LIGHT FOR MY PATH

YOUTH BIBLE STUDY COURSE

Lesson 5: Our Great Need

Download and Print Lesson with Questions

In our last lesson we saw how sin entered the world, and how Satan came to make this earth his headquarters. In this lesson we will look at the effect that sin has had on man, and of God’s solution to the problem of sin. God took a very personal interest in us. John 3:16 tells us: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Be sure to memorize this important verse! There was no greater or more special gift that He could have given us than His Son. We are very important to Him. Remember to kneel and ask for special help as you study!

Man’s Garden Home

1. Out of what did God make man? Genesis 2:7.

"And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul."

Note: It was the breath that God breathed into man that made him a living soul. Notice that it is Breath of Life + a body that make a living soul. A soul is not something separate from a body.

2. In whose likeness did God make Adam? Genesis 1:26. I

"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth."

3. How did God create Eve? Genesis 2:21, 22.

"And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; and the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man."

Note: In taking a rib from man’s side, God created the first woman to be a wife for Adam. If God had taken a bone from Adam’s foot, many would have thought that this meant man was above woman. Instead God took a bone from Adam’s side. In doing this, He showed that it was His plan for the father and mother in a home to stand side by side and love and help each other, and that even though they were separate people, they were as one flesh.

4. What was man’s position in relation to all the other animal life? Genesis 1:26, 27.

"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."

Note: Just as Adam and Eve were to be obedient and obey God and God loved and cared for them, so the animals, birds, and fish were all subject to them and they were to love and care for them.

5. What place did God give to Adam and Eve for their home? Genesis 2:8, 9, 15.

"And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it."

Note: Can you think of any more wonderful place to have a home beautiful garden with all kinds of lovely trees and beautiful flowers. The animals, birds, and fish were all perfect. There was no sickness, sorrow, or pain, and the animals were friendly and not afraid.

6. What special warning did God give to Adam and Eve? Genesis 2:16, 17.

"And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."

Note: The Lord God had given Adam and Eve so many good things. There was nothing that they needed that God hadn’t already given them. They had millions of trees they could eat as much as they wanted from. There was just one thing in the whole garden that God withheld from them the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

7. What did God tell Adam would be the result of eating of the fruit of this tree? Genesis 2:17.

"But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."

You may ask, "Why did God put such a tree as that in the beautiful Garden of Eden?" Satan had accused God of forcing others to obey Him and he had said that no one would obey God if they had the chance to choose for themselves. The tree of knowledge of good and evil was a test to see if Adam and Eve would choose to be loyal to God and obey Him, or if they would choose to rebel and disobey, as did Satan in Heaven. Just as with Adam and Eve, every boy and girl is tested to see if they will obey God, or if they will follow Satan and disobey. God does not force anyone to do right, He gives us freedom of choice.

Man’s First Sin

How long Adam and Eve lived in their garden home, we don’t know, but one day, Eve found herself standing right beside the tree, from which God had warned them that they were not to eat. Suddenly, Eve heard a voice speaking to her.

8. Who did the serpent tell Eve she would be like if she disobeyed God and ate the fruit? Genesis 3:5.

"For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil."

Note: Notice very carefully what the serpent is saying to Eve. He is telling her that God has kept something very good away from them, but that by disobeying, they will be able to have this good thing.

9. Who was the serpent? Revelation 12:9.

"And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."

Note: The serpent hiding in the tree was none other than Satan, who had been cast out of heaven. Oh, what a deception! If Eve had only realized that it was Satan who was tempting her, seeking to deceive her! But she didn’t realize it was Satan, and believed him.

But even so, she chose to doubt God Who had given them nothing but good, and believe the words of a stranger who had done nothing for her at all. Satan lied about God and told Eve that God was keeping something from them. Eve chose to rebel, and disobeyed the Creator, and ate the fruit, joining sides with the enemy—Satan.

Adam was not tricked like Eve was, but he decided to join Eve in her rebellion and disobedience.

Satan had spoken through the beautiful serpent, telling Eve that nothing bad would happen if they disobeyed God. He told them that they would never die. He lied, and he still lies when he comes to boys and girls in the same way. He tries to make them believe that their parents don’t really love them, or that they don’t understand them, and that the rules their parents have just get in the way of having a good time. He wants them to believe that there is something good to be gained by disobeying.

10. How does the fifth commandment tell us we should treat our parents? Exodus 20:12.

"Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee."

Note: We cannot honor our parents unless we obey them. This is so important that right in this commandment there is the promise of a blessing to those children who do honor their parents. This is the only commandment that has a promise of blessing for obeying as a part of it.

11. Who is our master? Romans 6:16.

"Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?"

