In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. (Genesis 1:1-5 ESV)

Every institution, every person, every team, every invention has its beginning, its own special history. Sometimes the beginning was intentional (most technology), and at other times accidental (a “mistake” in the kitchen that became the family’s favorite recipe.)

When the Bible speaks of the beginning of all things, there is a simple statement: In the beginning, God.

Discussion: What does it mean that “God” immediately follows the word “beginning?”

Talking Points: All of creation points to a creator. Divine design. The world did not come into being accidentally. If God is the “beginner” then all of creation is a reflection of Him. Not only does creation reflect God, creation glorifies him. Just as a work of art makes an artist famous, creation makes God famous. A sunrise: God’s work. A rainbow: God’s work. A beautiful waterfall: God. As creator, God is unavoidable. Everything points to him!

Verse 3 says, “And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Here we see the formula for creation: and God said…and there was.

Discussion: What does this say about God that he created simply by speaking?

Talking Points: God is all-powerful. We call this God’s omnipotence—his power over everything. God speaks and things happen. God doesn’t begin with raw material—all he needed was his will to create. What God wants, God can make happen.

Application: What is in your life that you need God’s power on? Share those needs with one another and pray for each other. Give your needs to the omnipotent God who simply speaks and creates.