The Foundation of Our Identity

We invite you to work through this study of Genesis 1 to 3 and its application to play, sport and identity. We will focus on various sections of the Creation story, but before we do, it is helpful to read the whole story in one sitting. Read Genesis 1–3.

Session 1 — In the Beginning

Introduction

Take a few moments to think about where and how you play and compete, both in the past and present.

• Would you rather play indoors or outdoors? Why?
• What kind of surfaces do you like best to play on or in? Grass, water, ice, sand, hardwood, artificial turf, sport court, cement, pavement.
• What are your favourite items or implements to play with? Balls, sticks, rackets, swords, pucks.
• Or would you rather play or compete with no equipment? Running races, high jump, floor exercise, dance.
• Do you prefer team sports or individual sports?
• Does part of your love of play or sport include animals? Pets, horses?
• Which elements of sport do you enjoy the most? Physical contact, speed, endurance, complex skills, beauty, strategy?

Read Genesis 1:1–2

Notice that there is no proof that God exists — just a declaration that He is, and that He brought all things into existence. In v.2, His Spirit is hovering over a chaotic and dark earth. The Hebrew word for Spirit (ruwach) can also be translated wind or breath — and is hovering, like a bird creating wind as it hovers. Then all sorts of amazing things began to happen.

Read Genesis 1:3–25

• What did God make each day that allows us to play?
• Notice how it was God who made everything we play with, on or in. Refer to your thoughts from the introductory exercise.
• Take time to make a mental or written list of how His creation is connected to your play and sport. How could you talk to Him about that?

I love to swim — You made the water. I love to walk or jog in the park — You made all that beauty. I love the smell of green grass on the football field — You thought of that. There is something about grabbing my hockey stick or baseball bat, putting on my catcher's mitt, handling a ball — the tools of my sport come from Your creation. The early morning is my favourite time to run — You make every evening and morning.

Read Genesis 1:26–31

He made the playgrounds and the source of the equipment. Next He made the players.

• What does it mean to be made in the image and likeness of God?
• How do you see yourself as in God's image and likeness?
• How does that relate to your participation, enjoyment or commitment to play and sport?
• What aspect of God's image are we reflecting when we engage in play or sport?
• As God saw all that He had made, what was His evaluation of it? (v.4, 10, 12, 21, 25, 31)

Application to my sport story

• How long have you been playing in and with God's creation?
• How has it shaped who you are?
• In what ways are you a player because you are in His image and likeness?
• How does knowing all His creative work is good encourage you as you play and compete?
• Is the idea of connecting your play to God's creation story new to you? What are your thoughts about that?
• How can this story become an essential part of your story?

Create some identity statements about yourself based on this part of the creation story.

All that God made He declared as good — I am good. He says that I am good.

• How can you apply this story to yourself as you prepare to train, play or compete?
• As you are training, playing or competing?
• After?
• Can you think of times in your life where someone described who you are in reference to how you played? "You have potential." "You are going places." "You are too slow." "You are overweight." "You were terrible out there today." In light of what you are learning, how would you respond to or reject those identity statements?

Session 2 — Life, Beauty and Trouble in the Garden

Before we begin a new part of the story, read again the full story — Genesis 1 to 3.

Read Genesis 2:7–9, 15–17

In Chapter 1, God started making living creatures or breathing souls (khah nephesh in ancient Hebrew) in v.20, 24, 25, 30. He made sure those creatures had breath, life. In 2:7, a second Hebrew word for blowing (naphach) is used, and the first human comes alive. God personally breathes into his nostrils the breath of life and he too becomes a living being.

It is fascinating that God's Spirit (the Holy Spirit) is also described as the breath and wind of God. His wind brought change to the earth (the Spirit was hovering in 1:2). All animal life has breath in Chapter 1. Now, the first human gets a personal touch of God's breath.

As athletes, in order to enjoy playing longer or for greater stamina, we train to increase our breathing capacity. Breathing hard is both an enjoyable and essential part of play and sport.

• Make a mental or written list of how you enjoy this reality of sport and play.

  When I am breathing hard, I'm also loving it — thank You for the breath of life. I don't always love the training, but I sure enjoy the results — what a beautiful mystery. I was screaming from the bench until I couldn't breathe — what a gift from my Creator.

• When God made trees for the garden, what two qualities did they have? (2:8, 9)

• Who received the command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and what were the consequences? (2:16, 17)

Read Genesis 2:18–23

Many times God saw His creation as good and very good (1:31). But He says something is not good (2:18).

• Why did He say that, and what did He do about it?

Read Genesis 3:1–7

• In contrast to 2:16, who did Satan begin to talk to about the command not to eat?
• How was Satan's version the same and different from God's commands and consequences? (Compare 2:16–17 with 3:1–5.)

The woman was created in the image of God (1:27). Like God, she also saw and evaluated that the fruit was good — just as God saw and evaluated each day of His creation.

• What three good things did she observe about the fruit? (3:6)
• Compare it to the description of all the trees in the garden (2:9).
• What were the immediate consequences and responses of the man and woman once they ate? (3:7, 8, 10, 12, 13)

Application

You probably noticed the fruit had three qualities (3:6):

• It was good for food — could contribute to health and life.
• It was pleasing to the eyes — beautiful.
• It was desirable to make one wise — gives an intangible quality to help live life.

Could sport and play have similar qualities?

• It contributes to our health.
• It is beautiful — billions of spectators watch in stadiums and on screens; parents are mesmerised watching their children play.
• Many believe sport builds character, discipline, leadership, teamwork.

