Genesis starts off with an incredible account of the wonderful creation of our planet and the beginning of mankind. God Himself considers the work good. However, quickly into the story we see so much go very wrong. We encounter deceit and betrayal and watch as all humanity chooses independence from their Creator. This is colossal fall of man impacts everything that God had made and Genesis 3 ends with a seemingly hopeless future. Today, we look to God's response to man's failure and look for a new Hope. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1) Have you ever felt like everything was against you? Have you ever wondered why life is just so difficult? What are some of the specific thoughts that you have had that point to a resistance to your efforts? 2) How does understanding the Fall of man better explain the challenges, difficulties, and resistance we face in our daily lives? 3) When you encounter Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden what do you notice about what they have access to? How do you envision their days considering that all their needs are met? 4) We learned today that Adam and Eve had roles to fulfill in the Garden. They were caretakers and meant to accomplish the work of spreading Eden further and further. How does this idea change or challenge what Adam and Eve were doing in the Garden? 5) We are introduced to the deceiver taking on the form of the serpent and deceiving Eve and causing Adam and Eve to disobey God and eat of the forbidden tree. How come this is such a betrayal? Remember that their roles are priestly roles, but they become convinced of abandoning their roles in order to be “like God.” How does this change the nature of their purpose? What consequences follow their actions? 6) When all seems hopeless and Adam and Eve recognize their nakedness and go into hiding, God responds by looking for them. What does this act of God seeking Adam and Eve after they disobeyed Him say about the nature of God? 7) When God banishes them from the Garden, how can this be viewed as an act of grace? What did we learn today that shows God’s redemptive plan for mankind? How does this provide for us hope in a fallen world? Read 1 Peter 2:9-10 and consider how you have been chosen and are now called as a believer to do God’s work.