Discussion Questions: Genesis 3:1-15

For the message, And Then It All Went Wrong By Pastor John Ferguson at New City Church on December 1, 2013

These discussion questions are designed to help you reflect upon and apply the message from the Scriptures. You can use these by yourself for reflection, or you could use these with your family or small group for discussion.

Introduction: For many people, especially young children, Christmas is a time of fun and expectation of unwrapping presents. But with a little life experience under our belts, Christmas can also leave us with a longing. What is the hardest part of the Christmas season for you? How is Christmas a reminder to you that things are not the way they are supposed to be? Questions: Read Genesis 3:1-15 1. Genesis three is one of those classic texts that define Christianity. IOW, its hard to understand the rest of the Bible unless we understand this passage about the fall of humanity into sin and rebellion. This is where it all went wrong. What are some other popular opinions about what is wrong with the world? 2. What was the Serpent trying to do when he asked the question, Did God actually say, You shall not eat of any tree in the garden? How do you see the trap set in your own life as well? 3. Read again the Serpents response to Eve in verses 4-5. What is the specific temptation? What is the issue at stake? How does a similar choice present itself whenever we are tempted?

4. Note that Adam was with Eve all along and kept silent, and joined her in her decision to turn upon their Creator. From this account, how would you describe sin? 5. Pastor John quoted Jerry Bridges (Transforming Grace): Sin, in the final analysis, is rebellion against the sovereign Creator, Ruler, and Judge of the universe. It resists the rightful prerogative of a sovereign Ruler to command obedience from His subjects. It says to an absolutely holy and righteous God that His moral laws, which are a reflection of His own nature, are not worthy of our wholehearted obedience. How does this quote help you crystallize what is going on when we ratify Adam & Eves decision to sin against God? Does this definition add anything to your answer in question 4? 6. In verse 15, the Lord God addresses the enemy, that ancient serpent (Rev. 20:2), and says to him that the woman will bear offspring, and that Offspring will bruise (ESV) or crush (NIV) his heada sign of a conquered foethought the serpent will bruise (ESV) or strike (NIV) his heel.

Theologians refer to this as the proto-euangelion or the first instance of the Gospel promised in the Scripture. In what way does this verse foreshadow what happened in the Crucifixion of Jesus? 7. Look up 1 John 3:8 & Hebrews 2:14, and answer the question: How does the New Testament explain the work of Jesus? 8. In the final section of application, Pastor John said that this text should enable us to (1) intensify our mourning and (2) to deepen our hope. What did he mean by this? Conclusion: What is the one thing you want to take away from this study to remember or to make a change in your life? How does this text help you understand your need for Jesus? How does this text challenge you to follow him?

Renewing your mind: 1 John 3:8, The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.