What's something in creation that makes you say "wow"? The northern lights, a prairie thunderstorm, a newborn baby, a sky full of stars? Pastor Kirk said God's fingerprints are everywhere, "from the Big Dipper to the bombardier beetle." (Look up the bombardier beetle together. Kids will love it!)

Read Romans 1:18–25 together from your Bible. Grab a pencil and circle the word exchanged (twice in these verses). What did people trade away, and what did they get instead?

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
— Romans 1:20 (NASB 1995)

Creation shows us there is a God, so we are "without excuse." But people push that truth down. "Professing to be wise, they became fools" (v. 22).

• ★ Where do you see God's fingerprints in the world around you?

An idol is anything that has a higher place in our lives than God. When we make ourselves the standard, we can justify anything. Three times Paul says, "God gave them over" (vv. 24, 26, 28): God let people have what they insisted on.

• What are some things people trust or love more than God today?

If you're on the wrong road, you turn around. That's repentance. And it's "the kindness of God" that leads us there. In Jesus there is no condemnation (Romans 8:1).

• Why is repentance good news, and not just bad news?

For couples, whether newly married or celebrating fifty years together.

• What competes for first place in our home: work, money, schedules, screens?
• Pastor Kirk said sexual sin isn't just "out there," but in the church too. What guardrails help us protect our marriage and our home?
• Try this: Pray together, confessing anything that has crept into first place, and thank God out loud that in Christ there is no condemnation.

For anyone reading on their own or with a friend.

• Where am I most tempted to make myself the standard?
• Is there someone I love who is on "the great descent"? How can I pray for them this week?
• Try this: Write down one thing that has taken first place in your heart. Pray over it, then tear it up as a sign you're putting God back where He belongs.

Pray together, or on your own: Holy God, everywhere we look we see Your handiwork. Forgive us for the times we've put other things in Your place. Thank You that Your kindness leads us to turn around, and that in Jesus there is no condemnation. Turn our hearts back to You. In Jesus' name, amen.

This week, follow the way down and the way back: from creation, to a people who traded God for a golden calf, to sinners God brought home. Read the passage on your own in the morning (about five minutes), then bring the At dinner question back to the table, even if you're the only one who read it.

•Monday: Psalm 19:1–6. The heavens shout the glory of God. At dinner: Where did you see God's handiwork today?

•Tuesday: Exodus 32:1–8. While Moses is on the mountain, the people trade God for a golden calf. (Psalm 106:20 says they "exchanged their glory.") At dinner: Why do you think the people wanted a god they could see?

•Wednesday: Psalm 51:1–12. King David's prayer after his great sin. At dinner: What does David ask God for? What could we ask for?

•Thursday: Luke 15:11–24. The son who ran away "came to his senses" and turned around. At dinner: What did the father do when he saw his son coming home?

•Friday: Acts 9:1–19. Saul, an enemy of Jesus, is stopped on the road and turned around. At dinner: Who is someone you'd never expect to follow Jesus? Let's pray for them.

•Saturday: Romans 2:1–4. A preview of next Sunday: "the kindness of God leads you to repentance." At dinner: How has God been kind to us this week?