Hebrews 1:1-2

KJV ¹ God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, ² Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; CEV ¹ Long ago in many ways and at many times God's prophets spoke his message to our ancestors. ² But now at last, God sent his Son to bring his message to us. God created the universe by his Son, and everything will someday belong to the Son.

- Lesson

Technology allows us to communicate with people who are far away, but meeting face-to-face is much more personal.

God created us for this kind of close relationship with Him.

Sin broke humanity's face-to-face communion with God, but He did not stop communicating with us.

God has spoken through prophets and most clearly through His Son, Jesus Christ – Hebrews 1:1-2

KJV ¹ God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, ² Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; CEV ¹ Long ago in many ways and at many times God's prophets spoke his message to our ancestors. ² But now at last, God sent his Son to bring his message to us. God created the universe by his Son, and everything will someday belong to the Son.
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His plan is to restore His image in us and finally restore everything damaged by sin – 2 Peter 3:13

KJV ¹³ Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. CEV ¹³ But God has promised us a new heaven and a new earth, where justice will rule. We are really looking forward to this!
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- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

The Bible reveals God's power, character, and plan for humanity.

Studying and obeying God's Word strengthens our minds and characters.

Nature also points us toward the Creator. Even though sin has damaged our world, creation still reveals God's wisdom, power, beauty, and love.

- Conclusion

God created us to know Him personally.

Although sin damaged this relationship, He continues reaching out to us and revealing Himself.

- Reflection

Why does God continue communicating with humanity after sin?

Reveal Suggested Answer

What is God's purpose in restoring us?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- SUNDAY – Communication in Eden

- Lesson

God created Adam and Eve in His own image – Genesis 1:27-28

KJV ²⁷ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. ²⁸ And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. CEV ²⁷ So God created humans to be like himself; he made men and women. ²⁸ God gave them his blessing and said: Have a lot of children! Fill the earth with people and bring it under your control. Rule over the fish in the ocean, the birds in the sky, and every animal on the earth.
..They were created to love, learn, work, and enjoy a close relationship with Him.

God also created people for relationships with each other. He said it was "not good that man should be alone" and created Eve for Adam – Genesis 2:18-23

KJV ¹⁸ And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. ¹⁹ And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. ²⁰ And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. ²¹ 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; ²² And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. ²³ And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. CEV ¹⁸ The Lord God said, “It isn't good for the man to live alone. I will make a suitable partner for him.” ^19-20 So the Lord took some soil and made animals and birds. He brought them to the man to see what names he would give each of them. Then the man named the tame animals and the birds and the wild animals. That's how they got their names. None of these was the right kind of partner for the man. ²¹ So the Lord God made him fall into a deep sleep, and he took out one of the man's ribs. Then after closing the man's side, ²² the Lord made a woman out of the rib. The Lord God brought her to the man, ²³ and the man exclaimed, “Here is someone like me! She is part of my body, my own flesh and bones. She came from me, a man. So I will name her Woman!”
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Adam and Eve could communicate directly with God.

He personally instructed them about caring for the Garden and warned them not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil – Genesis 2:15-17

KJV ¹⁵ And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. ¹⁶ And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 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. CEV ¹⁵ The Lord God put the man in the Garden of Eden to take care of it and to look after it. ¹⁶ But the Lord told him, “You may eat fruit from any tree in the garden, ¹⁷ except the one that has the power to let you know the difference between right and wrong. If you eat any fruit from that tree, you will die before the day is over!”
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They also enjoyed special time with God "in the cool of the day" – Genesis 3:8

KJV ⁸ And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. CEV ⁸ Late in the afternoon, when the breeze began to blow, the man and woman heard the Lord God walking in the garden. So they hid behind some trees.
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The Sabbath provided special time for communion with their Creator – Genesis 2:2-3

KJV ² And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. ³ And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. CEV ² By the seventh day God had finished his work, and so he rested. ³ God blessed the seventh day and made it special, because on that day he rested from his work.
; Exodus 20:8-11

KJV ⁸ Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. ⁹ Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: ¹⁰ But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: ¹¹ For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. CEV ⁸ Remember that the Sabbath Day belongs to me. ⁹ You have six days when you can do your work, ¹⁰ but the seventh day of each week belongs to me, your God. No one is to work on that day — not you, your children, your slaves, your animals, or the foreigners who live in your towns. ¹¹ In six days I made the sky, the earth, the oceans, and everything in them, but on the seventh day I rested. That's why I made the Sabbath a special day that belongs to me.
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Although our world has now been damaged by sin, nature still points us toward the God who made it.

