Sample Lesson

    LESSON 2:  Adam bit.  Two temptations.

Scripture:  Old Testament - Genesis 2.
  New Testament - Matthew 4.

Suggested Key Verse:  Matthew 4  10b ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’

Key Participants: 
Old Testament - God, Adam, Eve, the snake.
New Testament - Jesus, the devil.

Lesson Summary:
Genesis 3:1-3  The snake, sneakier than all other animals God had made, comes to talk to Eve about eating the fruit from a forbidden tree.
Genesis 3:4-6  The snake lies to Eve about what will happen if she eats the fruit.  But the fruit does look good and she eats some and gives some to Adam who also eats the fruit.
Genesis 3:7-8, 22  Adam and Eve realize what they have done.  They try to hide from God.  God talks to them and then sends them out of the Garden, now closed to all mankind
Matthew 4:1-4  The Holy Spirit leads Jesus into the desert so that the devil can test him.  After not eating for 40 days, the devil tempts Jesus – as God’s son – to turn the stones into bread.  Jesus responds – Food is not all that is needed; people need every word God speaks.
Matthew 4:5-7  Next the devil tempts Jesus to jump off the top of the Temple so that the angels must save him.  Jesus responds – Do not test the Lord your God.
Matthew 4:8-11  Finally the devil takes Jesus to a high mountain and shows him all the kingdoms on earth.  The devil promises to give Jesus everything if Jesus will but worship him.  Jesus responds – Worship the Lord your God and serve only him.  The devil then leaves and angels come to help Jesus.

For Discussion:  There are “temptation” stories in both the Old and New Testaments.  The stories have different results but God never abandoned the people that he created.  The tempter in each story is the same – the devil.  In the Old Testament Adam and Eve act on the temptation and lost the Garden of Eden.  After they had eaten the first apple from a forbidden tree and learned about right from wrong, why did God not want them to eat from the tree of life?  What happened to all humankind because of their disobedience?

In the New Testament Jesus refuses temptations and continues his ministry.  What is the difference?  What happened to all humankind because of human choices and disobedience?  What happened for all humankind because of Jesus’ choice?  Have you made choices you regretted?  Did you try to hide from God?  Do you believe you were forgiven?  What does this mean for you?