We are not suggesting play and sport is forbidden fruit. But its qualities are alluring, and have attracted many of us. We also like to evaluate it as Eve evaluated the fruit — and so we partake. Since the first couple did take a bite of that fruit, we have inherited the consequences of a sin nature, which we will investigate in the next sessions. Read also Romans 5:12–14.

Walk through your play and sport journey and evaluate the good sport has brought to your life and identity through the lens of the woman's evaluation of the fruit.

I was attracted to the beauty of my sport when I was ____ years old in these ways… My sport is life-giving / health-giving to me in these ways… Sport is like a religion, a way of life, a worldview, and contributes to my life in these ways…

As you apply this story to your life, in what ways can the creation story shape your identity? How could it act as a foundation of your play and sport identity story?

Session 3 — Cover Up in the Garden

Read again the full story — Genesis 1 to 3. Ask God to show you something you have not noticed before.

Reflect first

Can you remember the first sport jersey you wanted as a kid? What team? What number? What player's name on the back? Why that jersey? Tell the story and what it meant to you. Do you still have it?

Or — can you remember the first time you put on a jersey of a team you really wanted to make, or dreamed of making someday? Club, university, pro, national team. Was your name on the back? Tell the story of how you felt and how you reacted.

• What does a sport jersey symbolize?
• What does it say to you and to others?

Read Genesis 2:25, 3:6–11

At one time the man and woman were naked and felt no shame. Nakedness brings to mind feelings of total freedom and openness, but also vulnerability, embarrassment, humour, fear, shame.

• Can you add to that list?
• When you are in situations that bring on similar emotions, how do you cover yourself?

The first response of the couple after eating the fruit is described in 3:7.

• What do you think was going on in their minds and emotions?

They made clothes from fig leaves.

• How adequate were they?
• How long would they last?
• What kind of protection would they give? Could the leaves keep them warm or cool?
• What does that tell you about the effectiveness of their cover-up?
• What do these fig-leaf coverings suggest about the ways we try to cover our own embarrassments, vulnerabilities and shame?

Skip ahead and read 3:21.

• How did God deal with their clothing issue?
• Compare fig leaves to leather as material for clothing.
• Express your thoughts about our solutions vs. God's solutions to our deep issues — through a fig-leaf vs. leather perspective.

Read Revelation 3:17–18 and 2 Corinthians 5:2–5.

• What insight do these verses give you about nakedness as a symbol for being vulnerable?

The sport jersey and our identity

You may have ongoing jersey stories — the first one as a gift, the one you saved up for and bought, all the way to the gear you are wearing now. And maybe you have stories of competitive jerseys you have worn over the years as a result of your hard work and performance.

• In light of what we just studied, do you have new insights on what a jersey means to fans and athletes?
• When you are wearing a jersey as a fan, what does it say about you to the world?
• When you are wearing a jersey as you compete, what does that say about you — to yourself and to the world?
• Why is the jersey and team-clothing industry a multi-billion-dollar industry? Why do so many people want to wear a sports jersey?

What can I "wear"?

Putting on something or covering our nakedness is a biblical theme. It seems to be a deep human need. Read the following and apply each to your athletic story and identity: Romans 13:14, Galatians 3:26–27, Ephesians 4:22–24, Colossians 3:8–12.

Session 4 — When and Where Should I Hide?

People love stories and like to hear them over and over again. We often learn or notice something new during those re-tellings. Read again the full story — Genesis 1 to 3. Ask God to show you something new.

Reflect first

Have you ever got lost inside the experience while playing or competing? The world seemed far away, time stood still, you could have gone on forever. You wished you could capture or bottle it so you could know how to experience it again. Is that what they call being in the zone?

• Is exercise, play or competition ever an escape for you? How does it help you get away?
• Are there fearful or dangerous things in your world of sport — more than just physical risks? Do you wish you could hide, escape or get protection from those dangers?

Read Genesis 3:6–8

• What were some of the results that happened once the woman and man ate the fruit?
• When can hiding be beneficial or helpful?
• When can hiding be not to our benefit?

This may have been the first time humans felt they had to hide from something or someone. Hiding is now common human behaviour — sometimes for a good reason (a hiding place can provide protection in a dangerous situation or from unsafe people), but also a common response when we are feeling ashamed or embarrassed.

Share your thoughts on the contrast of 2:25 and 3:7, 8, 10.

Some thoughts about hiding

• Are there things in this world we should hide from? Is it a sign of weakness to hide? Proverbs 22:3.
• Sometimes we want to hide from God. Is it even possible? Jeremiah 23:24, Hebrews 4:13.
• Adam and Eve hid from God after disobeying. What is a better strategy? Psalm 32:1–7, 34:7–8.
• Hiding from God is common for all of us. What could be the benefits of hiding in God instead of hiding from God? Psalm 2:12, Isaiah 57:13, Joel 3:16, Nahum 1:7.
• In what ways do I hide from God after I sin?

Sport, hiding and your story

• How has sport been a hiding place for you — a place to protect, strengthen, or build your confidence?
• Has sport been a place for you to hide from other life responsibilities or disciplines?
• As a place where I hide from God: I feel afraid that God doesn't approve of my love of sport, or is offended by my sport's culture, so I hide from Him.
• As a hiding place to replace God in your life: Sport gives me joy, purpose, rewards, an identity, a community, a future — so why would I need God?

Would you like to invite God into those places that He is not welcome — where you might be hiding from Him?

• How could you start to make God your hiding place, and add Him to that part of your story?
• How might that shape your identity?