Deeper Christian Life Ministry – Youth Search The Scripture For January 9, 2022 (Lesson 1034) : Topic – THE FALL OF MAN
Read previous DCLM Sunday School Manuals here
YOUTH SEARCH THE SCRIPTURE
Last Week Study: Creation and Origin of Man
SUNDAY LESSON: THE FALL OF MAN
MEMORY VERSE: “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so, death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” (Romans 5:12).
TEXT: Genesis 3:1-24; 4:1-26; 5:1-32
At creation, God in His infinite love and care placed Adam and Eve in a beautiful garden, Eden, where they enjoyed His presence, fellowship and perfect relationship. However, their intimacy and fellowship with God was shortlived when they disobeyed His command by yielding to temptation and deception masterminded by Satan. The disobedience of Adam, the first man, had grave consequences on humanity generally. God, however, intervened and held out a life- line for man.
Any act of disobedience to God’s clear commandments attracts grievous punishment, Adam and Eve were consequently expelled from the Garden of Eden underscoring the fact that we can lose any privilege through sinful acts and lifestyles. The only way to keep whatever blessing God has bestowed on us is to continue in total trust and obedience to His word. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” (Romans 5:12).
Question 1: What is the secret of keeping God’s blessings in our lives? Answer: The only way to keep whatever blessing God has bestowed on us is to continue in total trust and obedience to God’s word.
1. THE ENTRANCE OF SIN AND CURSE INTO THE WORLD
Genesis 3:1-24; Romans 5:12,14-19; Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:14-19; 1Timothy 2:14; Revelation 12:7-9,12.
Our test opens with the serpent who engaged Eve in a mischievous conversation in the Garden of Eden. His approach was subtle and designed to make her sin against God. It is important to state here that being tempted is not a sin, but yielding to it. Anyone, regardless of age, colour, race, social or spiritual status can be tempted. Even our Lord Jesus Christ was tempted.
Question 2: Explain what led to the Fall of Man. Answer: Disobedience to God’s word led to the fatal fall of man.
Question 3: How can believers avoid Satan’s deception?
Answer: Believers can avoid Satan’s deception by: (i) Refuse getting into unnecessary conversation or debate with the devil concerning God’s commandments; (ii) Refrain from listening to talks or words that contradict the Bible because they weaken godly convictions; (iii) Never loiter, either physically or in your imagination, around the things God prohibits; (iv) Do not doubt the integrity and love of God, even when you do not fully understand His dealings; and (v) Do not add to or subtract from the word of God (Proverbs 30:5,6; Revelation 22:18,19).
Christian believers should be weary of what they gaze upon, crave or desire lest the enemy makes it an object of strong temptations for them.
2. AN EMBLEM OF ACCEPTABLE SACRIFICE AND REJECTION OF CAIN’S OFFERING Genesis 4:1-26; Hebrews 11:4; Deuteronomy 15:19; Leviticus 9:3; Matthew 26:28; 1John 3:12.
After their expulsion from the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve gave birth to Cain followed by Abel. Being offspring of the fall, they were sinners. In process of time, they brought offerings to God. Cain took of his farm produce, but Abel brought a choice firstling out of his flock. In response, God accepted the offering of Abel but rejected Cain and his offering. “But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect.” (Genesis 4:5). The New Testament explains that Abel offered his sacrifice by faith and followed God’s acceptable pattern. Therefore, he was
counted righteous by God. (Hebrews 11:4; Matthew 23:35) while Cain’s offering was rejected because he approached God on his own merit and not by faith. Also, his sacrifice consisted of his own works (farm produce) instead of life wherein there is blood (Hebrews 9:22; Leviticus 17:14).
Question 4: What is the acceptable sacrifice for sin and what must sinners do to be accepted by God?
Answer: The acceptable sacrifice for sin is accepting Jesus as Lord and personal Saviour and sinners can obtained this through: (i) Realization of sinful state; (ii) Renouncing and refraining from all sins committed; (iii) Receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and personal Saviour; (iv) Remaining in the Lord till He comes.
Some people today act like Cain, they are defiant to sin; they reject God’s gracious entreaties and offer of mercy. Being often reproved, they harden their necks and would be destroyed without remedy (Proverbs 29:1). But believers are expected to be teachable, tender in heart, and be their brother’s keeper.
Question 5: How can believers be their brothers’ keepers?
Answer: Believers can be their brothers’ keepers through: (i) Purposeful visitation to see how they do; (ii) Persuading their fellow brethren to always attend weekly activities; (iii) Persistently praying for them for divine protection.
3. EXPOSITIONS ON THE GENEALOGY OF ADAM
Genesis 5:1-32; Luke 3:23-38; Romans 5:12; Ecclesiastes 3:1,2; Hebrews 9:27.
“This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him.” (Genesis 5:1). The Scripture provides a clear but concise detail of the ancestry or genealogy of the human race. The ultimate purpose of Bible genealogies is to trace the descent from Adam to Jesus Christ, the seed of the woman. Notice that the tracing of genealogies ended with that of Jesus in the New Testament. It is also plain that Bible genealogies are selective to exclude names or family lines that are not relevant to the set objective.
Question 6: Enumerate the lessons believers can draw from the genealogies of Adam.
Answer: Lesson derived as a believer is that: (i) Sin displaces and causes a person’s name to be erased from the Book of Life, just like Cain was not mentioned in the genealogy of Adam due to sin; (ii) To have one’s name written and remain in the Book of Life, one has to walk consistently with God to the very end; (iii) Another lesson learnt is that we overcome death by walking with God through faith in Jesus Christ.
Question 7: How can we recover from the Fall?
Answer: Walking with God in righteousness and true holiness till the end.