Chapter Summary

Temptation of Eve and entrance of sin into the race. God's cove nant with fallen man and the expulsion from Eden.

Discussion Questions for Genesis, Chapter 3

1. Why do you think the serpent approached the woman first to deceive in Genesis 3? Does this truly represent a difference in the genders, one being weaker and the other stronger? Why or why not?
2. In Genesis 3:1-3, the serpent and the woman are discussing the directions God gave Adam concerning not to eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. What is the significance that neither the serpent nor the woman names the tree that they are not to eat of? Why is it important to study God's Word and His commands?
3. Genesis 3:6, the woman sees all of the aesthetic qualities of the tree and the knowledge she will gain, as the serpent says in verse 5, to be like God. Why does the woman want to receive these qualities? What does she feel she is lacking? How are these desires similar in all of us? Have you acted on these desires? What were the results of your actions?
4. Before she eats of the fruit, the woman has not received her name yet. Adam had received his name from God. Whose responsibility was it to name the woman? Why is it significant she had not received her name before the fall?
5. Genesis 3:6 states, "she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate." If Adam is with her, why doesn't he stop the woman from eating since he received the original instruction from God? How does this event reflect the need for strong leadership from the husband in the marriage? When is the appropriate time for the wife to take leadership in the marriage? Who is more to blame for the fall of mankind, the man or the woman? Why?
6. What is the significance that the first thing that Adam and the woman recognize as being evil after eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil is nakedness? How does this recognition relate to our society's struggle with pornography? Do you agree that the nakedness of the human body is evil? Why or why not?
7. When the Lord comes visiting the garden in Genesis 3:8 and asks Adam if he ate of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, Adam blames the woman and the woman then blames the serpent. This is passing the blame instead of taking ownership of one's actions. How does this affect Adam's relationship with God? How does not confessing our sins, our mistakes affect our relationships with others? How does it affect our relationship with God?
8. Genesis 3:15 reads, "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring[a] and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” This is the judgement God places on the serpent. The reference to the woman's offspring is Jesus and he shall bruise your head and you shall bruise his heel refers to a future event. What is the future event and how does Jesus bruise the serpent's head? How do you think believers interpreted this prophecy before the time of Christ? How was Christ's death on the cross and resurrection a death blow to satan?
9. Children of Israel are directed to offer unleavened bread when making a grain offering because leaven affects the entire loaf. Twice in Leviticus 7:20-21 says that a person with uncleanness in or on him and eats the sacrifice, he is to be cut off from the people. This was to be done literally during the time of the law. However, what does this say about the influence of others on our life and how are we to respond to a negative influence? How does this affect our concept of grace?
10. God makes Adam and Eve garments from skins to cover their nakedness in Genesis 3:21. How does this act foreshadow the temple sacrifice system and Christ's death on the cross? God initiated killing the animals for the skins to cover Adam and Eve. How does this reflect God's desire to forgive mankind of their sins?

Key Words/Phrase

Serpent, v. 1.

Characters

God, Satan, Adam, Eve.

Strong Verse(s)

9, 15, 19, 22, 23.