Prepare your heart for the Sermon by looking through these suggestions that will assist you in making the most of our time together hearing God's Word.

You will find suggestions for thinking more critically through the passage, meditating more intently on the text, and prayerfully seeking wisdom to deepen your understanding of the passage to be preached this Sunday.

Carefully Think

• This week we return to Genesis. Read again Genesis 2:1-25 and remember the focus of the chapter was not centered on man, rather the intent was to exalt the abundance of God in what he provided in creation for man. Focus in on the one commandment God gave to man in verses 16-17 and the very next verse where God completed creation with the perfect companion for man.
• Chapter 3 starts a new scene. Who are the main characters? Who is interacting with who? Try to trace out each conversation to follow the development of the scene.
• How does the woman know the commandment given to Adam? How is Word of God so crucial to the conversation with the Woman and with the serpent? In what verse do we see Adam enter the scene? When does he enter the conversation?
• How do the characters and scene change in verse 8? What is the scene change in response to? Verse 6 initiates what is commonly known as "the fall." Verse 14 follows and begins what is known as "the curse." Is there any hope found in this chapter? If so, where and how?
• Why does the chapter end with the naming of the Woman and the removal of Adam and Eve from the garden?

Prayerfully Meditate

• Examine your heart in light of Genesis 1 and 2 and the abundance of God, the single commandment of God, and the obvious design given to man and woman for their roles as created beings. How would you respond to the serpent?
• What does Genesis 3 display about human hearts and the ease to desire self over God? Prayerfully examine your heart and ask God to give you strength and endurance beyond yourself to fight our selfish pride and to submit to Him.
• The response of Adam and Eve to God in sin is characteristic of our response to sin. How often do you run and hide from God in sin instead of run to God and expose your sin to Him for to deal with the sin?
• Why does God lay down such a heavy curse upon the serpent, woman, man and creation for a single act of disobedience?