From Debbie Young, Chief Curriculum Officer

“In the beginning, God…” The Bible opens with a booming thunderclap. Simple, yet profound words drive a stake in eternity that defines our purpose and direction. There was a beginning, an exact time when life as we know it began to emerge. At that distinct point in eternity past and for an infinite number of moments before, the Almighty God existed and reigned. And in His wisdom, by His will and through His power, God set in motion a universe, a world, a garden, and a people. The God of the beginning has never yielded His power to another. He still speaks. He still moves. He still reigns supreme. And we are wise to listen to Him.  

We read those ancient words from a fast-paced, seemingly uncertain world that has often ignored the significance of that bold statement and all it represents. Mankind, enthralled with our puny insights and delusion of control, has stopped hearing the thunder of Genesis 1:1. The noise of life tries to drown out the booming truth that ultimately cannot be dismissed. And in 2020, a year where so many things feel like they are unraveling, we have the opportunity to turn up the volume on that thunder.    

You face a beginning of your own – so much that looks entirely different than you anticipated. You enter a new BSF year with a loose grip on the familiar. You are conducting school, church, work, shopping, meals and life in unexpectedly different ways. We are all being forced to realize how little we actually control. That process can be uncomfortable. As we loosen our grip on what we cannot control, we tighten our grip on God, who has everything in control. He does not change. He does not let one electron move from the orbit He has ordained. He sets up kings and removes them according to His grand plans. He is not unsettled by political uncertainty, racial unrest or economic chaos. God’s work is not stopped by a virus, daunting or inefficient technology or by our weakness. God is the One we serve. He is strong when we are weak. He can be trusted. 

God brings us to Genesis, the exact book He designed for us to study at this exact moment in human history. And in His wisdom, by His will and through His power, He will set your class and your life in motion. You will open this book of beginnings to find ancient truths that resonate in a world of uncertainty. Participating in the Genesis study gives you the incredible opportunity to connect with people who long for stabilizing truth amidst the confusion and the opportunity to find fellowship amidst the isolation. We step into a world crippled by a microscopic organism and threatened in so many ways. But we are prepared to speak hope and bring people together in rich and meaningful ways. 

Will it look and feel different? It will. Will it require digging deep to trust God in uncharted territory? It will. But will God faithfully accomplish exactly what He has designed? HE WILL! God sustains what He sets in motion. Every star, planet, and electron remain in orbit because of His sustaining power. God, the great “I AM” will also sustain you. And, we are trusting God to sustain BSF despite the hardships of this time. 

“In the beginning, God…” That powerful, purposeful thunderclap of hope accomplishes far more than opening the book of Genesis. God stands at this beginning with you. He will create energy, wisdom and strength in you for everything His call requires. He did not bring you to this distinct point in human history and in your story merely to frustrate and challenge you. He is presenting you with an opportunity to see His power like never before. May God’s thunder roar with new power, in new places and in new ways! Are you ready to see God work? 

You’re probably asking, “Well, then what do we say instead?” That’s a good question, and the answer can vary. Here are some examples of how this might play out in the classroom: 

• Instead of asking, “What character said …?” ask, “What person in this Bible story said …?” or even simply, “Who said …?” 
• Instead of saying, “List all the main characters we have talked about in Genesis so far,” say, “List all the key people we have talked about in Genesis so far.” 
• Instead of asking, “Which character in this Bible story do you best relate to?” ask, “Which person in this Bible story do you best relate to?” 

Not using “character” means our language may be a little awkward and clunky at times when we need to replace it with “person in the Bible.” But we prefer awkward and clunky in this situation, as it will avoid any potential confusion. 

Now here’s the tricky part. Throughout the Genesis study, you will sometimes see or hear the word “character” used in relation to the real people in the Bible. You will find us doing exactly what we are telling you not to do. Why? First, because we decided to make this change after much of Genesis was already in its final form. And second, because we at HQ are humans, and we don’t remember all things at all times. We mess up. And you probably will too. It’s OK if you call Joseph a character because you forgot. Don’t worry about it. Just make a mental note to call him a person the next time. And marvel at the fact that he truly was a real person just like you and me!