This week we begin a short preaching series (six weeks) that
mirrors what the elementary students will be studying this summer. We’ve
entitled it, “Flourish”.
This week “flourishing” has been on my mind because of the
spectacular reminder in visiting Eugene, Oregon last weekend. Now I’ve been to
the West Coast a few times before; but never to Oregon, and never to “TrackTown”.
They call Eugene, Oregon, “TrackTown” because of the
University of Oregon’s legendary track and field program, their four head
coaches who have been inducted into the USTFCCCA Hall of Fame, and historic
Hayward Field. Oregon’s track and field history have been documented in two
major films – Without Limits and Prefontaine, not to mention a number of
books.
But, as I walked around Eugene I kept thinking it could be
called “Rhododendron Town”. They were
everywhere! In fact, it is the only place I’ve ever been where athletic fields
are lined in rhododendron. Rhododendrons grow there like yews and thistles grow
here. It’s remarkable. The truth is – rhododendron, azaleas, cedars, bleeding
hearts, pieris japonica, viburnum, etc., all flourish in Eugene due not only to
moisture and temperature levels, but also to the composition of the soil. And
you know the soil is where flourishing all begins. Everything starts at the
roots. And so it is with our spiritual life.
This week we begin with Genesis 1 and 2 and Psalm 139 as we
examine what it means to be created in the image of God. Though that image has
been marred by sin, it nevertheless is still with us. In fact, it’s rediscovery
of that image that helps us ward off a crisis of identity. Indeed it’s
essential that when the struggles of life threaten to overtake us that we stop
and refocus our attention on God’s purpose in creating us in His image. And the
truth is that it’s only at the cross that that purpose is proven and that image
becomes clearer.
In preparation for Sunday’s message, “Designed by the Master,”
you may wish to consider the following:
- How do the pains and struggles of life make us or break us?
- What is an “identity crisis”?
- Is it possible to experience it more than once?
- What does the “Imago Dei” mean to you?
- In what way(s) are you made in His image?
- Are the image and likeness of God two different things?
- How does Genesis 1:26 relate to Psalm 8?
- What does David mean when he says that man is crowned with glory and honor (Ps. 8:5)?
- What does, “let him have dominion” mean?
- What does verse 27 tell us about the image of God in us?