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

Before sin, Adam and Eve saw God's wisdom and character throughout creation.

Nature was filled with lessons about Him.

Although sin has damaged the earth, much beauty remains. The trees, flowers, rain, streams, sun, moon, and stars still point us toward their Creator.

God's creation continues to reveal His love, wisdom, beauty, and power.

- Conclusion

God created Adam and Eve for close relationships with each other and with Him.

They could speak with God, learn from Him, and enjoy His presence.

Even today, creation reminds us that we were made by a loving Creator who wants a relationship with us.

- Reflection

What kind of relationship did Adam and Eve originally have with God?

Reveal Suggested Answer

How can nature still help us learn about God?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- MONDAY – Hiding From God

- Lesson

God is love, and true love requires freedom.

Adam and Eve were free to obey God or reject His command.

Read Genesis 3:1-8

KJV ¹ Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? ² And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: ³ But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. ⁴ And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 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. ⁶ And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. ⁷ And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. ⁸ And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. CEV ¹ The snake was sneakier than any of the other wild animals that the Lord God had made. One day it came to the woman and asked, “Did God tell you not to eat fruit from any tree in the garden?” ² The woman answered, “God said we could eat fruit from any tree in the garden, ³ except the one in the middle. He told us not to eat fruit from that tree or even to touch it. If we do, we will die.” ⁴ “No, you won't!” the snake replied. ⁵ “God understands what will happen on the day you eat fruit from that tree. You will see what you have done, and you will know the difference between right and wrong, just as God does.” ⁶ The woman stared at the fruit. It looked beautiful and tasty. She wanted the wisdom that it would give her, and she ate some of the fruit. Her husband was there with her, so she gave some to him, and he ate it too. ⁷ At once they saw what they had done, and they realized they were naked. Then they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. ⁸ Late in the afternoon, when the breeze began to blow, the man and woman heard the Lord God walking in the garden. So they hid behind some trees.

1. Satan Questions God – Genesis 3:1-3

KJV ¹ Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? ² And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: ³ But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. CEV ¹ The snake was sneakier than any of the other wild animals that the Lord God had made. One day it came to the woman and asked, “Did God tell you not to eat fruit from any tree in the garden?” ² The woman answered, “God said we could eat fruit from any tree in the garden, ³ except the one in the middle. He told us not to eat fruit from that tree or even to touch it. If we do, we will die.”

The serpent begins by questioning what God had said.

2. Satan Contradicts God – Genesis 3:4-5

KJV ⁴ And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 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. CEV ⁴ “No, you won't!” the snake replied. ⁵ “God understands what will happen on the day you eat fruit from that tree. You will see what you have done, and you will know the difference between right and wrong, just as God does.”

Satan tells Eve that she will not die and claims that eating the fruit will make her like God.

3. Eve Takes the Fruit – Genesis 3:6

KJV ⁶ And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. CEV ⁶ The woman stared at the fruit. It looked beautiful and tasty. She wanted the wisdom that it would give her, and she ate some of the fruit. Her husband was there with her, so she gave some to him, and he ate it too.

Eve sees that the fruit looks good and desirable, so she eats it and gives some to Adam.

4. Adam and Eve Hide – Genesis 3:7-8

KJV ⁷ And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. ⁸ And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. CEV ⁷ At once they saw what they had done, and they realized they were naked. Then they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. ⁸ Late in the afternoon, when the breeze began to blow, the man and woman heard the Lord God walking in the garden. So they hid behind some trees.

After disobeying God, Adam and Eve realise they are naked. They cover themselves and hide from God.

Satan made sin look attractive while hiding its terrible consequences.

Adam and Eve had once enjoyed God's presence, but now guilt and shame made them afraid of Him.

They tried to hide, but no one can truly hide from God – Jeremiah 23:24

KJV ²⁴ Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord. CEV ²⁴ in heaven and on earth. There are no secret places where you can hide from me.
..Everything about us is known to Him – Hebrews 4:13

KJV ¹³ Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. CEV ¹³ Nothing is hidden from God! He sees through everything, and we will have to tell him the truth.
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Sin still makes people want to hide from God today.

But hiding is not the answer.

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

Sin changed humanity's nature and caused people to hide from God.

But God does not tell guilty sinners to stay away.

