Genesis 3:7-13 | Fall Pt 2

Intro

Today we are continuing our study of Genesis

Last week we began chapter three and we’re introuced to a new character - The serpent

This serpent would convince humans to doubt God and eat from the tree of Knowlege of good and evil.

Tonight we are going to begin to look at the consequence of this decision.

We will see that sin undoes what God has established in Creation.

Text

Genesis 3:7–13

“At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.” “Who told you that you were naked?” the Lord God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?” The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.” Then the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?” “The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it.””

Sin Leads To Shame

Genesis 3:7 “At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.”

Now that Adam and Eve have sinned shame has entered the human experience.

Remember, we are directly told before this that they felt no shame.

Genesis 2:25 “Now the man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame.”

Shame was not part of God’s orignial plan for creation.

You could argue that many of the sins we commit are to try and cover our shame.

This negative emotion that can quickly lead to negative actions.

Sin Leads to Destruction

Genesis 3:7 “At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.”

The shame they feel causes them to be fearful and fill the need to cover themselves. And I want us to notice how they cover themselves

Sewed Fig Leaves

Sewing in pre-historic times required two things - Bone (needles) & Animal sinew (Thread)

Which make us wonder, how did Adam and Eve quire bones and sinew? It would come from a dead animal.

Fig Leaves - would have to be torn apart and reconstructed.

The image we have is of Adam and Eve tearing apart God’s creation (animals & plants) to try and cover their sin and shame. Why is this significant? What was one of the original responsibility given to humanity?

Genesis 1:26 “Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.””

Humans were created to reign alongside God in caring for his good creation.

Instead of fulling this purpose, Adam and Eve and instead torn apart God’s good creation and used it in a way it was not intended.

Sin Leads to Separation Between God and Man

Genesis 3:8–10 “When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.””

No longer are Adam and Eve living in perfect connection with God.

But they have become fearful of HIm. Their sin has changed the way they see God.

No longer is God a being of love that has cared and provided for their every need.

Now to Adam and Eve, God is a person to be feared, to hide from.

Sin Leads to Separation Between People

Genesis 3:11–13 ““Who told you that you were naked?” the Lord God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?” The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.” Then the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?” “The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it.””

When Confronted with His sin what does Adam do? He blames Eve

No longer do we see the close intimacy described in Genesis 2

What were Adam and Eve instructed not to do by God?

Now there is conflict between Adam and Eve

And this will continue through their family and all of humanity.

Continuing this pattern of conflict between people.

Conclusion

The Sin of Adam and Eve lead to…

Shame

Destruction

Seperation

God & Man

People

This decision by Adam and Eve to eat form the forbidden tree, to define good and evil on their own terms, has undone God’s good creation.

Genesis 1&2 Genesis 3

Naked & No Shame Shame

Tending to God’s Creation Tearing apart God’s creation

Trust and Intimacy with God Fear of God

Connection between Humans Separation between Humans

This is why we live in the world we live in. Because Sin has corrupted what God intended to be good.

Discussion Guide | Genesis 3:7-13

Ice Breaker: Highs & Lows

Study The Text:

Read Genesis 3:17-13 and Discuss the follow Questions

How did Adam and Eve's perception of themselves change after they sinned?

What actions did Adam and Eve take in an attempt to cover their shame?

How did sin alter Adam and Eve's relationship with God?

In what ways did Adam and Eve's actions lead to conflict between them and how might this relate to conflicts we see today?

Apply The Text:

What practical steps can you take to address feelings of shame in your own life?

How does the separation between Adam and Eve reflect how sin can affect our relationships with others?

In what ways can shame from our actions affect our relationship with God?

Why is it important for you to view God not as someone to be feared, but as a loving figure?

What are some healthy ways to cope with feelings of shame rather than turning to actions that only cover it up?

In what ways can you remind yourself that your worth is not defined by your mistakes?