Session 3

Tempted (Genesis 3:1-5)

1 Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the wild animals that the Lord God had made.
He said to the woman, “Did God really say,
‘You can’t eat from any tree in the garden’?”
2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit from the trees in the garden.
3 But about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God said,
‘You must not eat it or touch it, or you will die.’”
4“No! You will certainly not die,” the serpent said to the woman.
5“In fact, God knows that when you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

List:

Lead the group to identify the three things the serpent said and write them on the board. (
See verses 1, 4, and 5.)

• Indeed, has God said, 'You shall not eat from any tree of the garden'?
• 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.

Lead the group to compare the serpent’s question in Genesis 3:1 with what God actually said in Genesis 2:16-17.

16 The LORD God commanded the man, saying,
"From any tree of the garden you may eat freely;

17 but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat,
for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die."

Talk about the motivations behind Satan’s questions and the nature of Eve’s response.

1. Fake innocence, testing her with a false question. Casting doubt.
2. recognized her misquoting God, and misquoted his words back with a twist.
   • Her error was on the act. Eating and touching that leads to death.
   • Satan's response focus on the result. Surely won't die.
3. eyes opened, like God, knowing good and evil.
   • God's intention was out of care and generosity.
   • Satan portrayed God as deceptive, oppressive and restrictive.

Ask:

• How are Satan’s tactics today similar to his tactics in Eden? (p. 31)

Point out that he hasn’t really changed because

Key Concept

Questioning God

The first words out of the serpent’s mouth (and the first question asked in the Bible) cast doubt on the truthfulness of God. Satan dishonestly implied that God had restricted every tree in the garden. Satan knows that if he can plant a seed of doubt about God’s goodness or the validity of His words, he has a much better chance of leading individuals into sin.

Of course, that is not what God said. He had said Adam and Eve could eat freely of all the trees but one. God was expressing great care and generosity. Satan, on the other hand, was picturing God in a negative light, suggesting He was harsh and restrictive.
he still leads people to doubt God’s words and to seek their own pleasure.

Transition:

As Eve began thinking about the serpent’s argument, she also began to look at the fruit differently.