The Original Story
While the verses listed give you good lists with specifics, it is good to zoom out a bit to see that God creates spaces and then fills them. If you look at days 1-3
Day 1 God separates light and darkness
Day 2 God separates water from water forming sky
Day 3 God separates water from earth and then covers the earth with vegetation
After these areas are created and then God starts filling them.
Day 4 Lights are added to the sky a greater, a lesser and stars creating day and night and enforcing time.
Day 5 God fills the seas and the sky with creatures that swarm and fly
Day 6 God fills the earth with wildlife, livestock and creatures that crawl.
And at the end of this Day after He created the earth and all that is in it He creates man in His own image to rule His creation.
1.What was it like in the beginning? Genesis 1:10, 12, 18, 21, 25
As it is today, plants and animals wise. Perfect, or as God called it, “Good.” No mention (yet) of the results of Man’s sin.
There was land and sea. plants, vegetation, day, night, creatures of the sea, every living and moving thing and every winged bird, wild animals, livestock – all according to their kind
In the beginning, everything was good. Things had just been made by God, so there was not yet any bad influences.
Earth is brand new, with only plants and animals at this time
v10 God forms the earth and the seas
v12 the earth produced vegetation – seed bearing plants and fruit trees
v18 God placed two great light along with stars in the expanse of the sky to provide light on the earth
v21 God creates every living creature that moves and swarms in the sea along with large sea creatures and every winged creature
v25 God made the wildlife and livestock and every creature that crawls on the ground
2. How many commands did God give Adam and Eve? Genesis 2:17
The first command with a (negative) consequence was for Adam and Eve NOT eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. That would be a Sin against God and His Word (Commandment).
one
God only gave Adam and Eve one command, and it was for their own good.
One
God placed man in the garden to work it and watch over it. They were able to eat of any tree except…
v17 You must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil
3. What was God’s command to the first human beings? Genesis 2:16-17
They were told to eat from the plants of Creation, except for the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
You are free to eat from any tree in the garden, but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.
God’s command was to not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Eat any fruit you want, except from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. You eat, you die
v17 You must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil
4. How did Adam and Eve respond to God’s command? Genesis 3:6-7
They disobeyed His command. It might have been sooner after they were created or many years later. We just don’t know those details.
Despite being told not to eat the fruit from the tree, she relied on her own judgment to reinforce the serpent’s doubts.
Disobedience, Eve ate first, then gave it to Adam
They ate the fruit, sewed fig leaves together and covered themselves
Eve saw that it was good for food, beautiful and desirable for obtaining wisdom. She ate it and then gave it to her husband.
5. In light of this, do you think you would have responded any differently?
Think about what God attempted to shield Adam and Eve from; the knowledge of evil. What loving parents today don’t do everything possible to protect their children from dangerous material – on television, on the Internet, or anywhere else?
I doubt that I would have done any better. Perhaps at first Satan’s temptation could/would have been rejected. But the longer a temptation or tempting thought goes unanswered and unresolved, the more likely I would be to sin.
I like to think that I would do better, but I can’t say that for sure. I rely heavily on my own perception, and I think that many others do as well.
I don’t know. I think I could have held out longer than Eve did, but Satan is very persuasive when trying to twist what God says
No
Probably not
6. Who tempted Eve? Genesis 3:1
The Serpent, the Devil, Satan tempted Eve with his words. But Eve allowed the natural appeal of the fruit and what it offered to tempt her as well.
The serpent tricked Eve. Serpent is another name for liar in today’s times, and when I think of a liar I think of the devil.
Satan, as a serpent
The serpent
the serpent
Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit – in essence saying to God, “We don’t need you or your rules.” They disobeyed God. They sinned.
7. How did Adam and Eve react after their eyes were opened and they realized they were naked?
Look at Genesis 3:7-10 to answer this question. Reply below.
They realized that they disobeyed God by eating from the tree he told them not to touch or eat from
They sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves and hid when God was looking for them.
After they realized that they were naked, the were ashamed and mad clothing out of the leaves to hide themselves from God.
v7 they tried to cover themselves – They felt vulnerable, there was a separation in their relationship.
v8 they hid from God – Guilt and shame stepped in and separated them from God.
v10 they knew God was coming and that they had disobeyed – they were afraid because they had this new wisdom of good and bad and knew that they were naked and they had done something wrong and tried to hide from God.
