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2. Why did God create us? Do we have a purpose? Every human person has infinite value in God’s plan. God love doesn’t depend on what you’ve done and how you feel. 2

3. Two different Creation accounts on the first chapters of Genesis. Each account tells us something unique about God’s plan. First Creation Story (Genesis 1:1 – 2:4): 1. God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. On the sixth day God created man and woman – he created them “in his image” (Gen. 1:27) Unlike other creatures, humans are capable of knowing God and returning God’s love God is a parent – our human parents gave us our genetic imprint, God gave us our soul. 3

4. 2. God gives human beings a special responsibility for caring for creation – stewardship. Our choices either help preserve or destroy life and creation 3. Human beings are not meant to be alone. Only when men and women are together, that we most fully reflect the divine image. The Trinity is a “community”, we were created to reflect that communion. 4

5. Think about the times when you have felt worthless or unloved or unsure about what your purpose in life should be. How could reminding yourself that God created you in his image and likeness – that in God’s eye s you have infinite value – make a difference? 5

6. Satan – the “accuser,” also known as Lucifer (“bearer of light”), was an archangel and rebelled against God. The bible tells us he tempts people, has the power to kill, influenced Jesus’ death. Satan and his devils are only creatures. They might be powerful than us, but God is even more powerful. Satan knows that he has already lost, but he wants to take down as many before his time comes to be cast out. 6

7. Second Creation Story (Genesis 2:4-3:24) Man is created first, then all the animals, and finally woman Adam and Eve were placed at the Garden of Eden – symbolizing friendship with God and humans. The Fall – Eve gives the fruit to Adam and he also eats it. They start the blame game. The tree of knowledge symbolizes our human limitations and what happens when we try to exceed it and set ourselves against God. Consequence – loss of harmony and friendship with each other, God, and all creation; labor; death; and passed on to all of Adam and Eve’s descendants. 7

8. When Adam and Eve sinned, they passed on their “spiritual defect” to their descendants (similar to passing on DNA to our descendants). Original Sin does not make us bad or corrupt, but weakens our ability to relate to God and choose God. This inclination to sin is called concupisence. 8

9. God gave us the gift of freedom to choose our own destiny, and gives us the ability to love and give love – this is why God could not stop Adam and Eve. When we choose to use this gift as God intends, it brings harmony, joy, and deep abiding relationships. Conversely, when we used this gift selfishly it brings disharmony, despair, and hate. 9