5. Share the Gospel + Life Group Discussion Questions
Week 3 • Day 5
This week, we have explored the effects of sin and the serpent kingdom that are outlined in the remaining chapters of Genesis.
So many people get tripped up about the idea of sin when having a gospel conversation. That is why we need to be prepared to give an answer for the hope that we have!
This week, we encountered two potential stumbling blocks. The first hurdle revolved around a topic called theodicy. This is a fancy word for philosophical debates around the existence of sin in God’s good world. Be sure to watch this 2-part video outlining the Christian’s answer to the problem of sin!
Second, we were introduced to the scene of Abraham offering his own son as a sacrifice. Make sure to check out the Bible project video about “the test” to learn more about how the story of Abraham and Isaac fits into the overall narrative of scripture!
The existence of sin and the serpent kingdom allows us to understand God’s pursuit of His kingdom people through Abraham! The GOOD NEWS as Christians is that God did not sit on the sidelines as we suffered. God comes down to us and begins his rescue mission. This story is not about how we accomplish salvation, but how He chooses to accomplish the gospel of the kingdom!
Share the Gospel Video:
Week 3 Life Group Discussion Questions
Icebreaker: What is your favorite part of Genesis and why?
Question: What observations / reflections / prayers stood out to you about this week?
The Kingdom Lost: Genesis 3 is unique in its acceptance of the difficult human experience of life under the kingdom of the serpent. It also explains the cause, the purpose, and the results of sin. While we may not have all the answers to explain God’s will behind the origin of sin and the serpent, we can find hope in Genesis 3 as it points us to the one thing that will give us the God-given strength we need to persevere in the midst of our current reality of sin and suffering all around us. There is hope in the good news of God’s mercy and in the one who would come to crush the serpent while allowing the serpent to bite his heel!
Question: How have you reconciled with the existence of sin in this life? How might you approach a gospel conversation differently after reflecting on all that Genesis 1-3 has to say?
The Effects of the Serpent Kingdom: In the midst of a world of sinners, there was one person who God found to be faithful towards His kingdom rule. For the first time, we see the gospel of the kingdom begin to break through as a result of Noah’s faithful actions. Unfortunately, Noah could not overcome the kingdom of the serpent. Who will be the “new Adam” who will crush the serpent and rescue, return, and restore God’s kingdom?
Question: How is God telling you to stand out amidst our current cultural environment?
Humans Take The Throne: The pattern of the serpent kingdom is rather predictable. Genesis 11 is the anti-Eden image. The tower of Babel is where humans force shalom on a community of people attempting to use the resources of God’s created place to construct their own kingdom-tower and ascend to the heavens for their own glory. Humans had abandoned God’s powerful rule in favor of ruling over themselves.
Question: In what areas of your life are still attempting to make a name for yourself on your own throne rather than trusting God? What are the distinctions between the Tower of Babel and the story of Abraham that you see?
Abraham and His Family: Abraham is called to have faith in God’s promises. Abraham’s simple act of trust in the rule of God was enough for God to bestow upon him the quality of righteousness. Amidst the chaos caused by Abraham’s serpent-like family, God continues to orchestrate events on a cosmic scale and the gospel of the kingdom begins to slowly break through Abraham and his family.
Question: In what ways do you envision your faith being used to further God’s kingdom? Answer this by addressing the framework of God’s rule, over God’s people, in God’s space! What are some of the obstacles that hold you back from this vision?
