God shows us mercy in our shame.
SCRIPTURE | Genesis 3:7–3:24
CENTRAL TRUTH
Genesis 3 is a pivotal part of the biblical narrative. We see the fall of humankind; Adam and Eve’s response to sin; God’s merciful response; the consequences, which spill over onto the rest of humanity; and a glimmer of the gospel (Gen. 3:15). All of this is important because, although sin led to shame and death, God showed Adam and Eve mercy.
Key question
WHAT DOES GOD’S RESPONSE TO ADAM AND EVE’S SIN REVEAL ABOUT HIS NATURE (V. 9)?
Keep in Mind
Culture often depicts God as a harsh and cranky old man who enjoys catching us in our sin and punishing us. Here’s the truth: God does hate sin, but He doesn’t hate us when we sin. Students may struggle with feeling as if God dislikes them because of how culture has shaped their view of Him. God is holy, and He must oppose sin. But we can encourage students to stop and consider that sin is what separates them from Him. God opposes the thing that keeps them from Him. So, why hide from the Lord? Why hide from the One who loved us enough to save us from eternity without Him? He isn’t harsh or cranky—He’s a good Father. He loves us, and He wants to restore us, not punish us. Sin has consequences, not because God is mean, but because He is completely just and good.
APPLICATION
WHEN HAVE YOU STRUGGLED WITH VIEWING THE CONSEQUENCES OF SIN AS TOO HARSH?
THE WIN
FOR THE STUDENT: Sometimes it’s hard for students to understand why sin is such a big deal to God. We’ve downplayed sin so much that we easily justify it. But God is holy, and we can’t enter His presence because of our sin. Sin demands sacrifice, and God allowed His own Son to be that sacrifice for us! When we take sin lightly, we make light of Jesus’s death. But here’s the gift: Jesus took all our punishment on Himself, and by His wounds and scars, we are healed (Isa. 53:5-6).
FOR THE LEADER: We have the opportunity to show students that although sin is prevalent, we can choose another way. Even when we’ve made mistakes, God has been faithful to forgive us. We can be honest and share our failures while highlighting God’s faithfulness in drawing us out of shame.
