Genesis: The Fracture - Guide

Open with Prayer

Last Sunday we celebrated Pentecost which is the celebration of the giving of the Holy Spirit.

This prayer is adapted from our Collective Prayer from our worship service:

Holy Spirit, Lord and giver of life: At the beginning of time you moved over the face of the

waters; you gave every living thing the breath of life. Come, Creator Spirit, and renew the

whole creation.

Holy Spirit, voice of the prophets: You enflame men and women with a passion for your

truth, and through them you call your people to the ways of justice and compassion.

Come, Spirit of righteousness, and burn in our hearts.

Holy Spirit, Advocate, Teacher: You speak to us of our Lord and show us the depth of his

love. Come, Spirit of truth, abide in us and lead us in the way of Jesus Christ.

Come, Creator Spirit, and make us new creations in Jesus Christ. Amen.

● Why can it be so hard to be human?

● Why can our relationship to God or others often be difficult?

The sermon was based on Genesis 3:1-7. Take time to read this. One of the points made was

that the word for “serpent” can also mean “whisper.” The serpent whispers “Did God say...?”

● Why do you suppose the serpent asks this to the man and woman? What do you make

of this question?

One of the things this question does is suggest that God is holding something from the man and

woman and they are incomplete. In essence the serpent is saying, “God is not good and neither

are you. But you could be.”

● How do you respond to this?

In the story, God seeks, calls and clothes the man and woman after their choosing against him.

Indeed, God was still for them and God is for us.

● How do you hold on to the truth that God is for you when things are hard, or other voices

say that he is not?

We hear another voice in Romans 5:18-21.

● What does this voice say is the reality? There may be several truths in these verses.

Name them all.

Close with sharing and prayer