Eve — Victim or Vixen? Thursday, September 8, 2016
Read Genesis 1 - 3.
Before you begin:
Before you begin:
Consider the title of our study: “The People of God — Lessons from Them Back Then For Us
Here Now.” What are your personal expectations and goals for Bible Study this year? What will
you commit to do this year to see that happen? Write out your goals/commitments and put
them in your Bible.
Day One:
Genesis 2:18 and 2:20 refer to God’s stating that Adam was alone and was in need of a “suitable helper.” What do you think God’s original intention was for the relationship between man and woman/husband and wife? How has our current culture changed or distorted His original plan? How do you feel about being a “helper”?
The word “helper” has a negative connotation in our society. As Christian women, how do we help others in our sphere of influence reframe that picture? Find an analogy or a scripture reference where a helper is as important as the head.
Read Genesis 2:22 - 25. Why do you think God created Eve from one of Adam’s ribs and not the dust? What do you think the rib symbolizes? Consider the literal and spiritual qualities of the rib and share what you think His purpose was. How does this impact your identity as a female, and if you are married, as a wife?
Day Two:
Genesis 3:1 says, “Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals God had made.” Using your own understanding of God’s word and your imagination, tell the story of Eve’s deception as you imagine it. Describe your picture of the serpent. How would you explain this crucial moment in history (the fall of man) to a skeptic or an unbeliever?
Consider Genesis 2:15 - 17 where God gives Adam instruction about the tree prior to creating Eve. Was it Eve’s responsibility to defer to her husband on the question Satan was asking since she didn’t have first hand knowledge of God’s command? How have you experienced trouble or conflict from second hand information? Give an example. Where do you think Adam was during this interchange between the serpent and Eve?
Why do you think the serpent spoke to the woman and not the man? Write out exactly what Satan asked Eve. How does the serpent’s question (and her response) set Eve up to fall into temptation? How do we ask ourselves the same question when we attempt to justify our own behaviors and desires?
Day One:
Genesis 2:18 and 2:20 refer to God’s stating that Adam was alone and was in need of a “suitable helper.” What do you think God’s original intention was for the relationship between man and woman/husband and wife? How has our current culture changed or distorted His original plan? How do you feel about being a “helper”?
The word “helper” has a negative connotation in our society. As Christian women, how do we help others in our sphere of influence reframe that picture? Find an analogy or a scripture reference where a helper is as important as the head.
Read Genesis 2:22 - 25. Why do you think God created Eve from one of Adam’s ribs and not the dust? What do you think the rib symbolizes? Consider the literal and spiritual qualities of the rib and share what you think His purpose was. How does this impact your identity as a female, and if you are married, as a wife?
Day Two:
Genesis 3:1 says, “Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals God had made.” Using your own understanding of God’s word and your imagination, tell the story of Eve’s deception as you imagine it. Describe your picture of the serpent. How would you explain this crucial moment in history (the fall of man) to a skeptic or an unbeliever?
Consider Genesis 2:15 - 17 where God gives Adam instruction about the tree prior to creating Eve. Was it Eve’s responsibility to defer to her husband on the question Satan was asking since she didn’t have first hand knowledge of God’s command? How have you experienced trouble or conflict from second hand information? Give an example. Where do you think Adam was during this interchange between the serpent and Eve?
Why do you think the serpent spoke to the woman and not the man? Write out exactly what Satan asked Eve. How does the serpent’s question (and her response) set Eve up to fall into temptation? How do we ask ourselves the same question when we attempt to justify our own behaviors and desires?
Day Three:
Genesis 3:6 begins, “When the woman saw,...” How can our looking at what we don’t have, or can’t have, cause us to sin? Where is your focus right now? Is there something in your sight that is causing temptation to doubt God’s promises for you?
2 Corinthians 11:3 says, “But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may be led astray form your pure and sincere devotion to Christ.” What steps could Eve have taken after being tempted by Satan to prevent her from falling into sin? What pattern can you establish to prevent your temptations leading to action? Give a practical example.
Day Four:
Why do you think God placed the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil in the garden if He didn’t want them to eat it? Is Eve to blame or is she a victim? Did God create sin? Give verses to support your answer.
The command for Adam and Eve was not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. How can the pursuit of knowledge be destructive? Aren’t we called to be knowledgable and learn? How is the line crossed when we try to know what only God is meant to know? What are some examples of knowing too much, or when too much information is harmful?
What do we do with our questions that we desperately want answered? See Colossians 2:2-3.
Day Five:
Genesis 3:16b - 17 says, “Your desire will be for your husband and he will rule over you. To Adam He said, Because you listened to you wife,...” What does this really mean? Explain how these consequences for the woman and the man correlate and how you see that played out on your own relationship with your spouse if you are married. How does this cause you to consider the impact your words have on the men in your life?
Read 1 Timothy 2:13 - 15. Explain what you think this means. Why is Eve called out in this passage for becoming a sinner? How are women saved through childbearing? What does it mean to continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety?
Day Six:
Like Eve, we as Believers have to wrestle with our own personal temptation to believe or not believe our Creator. Take some time to ponder this question: Do YOU REALLY trust God? Are there areas where you seemingly maintain control? Are there situations you fear trusting Him completely?
Bonus Question just for fun: (This is not clearly spelled out in the Bible)
Genesis 3:6 begins, “When the woman saw,...” How can our looking at what we don’t have, or can’t have, cause us to sin? Where is your focus right now? Is there something in your sight that is causing temptation to doubt God’s promises for you?
2 Corinthians 11:3 says, “But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may be led astray form your pure and sincere devotion to Christ.” What steps could Eve have taken after being tempted by Satan to prevent her from falling into sin? What pattern can you establish to prevent your temptations leading to action? Give a practical example.
Day Four:
Why do you think God placed the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil in the garden if He didn’t want them to eat it? Is Eve to blame or is she a victim? Did God create sin? Give verses to support your answer.
The command for Adam and Eve was not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. How can the pursuit of knowledge be destructive? Aren’t we called to be knowledgable and learn? How is the line crossed when we try to know what only God is meant to know? What are some examples of knowing too much, or when too much information is harmful?
What do we do with our questions that we desperately want answered? See Colossians 2:2-3.
Day Five:
Genesis 3:16b - 17 says, “Your desire will be for your husband and he will rule over you. To Adam He said, Because you listened to you wife,...” What does this really mean? Explain how these consequences for the woman and the man correlate and how you see that played out on your own relationship with your spouse if you are married. How does this cause you to consider the impact your words have on the men in your life?
Read 1 Timothy 2:13 - 15. Explain what you think this means. Why is Eve called out in this passage for becoming a sinner? How are women saved through childbearing? What does it mean to continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety?
Day Six:
Like Eve, we as Believers have to wrestle with our own personal temptation to believe or not believe our Creator. Take some time to ponder this question: Do YOU REALLY trust God? Are there areas where you seemingly maintain control? Are there situations you fear trusting Him completely?
Bonus Question just for fun: (This is not clearly spelled out in the Bible)
Do you think Adam and Eve had sex in the garden prior to the fall? If yes, do you think they
were able to conceive? How long do you think they were in the garden before they were
expelled? Why?
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