Bible study on creation and care for churches
Before God we commit ourselves, and call on the whole family of faith, to bear witness to
God’s redemptive purpose for all creation. We will seek appropriate ways to restore and
build just relationships among human beings and with the rest of creation. We will strive
to live sustainably, rejecting consumerism and the resulting exploitation. 1 We will teach
and model care of creation and integral mission. We will intercede before God for those
most affected by environmental degradation and climate change, and will act with justice
and mercy among, with and on behalf of them.
- Micah Network Declaration on Creation Stewardship and Climate Change
Here we put together a collection of 9 Bible studies relating to creation care from
Footsteps. We hope these materials could guide you in your daily relationship with our
environment.
1. Our stewardship of natural resources (Footsteps 82)
http://tilz.tearfund.org/Publications/Footsteps+81-90/Footsteps+82/Bible+Study+82.htm
2. On agriculture and climate change (Footsteps 70)
http://tilz.tearfund.org/Publications/Footsteps+61-70/Footsteps+70/Bible+study+70.htm
3. God’s prevision in time of difficulty (Footsteps 77)
http://tilz.tearfund.org/Publications/Footsteps+71-80/Footsteps+77/Bible+study+77.htm
4. On pollution – Caring creatively for God’s world (Footsteps 59)
http://tilz.tearfund.org/Publications/Footsteps+51-60/Footsteps+59/Bible+study+59.htm
5. On water – The river of life (Footsteps 51)
http://tilz.tearfund.org/Publications/Footsteps+51-60/Footsteps+51/Bible+study+51.htm
6. Biodiversity in the Bible (Footsteps 47)
http://tilz.tearfund.org/Publications/Footsteps+41-50/Footsteps+47/Bible+study.htm
7. On land – Placing God first (Footsteps 41)
http://tilz.tearfund.org/Publications/Footsteps+41-50/Footsteps+41/Bible+study.htm
8. On food security – Enough is as good as a feast (Footsteps 32)
http://tilz.tearfund.org/Publications/Footsteps+31-40/Footsteps+32/Bible+study.htm
9. Caring for our environment
http://tilz.tearfund.org/Publications/Footsteps+11-20/Footsteps+20/Bible+study.htm
BIBLE STUDY 1: Our stewardship of natural resources
As a couple, we are experienced in environmental science and church leadership. We are
enthusiastic about the many references to nature in the Bible and God’s call to us to work
with creation in a way that protects and cares for what God has made.
Opening discussion
Describe how you look after nature. This might be a garden, a small vegetable plot, an
animal, or even a houseplant.

What are the important factors in helping your part of nature flourish?
Read Genesis 2:1-15


How did God ask Adam to care for the garden?
What does this mean for how we care for the natural world and our use of natural
resources?
Read Genesis 1:26-2:3
The term ‘dominion’ (Genesis 1:28 in some Bible translations) has sometimes been
misunderstood to mean we can do whatever we like with nature. It actually means ‘to
rule over’ and gives humans the responsibility of leadership.


What does biblical dominion involve?
The word ‘stewardship’ is sometimes used to explain biblical dominion. How does
this help?
Read Leviticus 19:1, 9-15, 23-24

How does biblical stewardship focus on God while balancing the needs of humans
and the natural world?
Discussion

How could you apply the principles of biblical stewardship to your local
surroundings?

Who would you need to involve?

How could you develop a plan and see it through to completion?

If the environment you live in is under stress, how can you improve it?

If there is serious human need as well as environmental stress, how can you help
the environment and people at the same time?
Practical action
Find out whether organisations in your area look at environmental management and
human care together. How can Christians work with others in the community to help do
this?
Martin Hodson is an environmental scientist. Margot Hodson is a church pastor. They are
husband and wife, and co-authors of Cherishing the Earth, how to care for God’s
creation.
Email: martin@hodsons.org
Website: http://www.hodsons.org
BIBLE STUDY 2: The two books
Many early scientists were Christians and through their science investigated and learned
about God’s creation. They talked about God’s revelation in the form of two books, the
book of God’s works (his creation) and the book of God’s Word (as found in the Bible).
We can see the same idea in the structure of Psalm 19, written by King David about
1,000 years before Christ. The first six verses speak of God’s works in creation while the
following three verses (6-9) speak about God’s Word in the Bible.
Read Psalm 19:1-6
As a shepherd boy, David must have spent many hours looking up at the sky and
becoming familiar with the stars, moon and planets.


How would we try to describe creation?
Reflect on the different ways in which David tries to describe the wonder of God’s
creation. How do they make us feel?
Read Psalm 19:7-11
Here David draws a clear parallel between God’s physical laws controlling creation and
God’s moral laws regulating human behaviour and relationships.

