• Psalm 145:5-12: How does the psalmist lead us to think about the works of God—including the creation? How can a better acquaintance with and appreciation for the creation be of help to our worldview ministry?
  
  
• Proverbs 1:12: Is there a warning here about merely pragmatic courses of action? How does 1 Corinthians 10:31 teach us to consider our decisions and actions? What does this mean?
  
  
• Ecclesiastes 7:29; Psalm 33:4; Psalm 45:6: All three of these passages have the word, “upright” in them. If the creation was originally “upright”, what does that imply about the rule (scepter) of Christ and the purpose of His Word? Should Christians be working to “upright” their culture and society?
  
  
• Psalm 68:18: Paul quotes this psalm, but from the Septuagint, in Ephesians 4:8 to teach that the Lord has given gifts to all men—even those who rebel against Him. According to the psalm, what is the Lord’s purpose in doing this? Do film, pop music, and other forms of contemporary secular culture bear out the claim of this psalm?
  
  

• I look forward to the return of spring every year. Don’t you love it? I’m always amazed by the way life returns to the creation with such warmth and beauty. I can’t help but think that God is trying to speak to us in the wonder of spring. What do you think?
  
  
• Does culture matter? That is, does it make any difference how we think about various aspects of culture, or what use we make of them?
  
  
• How would you describe your own approach to appreciating and enjoying the world and the culture of our time? What principles or guidelines do you follow?
  
  
• Many films these days seem to be dealing with themes of justice, hope, even redemption. Why do you think this is? Are filmmakers asserting something, or are they searching for something?
  
  

POINTERS
A few items for action:

• Host a field trip to a local trail or park and see what you can discover about the glory of God in the creation. Have everyone bring a notebook and a Bible; take some notes, make a drawing, add in some relevant Scriptures, write a poem, and come together to discuss what you have learned.
  
  
• See what you can find out about some examples of Christians today who are taking a positive approach to the environment. Visit The Acton Institute or The Cornwall Alliance for Stewardship of the Earth online, and learn what you can about a positive Christian approach to the creation.
  
  
• Host a Hitchcock night with some friends. Send them each a copy of Gina’s article, then choose one of the films she mentions and view it together. Discuss the themes of the film in the light of Gina’s article, then challenge one another to think of ways to use this film to start a conversation with an unsaved friend.