RHYTHM - The Song

      Have you ever noticed how connected everything is? It’s almost as if there were some type of unseen structure to all of life—a rhythm. Many of us are oblivious to it until things are out of sync. We know something is wrong and we might even be able to pinpoint a few things around us that are culprits, but deep down we know there is something more going on. During the first week of the Rhythm series we realized that in the beginning, God established a rhythm. We see this through the story of creation and the harmony that existed between Adam and God, Adam and nature, and Adam and Eve. From the start, everything worked together in perfect harmony like a beautiful song. But then Adam and Eve made a choice that destroyed the song and threw off the rhythm. God didn’t abandon Adam and Eve in response to their sin, he pursued them, he remained in relationship with them. This is a beautiful picture that reminds us of God’s grace and love for us, God continues to seek relationships with us even after things have fallen apart.

Take some time and think through these questions (if you want to find a friend to discuss them with, that would be even better!)

- Since everything in our world was created with a rhythm, what happens if something is offbeat? For instance, what would happen if the sun didn’t come up tomorrow morning? Can you think of other similar examples.

- Have you ever had one of those days (or weeks) when nothing worked? One of those times when nothing was in sync with what you were doing or wanting? What happened?

- Have you ever felt that way in your relationships . . . like maybe something just wasn’t right between you and someone else (a friend, a parent, a teammate)? Describe what was going on. How did you handle it? Did you talk to the person? Did you just ignore the feeling? Did you avoid the person?

- Read Genesis 3:6-7: “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves” (NIV). How did Adam and Eve’s choice affect the rhythm God had created?

- Adam and Eve blew it, didn’t they? All they had to do was avoid that one tree. There were other trees, but there was something about that one tree that they just couldn’t resist. But we’re a lot like them, aren’t we? There are times in our lives when something else captures our attention more than God. Maybe you’ve been too consumed with a hobby, sport or boy/girl. Maybe you were too self-centered about something. Maybe it was a relationship with someone else. How did that one thing affect your relationship with God?

- When Adam and Eve sinned, they hid from God. But God didn’t just walk away, He called out to them. All of us have times when we try to hide. There are things going on within each one of us that we don’t want anyone, including God, to see. What are some ways people hide?

- How can hiding affect your relationship with God, yourself or with others?