(HS) Week 2: Very Good

Scripture: Genesis 2:4-25

Main Theme: Human Identity, Work, & Relationships

Big Idea: God made us on purpose for real relationships—with Him, others, and the world.

Introduction:

If you could design the perfect life for yourself, what would it include?

What relationships, what kind of work, what kind of environment would make you feel most alive and fulfilled?

You might be surprised to know that God has already designed the perfect life for humanity.

In Genesis 2, we get an intimate, close-up look at God's original design for human flourishing. This isn't just ancient history - it's the blueprint for what we're all searching for today. God’s design is beautiful and it is what our souls need.

Think about it. No shame, no guilt, no sorrow, just joy in community doing what God made you for. All for His glory and our good. It is the perfect picture of enjoyment. One God still wants this for you and I.

Tension:

Why do you think so many people today struggle with questions like:

"Who am I really?"

"What's my purpose?"

"Why do I feel so lonely even when I'm surrounded by people?"

We live in a culture that tells us to "find ourselves" and "create our own identity." But what if the key to knowing who we are isn't found by looking inward, but by understanding how God designed us?

What if our deepest longings for meaningful work and authentic relationships point us back to something we've lost?

Big Idea:

God made us on purpose for real relationships—with Him, others, and the world.

Challenge:

What if the restlessness in your heart isn't a problem to solve, but a compass pointing you toward the life God designed you for?

Truth:

Context Setting

Genesis 2 gives us a different perspective than Genesis 1. Where Genesis 1 shows us the big picture of creation, Genesis 2 zooms in like a camera lens on humanity's unique place and purpose.

Read Genesis 2:4-7

Genesis 2:4–7 ESV

4 These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens. 5 When no bush of the field was yet in the land and no small plant of the field had yet sprung up—for the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the land, and there was no man to work the ground, 6 and a mist was going up from the land and was watering the whole face of the ground— 7 then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.

Key Observations:

God forms humanity from dust - we're earthy, grounded, humble

God breathes into us His own breath - we're spiritually alive, connected to God

We become "living beings" - both physical and spiritual, unique in all creation

Discussion Questions:

What does it mean that God "formed" us rather than just speaking us into existence?

Why do you think God used dust and breath? What does this say about human nature?

How does this challenge both materialistic views (we're just matter) and dualistic views (spiritual is good, physical is bad)?

God Gives Us Meaningful Work (Genesis 2:8-17)

Read Genesis 2:8-17

Genesis 2:8–17 ESV

8 And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. 9 And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 10 A river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and there it divided and became four rivers. 11 The name of the first is the Pishon. It is the one that flowed around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12 And the gold of that land is good; bdellium and onyx stone are there. 13 The name of the second river is the Gihon. It is the one that flowed around the whole land of Cush. 14 And the name of the third river is the Tigris, which flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates. 15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, 17 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.”

Key Observations:

God plants a garden specifically for humanity

Work comes BEFORE the fall - it's not a curse, it's a calling

"Till and keep" literally means "serve and guard" - priestly language

We're given both freedom (eat from every tree) and limits (one tree forbidden)

Discussion Questions:

How does this change your view of work and school?

What does it mean that our work is supposed to "serve and guard" creation?

Why do you think God gave both freedom AND boundaries?

How might work be different before sin entered the picture?

God Creates Us for Community (Genesis 2:18-25)

Read Genesis 2:18-25

Genesis 2:18–25 ESV

18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” 19 Now out of the ground the Lord God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. 20 The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. 21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. 22 And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. 23 Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” 24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.

Key Observations:

"Not good to be alone" - the first "not good" in creation

Adam names the animals but finds no suitable companion

God creates woman as "helper" (Hebrew: ezer - strong ally, not subordinate)

"Bone of my bones, flesh of my flesh" - finally, someone like me!

"One flesh" - complete unity and vulnerability

Discussion Questions:

What was unique about Adam's aloneness that we've never experienced?

Why wasn't relationship with God enough? What does this say about human community?

How does the word "helper" (ezer) challenge stereotypes about gender roles?

What does "naked and not ashamed" tell us about authentic relationship?

Application:

Identity

Where are you currently looking to define who you are?

Social media likes?

Academic achievement? Friend groups?

Athletic performance?

What would change if you truly believed you were:

Formed personally by God

Given His breath of life

Created for a unique purpose

Work/Purpose

How do you currently view school, work, or your future career?

What if every assignment, every job, every skill you develop could be a way to "serve and guard" God's creation?

How might this change your attitude toward your responsibilities this week?

Relationships

Where do you experience loneliness or shallow relationships?

What would "naked and not ashamed" vulnerability look like in your friendships?

How can you move beyond surface-level connections to deeper community?

Landing:

God didn't just create us and leave us to figure it out. He gave us identity (dust + breath), purpose (meaningful work), and community (authentic relationships).

These aren't burdens - they're gifts that lead to human flourishing.

Which of these three areas feels most challenging or exciting to you right now? What would it look like to trust God's design for your life this week?

Big Idea (Again):

God made us on purpose for real relationships—with Him, others, and the world.

Pray:

Ask God to help the students:

Thank God for forming them personally and breathing His life into them.

Ask Him to help them see their work/school as meaningful service to Him and His creation.

Pray for wisdom to build authentic, vulnerable relationships.

Ask for courage to trust His design for their life over culture's messages about identity.