* In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. He created the living creatures of the earth. God created man (male and female) in his own image. "God saw all that he had made, and it was very good" (Genesis 1:31). God did not cause the problem.

* The problem is man's sin, traced back to "the Fall of Man" (see next page). Man has caused the problem
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* "The Fall of Man" resulted in a broken relationship with God, meaning spiritual death (separation from God, who is the source of life, blessing, and meaning), and resulting in moral corruption. This "fallen condition" applies to all human beings (Romans 5:12).

* God purposed to make human beings morally responsible (consistent with being created "in his image"). God gave humans the freedom to make choices. They could make good choices or bad choices. They could choose right or wrong. The first humans chose to do wrong. Human beings have been making wrong choices ever since.

* After the creation of man, God "saw all that he had made, and it was very good" (Gen. 1:31).

* "Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground - trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil." (Genesis 2:8-9, NIV).

* "And the LORD God commanded the man, 'You are free to eat from any tree of the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die." (Genesis 2:15-17, NIV)

* The first humans enjoyed moral innocence and harmony with God. "The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame" (Genesis 2:25). However, their moral innocence would be lost, and their relationship with God would be broken. This is called "the Fall of Man." What went wrong?

§ The "serpent" tempts the woman. He is "crafty" - skillful at deceiving others.
§ With his question (3:1), he exaggerates God's prohibition to make God sound harsh and unreasonable.
§ He negates God's warning by saying (literally), "Not - you will surely die" (3:4). He speaks half-truths.
§ The serpent influences the woman to doubt God's word and to question her trust in Him. He influences the woman to think she is better off if she disobeys God.

2. What motivates the woman to eat? What is evident about her beliefs and values? Do you think anything is wrong with the man and woman's attitudes and actions? Explain. *

§ In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul lists the world, the devil, and the flesh (Eph. 2:2-3).
§ We may be directly influenced by evil spirits.
§ More often, we are influenced by "the world" (the ideas of popular culture, the media, academia, or others not in submission to God).
§ In general, we are influenced by the "flesh" (our human nature, now corrupted, with its desires), including our own selfishness and pride (James 4:1-2).

3. What are the consequences of the first humans' disobedience? How does it affect their attitudes toward themselves, each other, and God (3:7-13)?

§ Expulsion from the garden. Fellowship and enjoyment with God becomes alienation from God. Sin separates man from God and the tree of life (symbolizing everlasting life). This separation is called "death" (it is separation from the Source of life). Though physical life continued for a while, spiritual death was immediate.
§ The cherubim (angels) guard the way to the tree of life on the east side of the garden. Likewise, the only way into the tabernacle and temple would be through the east side. There is only one way to the tree of life. That has never changed.

4. How do the consequences of "the Fall of Man" apply to us today?

¶ "Just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned" (Romans 5:12, NIV).

¶ "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

Reflection/Application
†This week, think about the example of Eve and Adam. Reflect on these questions: In what ways are my attitudes and actions similar to theirs? Who/what has authority/control over my life? Where do I place my trust? In what ways am I tempted to do the wrong things? How do my wrong attitudes and actions affect the relationships in my life?
† Man's broken relationship with God has resulted in a lack of true love, peace, joy, purpose, and hope (the blessings of abundant, everlasting life). How would you characterize your relationship with God? The Bible reveals God's plan to reconcile people to himself, and how to live in relationship with him. How are you responding to the Bible's teaching?

Question You Might Have

? Why Can't God Just Overlook Sin?

§The Bible teaches that God is good, loving, and all-powerful. If so, why doesn't He just overlook sin? There are some things that God cannot do! He cannot do what is contrary to His own nature. Since God is holy, righteous and just, He cannot just overlook sin. However, since God is also merciful and gracious, He has provided a way for our sins to be forgiven (through Jesus Christ). Jesus Christ is "the Way" back to the "tree of life" (John 14:6; Revelation 22:1-2). That is the "good news!"

You may Email Jay Lester or Call at 540.381.2086