Creativity

August 21, 2022

August 21

CREATIVITY

  1. What is your favorite thing you’ve ever made? Describe the process of making this item and why it is your favorite?
  2. What is something in creation, whether it be natural or man-made, that when you experience it, it draws your heart to awe and worship of God?
  3. What stood out to you from the message?

  4. Read Exodus 31:1-11
    •  Make some observations about this passage (What does the text say):
      • Who is talking?
      • What is the circumstance?
      • Any repeated phrases?
      • What surprised you?
      • What stood out to you?
    • Make some interpretations (What does the passage mean)
      • What questions do you have?
      • Summarize the passage in 1-3 sentences – what are the main points?
      • What do you learn about the nature and character of God as you read this?
      • What do you learn about yourself and your choices?
    • Now make some applications (what’s my response)
      • How do you respond to what you are reading?
      • How does this apply to your life?
      • What is the central truth that you could put into practice from this?
      • Who could you share this with for the sake of encouragement?
  5. In Exodus 31:3, it says God had “filled [Bezalel] with the Spirit of God” and lists out the gifts that the Spirit gives him. Skip ahead to the New Testament in Acts 2:1-4 where we read that many who had gathered together for Pentacost were filled with the Holy Spirit and proceeded to exhibit powerful signs of this “filling”. Whereas, in this story in Exodus, we see the Spirit filling one man for the purpose of building God’s dwelling place, in Acts we see the Spirit filling many for the purpose of building a permanent dwelling among the people themselves. 
    • If you know Jesus, how have you experienced the creative gifts of the Spirit working through you to build up His church and display the beauty of God to the world around you? If you are exploring God, in what ways have you naturally been gifted? What might it look like if these gifts were employed and empowered by God’s very Spirit in the ways we see Him do this in Scripture?
  6. Read Genesis 1:1, 26-31. What is the very first act we see God performing? If humanity is made specifically in God’s image, what role does creativity play in being God’s image-bearers in the world?
  7. Read 2 Corinthians 4:6, 5:17, and Ephesians 2:1-5. How do we see God’s creative power at work in these verses and how do they reflect Genesis 1
    • If we are called to be like God in His creativity, how can we now participate in His redemptive work in the world, undoing what has been broken because of our sin, whether in our homes, neighborhoods, workplaces, etc.? 
    • What daily opportunities (no matter how seemingly mundane) is God giving you to uniquely partner with Him in His redemptive creativity? 

Scriptures: 

  • Exodus 31:1-11
  • Acts 2:1-4
  • Genesis 1:1, 26-31
  • 2 Corinthians 4:6, 5:17
  • Ephesians 2:1-5

Take a Next Step: 

  • “Is the creative part of our life committed to Christ? Christ is the Lord of our whole life and the Christian life should not only produce truth- flaming truth- but also beauty.” – Francis Schaeffer, Art and the Bible. If this question stirs something in your heart and you have not yet explored the unique ways God has gifted you, consider taking a spiritual gifts assessment to start that process.

    https://spiritualgiftstest.com/

    https://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test.  

  • If you are not yet connected to a community that will help you discover your gifts and grow in your commitment to Christ, join one of our Community Groups or Grow classes. If you are just learning about Jesus, consider taking our Alpha course as a next step.