Lesson 06
How Did Life Begin?
“With [God] is the source of life.”
Do you believe that? Some people think that life came from random, undirected events. If that is true, then we exist only because of an accident. But if Jehovah God created life, it would have a purpose, would it not?
Consider the Bible’s account of the origin of life and also why that account is reasonable.
1. How did the universe begin?
The Bible states: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
Most scientists agree that the universe had a beginning. How did God create it? He used his “active force”—his holy spirit—to make everything in the universe, including galaxies, stars, and planets.
2. Why did God create the earth?
Jehovah “did not create [the earth] simply for nothing, but formed it to be inhabited.”
He made our planet to be a comfortable and permanent home for humans.
Read Isaiah 40.28: Do you not know? Have you not heard? Jehovah, the Creator of the ends of the earth, is a God for all eternity. He never tires out or grows weary. His understanding is unsearchable.
Read Isaiah 42.5: This is what the true God, Jehovah, says, The Creator of the heavens and the Grand One who stretched them out, The One who spread out the earth and its produce, The One who gives breath to the people on it And spirit to those who walk on it:
Science reveals that the earth is unique. It is the only known planet that can sustain human life.
3. What makes humans unlike the animals?
After he made the earth, Jehovah created life on it. First, he filled the earth with plants and animals. Then, “God went on to create the man in his image.”
Read Genesis 1.27: And God went on to create the man in his image, in God’s image he created him; male and female he created them.
What makes humans unique? Since we are made in God’s image, we can reflect his qualities, such as love and justice. He also created us with the ability to learn languages, appreciate art, and enjoy music. And unlike any animal, we can worship our Creator.
DIG DEEPER
Consider the evidence that life was designed and that the Bible’s creation account is reasonable. Learn what the qualities in humans teach us about God.
4. Life was designed
Humans get credit for the designs they copy from nature. So who should get credit for the originals? Play the VIDEO, and then discuss the question that follows.
AD))) Video Title: Belief in God (with Audio Description and Transcript) (Duration: 2:43).
What have human designers copied from nature?
Every house is designed and built by someone. But who designed and built the things in nature?
Read Hebrews 3.4: Of course, every house is constructed by someone, but the one who constructed all things is God.
Discuss these questions:
What designs in the natural world impress you?
Is it reasonable to believe that the universe and everything in it were designed? Why?
Did you know?
You can find articles and videos about this topic on jw.org in the series “Was It Designed?” and “Viewpoints on the Origin of Life.”
5. The Bible’s creation account is reasonable
In Genesis chapter 1, the Bible describes the origin of the earth and life on it. Can you trust that account, or is it just a myth? Play the VIDEO, and then discuss the questions that follow.
AD))) Video Title: Was the Universe Created?—Excerpt (with Audio Description and Transcript) (Duration: 3:51).
Does the Bible teach that the earth and life on it were created in six 24-hour days?
Do you think that the Bible’s account of creation is logical and reasonable? Why, or why not?
Read Genesis 1.1: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Discuss this question:
Scientists say that the universe had a beginning. How does their conclusion compare with what you just read in the Bible?
Some people wonder if God used evolution to create life.
Read Genesis 1.21: And God created the great sea creatures and all living creatures that move and swarm in the waters according to their kinds and every winged flying creature according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
Read Genesis 1.25: And God went on to make the wild animals of the earth according to their kinds and the domestic animals according to their kinds and all the creeping animals of the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.
Read Genesis 1.27: And God went on to create the man in his image, in God’s image he created him; male and female he created them.
Discuss these questions:
Does the Bible teach that God made a simple life-form and then let it evolve into fish, mammals, and humans? Or did he create all the basic “kinds” of life?
6. Humans are a unique creation of God
We are unlike the animals that Jehovah created.
Read Genesis 1.26: Then God said: “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness, and let them have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and the domestic animals and all the earth and every creeping animal that is moving on the earth.”
Discuss this question:
Because we are made in God’s image, what does our ability to show love and compassion suggest about God’s personality?
SOME PEOPLE SAY: “The Bible’s account of creation is a myth.”
What do you think? Why?
SUMMARY
Jehovah created the universe and all life.
Review
What does the Bible teach about the origin of the universe?
Did God let the different kinds of life evolve from a simple life-form, or did he create them all?
What is unique about humans?
Lesson completed on:
Goal
Read an article or watch a video from the series “Was It Designed?” on jw.org.
Other: Memorizing Bible scriptures is vital for blind individuals to defend the truth using the Bible, build faith, provide comfort during difficult times, and keep God’s principles firm in heart and mind.
From lesson 6, memorize Isaiah 45:18: For this is what Jehovah says, The Creator of the heavens, the true God, The One who formed the earth, its Maker who firmly established it, Who did not create it simply for nothing, but formed it to be inhabited: “I am Jehovah, and there is no one else.
Build a Bible mind map to locate scriptures, memorize: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel.
EXPLORE
1. Discover the design reflected in nature.
“What Does Nature Teach?” (Awake!, September 2006) Open explore 1 in new page
2. See how a father can explain the Bible’s creation account to his young son.
“Jehovah... Created All Things” (2:37) Open explore 2 in new page
3. Consider whether evolution is compatible with the Bible.
“Did God Use Evolution to Create the Different Types of Life?” (Web article) Open explore 3 in new page
4. Examine whether the fossil record or scientific experiments suggest that life was created or that it originated by chance.
The Origin of Life—Five Questions Worth Asking (brochure) Open explore 4 in new page
[End of lesson 6.]