Note: Yes, that’s right, whomever we obey, reveals who our master is. Satan deceived Adam and Eve and they chose to follow his suggestion, rather than Gods command. Satan now claimed that he was the rightful ruler of this world, and that Adam and Eve were his subjects. He stole man’s right to rule the earth.

The Promise of a Savior

12. As the Lord came down to talk with Adam and Eve that evening, what message of hope did He bring? Genesis 3:15.

"And I will put enmity between thee [the serpent] and the woman, [God’s people] and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy [Satan’s] head, and thou shalt bruise his [Jesus’] heel."

Note: This verse is a little difficult to understand. But the words in brackets will help you to see about whom God is talking. This is a promise that a future Son of Adam and Eve would crush the head of Satan. Although it is stated that Satan would bruise that Son—a prophecy, foretelling the sufferings of the promised Savior—the final victory of Christ over Satan is assured, for He (Christ) shall crush the head of Satan.

13. When was the plan for saving man made? Revelation 13:8.

"And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world."

Note: Jesus is called "the Lamb of God." See John 1:29; Revelation 13:8. A foundation is something you must lay before you can start to build something. When it speaks of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, it means that before there was a world in place, God had a plan for saving man if he should yield to temptation and sin. Jesus would come and give His life to pay the penalty in man’s place.

The Savior Arrives!

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save his people from their sins."

Note: We know that death is the result of sin. Many people read this verse and think that Jesus came to save them from death, but that is not what it says. Oh yes, He comes to give us life, but we can’t have eternal life if we keep on sinning. He also came to set us free from the chains of continuing to sin. Isn’t that a wonderful promise?

15. When Jesus was baptized, what very public proof was given that He was the Son of God? Matthew 3:17.

"And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

Note: Jesus was baptized and anointed by the Holy Spirit before He began to preach, teach, or heal the sick. During the next three and a half years He went everywhere preaching to the people and calling them to forsake their sins.

16. How far does Jesus want to take our sins from us? Psalm 103:12.

"As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us."

Note: Isn’t this a wonderful promise? If He had said "as far as the north is from the south" we could have measured the distance. There is a point that is as far south as you can go, and if you go north, you will come to a point where you can go no further north. It is not this way, however, when you travel east or west; there is not a point at which you have gone as far east as you can go and can’t go in that direction any further.

Jesus’ Death on the Cross

17. How did the people treat Jesus when He came to the end of His work for them? Matthew 27:1, 35.

"When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots."

Note: The most terrible crime ever committed was when Jesus was crucified! All His life He had done only good, never once did He do anything unkind or wrong. He was more innocent than the sweetest child you could imagine. But they nailed those loving hands to the cross and took away they only possession He had on earth—the cloths on His body—and fought over who would get them!

This is the saddest picture in the world! The religious leaders of that day hated Jesus because He pointed out sin in their lives. They were also jealous because the people loved to listen to Him. So they nailed Him to the cross. They did not realize that by His death on the cross, Jesus would be able to save all who would come to Him for forgiveness and salvation. Jesus volunteered to die in man’s place, that all who believe on Him, and take hold of His strength to obey Him, can be saved.

18. After His death and resurrection what power was given to Jesus? Revelation 1:18.

"I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."

Note: When we worship Jesus, we are following the One who, by His great love, seeks to draw us back to loyalty to God. Those who respond to this love, choosing to become obedient and faithful to Him, He will redeem from the grave.

19. What will Jesus do with our sins if we will only confess them? 1 John 1:9.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Note: What a wonderful promise! No matter how dark your past sins may have been, if you are willing to take them to Jesus, He will pardon them all, and will save you.

There is a second part to this promise too. Did you notice that along with the promise of forgiveness is the promise to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Jesus doesn’t just offer us forgiveness, and then leave us in the same old condition to go right back to sinning. He promises that He will cleanse us of all our old sinful ways and give us a new heart (mind) that loves to obey Him.

20. Where did Jesus tell His disciples He was going? John 14:2.

"In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you."

Jesus is now with His heavenly Father making preparations to return and gather all His faithful ones. He will take them to be with Him. Just think of it! No more sickness and no more death—but eternal life in heaven with Him! Jesus is waiting for you to give your heart to Him now. He longs to forgive you and save you from sin; and if you will come to Him, He will at last take you to be with Him, and give you a place in that heavenly home.

Won’t it be wonderful to live with Jesus in heaven, where there is no sorrow, or sickness, or death? Will you pray now, asking Jesus to come into your heart and forgive your sins. He has promised that when we ask for forgiveness, that He will not only forgive us, but cleanse us from all our sinful ways. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 He is there waiting just for you to ask Him to come and live in your heart.

Next Lesson: