CONNECT: How might you enjoy God’s creation this week in a way that causes you to give glory to the author of creation?

WARM-UP

1. How is the problem of sin evident in the world today? How about in our own lives?
2. Do you think we’re ever tempted to think that sin is a problem for others and not for ourselves?

READ Genesis 3:1-7

1. What were the two ways in which the serpent tried to deceive Adam and Eve? How were both deceptions a distortion of God’s Word in order to cause them to doubt, so that they would disobey?
2. Can you think of any examples in which you are tempted, by distortion or doubting of God’s Word, to disobey? What do you think are the most common distortions of God’s Word today?
3. What were Adam and Eve actually forbidden to do? What was the tree all about? Why was it there?
4. What is at the heart of sin?
5. How was Adam and Eve’s actions ultimately a form of rebellion against God’s order and rule?
6. How is clear that both the woman and man were culpable of sin?
7. How do we all participate in a rebellion against God’s order and rule?
8. How are we all in fact guilty of sin? What was Jesus’ standard for obedience (try to think both in a positive and negative frame - of how we are to live and how we are forbidden to live)?

READ Genesis 3:8-24

1. How did Adam and Eve’s rebellion affect their relationship with God? How do you witness and even experience disharmony with God today?
2. How did Adam and Eve’s rebellion affect their relationship with one another? How does sin cause dysfunction in relationships (and even work) today?
3. How did Adam and Eve’s rebellion affect their relationship with life itself? How are sin and death linked?
4. Despite Adam and Eve’s sin, what are - even in this chapter - the signs of God’s grace?
5. Re-read verse 15. Who will be the one who ultimately crush the serpent’s head? Why is this such good news for us?
6. Why can we stand ‘naked’ - fully known - before God with confidence of his love because of Jesus?

APPLY: How can recognising your fallenness help you to trust in God more?

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On Your Frontline This Week: When you consider the year ahead, how does your calendar reflect your priorities?

Listen, Watch, and Read:          

• AUDIO: “Paradise Lost” Series on Genesis 3 by William Taylor:
• AUDIO: “Nakedness and the Holiness of God” by Tim Keller:
• BOOK: “Where is God in All the Suffering?” By Amy Orr-ewing:
• BOOK: “The Garden, the curtain, and the cross”:

Series Resources:

Some helpful resources for our Ephesians Series:

• Outline for Series with key verses, big ideas, and reflection questions
• Website: “What is the Bible” by the Bible Project. A series of short videos exploring the nature, story, styles, and literature of the Bible.
• Course: “The Bible Overview” as part of the Ridley Certificate (6-week online course).
  (We’ll also be offering this in Term 3 of 2021 at St Bart’s.)
• Book: “The Insect and the Buffalo” by Shamy Allpress.
• For Families: “The Big Picture Story Bible” by David Helm (Toddlers - Lower Primary)
• For Families:“The Jesus Storybook Bible” by Sally Lloyd-Jones (All Ages)
• For Families:“The Garden, Curtain and the Cross” by Carl Laferton (All Ages)

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