Introduction

Do we just exist for a short time and then disappear forever? Or were we created for a special purpose? What sets us apart from the animal world? What makes us different from any of the other living creatures? In this Bible Study Lesson you will discover biblical answers to these questions, which will provide us with an accurate understanding of our human destiny and shed some seriously needed light on the mystery of our existence.

The U.S. librarian of Congress emeritus, Daniel J. Boorstin, recently observed: "Throughout history the human race has sought answers to the fundamental questions of life: Who are we and why are we here?"

These are vital questions every man and woman should ask. We should add some others: What is man? Why do we exist? What is our destiny? Why were we created?

From a strictly physical standpoint, people are but physiological and chemical phenomena. That is, we are made of matter—out of "the dust of the ground," as the Bible puts it.

But what does it really mean to be human? Do we just exist for a short time and then disappear forever? Or were we created for a special purpose? What sets us apart from the animal world? What makes us different from any of the other living creatures?

Direct, unvarnished biblical answers to these questions will provide us with an accurate understanding of our human destiny and shed some seriously needed light on the mystery of our existence.