Study Guide: Futile the Fig Leaf

Sunday July 11, 2010 | Kevin Johnson

Focus Scripture:

• Genesis 3:6-10

  When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

  Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?"

Brief Summary:

As children, we learn to play “hide-and-seek” with our siblings, parents and friends. Many of us continue to play this game with God as adults. Kevin Johnson challenges us to turn to God with our whole heart and receive God’s mercy and grace.

Extended Summary:

In Genesis 3:6-10 we read the story of Adam and Eve as they became aware of their nakedness and hid from God. Kevin connected this story to a common struggle that many of us have with hiding ourselves from each other and God. We put up a front that we think will work well for whomever we want to please and impress. As well as this might seem to work at times, it never works with God (Heb. 4:12-13) and in the long run it does more harm that good in our other relationships.

Thankfully, in addition to God’s never being fooled by our hiding, God is also merciful and gracious. Read Hebrews 4:13-16 especially that last sentence. Kevin clarified our situation with this:

There are really only two things that keep us from God.

1. an inaccurate view of God.

2. an accurate view of ourselves.

Most of us know that we are naked and not fit to be in the presence of God, but we have to also know the truth about God’s grace as well in order to overcome our reluctance of approaching God in honesty and humility. Kevin closed his message today with this summary:

“Beloved, I see you. Turn to me and I will run to you.”

Reflection Questions:

1. Read each of the supporting texts. What stood out to you most from this message and the supporting texts?
2. Kevin shared his story about being a “people pleaser” earlier in his life. How is this a way of hiding? How does living like this affect our relationships with God and each other? What if we did the opposite and just blurted out exactly what we think all of the time? Would that be better?
3. When Kevin said that there are really only two things that keep us from God: “an inaccurate view of God” and “an accurate view of ourselves”. What did he mean by each? Which of these do you seem to struggle with more?
4. Can you hear (figuratively) God speaking this statement to you? “Beloved, I see you. Turn to me and I will run to you.” How does this connect to the other points Kevin made in this message? How does it connect to the passages we’ve read for today?

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