Questions for “Does the Evidence Point to a Designer?”

1. Think back to your high school or college science classes. Do you recall how the origin of the universe or of life was taught?

2. How many planets are in our solar system?

3. What is the speed of light?

4. What is the name of the closest star to our solar system?

5. In light years, how far across is our Milky Way Galaxy?

6. How many galaxies do astronomers think are in the universe?

7. Can you give a definition of “The Anthropic Principle”?

8. Can you give some examples of The Anthropic Principle?

9. The definition of “organic evolution” is that living things evolved from non-living matter and changed throughout the ages. True or false

10. In statistical terms, is it possible that life came from non-life?

11. In your opinion, why do some people continue to believe in organic evolution when they know that statistically it can’t be true?

12. Both evolution and creation take faith to believe, but in your opinion, what takes more faith, that life came from non-life or God created life?

13. How does your answer affect the way you live your life? Be specific.

14. End by reading Luke 12:6-7. How does this verse’s teaching of God’s attention to detail in nature provide comfort to you?

Answers:

2. 8; 3. 186,000 mph; 4. Proxima Centauri; 5. 100,000; 6. 50 billion; 7. “The universe is fine tuned for life to exist.”; 8. The earth is just the right distance from the sun to support life. If the earth was closer it would be too hot and if it was farther away it would be too cold. As it is, the distance is ‘just right’ for life to exist on the earth.

Questions for “If there was a Designer, who was it?”

1.     Does anyone in the group remember where they were when Apollo 8 orbited the moon in December, 1968?

2.     Read the following verses and respond to the statement and question after the list:

Genesis 1:1

Exodus 20:8-11

John 1:1-3

Colossians1:16

Hebrews 1:1-2

As precisely as you can, verbalize a statement about what the Bible teaches about who created the universe.

From these verses, does it appear more or less likely that God did his work of creation in a short period of time or over a long expanse of billions of years? Does Scripture demand one answer over the other?

3.     Do you believe the debate between a literal 6-day creation view and a view that God took billions of years is critical enough to cause a division within the Church? Why or why not?

4.     If Jesus did create the universe, then it is logical that he was who he said he was; the Son of God, the Savior of the world and the Lord of our lives. Ponder your values, behavior, attitudes, treatment of others and see if there is any place in your life where Jesus is not currently “Lord”. If there is such a place, determine to give that part of your life to him and make him Lord of all of your life!

Questions for “Evidence from Animal and Plant Life”

1. Match the following terms in the first list with the correct description in the second list:

Botanist

Zoologist

Ornithologist

Herpetologist

Ichthyologist

The study of fish

The study of plants

The study of animals

The study of reptiles

The study of birds

According to 1 King 4:33, how many of these describe King Solomon?

Which one of these studies appeals to you the most and why?

What about nature do you enjoy the most and how do you find ways to enjoy it?

What ways are you caring for God’s creation?

Do you have suggestions for how River Oaks Church could be more ‘environmentally friendly’? (Please e-mail any suggestions you come up with to me at trowland@riveroaks.org).

Questions for “Evidence from Human Life”

1. Have you ever had a part of your body not function properly? How did it make you feel when you couldn’t use it? How did you feel when the use returned?
2. If you had to lose one of your five senses (sight, hearing, touch, smell, taste) which one would you choose to live without and why?
3. Which of the five senses is the most valuable to you and why?
4. Read Psalm 139:13-24

What does David say in verses 16-18 that gives you comfort and confidence in God?

Because God is not only your creator, but also your Lord, what is the challenge in verses 23 and 24?

This week, take time every day to thank God for something about your amazing physical frame.

Questions for “The Value of Human Life”

1. Go around the group and have every member tell the rest of the group about a pet they have or have had.
2. How would you describe why we view human life differently than animal life? For example, why we drive past dead animals along the side of the road, but would never do that with a human.
3. How would you describe what is meant by the phrase, ‘the image of God’ in Genesis 1:24-27?
4. Read Jeremiah 1:4-5 and Isaiah 49:1 and comment about what these verses say about life before birth.
5. Even with abortion being legal in the United States, what are some ways in which we could at least make the number of abortions (currently 1.3 million each year) smaller? What would you counsel our political leaders to do to reduce the number of abortions?
6. What other ‘categories’ of people could be included in a ‘pro-life’ position besides the unborn?
7. Do you believe in the statement, “Be pro-life in some way, but do it in a grace-filled way because that is the Christian way.”?
8. What active steps have you taken, are you currently taking or will you plan to take to support life in any form?