Session 5 – Creation Made New

• What has stayed with you from last week?
• What good in culture have you seen in the last week? What was less good? What culture cultivation have you done?

Ask some or all of the following questions:

• Where’s your favourite place to be in nature?
• Take a look at the painting by Edward Hicks and read the commentary beside it. What looks familiar from this world? What surprises you?

Read the passage aloud together

Isaiah 65:17-25

• What is the Spirit highlighting to you today from this passage?
• As you read the Isaiah passage, what are some key features of the new heaven and new earth? How do you interpret them?
• Where is the discontinuity between today’s world and this depiction of new creation?

Discuss some of the following questions:

• What stood out to you from this video? Did anything challenge or surprise you?
• What do you think it looks like to exercise “dominion” in a way that reflects God’s character?
• What stood out to you from this video? Did anything challenge or surprise you?
• How do you feel about care for creation? How has it changed over your lifetime?

Ask some or all of the following questions:

• What would it mean to consider to the renewal of (your bit of) creation similarly to your own transformation?
• One challenge is being overwhelmed by the amount of renewal needed. Pick one of the following areas to focus on:
  • transport choices,
  • food waste solutions,
  • plastic usage,
  • animal welfare.
• What things can you do as an individual and as a church community to respond to creation that way today?

Pray for wisdom and understanding in response to the challenge to creation care. Make a list together of the practical acts of creation care as a way to express honour to the Creator.

AND / OR

Plant a seed: Give everyone a small pot, provide soil and a seed, and do the seed planting together. Pray and thank God for creation. Thank him for the way he will make all things new.