(V)irtual (B)ible (S)tudy

Week 2: In the Beginning

Welcome to our socially distant summer! Although we cannot join in person for now, we can still learn and grow together this summer. Use this guide to explore this week’s theme and scriptures. You may move through it at whatever pace is best, but we recommend you spread it over several days.

In the beginning

There was nothing but water water water water water

Whole lotta water water water water water

But no whales

In the beginning

There was nothing but water water water water water

Whole lotta water water water water water

But no shrimp cocktail

And even if there was, you couldn’t see ‘em

Couldn’t hug and squeeze ‘em

‘Cause there was no sun up in the sky

In fact there was no sky In that old by and by

Just a lotta water water water water water

But no whales

In the beginning

There was nothing but shadow shadow shadow shadow shadow

Whole lotta shadow shadow shadow shadow shadow

But no shade

In the beginning

There was nothing but shadow shadow shadow shadow shadow

Whole lotta shadow shadow shadow shadow shadow

But no lemonade

And even if there was, we couldn’t enjoy ‘em

We couldn’t employ ‘em

On a hot summer day on the Fourth of July

In fact there was no July In that old by and by

Just a lotta shadow shadow shadow shadow shadow

But no shade

In the beginning

There was a Holy Holy Holy Holy Spirit

Whole lotta Holy Holy Holy Holy Spirit

Everywhere

In the beginning

There was a Holy Holy Holy Holy Spirit

Whole lotta Holy Holy Holy Holy Spirit

Hovering in the air

And She said, “Hey, Let’s pick this pace up

Let’s fix this place up

All water and shadow’s so passe

So let there be some light

And let it shine clear and bright

On whale and shrimp and kale and chimp

And night and day!”

In the beginning

There was something missing missing missing missing missing

Little something missing missing missing missing missing

From the world

In the beginning

There was something missing missing missing missing missing

That something missing missing missing missing missing

Was a boy and a girl

‘Cause boys and girls

Make lemonade stands

March in parade bands

Fourth of July, “Hip hip hooray!”

And they sail the ocean blue

Singin’ “Hallelu”

For whale and shrimp and kale and chimp

And summer shade and lemonade

And oceans blue and hallelu

And night and day!

Supplies: Access to a music service or YouTube

Have you ever made a playlist? It can be so fun to make a list of songs for a certain mood, a party, or a road trip! This week, you are going to create a PRAY-list. This is a special playlist that will be your prayer while thinking about this week’s theme. Here’s what to do:

• Open your music streaming service (Spotify, Apple Music, etc…). If you or your family does not already have an account, you can create a free one that will still allow you to create playlists! OR you can create a playlist on YouTube.
• Think of one song to represent each day of the Genesis 1 creation story:
  • Day 1: Light and darkness
  • Day 2: Sky
  • Day 3: Earth, seas, plants
  • Day 4: Sun, moon, and stars
  • Day 5: Fish and birds
  • Day 6: Land animals and humans
  • Day 7: Rest
• You can write these songs down while you brainstorm, or use the music service to help you search. Create a new playlist called “In the Beginning PRAYlist” and add your songs in order.

Here is JD’s example:

• Day 1: “Blinded by the Light” by Manfred Mann’s Earth Band
• Day 2: “Me and the Sky” from Come from Away by Jenn Collela
• Day 3: “How Far I’ll Go” from Moana by Auli’i Cravalho
• Day 4: “Good Morning Starshine” by Oliver
• Day 5: “Eagle When She Flies” by Dolly Parton
• Day 6: “Circle of Life” by Elton John 4
• Day 7: “Everything’s Alright” from Jesus Christ Superstar by Yvonne Elliman

This is your playlist– there are no right or wrong answers, and the songs can remind you of these days however it makes the most sense to you!

Listen to this PRAYlist when you can throughout the week. Maybe while you’re getting ready or in the car if your family drives somewhere. While you listen, think about the diversity in creation. Also notice how many different types of music there are, and all of the different ways notes can be put together to make songs.

Thank God for this gift of diversity.

Amen.

Supplies: A creative mind and whatever you can find!

In our story this week, God called creation into existence out of nothing but God’s own creative imagination. God also created the humans in God’s image, meaning we have that same creative imagination in our heads! And while we aren’t working with nothing we are going to work on being creative with what we have!

Look around your home for all sorts of odds, ends, and bric a brac. They can be great or small (#throwback)! Think creatively about different things it could represent or ways it could be used. Maybe even look through your recycling or reconsider throwing out a piece of (clean) trash that could be repurposed. Make sure that if you move something you remember where you found it!

Now use what you have found to create! Here are some options:

• Create representations of each day from Genesis 1:
  • Day 1: Light and darkness
  • Day 2: Sky
  • Day 3: Earth, seas, plants
  • Day 4: Sun, moon, and stars
  • Day 5: Fish and birds
  • Day 6: Land animals and humans
  • Day 7: Rest
• Create a new invention that could help the world
• Create something good– something that brings you joy
• Feel free to use your own creativity however you would like!

See if you can do this with as little “official craft supplies” as possible (although you may need things like string or glue). Be sure you have permission to use the objects you find!

Think about what it was like to see things in a new way. Using our creative minds is holy and connects us with God’s Holy Spirit! Like God said in the story, it is good.

If possible, save your creations for the Zoom call this week so you can show it off! After that you can keep it or take it apart. Just remember to clean up and put everything back where you found it!

Supplies: Printed scavenger hunt page or blank piece of paper, something to write with, something to draw with

This week we are thinking about a creation story, so it makes sense that we would get out into creation! This activity is best done outside (at a park or in your yard), but you can do it inside your home if you need to.

Directions:

• Print the scavenger hunt found here, or draw a chart like it on a blank piece of paper
• Go outside and look for something that reminds you of each day in our creation story.
• Write it down in that box.
• When you have completed the scavenger hunt, you may use the empty boxes to draw pictures of what you found.

Isn’t the variety in nature amazing! Think of how boring outside would be without trees or bugs or birds. Not only would it be boring, but our ecosystem wouldn’t work right! Give thanks to God for the beauty of the world, and always be looking for new ways to take good care of it!

Challenges of the Week

Before our Zoom call on Thursday at 10:00 am, we challenge you to:

• Learn this week’s song: In the Beginning.
• Wear the color of the week on our Zoom call: YELLOW!
• Memorize this week’s scripture:
  • “God saw all that God had made, and it was very good.” Genesis 1:31a (NIV)