Like the father welcoming his lost son home, God invites us to return to Him.

When we confess our sins and make things right where possible, we can trust God's forgiveness through Jesus.

- Conclusion

Sin produces guilt, shame, and fear.

Our natural reaction may be to hide from God, but He already knows everything about us.

Instead of running away, we can come to Him for forgiveness and restoration.

- Reflection

Why did Adam and Eve hide from God after they sinned?

Reveal Suggested Answer

What should we do when guilt makes us want to hide from God?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- TUESDAY – God Seeks Humanity

- Lesson

After Adam and Eve sinned, they hid from God.

But God came looking for them.

He called to Adam, "Where are you?" – Genesis 3:9

KJV ⁹ And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? CEV ⁹ The Lord God called out to the man and asked, “Where are you?”
..God knew where Adam was, but He wanted Adam to respond.

God took the first step toward restoring their broken relationship.

Jesus later told a story that shows this same love.

Read Luke 15:11-32

KJV ¹¹ And he said, A certain man had two sons: ¹² And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. ¹³ And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. ¹⁴ And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. ¹⁵ And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. ¹⁶ And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. ¹⁷ And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! ¹⁸ I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, ¹⁹ And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. ²⁰ And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. ²¹ And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. ²² But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: ²³ And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: ²⁴ For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. ²⁵ Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. ²⁶ And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. ²⁷ And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. ²⁸ And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. ²⁹ And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: ³⁰ But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. ³¹ And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. ³² It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. CEV ¹¹ Jesus told them yet another story: Once a man had two sons. ¹² The younger son said to his father, “Give me my share of the property.” So the father divided his property between his two sons. ¹³ Not long after that, the younger son packed up everything he owned and left for a foreign country, where he wasted all his money in wild living. ¹⁴ He had spent everything, when a bad famine spread through that whole land. Soon he had nothing to eat. ¹⁵ He went to work for a man in that country, and the man sent him out to take care of his pigs. ¹⁶ He would have been glad to eat what the pigs were eating, but no one gave him a thing. ¹⁷ Finally, he came to his senses and said, “My father's workers have plenty to eat, and here I am, starving to death! ¹⁸ I will go to my father and say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against God in heaven and against you. ¹⁹ I am no longer good enough to be called your son. Treat me like one of your workers.’ ” ²⁰ The younger son got up and started back to his father. But when he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt sorry for him. He ran to his son and hugged and kissed him. ²¹ The son said, “Father, I have sinned against God in heaven and against you. I am no longer good enough to be called your son.” ²² But his father said to the servants, “Hurry and bring the best clothes and put them on him. Give him a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. ²³ Get the best calf and prepare it, so we can eat and celebrate. ²⁴ This son of mine was dead, but has now come back to life. He was lost and has now been found.” And they began to celebrate. ²⁵ The older son had been out in the field. But when he came near the house, he heard the music and dancing. ²⁶ So he called one of the servants over and asked, “What's going on here?” ²⁷ The servant answered, “Your brother has come home safe and sound, and your father ordered us to kill the best calf.” ²⁸ The older brother got so angry that he would not even go into the house. His father came out and begged him to go in. ²⁹ But he said to his father, “For years I have worked for you like a slave and have always obeyed you. But you have never even given me a little goat, so that I could give a dinner for my friends. ³⁰ This other son of yours wasted your money on prostitutes. And now that he has come home, you ordered the best calf to be killed for a feast.” ³¹ His father replied, “My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. ³² But we should be glad and celebrate! Your brother was dead, but he is now alive. He was lost and has now been found.”

1. The Son Leaves Home – Luke 15:11-16

KJV ¹¹ And he said, A certain man had two sons: ¹² And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. ¹³ And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. ¹⁴ And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. ¹⁵ And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. ¹⁶ And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. CEV ¹¹ Jesus told them yet another story: Once a man had two sons. ¹² The younger son said to his father, “Give me my share of the property.” So the father divided his property between his two sons. ¹³ Not long after that, the younger son packed up everything he owned and left for a foreign country, where he wasted all his money in wild living. ¹⁴ He had spent everything, when a bad famine spread through that whole land. Soon he had nothing to eat. ¹⁵ He went to work for a man in that country, and the man sent him out to take care of his pigs. ¹⁶ He would have been glad to eat what the pigs were eating, but no one gave him a thing.

A younger son leaves his father, wastes everything he has, and finally becomes desperate.