8. Why do you think they reacted this way?
The tree of knowledge, good and evil. They knew they did wrong
They were embarrassed
They reacted this way because they knew that they had messed up because they had the knowledge of good and evil.
knowledge of good and bad
9. How did God respond to Adam and Eve’s sin?
Look at Genesis 3:8-9 to answer this question. Reply below.
God was walking around and called out to Adam, asking where he was
He came looking for them
God is all knowing, he definitely knew that they had eaten the fruit. Despite the fact that they messed up, God still sought them out.
Where are you?
Response to sin
– man tries to cover up and hide
– God seeks out man
10. What did you learn about God? What has He done?
That His plan for us was for our benefit, creating an entire world for us to enjoy and care for. But He also knew that we would screw it up and so He made a way for us to be restored to His original plan.
God is trying to protect his people like we try to protect our children
He is the creator of all things.
He creates spaces and structures to form His creation. He is in control, but creates in a way to give man control over His creation. Like a Father He tries to keep us from evil.
When we do evil He still tries to find us and help us.
11. What did you learn about people? Yourself?
That our having a free will is really too much for us to handle. We never do the right thing, all the time, every time. Me included. So, without a Savior we all would be victims of our own foolishness and rebellion.
It’s really easy to think we know what’s better for us than God
We are created in God’s image.
We were to rule over the earth with God.
We desire things and try to take what we want.
We want to decide for ourselves what is good and bad.
When we do wrong we try to run, cover up and hide.
Good Rule of Thumb – If you are trying to hide it, it is probably wrong.
12. How are you going to obey this passage (“I will…”)?
I will continue to remind myself that I am prone to Sin and that I have someone whispering in my ear constantly (Satan) that I deserve to have things my way, to be happy no matter what God might have said about it.
I will try to remember that God knows what’s best for me at all times
Recognize my own sinfulness.
Instead of running from God I should be running to Him.
If I do wrong, disobey God’s way, I should confess it.
13. Who will you share this with?
Anyone and everyone who needs and wants to know more about God, creation, the existence of Satan, and our human failings and nature.
Neighbor and kids
The Results of Sin
Here is a quick word study on Sin from the Bible Project.
Lesson 2 – The Results of Sin
- What state does the Bible describe us as being in? Ephesians 2:1
We are DEAD due to our trespasses and sin.
Dead in transgressions and sins
Dead
We were dead in our trespasses and sins - Why ultimately is our sin so serious to God? Leviticus 11:44
God is HOLY and we are not, but we are commanded to be holy.
Because God is holy
He is holy, but we’re not
Be holy because I Am holy – we are to consecrate ourselves. Remember we are the image of God and should be reflecting Him to the world. - What does iniquity do to our relationship with God? Isaiah 59:1-2
Our sin separates us from God and causes him to hide his face from us so he does not hear us.
Separated us from God – hidden God’s face from us
He turns his back on us
Our iniquities separate us from our God.
Lesson 2.1 – The Results of Sin
- Describe sinful humanity’s desperate condition. Romans 3:9-20, 23
We all have sinned. None of us is truly wise or seeks after God. We all have turned away from God and do no good. Our talk is foul and filled with lies, cursing, and bitterness. We commit murder and cause destruction and misery. We have no fear of God at all.
No one is righteous, no one is good, all have turned away from God, there is no fear of God before their eyes, all have fallen short of the glory of God
Everyone is a sinner and cannot save himself. Only God can save us
All have sinned an fallen short of the glory of God
Jews and Gentiles alike, we are all under sin
None righteous
none understand
no one seeks God
no one does what is good
no one knows the path of peace
no one fears God
the world is subject to God’s judgement
no one will be justified in His sight by the works of the law
the knowledge of sin comes through the law - Describe the impact sin has on our hearts. Jeremiah 17:9
“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked.”
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
Deceit and wickedness
the heart is more deceitful than anything and incurable - What are the “wages” of sin? Romans 6:23
Death. The opposite of God’s free gift of eternal life.
Death
Death
Wages of sin is death
Lesson 2.2 – The Results of Sin
- What does the Bible say happens after we die? Hebrews 9:27
We face God’s judgement.
We are to face judgment
Death
After we die there is judgement - How does the Bible describe eternal judgment?
Matthew 25:41
It is a place of eternal fire created for Satan and his demons.
Revelation 20: 11-15
There is a lake of fire into which Satan and his demons, death and the grave are thrown into. Also, all those whose names are not in the Book of Life are thrown into the lake of fire.
Revelation 21:8
The non-saved are consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.
