Firstfruits of Creation Study

Kick off your 10-week experience! Use this time to cast vision for your core group, prepare hearts and minds to grow, plan together, and build excitement around inviting neighbors to join in hands-on Earthcare Activities. You'll dive into your first study with the question Can I trust that God is more abundant than my fear?

How does caring for the Earth change how we see ourselves? Last week we saw Noah trust God’s abundance by giving God back the fruits of creation even when they seemed scarce. Tonight, Israel is on their journey away from slavery in Egypt and toward the Promised Land. Your group will listen for how God calls God's people to remember who they are by taking care of the Earth.

What does God really want from me? Last week we saw that taking good care of creation and giving it back to God can help us move from selfishness to gratitude. But sometimes this doesn’t work. Tonight, the prophet Micah confronts people who think God just wants our stuff, and wants more of it than we can give.

Who gets to share in the abundant life? Last week we read Micah and learned that abundance begins in the heart. Tonight, we see Jesus turn a small gift into a miracle for everyone.

What happens when I give my whole life to God? Over the past weeks in our discussions, we’ve been moving from believing there’s not enough to believing there is enough, from tight fists to open hands. Whether it’s Noah, the Israelites, or a little boy in Galilee, God brings abundance to creation when people give back to God the best of what comes from the Earth. Tonight we look at Jesus—who gave everything—and how his gift begins a whole New Creation of abundant life.