Read Genesis 3:1-19
As Adam and Eve enjoyed the perfection that God had created for them in the Garden of Eden, the evil one, disguised as a serpent, slithered in to tempt the woman. God had placed the man in charge but the serpent approached the woman! Through half lies and deceit, his native language, he was able to tempt the woman into taking of the fruit and eating it.
Have you ever wondered where Adam was? Have you ever wondered what he was doing while Eve was being tempted? Verse 6 answers it clearly. He was right beside her. He never said anything. He never intervened. He never drove satan out of the garden. He willingly took the forbidden fruit from her and ate it. We see the legacy of that choice today. Far too many men are keen to sit back and to be uninvolved. Far too many men are too scared to step up and to get involved in promoting what is right, good and just. Far too many men are too hesitant to lead their families in ways that right and good. Interestingly when Jesus comes onto the scene a large part of his ministry is driving out demons - something that Adam failed to do in Eden. Jesus, the second Adam, succeeds at every point where Adam failed.
But more relevant to our discussion, Adam and Eve clearly had the freedom to disobey God. They were created as intelligent beings with the ability to choose right from wrong. Even though their choice would not catch God off guard, nor would their choice frustrate God’s plans, we see that they exercised their freedom of choice. When people blame God for the ills and suffering of the world, they seem to conveniently forget that God desired perfection and goodness. It was mankind who chose to disobey God, fully cognisant of the consequences. Maybe the blame should be shifted
But blame shifting is exactly what happened. When Adam was confronted for
Again we see the legacy in our own world. Blame shifting is all too common. Even children, as soon as they know they are in trouble, look for some one else to blame. How many parents have confronted one of their children, only to have him/her point at one of their siblings.
Life in the Garden contained perfect relationships. Mankind related perfectly to God, to creation and to each other. After God’s curses in vv14-19 we see that all of man’s relationships are soiled. Mankind will struggle in his relationship with creation, with each other and with God.
But all is not lost. God has not lost the plot. God is already at work in bringing full and complete restoration.
Prayer:
Use the bible passage from today and the reading notes to write down your prayer points before you pray.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray for the ongoing ministry of MOPS. Pray for helpers that are needed, growth in numbers and for many conversions to Christ.
¥ Pray for the ministry of PlayPals, as above for MOPS but also for encouragement for the mums and kids who come along.
Word Moment:
If you don’t’ accept Genesis 1-11 as literal history you are going to have to explain the presence of evil and wickedness in some other, non biblical way. Take the easier option and believe the Bible.
1. What do you think would have happened if Adam had not blame-shifted?
2. Why do you think we are so quick to blame-shift?
3. What is a godly alternative to blame shifting?
Intro: Deep down we know right from wrong and we know that God wants us to do what’s right not what’s wrong. when we are caught out, this deep down knowledge causes us to blame shift.
Discuss some examples of when you blame shifted. Share what happened and how you feel now.
Read Isaiah 1:18
What does God want us to be doing?
What does God promise us?
Why does God want us to reason with Him here and not just confess?
Pray together that you might understand the seriousness of sin and grow in willingness to avoid it.
Intro: Blame shifting stops us blokes from standing up and being godly leaders. Deep down we know right from wrong and we know that God wants us to do what’s right not what’s wrong. when we are caught out, this deep down knowledge causes us to blame shift.
Discuss some examples of when you blame shifted. Share what happened and how you feel now.
Read Isaiah 1:18
What does God want us to be doing?
What does God promise us?
Why does God want us to reason with Him here and not just confess?
Pray together that you might understand the seriousness of sin and grow in willingness to avoid it.
No comments:
Post a Comment