Matthew 25:41 – eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels
Revelation 20: 11-15 -great white throne, the dead were judged according to what they had done – anyone whose name was not written int he book of life was thrown into the lake of fire
Revelation 21:8 – the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murders, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters, and all liars will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur
Matthew 25:41
Eternal fire
Revelation 20: 11-15
Lake of fire if your name is not in the Book of Life
Revelation 21:8
Fiery lake of burning sulfur
Matthew 25:41
depart into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels
Revelation 20:11–15
The great white throne – the dead are judged accordig to their works by what is written in the books. Death and Hades are thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Anyone whose name is not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.
Revelation 21:8
8 But the cowards, faithless, detestable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars—their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.
- What does Paul, the writer of Romans, call himself? Romans 7:24
A slave to sin.
A wretched man
A miserable person
wretched man
Who will rescue me from this body of death?
Lesson 2.3 – The Results of Sin
God lets us know – sin is a very serious issue. How grave a problem is it for you? What do you think that you deserve for your sin?
In God’s eyes, my sin is a huge problem… my biggest problem. It is bad enough to warrant me eternal death in the Lake of First. And, that is what I deserve, without Christ.
God defines what happens with His creation. The wages of sin is death. Why? Because sin separates us from God. He is eternal life. So yes, I deserve death becaue it is the result of sin and I have sinned.
But praise God He has made a way for people to be reconciled to Himself – NEXT LESSON
Through this lesson:
What do you learn about God? What has He done?
God created us knowing full well that we would sin. And knowing that the only way to rescue us from our sin was the sacrificial death of His Son, Jesus Christ. He freely offered His Son for us because of His love for us.
He is holy
He is the judge
He has set up a way for us to live
He has prepared the lake of fire as judgement for the devil and his angels.
What do you learn about people? Yourself
We are all sinners, being slaves to sin but also willing sinners. Myself included. We all need a savior.
We deserve death
we are separated from God
our hearts are deceitful
if our name is not written in the book of life we will suffer the second death
How are you going to obey what you have learned (“I will…”)?
I will continue to rely upon, have faith in, my Savior, Jesus Christ. I cannot save myself and cannot live a sinless life. Therefore, my only hope is in Christ.
Walk in His way
Be holy as He is holy
But can I do this on my own?
Who will you share this with?
Everyone I can get to listen. In particular, those who recognize their sinful condition and know they need a savior. Jesus Christ is the only way, no other religion or philosophy will do.
God’s Solution for Sin: Jesus’ Death and Resurrection
(4) For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. – Hebrews 10:4 CSB
1. What is necessary for the forgiveness of sins? Hebrews 9:22
- The shedding of Blood. Without it, there is no Forgiveness.
2. How did God cover Adam and Eve’s first sin? Genesis 3:21
- God sacrificed animals and made garments from their skins. Thus, Blood was shed to cover their sin.
- Something had to die in order for them to be covered.
- The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them
- Clothing from animal skins
3. How were “unclean” things made “clean”? Hebrews 9:22
- They were Purified by the shed blood of the sacrifice.
- Everything is purified with blood.
- Cleansed with blood
4. Can the blood of animals ultimately take away our sins? Hebrews 10:4
- No, not sufficiently. Only the sacrifice of God’s Son, the Sinless One, could do that.
- It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sin. It was only a covering waiting for the solution.
- With burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased so NO
5. Why would the promised Savior be “pierced”? Isaiah 53:5
- To pay for, or because of, our rebellion against God.
- For our transgressions
6. How does the prophet Isaiah say we will be healed? Isaiah 53:5
- “He was whipped so we could be healed.” New Living Translation (NLT)
- We are healed by His wounds.
7. How did John the Baptist, the past great prophet before Jesus, introduce Jesus publicly? John 1:29
- “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (NLT)
8a. What did the prophet Isaiah predict God would do? Isaiah 53:6
- God would punish him for the iniquity of us all.
- The Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all
- Lay everyone’s sins on Jesus
8b. What does Jesus’ blood – his sacrificial death – do for us?
Romans 5:9
- It will save us from God’s condemnation.
- We have been declared righteous by the blood of Jesus and will be saved from wrath.
- justified by His blood
Ephesians 1:7
- It purchased our Freedom and forgave our sins.
- We have been redeemed through His blood and forgiven of our trespasses.
- we have redemption through His blood and the forgiveness of sins
Ephesians 2:13
- It united us with Christ Jesus.
- The blood of Christ has brought us near to God.
1 John 1:7
- It cleanses us from all Sin.
- purifies us from all sin
Revelation 1:5
- It freed us from our Sin.
