Sabbath School Lesson - The Reality of Freedom |
Posted: 04 Apr 2010 05:46 AM PDT Read Genesis 2:16, 17. What is implied in God's words to Adam? How is Adam's moral freedom revealed in these text God put Adam into the garden to keep it and to cultivate it but He was given specific parameters for his freedom. In the loving act of God He gave Adam a vast amount of things to choose from for His consumption but God forbade only one tree in the garden. In this we see that Adam had freedom to choose whatever tree he wanted in the garden , but there was only one tree that God did not want Him to choose. Subsequently God did not take away Adam's ability to choose what He did not want him to choose. In this passage we see our freedom because God gives us the ability to choose even the things which He does not like. We also see God's love because He does not force us to choose the things He wants. Read Genesis 3:1–6. What are the places where Eve and Adam both exercised free will? How could they at each of these stages have made better choices? What can we learn from these texts about the kind of choices we make? First we see the woman in conversation with the serpent, and this is where Eve made her first choice. She put herself on the Devils territory and sought to reason with a liar. This initial choice was her downfall. Then she make the choice of listening to the words of the serpent over the words of God. Finally she choose to use her reason over what God commanded and she choose to eat the forbidden fruit. Adam made the same choice along with his wife , even though God gave him very clear instructions. Eve rather than being beguiled by the serpent could have choose to ask her husband, or to ask God about the tree. Sometimes rather than making a rash decision it will be wise to get advice. Adam could had have made a better choice by simply trusting in God. He choose eve over obedience to God possibly because he did not trust that God could send another eve. When we don't trust God we make bad choices. What basic mistake did both Adam and Eve make? How can we, with the knowledge of their mistakes, avoid doing similar things in our own context? In what ways do we face similar temptations? Its easy to look at them and see where they messed up but we do the very same thing today. They failed to take God at His word. God will do exactly what He says He will do. We must learn to trust in God and to not doubt His word. This simple lesson will save us from many headaches. Prayer: Father thank you for the gift of choice. Sometimes we abuse this gift , but please purify out choices make us more faithful and true. Thank you for all that you have done. In Jesus name Amen. |
You are subscribed to email updates from Sabbath School Lesson Blog To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 |
0 comments:
Post a Comment