What To Do When Your World Falls Apart
What To Do When Your World Falls Apart
Genesis 3:1-13, 20-24 (NIV) 1Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” 2The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” 4“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5“For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. 8Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” 10He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” 11And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” 12The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” 13Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” … 20Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living. 21The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. 22And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” 23So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. 24After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.
Story 1: The Beginning
Question: Where in my life am I asking, “Did God really say that?”
Truth: We can’t fix or hide from sin. We can trust God and lean on him.
Proverbs 3:5-7 (NIV) Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.
Story 2: The Flood
Isaiah 43:2a (NIV) When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
Question: What loss in my life do I need to trust God with?
Truth: Sin and brokenness were not God’s idea. This life is a temporary situation.
Matthew 6:20-21 (NIV) “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Story 3: The Church
Question: When difficulty comes, where do I turn?
Truth: God does not promise understanding. He promises abundant life.
John 10:10 (NIV) “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.”
Story 4: Your Story
Question: How can I start consistently turning toward God?
Truth: Anchor his voice, pay attention, and ask to be filled.
Hebrews 12:1b-2 (NIV) And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Growing Deeper Together - Small Group Discussion
Use these points throughout the week as part of your quiet time, in your small group, or over coffee with a friend to help you apply what you learned in today’s message.
Spend time this week reviewing the questions Alyssa & Chaundel posed. Be honest with yourself about the answers and take them to God in prayer. Confess where you’re handling it on your own or not trusting him to be with you through it. Pray for the truth to sink in and ask for his help in releasing your fears to him.
Chaundel shared a life verse with us today (Luke 1:38). What scripture(s) do you hold close to your heart to give you strength, encouragement, or comfort?
- Throughout your week, read all of Genesis 3 and ask God to reveal new truths and insights to you. Use these questions from the Serendipity Bible to spark your thoughts:
- Which portion of the serpent’s statements are true, and which are false? Why do you think the serpent mixes the truth with lies?
- Compare Eve’s responses with what God actually said and did. How does Eve hedge, fixate upon, and amplify God’s commandments? How does that play into Satan’s schemes?
- How can something “good”–the beauty, nourishment, or wisdom conveyed by the fruit-be “wrong” when it feels so good? What does this imply for our “if it feels good do it” generation?
- Identity: Which character do you most identify with in this story? In what ways do you identify? What does this story say to you in your journey with God?
- Relationship: What causes you to play the blame game in your marriage or significant relationship? How can you keep this from pulling you apart?