2. The Son Decides to Return – Luke 15:17-20

KJV ¹⁷ And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! ¹⁸ I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, ¹⁹ And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. ²⁰ And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. CEV ¹⁷ Finally, he came to his senses and said, “My father's workers have plenty to eat, and here I am, starving to death! ¹⁸ I will go to my father and say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against God in heaven and against you. ¹⁹ I am no longer good enough to be called your son. Treat me like one of your workers.’ ” ²⁰ The younger son got up and started back to his father. But when he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt sorry for him. He ran to his son and hugged and kissed him.

He realises what he has done and decides to return home and confess his sin.

3. The Father Welcomes Him – Luke 15:20-24

KJV ²⁰ And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. ²¹ And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. ²² But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: ²³ And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: ²⁴ For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. CEV ²⁰ The younger son got up and started back to his father. But when he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt sorry for him. He ran to his son and hugged and kissed him. ²¹ The son said, “Father, I have sinned against God in heaven and against you. I am no longer good enough to be called your son.” ²² But his father said to the servants, “Hurry and bring the best clothes and put them on him. Give him a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. ²³ Get the best calf and prepare it, so we can eat and celebrate. ²⁴ This son of mine was dead, but has now come back to life. He was lost and has now been found.” And they began to celebrate.

While the son is still far away, his father sees him, runs to him, and welcomes him home with joy.

4. The Father Explains His Joy – Luke 15:25-32

KJV ²⁵ Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. ²⁶ And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. ²⁷ And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. ²⁸ And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. ²⁹ And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: ³⁰ But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. ³¹ And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. ³² It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. CEV ²⁵ The older son had been out in the field. But when he came near the house, he heard the music and dancing. ²⁶ So he called one of the servants over and asked, “What's going on here?” ²⁷ The servant answered, “Your brother has come home safe and sound, and your father ordered us to kill the best calf.” ²⁸ The older brother got so angry that he would not even go into the house. His father came out and begged him to go in. ²⁹ But he said to his father, “For years I have worked for you like a slave and have always obeyed you. But you have never even given me a little goat, so that I could give a dinner for my friends. ³⁰ This other son of yours wasted your money on prostitutes. And now that he has come home, you ordered the best calf to be killed for a feast.” ³¹ His father replied, “My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. ³² But we should be glad and celebrate! Your brother was dead, but he is now alive. He was lost and has now been found.”

The father celebrates because his lost son has returned.

Like the father in this story, God does not stop loving His children when they wander away.

He wants them to return to Him.

However, Adam and Eve were not ready to fully accept responsibility.

Adam blamed Eve and even pointed toward God for giving her to him. Eve blamed the serpent – Genesis 3:11-13

KJV ¹¹ And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? ¹² And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. ¹³ And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. CEV ¹¹ “How did you know you were naked?” God asked. “Did you eat any fruit from that tree in the middle of the garden?” ¹² “It was the woman you put here with me,” the man said. “She gave me some of the fruit, and I ate it.” ¹³ The Lord God then asked the woman, “What have you done?” “The snake tricked me,” she answered, “and I ate some of that fruit.”
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We also struggle with sin and sometimes do things we know are wrong – Romans 7:15-24

KJV ¹⁵ For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. ¹⁶ If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. ¹⁷ Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. ¹⁸ For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. ¹⁹ For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. ²⁰ Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. ²¹ I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. ²² For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: ²³ But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. ²⁴ O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? CEV ¹⁵ In fact, I don't understand why I act the way I do. I don't do what I know is right. I do the things I hate. ¹⁶ Although I don't do what I know is right, I agree that the Law is good. ¹⁷ So I am not the one doing these evil things. The sin that lives in me is what does them. ¹⁸ I know that my selfish desires won't let me do anything that is good. Even when I want to do right, I cannot. ¹⁹ Instead of doing what I know is right, I do wrong. ²⁰ And so, if I don't do what I know is right, I am no longer the one doing these evil things. The sin that lives in me is what does them. ²¹ The Law has shown me that something in me keeps me from doing what I know is right. ²² With my whole heart I agree with the Law of God. ²³ But in every part of me I discover something fighting against my mind, and it makes me a prisoner of sin that controls everything I do. ²⁴ What a miserable person I am. Who will rescue me from this body that is doomed to die?
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Our hope is Jesus Christ – Romans 7:25

KJV ²⁵ I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. CEV ²⁵ Thank God! Jesus Christ will rescue me. So with my mind I serve the Law of God, although my selfish desires make me serve the law of sin.
..God continues seeking us and offering a way back to Him.

