JULY 17
VOICES 2022- Dr. Sarah Salviander
Dr. Sarah Salviander was raised as an atheist in Canada and grew up to become an astrophysicist, author, and follower of Christ. While studying for her doctorate, a Ph.D. in Astrophysics from the University of Texas at Austin, she found so much compelling evidence for God in her scientific work that she chose to follow Jesus. In a world where science and faith are often seen at odds, for Dr. Salviander, you can say: “Science helped her find faith.”
Work through the following questions and scriptures on your own, and get together with your running partner, life group, or friends and family to talk through what you are learning.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What was the attitude toward Christianity like in the town you grew up in? How did that influence you as a young person?
2. What stood out to you from the message?
3. Read Psalm 19:1-6.
◦ Make some observations about this passage (What does the text say):
▪ Who is talking?
▪ What is the circumstance?
▪ Any repeated phrases?
▪ What surprised you?
▪ What stood out to you?
◦ Make some interpretations (What does the passage mean)
▪ What questions do you have?
▪ Summarize the passage in 1-3 sentences – what are the main points?
▪ What do you learn about the nature and character of God as you read this?
▪ What do you learn about yourself and your choices?
◦ Now make some applications (what’s my response)
▪ How do you respond to what you are reading?
▪ How does this apply to your life?
▪ What is the central truth that you could put into practice from this?
▪ Who could you share this with for the sake of encouragement?
4. What was your experience growing up with how you learned about the universe’s creation and what Christians thought the Bible said? Do you know how the bible talks about Creation (see number one on the digging even deeper for more resources).
5. Read Romans 1:20. How do you see God’s “invisible qualities” in the created world all around you?
6. Science led Sarah to faith in Jesus. What led you to faith in Jesus? If you are exploring faith, what has led you to this point? How have you answered the “big questions” of life like; What is the purpose of life? Where did we come from? Why are we here? What happens when we die?
KEY SCRIPTURE
Psalm 19:1-6 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice[b] goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.
Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
TAKE A NEXT STEP
1. Sarah mentioned that she read a book called The Science of God by Gerald Schroeder that changed her life. In it he showed how the Genesis 1 narrative of creation was scientifically sound and not just a silly myth. Sarah has created a slide show that walks through this evidence – https://sixdayscience.com/six-days-2/
2. Explore the ancient historical and cultural context of Genesis 1 through this Bible Project video on Genesis 1: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/genesis-1/