Genesis 3:1-24
I) READ TEXT 2 TIMES
Genesis 3
The Fall of Man
1Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” 2The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; 3but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’ ” 4The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! 5For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. 7Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings.
8They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9Then the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” 10He said, “I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.” 11And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” 12The man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate.” 13Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” And the woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” 14The Lord God said to the serpent,
...
15And I will put enmity
Between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her seed;
He shall bruise you on the head,
And you shall bruise him on the heel.”
....
20Now the man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all the living. 21The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them.
22Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”— 23therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden, to cultivate the ground from which he was taken. 24So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.
II) WHAT STANDS OUT TO YOU?
IIV) SIX THOUGHTS SO FAR - 1st DRAFT
1) I honestly feel that we need to think about this story every day.
Satan approaches human beings. They did not go looking for Him, but he was looking for them: "your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion waiting for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8)
Satan seems to be bigger and smarter than the humans - and opportunistic.
Are we aware of his presence and activity in the world? Do we care?
2) I believe that if there were more clear teachings on the reality of an evil one in this world, people would be more inclined to seek truth.
it seems that Satan likes to work on a covert, sly way.
"I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, 11in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes." (2 cor 2:10b-11)
3) We do not need to wonder why human beings do not seek a relationship with God.
4) Blame. Blame. Blame.
we see it in marriage, politics, business, broken friendships.
Accountability is something we run from.
5) The power of Questions
Who told you? what is this you have done? v.11 and v.13.
God responds to human failings with questions.
6) The God who drove them out, is the God who will pull them back in again.
The one who they want refuge from is the only one who they can find refuge in.
He will provide and restore. From NIV Storyline Bible, "In the book of Revelation, the Bible places a river and fruit-bearing trees with healing leaves in the middle of the Holy City (Revelation 22:2). This is the destiny of those redeemed in Jesus where humankind will again experience abundance, safety, and intimacy with their Creator."
IV) YOUR THOUGHTS!?
NOTE: The Spirit often speaks in community. For that reason, I value group discernment on a text. The purpose of this exercise is to find the "gold gospel nugget" of the text for today. Thank you for your unique perspective and allowing the Spirit to speak through you.
A) Of all that thoughts above on the text, including your own, which 1 or 2 points speak to you most? And why?
B) I am curious about your perspective on how this passage connects with:
your story, current experience or sense of what God has been speaking to you about personally.
our broader culture today
other times, places and Scriptures
C) What do you learn in a fresh way about God, people or life that you could aspire to, ask for or act on?
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