Passage: Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
Questions:
11) Spirit of God was hovering over the waters (Genesis 1:2b). By His breath (Holy Spirit) the skies became fair (Job 26:13). When you send your Spirit, they (humans) are created, and you renew the face of the earth (Psalm 104:30).
12) Genesis 6:3: God’s Spirit will not contend (or remain) with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years.
Webster’s says contend means “to struggle; to strive or vie in contest; maintain”. It could also mean the Spirit will not struggle against man’s sinful nature for more than 120 years.
Ezekiel 36:26-27: God will put the Spirit in us to move us to follow His decrees and keep His laws.
John 3:8: The Spirit goes where it wants to and you cannot predict where it will go or where it will come from.
John 7:38-39: Whoever believes in Christ will have the Spirit flowing within them.
John 14:16-17: The Spirit was sent by God to be with us and in us; to speak the truth to us and be our Counselor.
John 16:7-8: Jesus had to die so that the Spirit (or Counselor) could be with man. It will be the Spirit to convict the world of guilt and bring righteousness.
Romans 8:9: The Spirit lives in you if you belong to God. You are controlled by the Spirit, not by your sinful nature. If you don’t have the Spirit, you don’t belong to God.
2 Corinthians 3:3: The Spirit is written on our hearts that shows/proves we are God’s.
2 Corinthians 3:6: We are competent to spread the Good News because we have the Spirit. The Spirit gives life. Nothing else such as letters.
2 Corinthians 3:18: We are being transformed into God’s likeness with ever-increasing glory because we have the Spirit within. The Spirit allows us to reflect God’s glory wherever we go.
Ephesians 1:13-14: Once we accepted Christ into our hearts, we were marked by the Holy Spirit as God’s. We are thus guaranteed our inheritance (everlasting life).
Titus 3:5-6: God saved us through the Holy Spirit, which Christ brought us through his death.
13) Personal Question. My answer: It’s a great reminder that no matter what sins we commit, we are saved and forgiven because of the Holy Spirit, which guides all that we do. I take comfort in knowing I’m not in control but God is and that I am gradually being transformed because of the Spirit into God’s glory.
It gives me hope because it seems I fall short every day of God’s commands.
14a) Once Christ is accepted, the Holy Spirit comes and fills that person, marks them, and then guides them for the rest of their earthly days. The Spirit goes where it chooses to go. But we can help the Spirit choose others by reflecting God’s glory.
b) Personal Question. My answer: Yes.
Conclusions: Many people just think of God when they think of Creation. They picture Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel where he depicts God extending His hand to Adam and imparting life. But many (including me) forget the intricate role of Jesus and the Holy Spirit in all of this. Great job by BSF bringing that aspect to light and emphasizing their continued importance in our life today.