Teaching Series Introduction:
People are complex. You and I are complex. How do we understand ourselves and each other? How do we move toward one another in God-honouring ways? How do we love wisely in the context of everyday relationships?
(Michael Emlet)
One of the most memorable songs in recent years is the song ‘Human’ by Rag ‘N’ Bone man. It’s an honest reflection on the complexity of human relationships, with the line ‘I’m only human after all. Don’t put your blame on me.’ It’s something we’ve all felt at times – I’m just human, don’t expect perfection! The word ‘human’ originally means ‘of the earth’. It’s where we get our word humours from – dust, from the ground, from the earth.
During 2020, we’ve had a glimpse of some of the limits of our humanity, but also some of the best of us humans. And, as we begin to emerge out of this pandemic, it’s worth getting back to basics to remember some foundations of what it means to be human. When we know who we are, we can rebuild for what’s ahead.
Our guide will be the very opening words of the Bible. Yes, the first few chapters of Genesis provide is with rock-solid foundations to be able to navigate uncharted times. We’ll be thinking about our purpose, our relationships, our sexuality, our identity, and how we live in changing times. We’ll be grappling with some pretty big questions that we all face in life.
And as we do so, we’ll discover the freedom in being neither dust nor divine. Yes, join us at Riverside to find the freedom in being able to say “I’m only human after all!”
Session 11
Title: Human – Session 11: I Long For So Much More
By: Tim Chilvers
Date: 18 APRIL 2021
Bible Passage: Genesis (chapter 3, verses 6-13)
Children’s Resources:
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Activity Sheet
Colouring Sheet
Youth Resources:
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Study Questions
- Author Michael Emlet summarises the heart behind the whole Human series: ‘People are complex. You and I are complex. How do we understand ourselves and each other? How do we move toward one another in God-honoring ways? How do we love wisely in the context of everyday relationships?’ What have you learnt during this Human series that speaks into that quote?
- Read Genesis 3:6-13 again. In a sense, these verses give a summary of the journey that humanity has taken – as we move away from the world we long for. Using your own words, which descriptions in these verses do you experience in your life?
- Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-11. In what ways do these verses highlight the beauty and the burden of humanity? What does it mean, do you think, that God has set ‘eternity’ in our hearts (v11)? How might that speak into what happened in Genesis 1-3?
- During his talk on Sunday, Tim summarised some reasons why Genesis 1-3 is so important for our lives today. Can you remember what those reasons are, and which of them do you think are most important?
- Read John 6:68. How does Jesus fulfill all of these longings and realities that are in Genesis 1-3?
- As we come to the end of this series, what insights do you really want to carry forwards and take hold of, and which questions are you left with?
- Take some time to pray, asking that God would help you to take hold of the foundations that are laid in Genesis 1-3, and to help you with your questions. Pray for the people in your life who you know need some of the perspectives that you have discovered in Genesis 1-3.
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