- freed us from our sins by His blood and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve His God and Father
9. What does Jesus do for us on the cross?
1 Corinthians 15:3-4
- Christ died for our sins, was buried and was raised. All of this was according to the Scriptures.
- died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the 3rd day, appeared to Cepheus and then to the 12
2 Corinthians 5:21
- God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us. The purpose was so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
- God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God
- New life
Galatians 3:13-14
- Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us
- He became a curse for us so He could redeem us from the curse of the law. What was the purpose? The blessing of Abraham would come to the nations so that we could receive the promised Spirit through faith.
- Took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing
1 Peter 2:24
- He bore our sins in His body. We die to sin and live for righteousness. In addition it is by His woulds that we are healed.
- he bore our sins in His body on the cross so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness
- He personally carried our sins in his body
10. According to the Bible, what makes Jesus unique that he can do this for us?
John 1:18
- Jesus is Himself God.
- the one and only son, who is himself God and is the closest relationship with the Father
- He is God, near to the Father’s heart
Colossians 1:15-20
- Jesus is the image of God. Everything was created by and through Him. He is before all things and it is He that holds all things together. He is the head of the Body, the Church. He is the firstborn of the dead. He has first place in everything. All the fullness of God dwells in Him. Through Him, everything is reconciled to God. He made peace through His blood, shed on the cross.
- the son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. In Him all things were made
- Visible image of the invisible God, existing before everything
Hebrews 4:15
- Jesus can sympathize with our weakness. He has been tempted in every way as we, yet without sin.
- we have a high priest who has been tempted in every way yet did not sin
- He faced everything we face, yet he doesn’t sin
11. What is the significance of Jesus’ resurrection? What if there was no resurrection? Grab the details from the following verses – 1 Corinthians 15:14-19
- Jesus’ resurrection proves our faith and proclamation. Jesus is alive and the dead are raised up to eternal life or eternal damnation. If we follow Jesus we have hope, not just for ourselves, but for those that have gone before us.
- If there was no resurrection then our hope, faith and proclamation are in vain. We are still trapped by sin and should be pitied.
- If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. If Christ has not been raised, you are still in your sins, and you are lost
- No resurrection of the dead, faith is useless, still guilty of our sins
What do you learn about God? What has He done?
- He is the Creator. He is Holy and Righteous. He is eternal, omnipresent, omniscient, Omnipotent, and Loving. He made the universe, gave dominion over the earth and its creatures to Man. He set a standard for Man to follow. He provided a means for redemption should Man fail in meeting the standard.
- God made a way to cover sin by the shedding of blood. This was temporary. Jesus came to not just cover sin, but to destroy its power over humanity. Jesus was pierced for our rebellion. Jesus came as the Lamb of God to take away the sins of the world. God punished Jesus for the iniquity of humanity. Jesus set us free from our sin and has given us His righteousness.
What do you learn about people? Yourself?
- No one, save Jesus Christ, has or is capable of meeting God’s standard. Neither am I. I have sinned and still sin today.
- We need a covering to come before God. Before Christ, there was the blood of animals that could temporarily cover and allow a partial relationship with God. The blood of Jesus goes beyond a covering and actually sets us free from sin, the thing that separated us from God. When we are born again 1) We can now be the children of God. 2) We are part of God’s kingdom. 3) We are priests to God.
How are you going to obey what you have learned (“I will…”)?
- I will receive God’s redemption, his free gift of eternal life, through faith in His son Jesus Christ.
- Share the gospel, make disciple makers.
Who will you share this with?
- Everyone I can get to listen.
- People of peace.
Receiving God’s Gift: A New Heart
1. What did God promise he would give his people? Ezekiel 36:26
- A new heart and a new spirit.
- I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you. I will give you a heart of flesh
A new heart and a new spirit, replacing the old sinful one.
2. What does God do when he rescues us from our state of spiritual death? Ephesians 2:4–6
He made us alive in Christ. He raised us up and seated us with Him in Christ Jesus.
Make us alive with Christ – raise us up with Christ and seat us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus
He gave us a new, eternal life as we are raised with Christ to sit with Him in Heavenly places (the Heavenly realm).
Gives us life
3. What happens when we receive Jesus as Lord and Savior? John 1:12–13
Those who believe in His name, who are born of God. He gives us the right to be called the children of God.
He gives us the right to become children of God
He gives to us the right to become children of God. We are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
We are reborn
We must be born again
4. What did Jesus say must happen before we can enter the kingdom of God? John 3:3–7
You must be born again of the Spirit.