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

Jesus invites people carrying the burden of sin to come to Him.

He understands our weakness and wants to give us peace and hope.

We do not need to stay away because we feel guilty or unworthy.

Through Scripture and the lessons God has placed in nature, He continues guiding lost people back to Himself.

- Conclusion

Adam and Eve hid, but God searched for them.

The lost son wandered away, but his father welcomed him home.

God still seeks people who have wandered from Him and invites them to return through Jesus.

- Reflection

Why did God ask Adam, "Where are you?" if He already knew where Adam was?

Reveal Suggested Answer

What does the father in the story of the lost son teach us about God?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- WEDNESDAY – Expelled From the Garden

- Lesson

Sin changed the relationship between God and humanity.

Our sins separate us from God – Isaiah 59:2

KJV ² But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. CEV ² Your sins are the roadblock between you and your God. That's why he doesn't answer your prayers or let you see his face.
..Adam and Eve were still God's children, but they could no longer remain in Eden.

Their disobedience brought pain, hard work, thorns, and eventually death – Genesis 3:14-24

KJV ¹⁴ And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: ¹⁵ And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. ¹⁶ Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. ¹⁷ And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; ¹⁸ Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; ¹⁹ In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. ²⁰ And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living. ²¹ Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them. ²² And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: ²³ Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. ²⁴ So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life. CEV ¹⁴ So the Lord God said to the snake: “Because of what you have done, you will be the only animal to suffer this curse — For as long as you live, you will crawl on your stomach and eat dirt. ¹⁵ You and this woman will hate each other; your descendants and hers will always be enemies. One of hers will strike you on the head, and you will strike him on the heel.” ¹⁶ Then the Lord God said to the woman, “You will suffer terribly when you give birth. But you will still desire your husband, and he will rule over you.” ¹⁷ The Lord said to the man, “You listened to your wife and ate the fruit I told you not to eat. And so, the ground will be under a curse because of what you did. As long as you live, you will have to struggle to grow enough food. ¹⁸ Your food will be plants, but the ground will produce thorns and thistles. ¹⁹ You will sweat all your life to earn a living; you were made out of soil, and you will once again turn into soil.” ²⁰ The man Adam named his wife Eve because she would become the mother of all who live. ²¹ Then the Lord God made clothes out of animal skins for the man and his wife. ²² The Lord said, “They now know the difference between right and wrong, just as we do. But they must not be allowed to eat fruit from the tree that lets them live forever.” ²³ So the Lord God sent them out of the Garden of Eden, where they would have to work the ground from which the man had been made. ²⁴ Then God put winged creatures at the entrance to the garden and a flaming, flashing sword to guard the way to the life-giving tree.
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They also lost the face-to-face communion with God they had enjoyed before sin.

Later, at Mount Sinai, the people could not freely approach God's presence – Exodus 19:16-22

KJV ¹⁶ And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled. ¹⁷ And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount. ¹⁸ And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. ¹⁹ And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice. ²⁰ And the Lord came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the Lord called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up. ²¹ And the Lord said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto the Lord to gaze, and many of them perish. ²² And let the priests also, which come near to the Lord, sanctify themselves, lest the Lord break forth upon them. CEV ¹⁶ On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning. A thick cloud covered the mountain, a loud trumpet blast was heard, and everyone in camp trembled with fear. ¹⁷ Moses led them out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. ¹⁸ Mount Sinai was covered with smoke because the Lord had come down in a flaming fire. Smoke poured out of the mountain just like a furnace, and the whole mountain shook. ¹⁹ The trumpet blew louder and louder. Moses spoke, and God answered him with thunder. ²⁰ The Lord came down to the top of Mount Sinai and told Moses to meet him there. ²¹ Then he said, “Moses, go and warn the people not to cross the boundary that you set at the foot of the mountain. They must not cross it to come and look at me, because if they do, many of them will die. ²² Only the priests may come near me, and they must obey strict rules before I let them. If they don't, they will be punished.”
..Sin had created a terrible separation between a holy God and fallen humanity.

But God did not send Adam and Eve from Eden without hope.

