God's Divine Order and Rebellion: Understanding Chaos

First Priority Club Module 3: God of Order and Restoration Module 3: Week 1 Overview: In this module, we will explore God s divine order, the nature of rebellion and how it disrupts order, and the need for restoration. Module 3, Week 1: God's Divine Order in Creation This week, we will explore God s character trait of order, which is observable in the arrangement, structure, and patterns of creation and how this is related to God s desire for order and not chaos. 1. God s Unchanging Nature The Bible teaches that God exists outside of time and is not subject to the limitations and changes that affect creation. Psalm 102:25-27affirms, In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing, you will change them, and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end. Question:How do we see stability and consistency in God s unchanging nature, and why does this matter to us? 2. Observing God s Order in the Solar System Consider the solar system: the planets consistently remain in fixed orbits around the sun. This stability allows us to recount the manifest presence of God, as expressed in Psalm 19:1-2: The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. Question:How does a stable solar system declare the knowledge of God ? 3.Observing God s Order in the Seasons, Sun, and Moon In Genesis 8:22, we read: As long as the earth remains, there will be springtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, day and night and, Psalm 104:19says God made the moon to tell us the months and seasons. The sun also knows the right time for sunset . Question:How do the sun, moon, and seasons reflect God s character of order and structure? 4.God of Order and Peace 1 Corinthians 14:33,40 read: For God is not a God of confusion but of peace and everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way and Isaiah 45:18adds, For the LORD is God, and he created the heavens and the earth and put everything in place. He made the world to be lived in, not to be a place of empty chaos. I am the LORD, and there is no other. Talk About It: What examples of chaos can you identify in the world? How does the instability of chaos cause anxiety for us? How does knowing that God is a God of order and peace affect your life? How does God s unchanging nature give you hope and comfort? Page 1 of 4

Module 3: Week 2 Module 3, Week 2: The Chaos of Rebellion Last week, we explored God s character trait of order as observed in patterns of creation. This week, we will examine the root of rebellion and how it disrupts God s divine order. 1. God s Authority Over His Creation Rebellion is defined as open resistance to or defiance of authority or control. In the context of God, this means rejecting or defying His authority over creation. As stated in Genesis 2:7, "The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the earth and blew the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being." Additionally, Colossians 1:17 affirms, "He existed before anything else, and He holds all creation together." Question: Why do these verses indicate that God has authority over creation? 2. The Root of Rebellion From a Christian perspective, the root of rebellion is choosing self over God. In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve lived in a perfect environment and enjoyed a close relationship with God. They had never experienced evil or sin, as they had always obeyed His commands. However, when they chose to defy God by eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they were influenced by the devil s suggestion that God was withholding something valuable from them. Eve saw that the fruit was "good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom," so she took some and ate it. She then gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it as well. Question:According to these verses, how are Adam and Eve s actions related to FOMO (fear of missing out)? 3. The Consequences of Rebellion Ephesians 2:2-3 states, "For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths." Question:Why does the rejection of truth lead to the breakdown of God s divine order? 4. God Offers Forgiveness In His love, God offers forgiveness for our rebellion and a way back to him. In Colossians 1:21 we read "At one time you were far away from God and were His enemies because of the evil things you did and thought. But by grace you have been saved through faith in Jesus. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God . Ephesians 2:8. Question:How do we accept God s forgiveness for our rebellion, and why would we? Talk About It: Why is rebellion rooted in selfishness? Why does selfishness lead to chaos? Why do people reject God s authority in their lives? Why is FOMO often the cause of bad decisions? Page 2 of 4

Module 3: Week 3 Module 3, Week 3: The Restoration of What Was Lost In this module, we have discussed God's character trait of order and the root of rebellion and how it causes chaos. This week, we will explore how God promises to restore what has been lost due to rebellion. Note: Restoration involving returning something to its former, original, and unimpaired state. 1. The Need for Restoration Because of God's holiness free from selfishness and corruption we cannot have a relationship with Him due to our human nature, which is characterized by selfishness. As Romans 3:23states, Everyone has sinned and is far away from God's saving presence. However, 1 John 1:9reassures us: If we tell Him our sins, He is faithful and we can depend on [Jesus] to forgive us of our sins. He will make our lives clean from all sin. Question: If we acknowledge our sin and trust in Jesus to forgive us, what is restored for us? 2. The Promise of Restoration God's authority over creation ensures that He remains in control, working through the chaos to bring about restoration. In 1 Peter 5:10, we read, Yes, you will have trouble like this for a short time. But after that, God will make everything right. He is completely kind and will always help you. Because you belong to Christ, God has chosen you to live with Him in heaven forever. You will join Him in that beautiful place. Then God will make you well again and strengthen your spirit, so you can stand strong. Question:What does this verse promise to those who belong to Jesus ? 3. The Hope of Restoration The Bible speaks of a future hope when God will restore all things. Revelation 21:1-4 describes a new heaven and a new earth, where there will be no more pain, suffering, or death, indicating that God will ultimately bring order out of chaos. The passage states, I heard a loud voice from [heaven]. It said, Now God s home is with people. He will live with them. They will be His people. God Himself will be with them and will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, sadness, crying, or pain. All the old ways are gone. Question:How does God s promise to bring order out of chaos give us hope? Talk About It What is lost when we rebel against God? How does God s holiness lead to peace, stability, and healing? Why does restoration require us to want God more than our selfish desires? Why does separation from God cause us to feel lonely, anxious, sad, and afraid? Reminder:Prepare for next week s INVITE meeting and remind students to invite their friends. Action Step: Spend time in prayer, asking the Lord to reveal any ways you may be rebelling against Him or doubting His goodness and promises; ask for His forgiveness and help trusting Him more. Page 3 of 4

Module 3: Week 4- INSPIRE WEEK Pray About It First Priority Module 3 Lessons Overview: This week, we will share ways that inspire us to move closer to God. 1. Ask a student leader to share a verse from last week s lesson that impacted them and why. 2. Ask a student leader to share a faith story of how or why they made a decision to trust Jesus as the only way back to God. 3. Ask a student leader to read the Pray About It below. 4. Pass out Response Cards AFTER the prayer [download @ www.firstprioritytampa.org/students] 5. Collect Response Cards- leaders should follow up with students who have questions or made a decision today to follow Christ. 6. Remember to invite friends to your youth group or church this week. Pray About It: We will now take a minute to talk to God through prayer. In the quiet of your heart and mind, you can share anything with Him. As I pray out loud, I invite anyone here who wants to begin a relationship with God through faith in Jesus, to agree in your heart and mind with what I am saying because God hears the private thoughts. Dear Heavenly Father, I come to you with an open heart. I acknowledge my selfishness and how it has separated me from you. I believe that Jesus is the way back to you and want to place my trust in Him today. Help me to turn from doing things my way and release my life over to you. Thank you for promising to hear and answer my prayer. In Jesus Name, Amen. ADDITIONAL RESOURCE: Video about the chaos dragon in the Bible: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/chaos-dragon/ Fall 2024