Why you need to trust God

What is one rule at home or at school that you wish you could change?

Would society be better off without rules and laws? Explain

Is it important for someone to be in charge? Why or why not?

Genesis 2:8–9 “The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed. And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”

Genesis 2:15–17 “Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.””

The word for garden can also be translated as paradise.

How many trees do you think were in this beautiful garden?

Many, thousands!

And each and every one

were beautiful to look at

and had delicious fruit to eat.

In Genesis 2:15 look at this translation:

Genesis 2:15 (ESV)

The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.

What did Adam do in the garden?

Work.

Do you think that work is good or bad? Why?

There will be work in heaven!

What’s the point of boundaries? What does it reveal about God that He give us boundaries?

Boundaries are meant to protect. It reveals that God is a loving Father who wants to protect His children.

Why do we sometimes struggle to submit to God’s authority?

Because of sinful flesh we are prone to temptations.

How can boundaries actually lead to freedom?

The boundaries of God gives you the ability to enjoy thousands of wonderful fruit from his trees but sin enslaves you to one tree. Which is freedom? The ability to choose from thousands or one?

Students you need to see God’s commands to you in the bible

not as mere rules

like a dumb rule at school.

But as beautiful

and perfect boundaries

that allow you to enjoy

life more.

Psalm 119:47 (ESV)

for I find my delight in your commandments, which I love.

1. God’s boundaries are good

Genesis 3:1–7 “Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ” Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.”

How did Satan distort God’s Words in v.1?

He questioned God’s truthfulness.

Did God really say?

Also someone read Genesis 2:16–17 “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.””

And someone read Genesis 3:1 “Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?””

Does anyone see any differences between what God commanded and what the serpent said?

God said you can eat from all the trees except one.

Satan said you can’t eat from any tree.

Satan tries to make God’s laws seem enslaving.

When Satan’s laws

are the ones that are actually enslaving.

Also note

that Satan did not

once

use God’s name

LORD.

He says only God

to remove

the personal relationship

that you have with God.

How do you see God’s Word being distorted in society? Why does culture reject its authority?

People living together

Compare

Genesis 2:9 “And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food.

to

Genesis 3:6 “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.”

Anyone see anything interesting?

God made all the thousands of trees beautiful

but the lie made Eve look at only one.

One way to overcome temptation students

is to open your eyes

and see

all the wonderful things

that are not sinful

that you can do!

You can do anything else

but that one sinful action!

Be grateful of the freedom

God gives you to do.

Of God’s creatures which are made in God’s image?

People.

Not animals.

Not the snake.

God gave people the authority over animals.

Whose authority did Adam follow?

An animal!

God gave people a command to be in authority

over animals

but instead

the animal was in authority over them.

When has Satan caused you to doubt one of God’s commands?

2. Believing God’s Word Helps us avoid sin