This week we stepped off the “ledge” from Genesis 1–2 into the tragedy of Genesis 3. As much as we might want to remain in Eden’s garden-temple, we do not live in that world anymore. We live in a world corrupted by sin—and the road to the celestial city runs through the muck of life in a fallen world.
Lord’s Day Recap (Genesis 3:1–13)
Pastor Mike walked us through the first 13 verses of Genesis 3 under four heads: the con, the choice, the consequences, and the confrontation.
1) The con (vv. 1–5)
Genesis 3 opens with the serpent—a good creature in God’s “very good” creation—described as “more crafty” (prudent, subtle). Satan uses a good design for wicked ends, reminding us that sin is a corruption of something good. The devil does not create; he twists.
Satan’s strategy is a familiar one:
- He questions God’s Word (“Did God actually say…?”)
- He distorts God’s Word (making God seem restrictive and ungenerous)
- He denies God’s Word (“You will not surely die.”)
- He dangles a promise too good to be true (“You will be like God…”)
The aim is to plant doubt about God’s goodness and to make disobedience appear reasonable.
2) The choice (v. 6)
Eve faced a clear choice: obey God and reject the serpent—or follow the serpent and rebel against God. Doubt took root, desire grew, and she took and ate.
Adam, who was with her, also ate. In that moment:
- Adam the king committed treason
- Adam the priest desecrated God’s temple
- Adam the prophet violated God’s Word
They chose the serpent’s promise over the Creator’s command.
3) The consequences (vv. 7–8)
Immediately, the effects of sin began.
- Their eyes were opened, but not to the “wisdom” they imagined.
- They knew they were naked—no longer “naked and unashamed,” but naked and ashamed.
- They tried to cover guilt with fig leaves—an early picture of how sinners attempt to cover shame with self-made righteousness.
- When they heard the Lord God walking in the garden, they hid.
Sin fractures fellowship: first between husband and wife, then between man and God.
4) The confrontation (vv. 9–13)
God took the initiative and came to the guilty pair. He called to Adam, “Where are you?”—not because He lacked knowledge, but to draw Adam into honest confession.
Yet Adam responded with evasion and blame-shifting (“the woman whom you gave…”). Eve also deflected (“the serpent deceived me…”). The fall did not merely introduce sin; it multiplied sin: shame, fear, hiding, and then blame.
The gospel note: another “tree”
The sermon ended by reminding us that the only hope for fallen man is also to take and eat—not forbidden fruit, but Christ Himself. Our life is found in feeding upon Jesus by faith, the One who was hung upon a “tree” (the cross) and who gives eternal life to all who come.
Reflection and Preparation
Day 1 — The con: how temptation works
Read: Genesis 3:1–5; 2 Corinthians 11:3
Reflect (Adults)
- How does understanding that sin corrupts good things rather than creating new evils change the way you approach temptation in your own life?
- In what ways do you see Satan’s strategy of questioning, distorting, and denying God’s Word playing out in contemporary culture and media?
- How does temptation try to make God seem less good (or less trustworthy) than He really is?
For children:
- What did the serpent say about God’s command?
- Was the serpent telling the truth?
Day 2 — The choice: desire, disobedience, and the moment of sin
Read: Genesis 3:6; James 1:14–15
Reflect (Adults)
- What does Genesis 3:6 show about the progression from desire to sin?
- Where do you see “good gifts” being twisted into sin in your own life (food, comfort, approval, rest, sex, money, control)?
For children:
- What did Eve do with the fruit?
- What did Adam do?
Day 3 — Consequences: shame and hiding
Read: Genesis 3:7–10; Psalm 32:1–5
Reflect (Adults)
- What does shame make sinners want to do (toward people and toward God)?
- What are your “fig leaves”—the ways you try to cover guilt instead of confessing it?
- Why do you think the first consequence of the fall was shame between Adam and Eve, affecting their marriage relationship before anything else?
For children:
- After Adam and Eve sinned, what did they do when they heard God coming?
Day 4 — Confrontation: confession vs. blame-shifting
Read: Genesis 3:11–13; 1 John 1:8–9
Reflect (Adults)
- How do Adam and Eve avoid confession in vv. 11–13? What does blame-shifting reveal about our hearts?
- How does blame-shifting prevent genuine repentance, and can you identify areas in your life where you tend to blame circumstances or others rather than taking responsibility for your sin?
- What does God promise to do when we confess our sins? How does confession restore fellowship?
For children:
- Did Adam admit his sin right away, or did he blame someone else?
- What should we do when we sin?
Day 5 — Looking ahead: the Genesis of the curse (judgment and mercy)
Read: Genesis 3:14–24
Reflect (Adults)
- What curses does God pronounce on the serpent, the woman, and the man? What do these judgments explain about life in our world today?
- Even in judgment, where do you see God’s mercy and provision (hint: vv. 15 and 21)? What does this teach you about God’s character?
- Why is being driven out of Eden (vv. 22–24) both a severe judgment and, in a sense, a mercy?
For children:
- What did God say would happen because of sin?
- Did God still show kindness to Adam and Eve?
Next Lord’s Day Preview
Genesis 3:14–24 — “The Genesis of the Curse”
Next week we will consider God’s response to the fall: the curse spoken to the serpent, the woman, and the man; the promise of conflict and coming deliverance; and the sobering mercy of exile from Eden. Come ready to see both the seriousness of sin and the first rays of gospel hope.
Hymns
- 128 Hallelujah! What A Savior
- 147 O Christ, What Burdens Bowed Thy Head
- 137 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
- 154 He Died for Me
In Christ,
Pastor Mike