Human Responses to God

Question 1

2.1 What is the story of ‘The first responses: Adam and Eve; Cain and Abel?

Answer 1

Starts in Garden of Eden- Adam and Eve have a perfect relationship with God and natural world.

• All changes when they set themselves up in opposition to God.
• Have to make a new life for themselves. (Much harder life than in Eden)
• Their sons need to work hard and tend to the animals and land
• Relationship broken by bitterness and envy on part of Cain
• Ends in murder of Abel and expulsion of Cain

Question 2

What does this story show?

Answer 2

• Shows what humans are really like and how they respond to God’s commands.
• Helps to illustrate what happens when they disobey him and move away from Gods Purpose for them and for the world

Question 3

2.1a The Garden of Eden: Genesis 2:4-25

Answer 3

• God made the earth, he reveals his power to bring to life what was lifeless
• Garden of Eden means the garden of delight, with God and humans living and working in harmony
• Adam lived in Eden and had a wonderful life at first
• Humans were not meant to live alone so Eve arrives as Adams partner
• The story teaches that human should not be alone

Question 4

2.1b The Fall: Genesis 3

Answer 4

This is story about greed and selfish ambition on the part of Adam and Eve; and justice, compassion and mercy on the part of God.

• The eating of the fruit is a picture of human failure and speaks across the centuries to people today.
• Both Adam and Eve could have resisted eating the apple but each made their own decision and brought upon themselves the consequences of what the Bible calls ‘sin’.

Question 5

2.1c Cain and Abel: Genesis 4:1-16

Answer 5

This is the story of Cain’s jealousy of his brother Abel.
-Once sin has been committed it has a knock- on effect and affects the development of human character.
Cain was envious of Abel’s good relationship with God. –He must have been aware of his bad temper but he blamed his brother for causing his anger and jealousy.
His anger may also reflect the natural antagonism between agriculture and sheep farming.

Question 6

2.2 Abraham’s Response

Answer 6

• God had a special relationship with Abraham. He spoke to him when he was living in Haran to move all his belonging and family to a land that God would show him
• Abraham obeyed God and did what he said
• Abraham had a great deal of faith in God

Question 7

The near Sacrifice of Isaac: Genesis 22.1-19

Answer 7

• Offering sacrifices to God formed a central part of Old Testament life.
• The Israelites believed they needed a way to say sorry to God if they did anything wrong.
• The Jewish nation gave the first fruits of the harvest both as thanksgiving and as an act of faith that God would prosper the whole growing season.
• The killing of the best cattle thanked God for providing pasture and food. Blood was sacred because it represented life.