Are these words and descriptions you would use to describe God’s moral laws?

How do they help you to reflect on the value of God’s moral laws?
David had only a small fragment of God’s Word in the books of Moses. Today we have the
whole Bible and, in particular, Jesus – the perfect image of God. But we live in a world
where God is generally ignored, the Bible is largely unknown, God’s rules are often not
followed and many people do what they like.
Putting both God’s books together (his creation and his Word) has big implications for the
way we care for creation. From science we learn that human activities are causing rapid
and damaging climate change. The poorer nations will bear the greater proportion of this
damage and the much higher frequency and intensity of extremes such as floods and
droughts.
As Christians, we should care for the whole of God’s creation. Urgent action is needed so
that some of the worst damage of climate change can be avoided.

Jesus is the one ‘through whom all things were made’ (Colossians 1:15-20). How
does that make us feel as we consider the scope of God’s creation?

Discuss three ways in which we can take action to care for the environment.

Discuss three ways in which we could help raise awareness of climate change.
Read Psalm 19:12-14
These final three verses encourage us to apply God’s word to our personal actions, words
and thoughts. David prays very beautifully for God’s help with obedience, so he can live
out God’s revelation as presented in both his books. It is a prayer that we can regularly
make our own.
Sir John Houghton is a Director of the John Ray Initiative (www.jri.org.uk) that
connects environment, science and Christianity. His previous positions include Chief
Executive, Meteorological Office, and Co-Chair, Scientific Assessment Working Group of
the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
BIBLE STUDY 3: God’s provision in times of difficulty
The book of Ruth is set at the time of a famine in the area around Bethlehem (Ruth 1:1).
Elimelech and his family left Bethlehem in search of food and went to Moab, where they
lived for at least 10 years (Ruth 1:4-5). Following the deaths of her husband and sons,
Naomi returned home with her daughter-in-law Ruth (Ruth 1:22).
Read Ruth 1:16-2:9


Why does Ruth take on the responsibility to provide for her mother-in-law?
As a young foreign widow Ruth would be very vulnerable. Why do you think Ruth
stayed in Boaz’s fields?

What does Boaz learn about Ruth?

How does he treat her?
Boaz was a man of God and followed the law of Moses in the way he managed his fields.
Read Leviticus 19:9-10 and Deuteronomy 24:19-20



What are the laws?
Why were these laws useful for someone like Ruth?
What do these laws tell us about God’s desire that the poor have a secure food
supply?

Are there similar practices in your community or country today? How can these
practices be encouraged?
Read Ruth 2:10-23



Read



Why does Boaz respond as he does?
How does Boaz show his concern for Ruth and Naomi?
Who does Naomi thank for the food and kindness?
1 John 3:16-20
How has Jesus shown his love for us?
How should we love?
List practical ways we can show love like Jesus to those around us.
BIBLE STUDY 4: Caring creatively for God’s world
The Bible says a lot about how we relate to the Earth on which we live. This has
implications for our attitude towards it and how we care for it.
Read Genesis 1 The Earth and all that God has made is ‘very good’ (Genesis 1:31).

How does this help us to see that spoiling the beauty of the Earth is wrong?
Read Psalm 24

If we start to see the world as God’s and not ours, how might we treat it
differently?
Read Genesis 1:26-28 and 2:15

What do these verses say about our relationship with the rest of creation?

How might we reflect God’s character by being creative in our care for the world?
Read Exodus 23:10-11 and Deuteronomy 20:19-20 and 22:6
God has set limits to our use of the natural world. We should no longer see it as
something to pollute or waste.
It can be easy to fall into despair with all the problems of pollution and the lack of care
for God’s creation.
Read Psalm 8, Psalm 104 and Psalm 145 Think about God’s goodness in creation,
God’s faithfulness to his people and God’s provision for all needs.

How do these things bring hope rather than despair?
Bob Carling is a freelance science editor working for a number of science publishers. He
also runs a branch of a new media company, using new ways of communicating using
computer and internet technology.
BIBLE STUDY 5: The river of life
Water is used to symbolise many things in the Bible; cleansing, new life or healing.
Read Ezekiel Chapter 47:1-12
Here is a wonderful picture of the river of life, symbolising the spirit, life and power of
God.

Where is the source of the river of life? What do you think this represents?
Like all rivers, the river of life begins as a small trickle that grows into a mighty river too
deep to stand in.

If the water represents the spirit, life and power of God, where are we standing?
With our feet in the shallows? Or have we launched out into the deep water to be
carried along by the power of God’s love?
The deeper we move into our relationship with God, the more the river of life will
surround us and flow through us. The river of life brings blessing wherever it passes.
Read verses 7-10
The sea that is mentioned here is the Dead Sea – which has a very high salt content.


