1. Asian Fellowship teacher: Ed van Ouwerkerk Today we discuss Genesis 2 and 3

2. Last week we captured Genesis 1 There we saw that God created “in the beginning” the universe: the heavens and the earth. What was “the crown” on God’s creation? Then God spoke. Do you remember what God did in 6 days? What did God do on the 7 th day? Read Genesis 2:1-3 to find the answer. What was God’s purpose of His whole creation?

3. “ The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die." In Genesis chapter 2 God gives a detailed account of the creation of humans. Let’s read Genesis 2. The first man was created (Gen. 2:4b-7) “When the LORD God made the earth and the heavens - and no shrub of the field had yet appeared on the earth and no plant of the field had yet sprung up, for the LORD God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no man to work the ground, but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground - the LORD God formed the man from the dust” The garden, where the man could work, and instructions (Gen. 2:7-17) “Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” “A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters. The name of the first is the Pishon; it winds through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold. (The gold of that land is good; aromatic resin and onyx are also there.) The name of the second river is the Gihon; it winds through the entire land of Cush. The name of the third river is the Tigris; it runs along the east side of Asshur. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.” The man needs a companion (Gen. 2:18-25) “The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.” “ The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman‘ for she was taken out of man." For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.”

4. http://www.christiananswers.net/hope/thehope-c2.html

5. Questions about Genesis 2 “The Choice” and “the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil” Why did God give Man the ability to choose to obey or disobey God? The narrator of the movie said that the choice that Adam made was a choice with a consequence. Can you remember what the consequence was? Is the command of obedience still valid for us today?

6. Before we discuss Genesis 3 we need to know some stories, mentioned elsewhere in the Bible It’s about the rebellion of Satan and the creation of hell. God created spirit beings (or angels) before man. A chief angel wanted to be equal to God. Therefore God threw him out of heaven (Isaiah 13, 14; Ezekiel 28:17) Later this fallen angel was called Satan or the adversary, who fights against God and seeks to destroy what God has done. John 10:10 says: “ The thief (Satan) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and have it to the full ”. God has prepared hell and the lake of fire for Satan and his followers: “And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever” (Revelation 20:10)

7. Genesis 3 “the deadly disease” http://www.christiananswers.net/hope/thehope-c3.html Read Genesis 3 in English and in Chinese. How did Satan tempt Eve? How did Adam and Eve’s disobedience affect their relationship with God, to each other, and the whole world? Review Romans 5:12 for the answer. Some people believe that man is basically good. The Bible tells us that man is sinful by nature. “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Which view of the nature of man do you think better explains the history of the human race? Can you remember what the narrator in the movie said about why Adam and Eve were created? What was the first ‘result’ of the first sin?

8. Review verse 21 “The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them”. The first animal sacrifice. Does Genesis 3 talk about Jesus? Have a closer look at Genesis 3:15, where God is talking to the serpent Satan “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” Do we understand this? You need to read this as such to understand: “And I (God) will put enmity between you (the serpent Satan) and the woman (Eve), and between your offspring (all followers of Satan) and hers (all believers); he (Jesus) will crush your (Satan’s) head, and you (Satan) will strike his (Jesus’ ) heel.” This is the first promise of a Deliverer.