Lesson 3 – Sin Enters the World

Through Adam, sin spread to all people. Through Christ, God offers forgiveness to all people.

Opening

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

This lesson will use the Bible. Also paper and pencil will be needed.

Are you filled or empty? Did you just eat? Are you excited about a new friendship or challenge? Did you just come from worship? Did you recently take Holy Communion?

Watch the video “Filled” to get a little more perspective.

Think about the answers to these questions:

• What kind of things that the man mentioned also fill you up, at least for awhile?

• True or untrue for you? "What I want, I can have it. With the touch of a button, at the drop of a hat, the world is at my fingertips."

• How would you describe these words by the man: "No wonder I don't need God. I'm already full"?

• What Bible account came to mind when the man said, "All I have to do is convince myself that it's good to eat and desirable for food. Then it's just a matter of plucking my choice fruit from the tree"?

The words echo Genesis 3 about the fall of man, which we will study today.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, You came to the world to live the life we could not live. You gave Yourself up for sinners, who turn against You and fill themselves up with junk. Thank You for being the Second Adam, paying for our sins, and making us right with God. Shape and mold us to Your image. Amen.

God Speaks

Read these statements and decide if you agree with them or no tor if you have the same question:

• God seems to love some people more than others.

• Some people always seem to win and get what they want.

• If l behave and go to church, God should give me everything l want.

• Sometimes, I wonder if God is real.

• Why did my loved one die?

• When is God going to tell me what to do with my life?

• Is everything in the Bible true?

No matter how you decided, you need to know that everyone has doubts from time to time. What should we do when we doubt? We need to turn to God's Word and pray for the Spirit's guidance. We can talk to Christian friends, our parents, and our pastor or other church workers. It's okay to wonder and let God speak to us through His Word and Sacraments.

Using the Student Page at the end of this lesson, follow the directions under Paradise Lost. Read Genesis 2:16-17, Gods command about the tree at the top of the page. Then read Genesis 3 and, consider the event from each of the four following viewpoints: The serpent, Eve, Adam, and God.

The Student Page asks you to consider one point of view. But let’s look at all four.

The Serpent

 

• Wants: Desired to lead humans into sin, separate them from God, and spite God.
• Efforts: A fallen angel, the devil possessed the snake, or appeared in its form. Crafty, he lied to Eve and sowed doubts about God’s Word (you won't die; God doesn't mean it) and God's desires for her (God doesn’t want you to know as much as Him; eat the fruit to see more, be like Him, and be wise).
• Doubts: Didn't think God would hurt him, despite losing an earlier battle with God and being thrown out of heaven. He pursued Eve and Adam with hatred for the Lord.
• Results: (1) Success. Eve rejected God's Word, and humans disobeyed and lost the image of God, which includes the knowledge of God and the will to please Him. (2) Busted, cursed. The snake would slither on its belly and eat dust. People would hate snakes, and visa versa. The devil would lose a battle with Eve's offspring, giving a bruised heel but receiving a bruised head.

Eve

• Wants: Even though Eve was made in God's image and already like Him, knowing only good, not evil, she wanted more. The devil made her doubt God's Word. Hungry, she believed his lies.
• Efforts: Eve added to God's command (“neither shall you touch it”). Sin already snared her. One untruth led to another sin.
• Doubts: Didn’t believe God’s Word, warning, and will for her (not to know evil).
• Results: When doubt opened the door, Eve noticed that the fruit looked tasty and thought it would make her wise. She ate and gave it to Adam. Eyes opened she saw nakedness, made clothes, and hid from God. She blamed the serpent. She would have great pain in pregnancy and birth. She will desire her husband; he will rule over her.

Adam

• Wants: He wishes to be with Eve and to satiate his hunger.
• Efforts: He ate the fruit Eve gave him.
• Doubts: He didn’t trust God's intentions. Since he was present and ate the fruit, Adam also may have believed the serpent’s lies.
• Results: Eyes opened, he saw nakedness, made clothes, and hid from God. He blamed Eve. The ground was cursed to make work more difficult. He would die and return to dust.

God

 

• Wants: His desire was to enjoy and bless perfect humans, made in His likeness, as they lived in and tended the garden He made for them.
• Effort: God came to see Adam and Eve, making His presence known in the Garden.
• Doubts: Absolutely none.
• Results: Asked the humans why they were hiding, even though He knew why; they had eaten the forbidden fruit. Cursed the snake/devil; said he would suffer fatal injuries from Eve's offspring, the promised Messiah. Gave Eve and Adam the promised consequences (death) and more. Compassionately made animal-skin clothing for Adam and Eve. Sent humans out of the Garden so they couldn't eat from the tree of life and live forever in sin. Set a cherubim to guard the way.

Here are a few questions to consider about the sin of Adam and Eve

How did the woman react when the serpent spoke to her? Eve was neither surprised nor afraid. Temptation disguised itself beautifully. If this were not so, Eve would not have talked with it so calmly.

How was the world different before sin? There was no death, decay, fear, or distrust. Humans lived with God and the animals in perfect harmony.

The Hebrew word for "crafty" is almost identical to the word for "naked."  Why is this amazing but true fact important? Before sin entered the world, God's creation was perfect; embarrassment and shame didn't exist. The human body, the crown of God's creation, was perfect and there was no need to cover it up. The craftiness of the serpent allowed the devil to work through this creature to bring about Adam and Eve's shame when they knew they were naked.

Made in God's image, Adam and Eve had God's Law in their hearts (Jeremiah 31:31-34), yet they chose to disobey. We often make this choice too. Remember a time when you could have not done something, but you did it anyway-

How did God care for Adam and Eve eternally, even though they turned away from Him? In Genesis 3:15, God promised a Savior, the One who would bruise the devil’s head. This is the first Gospel promise in Scripture. The promised Savior is Christ. The devil bruised the heel of Eve's offspring when He died on Good Friday, but He crushed the devil's head when He rose from the dead.

How does God care for us, despite our sin and disobedience? God provided His Son as our Savior. Without sin, yet crucified for our sin, Jesus paid the debt of all sinners for all time. Believers receive His forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life. Because He rose from the dead, we, too, will live. We receive these gifts from Jesus in Baptism, Holy Communion, and by hearing and learning God's Word.

We Live

Read the Bible verses from the right column of the Student Page: Hebrews 2:14; 1 John 3:8; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 2:18.

What comfort and power does God give us in these verses? Jesus defeated the devil for us. God will not let us be tempted beyond our ability and will provide a way of escape so we can endure it. Because Jesus suffered when tempted, He can help us when we are tempted.

We are infected with sin, but because of Christ's work, our sins are forgiven. God loves us and provides for us. God works through His Word and Sacraments to create and maintain our faith and give us the hope of "going home" to paradise with Him.

Closing

 Name one thing you learned that you can tell someone else.

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 Close by reading or saying Luther’s Morning Prayer together (Student Page).