He promised that one day the offspring of the woman would defeat the serpent – Genesis 3:15

KJV ¹⁵ And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. CEV ¹⁵ You and this woman will hate each other; your descendants and hers will always be enemies. One of hers will strike you on the head, and you will strike him on the heel.”
..This was the first promise of the gospel and pointed forward to a coming Redeemer.

God also provided clothing for Adam and Eve – Genesis 3:21

KJV ²¹ Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them. CEV ²¹ Then the Lord God made clothes out of animal skins for the man and his wife.
..This pointed toward His plan to cover our sin and save us.

Through His death and resurrection, Jesus made it possible for our broken relationship with God to be restored.

One day Jesus will return and take His people to live with Him – John 14:1-3

KJV ¹ Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 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. ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. CEV ¹ Jesus said to his disciples, “Don't be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me. ² There are many rooms in my Father's house. I wouldn't tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you. ³ After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together.
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- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

Sin separated humanity from God, but Christ's sacrifice provides a way back to Him.

God showed Adam that a Redeemer would come.

The sacrifices reminded God's people that sin brings death and that salvation would come through the promised Saviour.

Seeing the first sacrifice must have been painful for Adam.

The innocent sacrifice pointed forward to Jesus, the Lamb of God, who would give His life to save sinners.

This promise gave humanity hope.

- Conclusion

Sin separated humanity from God and brought suffering and death.

But God immediately promised a Saviour.

Through Jesus, the relationship broken in Eden can be restored.

- Reflection

What did humanity lose because of sin?

Reveal Suggested Answer

What hope did God give Adam and Eve before they left Eden?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- THURSDAY – God's Spokespeople

- Lesson

Sin ended the face-to-face communication with God that Adam and Eve enjoyed in Eden.

But God did not become silent.

Creation still reveals something about God's power and character – Romans 1:19-20

KJV ¹⁹ Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. ²⁰ For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: CEV ¹⁹ They know everything that can be known about God, because God has shown it all to them. ²⁰ God's eternal power and character cannot be seen. But from the beginning of creation, God has shown what these are like by all he has made. That's why those people don't have any excuse.
..However, nature also shows the terrible effects of sin through suffering and death.

God has also communicated through prophets.

He chose people to be His spokespersons and sometimes revealed His messages through visions and dreams – Numbers 12:6

KJV ⁶ And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. CEV ⁶ Then after commanding them to listen carefully, he said: “I, the Lord, speak to prophets in visions and dreams.
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Noah, Abraham, Moses, Daniel, and many others received messages from God.

Some prophets wrote books that became part of Scripture, while others served as God's messengers without writing books of the Bible.

The Bible is inspired by God and teaches, corrects, and prepares us to live as He desires – 2 Timothy 3:16-17

KJV ¹⁶ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ¹⁷ That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. CEV ¹⁶ Everything in the Scriptures is God's Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live. ¹⁷ The Scriptures train God's servants to do all kinds of good deeds.
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Through Scripture, we learn who God is, who we are, where we came from, and where we are going.

But God's clearest revelation is Jesus Christ.

In earlier times God spoke through the prophets, but He has now spoken through His Son – Hebrews 1:1-2

KJV ¹ God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, ² Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; CEV ¹ Long ago in many ways and at many times God's prophets spoke his message to our ancestors. ² But now at last, God sent his Son to bring his message to us. God created the universe by his Son, and everything will someday belong to the Son.
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Jesus said, "He who has seen Me has seen the Father" – John 14:9

KJV ⁹ Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father? CEV ⁹ Jesus replied: Philip, I have been with you for a long time. Don't you know who I am? If you have seen me, you have seen the Father. How can you ask me to show you the Father?
..His life and character show us what God is truly like – John 14:7-9

KJV ⁷ If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. ⁸ Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. ⁹ Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father? CEV ⁷ If you had really known me, you would have known the Father. But from now on, you do know him, and you have seen him.” ⁸ Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father. That is all we need.” ⁹ Jesus replied: Philip, I have been with you for a long time. Don't you know who I am? If you have seen me, you have seen the Father. How can you ask me to show you the Father?
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Jesus came to seek and save those who were lost – Luke 19:10

KJV ¹⁰ For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. CEV ¹⁰ The Son of Man came to look for and to save people who are lost.”
..Through His life, death, and resurrection, He fulfilled the promise first given in Eden.

