In The Beginning - Lesson 2 - Sin and Separation

Connections Class 2014-2015

August 31 – In the Beginning

Lesson 02 – Sin and Separation

Text: Genesis 03

Comments and Questions

Chapter 3 conveys to us the origin of sin in the world. Adam and Eve disobey God’s instruction and suffer the consequences of their sinful choice.

When God confronts them with their sin, they blame each other, and even the serpent. Adam also comes very close to actually blaming God.

Sin creates a gap between God and the human beings. Although God graciously clothes them, He also curses all of the participants in the act of disobedience and they are banished from the holy Garden of Eden.

The whole story is a means of communicating to people of faith that sin causes us to separate ourselves from God. As our sinning continues, that gap becomes immense, putting us in danger of never being able to reach God ever again.

The definition of ‘sin’ is different for each culture, nation, and generation on Earth. Different religions and denominations also have differing views of what sin is. This creates a dilemma for each generation of Christians when defining ‘sin,’ because the consequences of getting it wrong could mean that we again create a gap and drift away from God.

Questions for discussion

Do I believe that Adam and Eve actually existed? Why/why not?

What is the purpose of this story? How does it relate to our own wrong doing in the eye of God?

Why did God create the two trees with forbidden fruit? Why did He not want Adam and Eve to eat the fruit?

Why does the serpent represent evil in this story? How does he persuade Eve to eat the fruit?

Where was Adam when Eve was being tempted? Where was God?

How does Eve tempt Adam? What is the initial outcome of their sin?

Why do they hide from God? What causes them to lie to Him?

How does God deal with the situation? What does this convey to us about His judgment?

How often do we sin? What do we do about it? What does God do about it?

Any other comments/ questions?

Unison Prayer

Heavenly Father, we lower our heads before You and we confess that we have too often forgotten that we are Yours. Sometimes we carry on our lives as if there was no God and we fall short of being a credible witness to You. For these things we ask Your forgiveness and we also ask for Your strength.

Give us clear minds and open hearts so we may witness to You in our world. Remind us to be who You would have us to be, regardless of what we are doing or who we are with. Hold us to You and build our relationship with You, as well as with those You have given us on Earth. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

NEXT WEEK: GENESIS 4 – THE CURSE OF CAIN

In The Beginning: Lesson 1 - Creation

Connections Class 2014-2015

August 24 – In the Beginning

Lesson 01 – Creation

Texts: Genesis 1 and Genesis 2

CREATION

          Every religion on Earth has its very own Creation story. In the Bible, God is the Creator of the entire universe. In other faiths, creation occurs through animals, blood cells, as a divine side effect, or as an outcome of a battle between the gods. Even scientists have their own stories of Creation – the Big Bang theory, Dark matter explosion, or even accidentally out of nothing. Whatever the religion, faith, or science, people have been trying to explain life, the universe, and creation by whatever they believe and however they actually live.

          In the Bible, Creation is God’s wonderful gift to all living beings. He made the entire cosmos, bringing order and the laws of physics to what He makes. According to the Bible, His focus is upon our planet where He creates special creatures – human beings – made in His image. Life on Earth is a divine masterpiece and at the heart of God’s amazing works. He enjoys the act of creating and, when everything is finished, He sits back and rests in order to delight in all that God has created.

          Life, therefore, is not an accidental occurrence, it is a purposeful event, given by God to all sorts of creatures, including humanity at the pinnacle of His creative works. As it states in the old catechism, we are created to worship God and enjoy His creation forever.

          The purpose of today’s study is to look at the first two chapters of Genesis, in order to investigate and discuss the process of Creation as depicted in the Bible, and what that process means to 21^st century Christians.

Questions for discussion

What do I believe about the universe’s origin? What sustains it?

What do I think about evolution? Can it be equated with the process of Creation?

Why did God create anything? What is the purpose of existence?

What are the main differences between Genesis 1 and Genesis 2? Are those differences important?

How does Creation affect my life?

How should the Church teach Creation in the 21^st century?

Any other comments/ questions?

Unison Prayer

Loving Father and Creator of all, we come to You today deeply grateful for Your Creation. As we look around us, we are amazed at the greatness and majesty of all that You have made. Nature around us speaks of Your greatness - the vast expanse of the sky, the mountains, trees, lakes and streams speak of Your great design. You have given us such beauty in the colors of the rainbow, the beauty of flowers and fields.

Words cannot adequately express the magnificence of all You have created. We join in praise with the writer of the psalms when he says, "O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your Name in all the Earth." May we show our love and reverence to You, our Lord, by caring for all that You have created. We humbly give You praise and thanks. Amen.

NEXT WEEK: GENESIS 3 – SIN AND SEPARATION