Did He Really Say That?
The Question that Started the Questions
The Question that Started the Questions
Do you have your group of ladies together? Have you gotten you book? If not order it here, today! We are ready for our first meeting, and Kay has a great study planned, let's get right to it!
Scripture: Genesis 3:1-13:
Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’” The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings.
They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the [c]cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Then the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” He said, “I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.” And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” The man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” And the woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
Prayer:
Heavenly Father-
You are the Creator of the Universe, Master Maker of All Things. We marvel at the intricacy of our world, and all that is in it. Your attention to detail never ceases to amaze us. We are humbled by the blessings that are tucked away in discreet places, waiting for our eyes to see them. There are many things we don't understand, and a feeling of fear can enter our hearts and minds when we least expect it. What question will You ask us at those times? May we always have open ears to hear Your voice speak. In the Name of Your Son. AMEN.
A Look at Scripture:
I had never noticed, until reading this introduction, several things from Genesis 3:1-13:
1) That God likes to ask questions before He gives answers. [Gen 3:9,11]
2) That the snake didn't tell Eve to eat the fruit. [Gen 3:4-5]
3) That God never said to Adam and Eve that they couldn't touch the tree. [Gen 2:16-17]
4) That the snake just planted a seed of doubt in the mind of Eve. [Gen 3:4-5]
Discussion Questions: Use your journal to answer the questions
Page 4: The author states on this page:
Are you sure? Are you really, really sure? Because you are staking your life on a claim that you might have just misunderstood. God says He is good...is He? He tells you He has your best in mind...does He? He boasts that He is almighty, all-knowing, all together trustworthy...is He?
Re-read that first sentence in the quote - “.....every single fear comes from the lie spoken by the enemy in a garden designed to be a haven...” Doubt is the strategy that Satan uses against us, as he used against Eve. When we begin to doubt is when we open the door to fear. Take a few minutes and reflect on the recent weeks in your life. Using the lines below, write about a situation that caused you to doubt, which turned into worry or fear.
[Page 2: “We learn that Satan doesn’t have to force us to do anything sinful; he merely needs to plant a seed of doubt and let us tangle ourselves up in it.”]
We are the tightrope walker. The rope represents our life and all of its blessings, surprises, agonies, and fears. The pole reminds us that we must have something to balance out our lives when life gets shaky. That balance (pole) is Jesus Christ. We must learn to focus on using the pole to balance ourselves, and take our eyes off of the rope. Many things will come along to try to “unbalance” the pole. It’s not easy to maintain a steady grip because many things can interfere. It is a constant battle to keep our focus on balancing the pole (Jesus Christ), and not the rope (our life situation).
Question: What life situations cause you the most difficulty when it comes to keeping your focus on Jesus Christ?
As you begin this book study, it would be a good idea to make a list of those things that can trigger your worry/fear button. We all have those - some have more, some have less - but we all can fall into the trap set by Satan who can bring doubt which fosters fear and worry. Make a list of your most common triggers.
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father - “Thank you, Lord, that You are my strength. I trust You and I will not fear, for You are with me. If You are with me, who can be against me? I rejoice that You have given me a spirit of love, power, and a sound mind. I give You my fears (name them). Lord, I commit all these things to You that You would establish them and cause my thoughts to become agreeable with Your will. Thank you that You will show me the way out of anxious thoughts and give me courage. Thank you that as I make my requests known to You with thanksgiving, You give me peace in my heart and mind. You are my strength and my power.”
“Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its’ sorrows, but only empties today of its’ strength.” ~Charles H. Spurgeon
~Kay Cocklin
Scripture: Genesis 3:1-13:
Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’” The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings.
They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the [c]cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Then the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” He said, “I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.” And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” The man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” And the woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
Prayer:
Heavenly Father-
You are the Creator of the Universe, Master Maker of All Things. We marvel at the intricacy of our world, and all that is in it. Your attention to detail never ceases to amaze us. We are humbled by the blessings that are tucked away in discreet places, waiting for our eyes to see them. There are many things we don't understand, and a feeling of fear can enter our hearts and minds when we least expect it. What question will You ask us at those times? May we always have open ears to hear Your voice speak. In the Name of Your Son. AMEN.
A Look at Scripture:
I had never noticed, until reading this introduction, several things from Genesis 3:1-13:
1) That God likes to ask questions before He gives answers. [Gen 3:9,11]
2) That the snake didn't tell Eve to eat the fruit. [Gen 3:4-5]
3) That God never said to Adam and Eve that they couldn't touch the tree. [Gen 2:16-17]
4) That the snake just planted a seed of doubt in the mind of Eve. [Gen 3:4-5]
Discussion Questions: Use your journal to answer the questions
Page 4: The author states on this page:
Are you sure? Are you really, really sure? Because you are staking your life on a claim that you might have just misunderstood. God says He is good...is He? He tells you He has your best in mind...does He? He boasts that He is almighty, all-knowing, all together trustworthy...is He?
Re-read that first sentence in the quote - “.....every single fear comes from the lie spoken by the enemy in a garden designed to be a haven...” Doubt is the strategy that Satan uses against us, as he used against Eve. When we begin to doubt is when we open the door to fear. Take a few minutes and reflect on the recent weeks in your life. Using the lines below, write about a situation that caused you to doubt, which turned into worry or fear.
[Page 2: “We learn that Satan doesn’t have to force us to do anything sinful; he merely needs to plant a seed of doubt and let us tangle ourselves up in it.”]
We are the tightrope walker. The rope represents our life and all of its blessings, surprises, agonies, and fears. The pole reminds us that we must have something to balance out our lives when life gets shaky. That balance (pole) is Jesus Christ. We must learn to focus on using the pole to balance ourselves, and take our eyes off of the rope. Many things will come along to try to “unbalance” the pole. It’s not easy to maintain a steady grip because many things can interfere. It is a constant battle to keep our focus on balancing the pole (Jesus Christ), and not the rope (our life situation).
Question: What life situations cause you the most difficulty when it comes to keeping your focus on Jesus Christ?
As you begin this book study, it would be a good idea to make a list of those things that can trigger your worry/fear button. We all have those - some have more, some have less - but we all can fall into the trap set by Satan who can bring doubt which fosters fear and worry. Make a list of your most common triggers.
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father - “Thank you, Lord, that You are my strength. I trust You and I will not fear, for You are with me. If You are with me, who can be against me? I rejoice that You have given me a spirit of love, power, and a sound mind. I give You my fears (name them). Lord, I commit all these things to You that You would establish them and cause my thoughts to become agreeable with Your will. Thank you that You will show me the way out of anxious thoughts and give me courage. Thank you that as I make my requests known to You with thanksgiving, You give me peace in my heart and mind. You are my strength and my power.”
“Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its’ sorrows, but only empties today of its’ strength.” ~Charles H. Spurgeon
~Kay Cocklin