The Beginning: Genesis 2:8-17
“8 The Lord God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed. 9 Out of the ground the Lord God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”—Genesis 2:8–9, NASB 95
“15 Then the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. 16 The Lord God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; 17 but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”—Genesis 2:15–17, NASB 95
“7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.”—Revelation 2:7, NASB 95
“12 “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” 14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. [1]”—Revelation 22:12–14, NASB 95
We all want to really live. That’s where the agreement usually ends. How do we do that, and what does it mean? Our study of Genesis today answers that question by going back to God’s design. We learn how our existence began and how God will be it full circle at the end of the age.
“15 Then the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. 16 The Lord God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; 17 but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”—Genesis 2:15–17, NASB 95
“7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.”—Revelation 2:7, NASB 95
“12 “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” 14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. [1]”—Revelation 22:12–14, NASB 95
We all want to really live. That’s where the agreement usually ends. How do we do that, and what does it mean? Our study of Genesis today answers that question by going back to God’s design. We learn how our existence began and how God will be it full circle at the end of the age.
Discussion Questions
1. Russell used the phrase “there is life, and then there is LIFE” to describe what the Tree of Life offered. Here are some of the passages used to show the LIFE that God offers (John 3:16 and John 10:10). Can you think of other passages? Are there times when you have experienced abundant life and times when you have not? What are some things that help us enjoy the abundant life today?
2. The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil gives mankind a choice. Will they find the knowledge they need from God, or will they find that knowledge in the tree that has been prohibited? In other words, will they take the shortcut and get this knowledge their way? How is that decision before us? Give some specific examples of how we either trust God or trust ourselves.
3. At Faith Bible Church, we affirm the free will of mankind given to us by God. We can make decisions without outside coercion. Why is this doctrine or truth so important? What does it say about us when we trust God with our free will? What does it say about us when we trust ourselves with our free will?
4. Russell mentioned 1 Corinthians 3:12-13 on Sunday. One day, as believers, we will stand before Jesus and give an account of what we did with the gospel and His grace. In eternity, there will be life, and then there will be LIFE. Revelation calls those who finish the race “overcomers,” and those overcomers get to eat from the Tree of Life. As we live with an eternal perspective and look forward to eternity and abundance in eternity, how could that motivate you each day?
2. The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil gives mankind a choice. Will they find the knowledge they need from God, or will they find that knowledge in the tree that has been prohibited? In other words, will they take the shortcut and get this knowledge their way? How is that decision before us? Give some specific examples of how we either trust God or trust ourselves.
3. At Faith Bible Church, we affirm the free will of mankind given to us by God. We can make decisions without outside coercion. Why is this doctrine or truth so important? What does it say about us when we trust God with our free will? What does it say about us when we trust ourselves with our free will?
4. Russell mentioned 1 Corinthians 3:12-13 on Sunday. One day, as believers, we will stand before Jesus and give an account of what we did with the gospel and His grace. In eternity, there will be life, and then there will be LIFE. Revelation calls those who finish the race “overcomers,” and those overcomers get to eat from the Tree of Life. As we live with an eternal perspective and look forward to eternity and abundance in eternity, how could that motivate you each day?
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