Genesis
Foundation Book of the Bible
The Moral Choice
Teaching Strategy
The focus of this lesson is to understand the physical and moral environment of man. Of special note in this lesson is how God placed man in a special environment and allowed him the ability to choose. This shows how God created in man a spiritual nature and gave him the freedom to exercise it.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Know: Understand how Genesis builds faith as an inspired work of God.
- Feel: Develop an awareness of the role Genesis plays in God’s overall plan for man.
- Do: Use the information gained from Genesis to strengthen our faith.
Body of the Lesson
Discussion Questions
Below are suggested questions to use during the guided discussion portion of the lesson. There are also suggested responses to questions to help students grasp the various concepts. These are provided to assist the discussion and are not considered as “right or wrong” responses.
God has now completed creating an environment for man and has brought him to life. He now prepares a special place for Adam to live.
What is significant about the Garden?
It had everything needed to sustain life for man. It was not simply a basic life but a place that provided a perfect quality of physical life on earth.
What two specific trees were placed in the garden and what were their significance?
The tree of life symbolized spiritual truth or a source of life sustaining properties. This reinforces the view that God created man as an eternal being. God did not forbid man from eating of this tree.
The tree of knowledge of good and evil represents the results or consequences of choice. It was a physical used to exercise man's free will.
Why are the geographical properties described in Genesis 2:10-14 not present today?
The flood changed the topography of the world. Furthermore, when God banished man from the garden, He removed the possibility then and now of its discovery. It no longer exists in the form of its original creation.
God placed man in the garden to cultivate it and keep it in order to provide for his needs. This reveals one of the reasons for man's creation, which was to serve. Adam not only enjoyed the benefits of his relationship with God and the management of the garden, he also benefited by having a sense of purpose. Obeying and serving God as well as serving others gives one a complete and satisfying sense of purpose and meaning in life.
God created man as a physical creature with a spiritual nature. Man connects with God on a spiritual level. The spiritual level is expressed through man's moral nature. The foundation of the moral nature is the ability to choose.
Note: We see this in our lives today as we interact with each other. We are physically connected as fellow humans but spiritually connected by love and friendship which are emotions largely based on choice.
This demonstrated Adam's dominion over the creation. It also showed Adam that there was no suitable companion for him. It awakened him to a need for companionship with his own kind. It further showed another characteristic of being created in the image of God; our intelligence. God not only allowed us choice but allows us intelligence to reason and make good choices. Our challenge is to choose according to God's will.
Other items of note:
- Adam was created with intelligence and the ability to communicate
- Adam recognized the role of animals
- Adam was created superior to the animals.
This creates a unique relationship between them. They are not two separate creations as much as interrelated creations. Eve represents a completing process. God recognized the value of companionship. Perhaps this was also indicative of the special nature of God. We see God as a triune God with a dynamic and pluralistic inner nature. Thus, the statement that it is not good for man to be alone suggests that in marriage, man and woman most resemble God's complex being.
From the details of Adam's creation, the garden and Adam's role, we see God's love and desire for a special relationship with His creation. It was God's intent that this relationship be close and purposeful. Jesus was there at our original creation and is now a part of our recreated spiritual life (Romans 6:1-11). Just as with Adam, we make the choice in reestablishing this relationship. We must use our intelligence, therefore, to choose wisely.