What happens as the river of life enters the Dead Sea?
Do we have the same effect on our sinful communities and the world in which we
live?
Read verse 12
The river brings great blessing to all those, who like these trees, have their roots deep
into the water.

What are the five points to note about these trees?

Reflect on how Christ’s life could be likened to this description.
This picture is also repeated again at the end of the Bible:
Read Revelation Chapter 22:1-2
At the end of his ministry Christ reminded us that he is always with us, still pouring out
his love and spirit upon us (Matthew 28: 20b). Let us hold on to this beautiful image and
let the river of life flow through us and our communities.
Gladys Mwiti established the Oasis Counselling Centre in Nairobi, Kenya.
BIBLE STUDY 6: Biodiversity in the Bible
‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the skies and seas.’ With this blessing in Genesis 1:22,
God filled the sky, land, and sea with abundant and diverse life! ‘How many are your
works Oh Lord! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures’
(Psalm 104:24). And responding, all creatures pour out their praises to God (Psalm 148).
Read John 3:16 and Psalm 104

How much does God care about the world he has created?
Read Genesis 6-9
What did God do when Creation was threatened?
Later he promises eternal life to those who truly follow Jesus (John 3:16), but he warns of
destruction to those who destroy the earth (Revelation 11:18). God wants us to conserve
Creation’s fruitfulness.
Read Ezekiel 34:17-19

What does this passage reveal about how we should treat God’s creation? How
should we consider the needs of other people and other creatures?
Because God made all things and holds all things together through Jesus (Colossians
1:15-20), everything belongs to him. While God leads us to green pastures and pure
water (Psalm 23), the earth belongs to God alone (Psalm 24:1). His are gifts we do not
own. His are gifts that must never be taken from us or the other creatures!
What are we doing to care for creation and God’s creatures? Do we resist the desire to be
greedy? (Matthew 6:33). Do we provide places for flowers and birds on our land or in our
communities? Do we preserve the diversity of our food and medicinal plants? Keeping our
places fruitful for all God’s creatures brings praise to God, the creator and owner of all
things!
Calvin B DeWitt is Director of Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies and Professor
of Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
BIBLE STUDY 7: Placing God first
For our work in development to be successful, we need to place God first in every-thing
we do. However, material things often take first place in our lives in such a way that
sometimes these become our god. Instead, make the book of Proverbs the standard for
your action. It suggests numerous principles which may help our work for God to prosper.
Read Proverbs 3:1-10
We need to trust in God with all our hearts and souls and not in man or our own abilities.
In facing all of life’s circumstances, we must continue to believe, to pray and to put into
practice the Word of God. Then he will keep us in good health and help us to prosper.
Read Proverbs 4:7-9
Our effectiveness in the work we do is determined by our wisdom – in other words, how
we apply the knowledge we have. Wisdom means putting into practice all the theories
and rules we have learnt. Wisdom shapes our success and achievements in both home
and work – it is the key to total success. Wisdom does not mean the knowledge of
modern science, geography or history. Wisdom and applied knowledge start with God.
Wisdom will provide for your needs, bring you happiness and assure you a crown of glory
in heaven.
Read Proverbs 9:10-12
Wisdom is first of all about respecting and fearing God. For many people, their work
comes first. But the effectiveness of our work depends on the priority that a development
worker gives to God, who gives all-important wisdom. Wisdom that comes from God
prolongs life, brings rewards and assures good health. It enables a person to grow and to
achieve good results.
Read Proverbs 29:25
Why trust only in men rather than God? Putting our trust in men may be a snare for
development workers. These verses should be our mark at all times.
Read Proverbs 16:3 and 9
These two verses tell us how to give God first place. He will show us the way to follow for
achievement and success, even in the smallest details.
Our work is in vain if God is not at the head of all our projects and if we do not place him
at the centre of our work. It is pointless to rise early and to work as late as possible
unless we do it for God (Psalm 127:1-2).
M Abdou Yaba Diop of Senegal is a faithful reader of Pas à Pas and uses each issue to
draw out lessons to use in his work. His address is BP 50, Khombole, Senegal.
BIBLE STUDY 8: Enough is as good as a feast
by Stan Crees
God's word has much to teach us about food, its provision, storage, benefits and our
responsibility to share it. Read Psalm 65. This provides a clear example of God’s generous
nature. Here God is seen to bless the land with showers so that crops grow abundantly,
providing more than is needed. There are similar passages in Psalms 68, 104 and 107.
Joseph (Genesis 41) wisely stored food for anticipated years of famine. The writer of
Ecclesiastes mentions five times the enjoyment of eating as a gift from God. God is seen
to be directly involved in providing food when he fed the Israelites in the desert with quail
and manna. Read Exodus 16.
Today this same gracious God continues to provide for our needs. The fact that we grow
food or earn money to buy it, can allow us to forget God’s involvement. Worse still is the
fact that we may be tempted tempted to store up and accumulate too much food. Our
self-sufficiency may lead us to exclude God and the needy around us. As the Israelite
story unfolds (Deuteronomy 6 and 8) Moses warns the people with the words, ‘When you
eat and are satisfied, be careful not to forget the Lord your God.’ In the parable of the
rich fool (Luke 12) Jesus extends a warning against the accumulation of wealth without
concern to help others.
It is good that this issue of Footsteps is concerned with food security and the need to plan
ahead. This activity, certainly in areas of our world where food supply is limited and
erratic, is a matter of good stewardship. But as we follow its advice we must remember
the warnings in God’s word ( Matthew 25). Out of love for him we must make sure our
needy neighbours have that quality of life which enables them also to give thanks to God.
For discussion

