Goal of this Edge Night
The goal of this Edge Night is for the middle school youth to understand how creation is an expression of God’s love. The youth will also discuss humanity’s fall and our need for redemption.
Edge Night at a Glance
The creation story in Genesis is not a science book or a history book. In fact, the Bible is not a science or history book in general. The creation story — creation of man and his subsequent fall from grace — is less about how, or even the “what, where, or when,” so much as it is about why and who. The creation stories in Genesis 1 and 2 give us great insight into who God is. God is love. God did not create man because He was lonely or had some need to fill. Genesis 1 and 2 help us to understand God as creator and that He created out of love. When we look at the account of creation in the Bible, we discover a loving God who set man at the pinnacle of creation and said man is “very good.” Not only do we read about God and creation, but we also read abut man’s fall from grace – Adam and Eve’s temptation by the serpent to become like gods so as to know just as God knows and decide what is right for their lives.
After the introduction, the middle school youth will break into small groups as part of the Gather. During the Proclaim, a video clip will set up a talk about how creation tells us who God is, leading into a skit depicting the fall from grace. The Proclaim will re-emphasize God’s unending love in His creation, connecting it to how He still longs for us despite the fall of man. This will lead into a small group discussion on creation, the fall and God’s grace. The Send for the night is longer than that of most Edge Nights; the youth will reflect on God’s enduring love for humanity and our response to this love.