CONTENTS Making the Most of this Study Course.................................... 4 Green Schools India......................... 5 Study 1: For Such A Time................. 6 Study 2: Creation........................... 10 Study 3: The Fall............................. 14 Study 4: Salvation.......................... 18 Study 5: Restoration...................... 22 Study 6: ReCreation....................... 26 Glossary of Terms........................... 30 Thank You....................................... 32 Donation Form............................... 33 USPG and Your Church................... 35 Five Marks of Mission.................... 36
INTRODUCTION The world is in crisis; Creation is groaning. We hear the cry of the Earth in species extinction, in the climate crisis, in systematic racial injustice, in material poverty, in conflict, in the global Covid-19 pandemic (Covid-19). In such a time as this, what have Christians got to offer? People and the Earth have been crying out for many years. But for too long, many people - particularly those in the global North - have chosen not to listen, instead remaining complicit in destruction and continuing to increase inequalities. Our doctrine of Creation suggests that it was never meant to be like this, but that human nature is tarnished, fallen some call it. However, our biblical narrative of salvation provides a remedy and challenges us to play our part in the process of redemption and re-Creation. This is the journey that we will take together over the next six weeks looking at the implications for our daily lives both as individuals and as communities of faith and hope. Some are describing the Covid-19 pandemic as a great awakening; a planetary ‘kairos moment’ for us to stop, reflect and change direction.
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We live in a broken and unequal world. We are here for such a time as this. Called to respond with words and actions. USPG partners with churches across the world in their mission of transforming lives through education, health care and justice for all. As we will witness as we move through this course, USPG’s partner churches offer us insights, hope and encouragement in the ways that they are confronting the issues of ecological justice in their own context: and in doing so, challenge us to respond: are we ready to accept the challenge?
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