From Exodus chapter 16 discuss the significance of
Israel’s manna becoming full of maggots and stinking
if it was stored. How should this affect our attitude to
storing food we do not need?

How does your faith in God affect your relationship
with Christians world-wide who do not have enough
to eat?

Read 2 Corinthians 8:13-15. Consider the
distribution of food in your own community and
discuss ways of improving the situation.
Pray that God will give us greater compassion for those
who barely survive from day to day in our global
community.
Stan Crees is Liaison Officer of Operation Agri with the
Baptist Missionary Society, 45 Grosvenor Road,
Wallington, Surrey, SM6 0EN, UK.
BIBLE STUDY 9: Caring for our environment by Revd Tim Oakley.
When God created Adam and Eve, he put them into a garden, with the responsibility of
looking after it. We may not all have gardens, but as the descendants of Adam and Eve,
we all have a responsibility for the ‘big garden’ around us – the environment.
Unfortunately, because of our sin, we are not very effective at caring for it. Only when
God completely remakes the universe, will we and our environment be in perfect
harmony. Meanwhile, the Bible gives us a few guidelines about living here today.
1. Read Leviticus 25:1–7
Is this a rule we must obey today (most of us are not Jewish), or does this simply give us
good guidance to follow? Why did God tell them not to cultivate during every seventh
year? I would suggest the following reasons…
Firstly, it was in honour of God, to remind people that it was God who provided them with
land and crops. It was not just their own effort. Secondly, perhaps because the people
themselves benefited from a break in the annual cycle of hard work. Thirdly, and also
important (verse 7), it was for the good of the environment – for the plants, the soil, and
the animals (and even insects)! Even today, land is often left fallow for a year, and
benefits from this.

How do we show that God has given us the land, rain, and crops?

Do we enjoy a break from work, during which we can relax and thank God?

Is it possible to overwork the land?
2. Read Leviticus 26:33–35
The people actually forgot the Sabbath rules. Because of this and other reasons, they
were taken away from the land. See how God almost rejoices, not because the people
have disobeyed him, but because at last, the land can enjoy the ‘rest’ from cultivation
which it had deserved in God’s honour. We do not keep the same rules, but once we have
worked out what is ‘best’ for the land, we must try to follow what what we have decided.
Try not to be put off by difficulties!
3. Read Deuteronomy 20:19–20
In war, the rules of life change. People can forget to love in the same way. The
environment suffers too. In those days, trees were cut down to use in attacking enemy
cities. God could not stop that, as wars sometimes become unavoidable. Instead, he put
a limit to the damage caused by war. So fruit trees were not to be cut down. Why?
Because it was not in their future interests. No fruit trees means no fruit, less food and
hungry people.
 Can we think of mistakes made in our local area, which have later meant less food
(or worse health)?

Do we plan what we plant or what we do to the environment, just for tomorrow;
or for next year; or for twenty years time (when our children will be grown up)?
4. Read Matthew 10:29–31
Are small birds important to God? Yes! He feeds them, and he even ‘clothes’ the plants
with beautiful flowers. (Matthew 6:25–30) But even more, he cares for people. We were
created in his image. He can even check if one of our hairs has gone missing! So, while
we should care for the environment (and birds and plants) because God cares, even
more, we should care for people.

Are there any changes in our local area which should be made, because they will
clearly help the people who live there?

If changes are made, will some people oppose it because the environment (trees,
animals, rivers, etc) is more ‘special’ to them, than the humans who would benefit?
How can we solve this problem, for the good of the community?
In the Bible, the whole creation is important, as well as the people. We are meant to work
in harmony with the world God has made to support us. Take courage when you seek to
protect the environment, and the people who live there! This difficult project is also on
God’s agenda. You can pray about its success.