Bible ReadingGenesis 3:1–5 “Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God actually say, “You shall not eat of any tree in the garden”?’ And the woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, “You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.”’ But the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’”
[37:28] [37:37] [38:01]John 11:43–44 “When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out.’ The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Unbind him, and let him go.’”
[01:05:27] [01:05:52] [01:06:05]John 8:36 “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
[01:00:11] [01:06:20]Luke 15:11–32 “And he said, ‘There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.” And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself, he said, “How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.’” And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his servants, “Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” And they began to celebrate. Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, “Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.” But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, “Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!” And he said to him, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.”’”
[01:00:48] [01:01:32] [01:02:10]Observation questions- What wording does the serpent use to make God’s one boundary sound like a denial of all the trees in the garden? [45:53]
- What does the serpent promise Eve will happen if she eats, and how does that promise relate to being “like God”?
- In the parable of the two sons, what differences can the group observe between the younger son’s return and the older son’s response to the father’s celebration? [01:01:32]
- When Lazarus comes out of the tomb, what is already true of him, and what still needs to happen? [01:05:52]
Interpretation questions- Why is the serpent’s first move to question what God said rather than simply command Eve to disobey? How can a twisted version of God’s word sound believable? [42:07]
- Adam and Eve were already made in God’s image, yet they were tempted to reach for something the serpent claimed they lacked. What does this reveal about the way deception attacks identity? [49:39]
- The older son had remained near the father and served faithfully, but he stood outside the celebration feeling overlooked. How can good service become a way of trying to earn what the Father freely gives? [01:02:24]
- Lazarus had been called from death, yet he came out wearing grave clothes. What might the grave clothes picture in the life of a person who belongs to Christ but still struggles with shame, fear, sinful patterns, or false labels? [01:06:10]
Application questions- What are some “spam messages” that regularly crowd your mind—such as “I am not enough,” “I have no purpose,” “I will never change,” or “I have to prove myself”? What truth from God’s word speaks directly against one of those messages? [40:33]
- Where have you been tempted to see God’s boundaries as restrictions rather than loving guardrails? What good gift or protection might God be guarding in that area? [45:42]
- Is there a painful label that you have begun to treat as your deepest identity—anxiety, addiction, failure, shame, anger, depression, or something else? How does being created in God’s image and belonging to Christ speak to that label? [50:26]
- Are there good things that have become too central to your identity—serving, giving, being dependable, knowing the Bible, working hard, a job, a title, or being needed by others? How do you tend to respond when that strength is challenged or goes unnoticed? [51:39]
- Where do you feel pressure to earn God’s acceptance through better performance? What would it look like this week to live from Christ’s finished victory instead of striving for a victory He already won? [57:13]
- Which response sounds more familiar in your heart right now: the younger son receiving the Father’s mercy with joy, or the older son comparing his service with the Father’s generosity? What would help you step further into the Father’s house rather than standing outside? [01:03:05]
- What “grave clothes” may still be wrapped around your life even though Jesus has called you out of death? Is there a trusted believer, group leader, or pastor with whom you could bring that struggle into the light and ask for prayer and support? [01:06:25]
