Eden, Exodus & the Empty TombSample

WHERE WE'RE GOING

While many people know the story of Jesus' death and resurrection recorded in the Gospels, they may overlook that the significance of the cross and the empty tomb is woven throughout the entire Bible, beginning at the dawn of creation. In the “Eden, Exodus & The Empty Tomb” bible study, we’re going to take a closer look at Genesis 3, Exodus 12, and Matthew 27-28 and trace four essential themes in each story:

Theme #1) The Captive

Theme #2) The Child

Theme #3) The Sacrifice

Theme #4) The Mission

As we approach the fourth week, the focus will shift to responding to what we have learned in the first three weeks. Prayerfully, as Easter Sunday approaches, you will be able to understand and embrace the reality of the empty tomb!

GOD'S REDEMPTIVE PLAN IN EDEN

The Captive: Adam & Eve

“Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths” (Gen. 3:7). Adam and Eve's disobedience fractured their perfect relationship with God, leaving them ashamed of their nakedness and imperfections. Without a Savior, humanity is doomed to be enslaved to shame from the enemy.

The Child: Future Offspring

“I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel” (Gen. 3:15). This is the first promise of a Savior. While sin entered the world through one man, Adam, salvation for sinners would also come through the man Jesus Christ. God shares His plan for redemption in this verse by promising to send His Son, Jesus, into the world. His heel would be bruised through His death, but He would “crush the head” of the enemy through His resurrection!

The Sacrifice: Animal Skin To Cover Shame

“And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them” (Gen. 3:21). God foreshadowed the importance of sacrifice by clothing Adam and Eve in animal skin, the first biblical record of an animal's death.

The Mission: Work The Ground

“Therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken” (Gen. 3:23). Banished from Eden, Adam and Eve could not reach the Tree of Life, preventing them from living eternally in their sin. They were instructed to take care of God’s creation, and this mission for all of humanity would be fully realized in the Great Commission Jesus gave many generations later!

Big Idea

Adam and Eve’s sin and expulsion from Eden display our need for salvation and set the stage for Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

LET'S THINK ABOUT THIS

Question #1: What is one thing that “jumped out” to you while reading Genesis 3:1-24?

Question #2: Which of the four themes we’re studying each week (The Captive, The Child, The Sacrifice, and The Mission) stands out the most to you?

Question #3: Why is it important to understand that the Easter story is woven throughout every book of the Bible, not just the Gospels?