The Games We Play

GETTING STARTED

We are people born with Adam and Eve’s problem—we rebel (sin) and then run. I am so thankful the Lord pursues us and calls, “Where are you?” Our response after sinning and running should be brokenness and acceptance of guilt, but we tend to blame somebody else. The woman you gave… the serpent deceived me. We can even begin to think it is God’s fault.

  • Can you think of a recenttime when you sinned and your first response was to cast blame or to make excuses?

READ THE WORD: GENESIS 3:9-13 (ESV)

9 But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” 11 He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” 12 The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” 13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

DIGGING DEEPER

  1. Why are Adam and Eve hiding, and from whom are they hiding?
  2. What does God do when his creation hides from him? What does that tell you about the character or nature of God?
  3. What are the questions God asked in this passage? What do they tell you about the justice and mercy of God?
  4. What answers did Adam and Eve give? Did they take responsibility for themselves?
  5. Where have you cast blame rather than admit fault and own guilt? Marriage? Parenting? Finances? Other?

RESPOND TO GOD

With an awareness of guilt and loss of innocence, Adam and Eve now felt shame. Because of rebellion, they were alienated from each other and God, so they hid. But it is foolish to try and hide from the holy hound of heaven. When we run, God runs after us and models justice as he investigates before passing sentence. God knows the answers but wants us to confess our guilt without blaming others.

  • Have a sweet time of confession before our merciful and forgiving Father today! Don’t blame others or make excuses based on circumstances. Know that God loves you and will run after you even if you have sinned against him.