Genesis 3:1-24

Theme

Humanity’s disobedience of God

Questions
  • Why do you think the serpent starts the conversation with the question ‘Did God really say …?’ (v.1)? Do we get deceived today by questions which cause us to doubt what God has really said?
  • Eve gets tempted by something which seems good in every possible way (v.6) despite what God has said. Does temptation work the same way today? How do we justify what we want?
  • When Adam & Eve heard God walking in the garden they hid from him (v.8)
    • Do you ever try to hide when you know you’ve done wrong – hide from others, hide from God? What’s the result of trying to hide?
    • The Bible encourages confession (for example Psalm 32:1-5, Proverbs 28:13 and 1 John 1:8-10). Is there a difference between confessing to God and confessing to one another? Are both important?
  • Adam and Eve play the ‘blame game’ – Eve blamed the serpent and Adam blamed Eve and God – why are human beings so unwilling to take responsibility for our actions?
  • All three characters in this story are cursed by God: their disobedience has different effects for each one.
    • How does the curse affect the serpent (v.14-15)? Do you think Paul might have been thinking about this story when he wrote to the church in Rome (look at Romans 16:17-20), how does this helps us understand the consequences of the curse for more than just the serpent?
    • How does the curse affect the relationships between women and men? Can you see the power dynamic mentioned in v.16 worked out today?
    • How does the curse (v.17-19) affect the task God gave the man (look at the purpose God gave humanity in Genesis 1:28-31)? Can you see how the earth thriving (and human thriving) is difficult today?
  • Despite what they have done, and the consequences they have to endure, God also provides for Adam and Eve, making them clothes (v.21) – an improvement on the fig leaves they put together for themselves (v.7). What does this tell you about God?
  • In his letter in the New Testament James talks about the progress of temptation, to sin, to death (James 1:13-15).
    • Can you see this progress in Genesis 3?
    • Can you see this progress in your own life? What can you do to resist temptation?
  • If you could ask Adam and/or Eve one question, what would it be? (what do you think the answer would be?)