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A far-reaching choice...

 [WOMEN of the Old Testament] 

EVE: The first woman_ 

Genesis 3:1-13 

 
The Tempter, described as a ‘crafty serpent’ never comes to us, whispering, “I’ll teach you how to sin!” Instead, it comes in disguise. Sometimes dressed up in misquoted Bible verses... 

 
[Discussion starter] How have you experienced the Tempter using your (FOMO) fear of missing out on the good stuff of life, to trick you into listening to his lies? 

 
The Tempter knew what the issues were when he approached Eve, the first woman. He didn’t exploit her with actions, but with words. He appealed to her desire for the best in life and encouraged her to choose against her understanding of the truth... 

 

[Read Genesis 3:1-13] 

 

What do you imagine the quality of life was like in the garden where the first woman lived? 
Use the description found in Genesis 2:8-23 to unpack the details of “her world”. 

 

 

In verses 4-5, the serpent approaches the woman with a ‘harmless’ discussion about God. 
What doubts does he raise in her mind about God’s character? 

 

 

Compare the woman’s answer to the serpent’s question (v1-3) with God’s original instruction in Genesis 2:17. Why do you think she amplified the instruction? 

 
Have you ever done the same thing? Explain. 

 

 

After the serpent leaves, in verse 6, what does the woman see when she examines the forbidden tree? 

 

What was wrong with her focus? 

 

 

Do you think that the woman knew she was doing wrong when she took the fruit? 
Why or why not? 

 

How does your focus affect your awareness of whether you are yielding to temptation? 

 

 

In verses 7-13, what were the immediate consequences of her actions? 

 

 

Everything in Eden changed as a result of that choice. 
Yet, what evidence of God’s grace do you see in verses 8-13? 

 

 

It was only one tree and one little piece of fruit. 
What does Eve’s experience teach us about the far-reaching consequences of our choices? 

 

 

What strategies help you to ‘thwart’ the Tempter? 

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