Title: I Decide What Is Right

Scripture: Genesis 2:8-9, 15-17

Speaker: Reid Kapple, ReidK@ChristCommunityKC.org

“There is, at bottom, no design, no purpose, no evil, no good, nothing but pitiless indifference...We are machines for propagating DNA.”

"What I mean by the noble lie is one that deceives us, tricks us, compels us beyond self-interest, beyond ego, beyond family, nation, race...that will deceive us into the view that our moral discourse must serve the interests not only of ourselves and each other, but those of the earth as well."

Date: Sept 24, 2017

Text: Genesis 2:15-17

Title: I Decide What’s Right

ASSESSING OUR CULTURE: Reid claims that we have a deeply moral culture. He further claims that “Belief in God is not necessary for a moral life. But the existence of God is.”

>> What do you make of this statement?

OPPOSING VIEWS: “There is, at bottom, no design, no purpose, no evil, no good, nothing but pitiless indifference...We are machines for propagating DNA.” -Richard Dawkins.

>> What are the strengths of this view (where there is not God)? And Why might someone hold this view?

>> Do you find this view satisfactory? Why or why not?

AUTHORITY with no ABILITY: To eat from the tree did not mean Adam and Eve would then know what is good and evil. To eat from the tree meant that now they would decide for themselves what is good and what is evil.

>> We do the same thing. But while we have granted ourselves the authority to do so, we don’t possess the ability to do so.

>> This story from Genesis and this statement made by Reid have so much to learn from. Discuss what stands out to you the most?

SIN BEHIND EVERY SIN: “The desire to be our own God who determines what is right and what is wrong for ourselves is not only behind the first sin in the garden but it continues to be the sin behind every sin that we commit today.”

>> This is a bold statement but think about the sins you or others commit. As a group see if you can trace how this sin (to be our own God who determines right and wrong) lies beneath every sin.

OPENING SCRIPTURE: Read Psalm 19.

What makes God’s law so beautiful and appealing? Anything else stand out to you?

LIVING THIS OUT: In order to know right from wrong, ultimately we must know a person, Jesus — we know Jesus by listen to the Story of Scripture (Bible reading) and speaking to the Author (prayer). . .

>> What are challenges and joys you’ve experienced in seeking to make Bible reading and prayer a regular part of your life?

>> Are there any best practices to steal from one another to grow in these areas?

PRAYERS OF REPENTANCE: If we are honest, the fact that we want to be our own god, with our own authority to decide what we want is extremely arrogant. We have rebelled against our creator. We deserve death. Seeing the depth of our sin should lead us to repentance.

If you are willing, spend time as a group 1) confessing sin, 2) repenting of sin, and 3) being assured of Christ’s forgiveness. I John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”