing severe climate changes due to the depletion of the ozone layer. And most water supplies are polluted. Yet we persist in our ways. Luckily, there is hope. If many people would make small adjustments—such as slightly lowering room temperatures during winter, recycling, turning off lights when leaving a room, and using kitchenware rather than disposable containers—we can make a difference.
Go outside and explore!
Do not set it on a high shelf to gather dust. Have you ever received a gift you thought you would never use, so you laid it to rest on a high shelf where it’s still waiting for a garage sale? We should not treat nature like this. It begs for us to appreciate it and treat it well. God gave us an amazing world. So go outside and explore! There is no need to spend money traveling halfway around the world. Instead, check out nature trails or parks in your town. Even if you are a busy student on your way to the cafeteria, try taking the scenic route. One of the best times to appreciate nature is on a Sabbath afternoon. Persuade some friends to go for a walk to that lookout by the river or whatever lovely spot is near you. Watch the stars after the sun sets. Go to a beach and feel the sand beneath your feet. See if you can make at least one rendezvous with nature every week.
REACT
1. What is the connection between nature and our state of mind?
2. How does the way we treat the environment affect our relationship with God?
3. What others ways can you think of to care for God’s gift of nature?
The Environment’s Punishment
Erin Johnson, Berrien Springs, Michigan, U.S.A.
Thursday Opinion
Gen. 2:18–24; 3:17
When Adam was made, God had him name all the creatures. Why did He do this? Why didn’t He just make the names Himself and tell Adam what they were? I believe that it was so Adam would have a personal respect for the environment. He felt no fear toward the animals or threat from the birds because they were his companions. This was before sin, when the world was perfect. There was no fear of global warming or natural disasters. There was always food and good weather. Then it all changed.
Why were the earth and its creatures being punished for our actions?
When sin filled the world, it was not just humans who were affected, but also the land God gave us. In Genesis 3:17, God told Adam that the ground was cursed because he ate the forbidden fruit, and that now through painful toil he would grow his food for the rest of his life. Why were the earth and its creatures being punished for human’s actions? The earth was made for us to enjoy, but the pleasures of it were diminished as a result of sin. Instead of having fruit from trees already grown, Adam and Eve were forced to plant orchards. The conditions worsened, and this made it harder to farm. Also, the animals that were supposed to be for our enjoyment and companionship were being used in agricultural labor and killed for food. This was not a part of God’s original plan for the earth.
Sin affected not only the earth’s natural resources but our attitudes toward them. We are selfish enough to want to drive big air-polluting, gas-guzzling cars; we use plastic bags for our groceries because we are too lazy to carry around re-usable totes. There are so many ways we can prevent harm to the environment—but we do not act on them.
By treating the environment with respect, we are doing what God wanted us to do from the beginning. The land is His; let’s not litter it with candy wrappers and aluminum cans. The sky is His; let’s not fill it with chemical emissions. Look at all of the beauty that is left in the world and see for yourself whether it is worth preserving.
REACT
1. How can you eat in such a way as to respect God’s creation?
2. How can you become more involved in saving the environment? What practices in your daily life are environmentally unfriendly?
3. Investigate what health issues are caused by our polluting the environment.
Ruling With a Heart of Green
Frank A. Campbell, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Friday Exploration
Prov. 12:10
CONCLUDE
After creating a world that would be any gardener’s dream, God put humanity in charge. He gave us a gift to be treasured, a responsibility to be valued, a domain to be governed not with a fist of iron but with a heart of green. Because of sin and selfishness, we fail in environmental stewardship as in other responsibilities. The cost of failure can be severe for the environment, for our health and well-being, and for our eternal destiny. We must strive to minimize negative environmental impacts. Today is a good time—and where we live a good place—to start.
CONSIDER
Researching one or two terms found in environmental news, for example, biodiversity, climate change, sequestration, or invasive alien species.
•Preparing a scrapbook of the efforts Adventists or others in your community, country, or region have made to protect or improve the environment.
•Reflecting on evidence in the Old Testament of God’s concern for the environment. Are there any New Testament examples? (See John 6:12.)
•Writing a paragraph or two on what images the term environment arouses in your mind. A clean room? Unpolluted beaches? Recycling?
•Creating a chart—or writing an essay or even a poem—illustrating how preparing, advertising, and eating hamburgers in Europe or North Amer-ica can affect the health of rainforests in Africa or South America.
•Finding—or if necessary, creating—a Web site highlighting the responsibility of Christians to protect and improve the environment.
•Growing plants organically in a garden or in some pots.
CONNECT
Frank A. Campbell, “Whispers and Waste,” http://www.unep.org/OurPlanet/
imgversn/103/07_whisp.htm (accessed April 2, 2009); Henry A. Zuill, “Expanding the Garden: A Christian’s View of Nature,” http://www.aiias.edu/ict/vol_14/014cc_409-427.htm (accessed
April 2, 2009).
http://www.cqbiblestudy.org/site/1/lessons/2010-2/English/STUDENT/CQ-10-Q2-05.pdf#
The issue of the environment, especially the question of global warming, has in recent years come to the forefront of the news. What is the response of your nation, community, and church to these issues? 
How should a Christian, someone who believes that God did create the world, relate to questions of the environment differently than someone who believes we are here as products of pure chance alone? 
How can and should the Sabbath play a role in our concern for the environment? How does Sabbath keeping help us be better environmentalists? 
If Jesus is coming back soon, as we believe, should we really be all that concerned with the environment? Justify your answer. 
Do some research, if possible, on the negative health effects that damage to the environment is causing in various parts of the world. What about in your own community? What role could and should your church take in this area? How might you be able to use any activism here in outreach? 
What are ways, even small ways, you could make some lifestyle changes that could impact the environment for good? How much self-sacrifice would it take on your part? 