5. What do the following passages tell you about being “born again” or “born of God”?
- Not born again… can’t see the kingdom of God
- Must be born of the Spirit.
You must be born again
We must be born again, this time of the spirit.
John 1:12-13
Those who believe in His name, He gave them the right to become the children of God. They are born of God, Not a natural descent or the will of the flesh or man.
It is spiritual rebirth performed by God upon a dead soul.
We believe and accept him, we get a birth from God
1 Peter 1:23
You have been born again of the imperishable seed through the living and enduring word of God
Our born again spirit will never die, never to be separated from God, as it was destined to be prior to the new birth.
Eternal life
1 John 3:9
Everyone born of God does not sin because His seed remains in him.
Born again believers have a new relationship with sin. They do not make a practice of sinning, cannot continue in sin, and will not sin, because they are now a child of God.
We can’t keep sinning
1 John 4:7
Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
A child of God is known for loving others, especially other believers. To do so marks one as a child of God, one who knows God.
We have love for everyone
6. What does Paul say about those who are “in Christ”? 2 Corinthians 5:17
You are a new creation. The old has passed away. Welcome to the new!
If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here.
They belong to Christ and have become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
We become a new person
7. What is the destiny of those who are “born of God”? 1 John 5:4.
They conquer the world. How? Through their faith in the Son of God – Jesus.
They overcome the world
We defeat evil by our faith
To defeat this evil world.
What would you do if someone could offer you a brand-new start in life? Hmm…
I would love that
That depends on my current state of life and what the new life looks like. As a sinner in need of a savior, being offered a life for forgiveness and grace would be most welcome.
Accept it
Have you received God’s gift of new life?
Absolutely!
Yes, since I was 12 years old … 46 years ago.
Yes
What do you learn about God? What has He done?
God has a plan to rescue humanity.
He gives a new heart and spirit to those who believe
God is full of mercy and grace.
God makes us alive in Christ
He gives the right to become His children.
God has a kingdom.
He has a process to enter His kingdom. Be born again.
That he is my creator and the creator of the universe. That he loves me and offered his son’s life for my sins. That he promises me life eternal with him.
What do you learn about people? Yourself?
- If we are in Christ we are a new creation.
- We have been born of an imperishable seed… the living and enduring word of God.
- His seed remains in us and we don’t continue in sin.
- Those who have been born of God, know God and love…
- The destiny of those who know God is to overcome or conquer the world.
Everyone is a sinner and needs a savior. But most people do not admit their sins nor seek a savior. Without the Holy Spirit’s work in their lives, they will not come to salvation. I am the same as everyone else.
How are you going to obey what you have learned (“I will…”)?
I will continue to be a follower and disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. I will be mindful of my sins and my tendency toward sin. I will remind myself of God’s free gift of eternal life, and accept it.
Who will you share this with?
By relying upon the Holy Spirit to offer me opportunities to work with him to spread the Gospel.
Grace Through Faith
1. Is it possible to be saved by the good things we do — our “works”? How are we saved? Ephesians 2:8–9
No. Our nature is sinful and our natural tendency is to sin. We are saved by grace through faith. It is God’s gift. NOT from works.
2. Does God save us because of the good things we do? If not, why does he save us? Titus 3:4–5
No. What we do does not save us. God saves us because of His mercy, kindness, and love for humanity.
3. What does God’s grace teach the believer? Titus 2:11–12
To not live in godlessness and sinfulness as the world would have us to do. But rather to live with wisdom, righteousness, and Godly devotion. To say no to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age
Turn from evil and live with wisdom, righteousness and devotion to God
God’s grace instructs us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts, to live sensibly, righteously and godly.
4. Shall we continue to sin because of God’s forgiveness and grace? Romans 6:15
“Of course not!”
5. What are we created for as new Christians? Ephesians 2:10
To do those things God created us to do, predetermined that we should do. We are to do His handiwork – the good things God planned for us long ago.
6. What did Jesus say to those who believed in him? Matthew 16:24
“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.” We must deny ourselves, give up our own way, take up our cross and follow Him
What do you learn about God? What has He done?
God created me to do the good works He wants me to do. He saved me because of His love for me, and due to His mercy and grace.
What do you learn about people? Yourself?
My own natural tendency is to NOT follow God, NOT obey Him, and NOT give Him first place in my life.
How are you going to obey what you have learned (“I will…”)?
I will admit my sinful nature, acknowledge the truth of scripture, fear God, and follow Jesus as His disciple.
Who will you share this with?
All those with a like mind.