Reflect
- Why do we value being on a first name basis in America?
- What are the benefits of emphasizing a personal relationship with God? What are the dangers of assuming a familiarity with God?
- How have you typically understood Genesis 2:4-17? What has your eye typically gravitated to seeing in Genesis 2:4-17? To the dignity of work? To the creation of man and woman? To the prohibition? To curiosity regarding the Tree of Life?
- In Genesis 1-2 we read about God’s creating a place to dwell with humanity made in his image. How does God’s intention to dwell with a holy people in a holy place help us make sense of the rest of the Bible’s story?
Remember
- What do we learn about God? What new name does Moses give to God in these verses?
- What is a covenant?
- What is the “covenant of works?" What are the terms and conditions of the covenant of works? How is even the covenant of works a display of God’s grace?
- Why does Moses give us geographical information regarding the Garden of Eden?
- Why is it important for human dignity that Adam is a real, historical person?
- Why is it important for salvation that Adam is a real, historical person?
- What made Eden a temple? In other words, how is the Garden of Eden able to be compared to the Tabernacle?
- What job was Adam given in Eden? Do you think he did a good job as a priest?
- What does it mean for Eve to be a helper?
- What was the prohibition regarding the tree of the knowledge of good and evil really about? Is it about eating a piece of fruit? How would you explain God’s purpose for the tree of the knowledge of good and evil?
- How is Christ a better Adam? Read Romans 5:12-21. In what ways will our eternal home be even better than Eden? Read Revelation 21-22.
Discipleship
- How could Genesis 2 help answer, “are we different from robots?"
- How would you answer someone who believes God is a cosmic party-pooper and Christianity is a straightjacket?
- What are the racial implications that all humans come from one man?
- How would you answer someone that says, “That’s not fair that Adam represented me!”
- Choose one of the following sorts of people and apply how to magnify, uphold, and defend the honor and glory of God in that persons’ daily occupation: a student, a stay-at-home parent, a business owner, a medical professional, a retiree.
