The Gardens of God – Week 1 Guide
The Garden of Creation – Genesis 2:4b-10, 15-25
To download the guide for this week, use the link below.
Connecting
*If your group is gathering for the first time:
- Introduce yourself, & share: your name (see attached sheet to write down everyone’s name to help you remember), what town you live in, how you heard about BBC and which worship service you attend.
- Do you have any experience with gardening or growing things? If so, what do you enjoy about gardening?
*If you’re in an ongoing group:
Do you have any experience with gardening or growing flowers, plants, or food? If so, what do you enjoy about gardening?
As a group, take turns reading aloud the Healthy Habits for a Small Group. Whether your group is new or ongoing, it’s a good idea to regularly be reminded of the habits and expectations that help groups thrive.
Healthy Habits for a Small Group
Come with 100% of yourself. Each of us brings all of who we are to the group – our joys and successes, as well as our fears and failures.
Presume welcome and extend welcome. We all learn most effectively in spaces that welcome us. Know that you are welcome, that you belong, and extend this welcome to others.
No fixing. Offer advice or reflection to another person only when invited to do so, but otherwise avoid the temptation to fix, set-straight or counsel another member of the group.
Share the air. Pay attention to how much of the group time you take. Every voice is important, and no single voice ought to dominate.
Speak for Self. A helpful practice is to use “I” statements. This is a time to reflect on your own faith journey and not on someone else or “the world.”
Pay attention to people, put your phones away : )
Listen to Silence. Silence is a rare gift in our busy world. Allow silence to be another member of the group.
Observe Confidentiality. This is especially important for trust to develop. What’s said in the group stays in the group.
Believe that it’s possible to emerge from this experience refreshed, surprised, and less burdened than when you came. Expect that our time together can provide for renewal, refreshment, and helpful perspectives for our spiritual journeys.
Here is the Introduction to the Gardens of God Series
Questions
- How does the description of humanity’s creation in Genesis 2 shape your understanding of what it means to be human?
- Why do you think God chose to create humans in such an intimate way (forming from dust and breathing life)?
- What does Adam’s role in naming the animals teach us about our responsibility toward creation?
- How does the creation of Eve emphasize the importance of human relationships?
- Why do you think God placed a restriction on eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? What does this tell us about obedience?
- In what ways does our culture challenge the idea of living under God’s authority? How can we respond faithfully?
- How can we better live out our purpose as stewards of creation in our daily lives?
Praying for Each Other
Are there any joys to celebrate, any burdens we can share?
Closing Prayer