Jesus also said that His followers hear His voice and follow Him – John 10:27-30

KJV ²⁷ My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: ²⁸ And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. ²⁹ My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. ³⁰ I and my Father are one. CEV ²⁷ My sheep know my voice, and I know them. They follow me, ²⁸ and I give them eternal life, so that they will never be lost. No one can snatch them out of my hand. ²⁹ My Father gave them to me, and he is greater than all others. No one can snatch them from his hands, ³⁰ and I am one with the Father.
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After Jesus returned to heaven, the Holy Spirit continued guiding God's people into truth – John 16:13

KJV ¹³ Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. CEV ¹³ The Spirit shows what is true and will come and guide you into the full truth. The Spirit doesn't speak on his own. He will tell you only what he has heard from me, and he will let you know what is going to happen.
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God has never stopped communicating with humanity.

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

To know Jesus is to know what God is like.

Christ perfectly revealed God's character through His life.

God has always chosen people to share His truth, even when His messengers were rejected or persecuted.

People such as Stephen and Paul suffered for their faith, but God's message continued spreading.

God still wants His people to know the truth and prepare for Christ's return.

- Conclusion

God has communicated through creation, prophets, Scripture, and the Holy Spirit.

But His clearest revelation is Jesus.

Through Christ, we see God's character and His desire to save us.

- Reflection

What are some ways God has communicated with humanity since sin entered the world?

Reveal Suggested Answer

Why is Jesus the clearest revelation of God?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- FRIDAY – Ellen G. White

- Lesson

God did not stop communicating with His people after Bible times.

Ellen Gould Harmon, later known as Ellen G. White, was born with her twin sister Elizabeth on November 26, 1827, in Gorham, Maine.

When Ellen was nine years old, a classmate threw a stone that struck her in the face.

The serious injury ended her formal education and affected her health for the rest of her life.

As Ellen grew older, she struggled spiritually.

Her family accepted the Millerite teaching that Jesus would soon return, but Ellen feared that she was not ready.

Even after being baptised into the Methodist Church in 1842, she felt unworthy of God's love and believed she was lost.

Two dreams began to change her thinking.

Later, Methodist preacher Levi Stockman helped Ellen understand God's love and grace.

She began to see God as a loving Father instead of someone she needed to fear.

Ellen also came to understand that the Bible does not teach that the lost suffer forever in an eternally burning hell.

Her growing understanding of God's character changed her life.

She developed a deep love for Jesus and dedicated the rest of her life to serving Him.

- Conclusion

Ellen's early experience shows how our understanding of God's character affects our relationship with Him.

Fear had made her feel hopeless.

Learning about God's love, grace, and forgiveness helped her trust Him.

The God who searched for Adam and Eve still wants His children to know and trust Him.

- Reflection

What changed Ellen's understanding of God?

Reveal Suggested Answer

How did Ellen's new understanding of God's character affect her life?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Why is face-to-face communication a good picture of the relationship God originally wanted with humanity?

Reveal Suggested Answer

Why do people sometimes hide from God after they sin?

Reveal Suggested Answer

What does God's question "Where are you?" teach us about His response to sinners?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- LESSON SUMMARY

The Creator Speaks

God created human beings for close, personal communion with Him.

Adam and Eve originally enjoyed direct communication with their Creator, but sin brought guilt, fear, and separation.

They hid from God, but God searched for them and asked, "Where are you?" – Genesis 3:9

KJV ⁹ And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? CEV ⁹ The Lord God called out to the man and asked, “Where are you?”
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Before Adam and Eve left Eden, God promised that a Redeemer would come – Genesis 3:15

KJV ¹⁵ And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. CEV ¹⁵ You and this woman will hate each other; your descendants and hers will always be enemies. One of hers will strike you on the head, and you will strike him on the heel.”
..Through Jesus, God provided the way for the relationship broken by sin to be restored.

God has continued communicating with humanity through creation, prophets, Scripture, and the Holy Spirit.

His clearest revelation is Jesus Christ – Hebrews 1:1-2

KJV ¹ God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, ² Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; CEV ¹ Long ago in many ways and at many times God's prophets spoke his message to our ancestors. ² But now at last, God sent his Son to bring his message to us. God created the universe by his Son, and everything will someday belong to the Son.
..Jesus shows us what God is truly like and came to seek and save the lost.

God's communication did not end in Bible times.

Ellen White's early experience also shows the importance of understanding God's true character. Learning about His love and grace changed her fear into faith and led her to dedicate her life to Jesus.

The Creator has never stopped reaching out to His children.

He wants us to hear His voice, know His character, and return to the close relationship with Him that sin has broken.