The Basics of Christianity – Sin

1. Introduction

We will look at how sin came into the world and how its flow-on consequences affect us and the world around us.

Our language is constantly changing and the meaning of words are changing along with it: eg ‘wicked’ use to mean something evil but now is used by the younger generation especially as meaning something good! ‘gay’ use to only mean something happy/lighthearted but is increasingly referring to homosexuals.

What about ‘sin’? How would you describe what it means in a sentence?

2. Man’s Fall

In study 3 we looked at creation and how God planted a garden in Eden and put Adam and Eve in it.

Read Genesis 2:7-25.

What was God’s instructions as to what the man could and could not eat?

Why do you think He gave these? What if he hadn’t?

Read Genesis 3:1-6 and answer the following questions.

A. What was the serpent’s (Satan’s) strategy in tempting Eve?

B. What were the things Eve was lured by? See James 1:13-15 on temptation.

Compare these with 1 John 2:15-16.

Consider and discuss the following:

The serpent, Satan, tempted Eve by getting her to doubt God’s goodness. He implied that God was strict, stingy and selfish for not wanting to share His knowledge of good and evil. Satan made Eve forget everything God had done for her and focus on what He had forbidden. We fall into trouble too when we dwell on what God forbids rather than the countless blessings and promises God has given us. The next time you are feeling sorry for yourself and what you don’t have, consider all you do have and thank God. Then your doubts won’t lead you into sin. #

C. After Eve had sinned what did she do?

Read Genesis 3:7-13.

D. What was the result of their sin? How did they respond?

E. How did their nakedness affect them?

1. Physically?
2. Emotionally?
3. Spiritually?

F. What was their response when confronted by God about their disobedience to His command?

1. Eve?
2. Adam?

How does people’s response today when they do wrong compare with Adam and Eve’s?

How do you respond when you sin?

4. Sin’s Consequences

Read Genesis 3:14-19.

What was God’s immediate judgement for their sin?

Discuss how Eve’s punishment was related to what was unique to her eg: childbearing and Adam’s being the provider to his family.

1. What was God’s longer term judgement for their sin?
2. Read what happened even to Adam and Eve’s immediate family. Genesis 4:8
3. As the population grew so did man’s wickedness. Read Genesis 6:5-6. Discuss how God felt about it
4. How did their sin affect all of mankind? Romans 5:12, 6:23
5. What does Romans 3:9-18 tell us about the condition of every person?
6. What does “….falling short of God’s glorious standard” mean? Romans 3:23
7. Do you see yourself as having “fallen short of God’s glorious standard”? Give reasons for your answer

4. God’s Solution

God knew mankind’s hopeless position and gave a promise to Adam and Eve. Read Genesis 3:15.

Next study focuses on God’s solution to man-kind’s problem.

# Taken from “Life Application Study Bible”

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Basics, Bible Study Sin