Abiding in the Vine - God's Purpose for Man: Part 1 of 13

Preview: What it means to abide in the vine. This is the first part of a thirteen-part series on this subject.


Scripture Reading: Genesis 1:1-23.

Memory Verse: Jeremiah 10:12.

1. According to the foregoing Scriptures, was our world created by God or did it evolve?
2. What will happen to those who refuse to accept the Creator and His creation? Jeremiah 10:10-11.
Note: It is impossible for man to believe in evolution and accept the only true God. Only those who accept Him as the creator of the universe can abide in Him. Abide means to remain, to live up to or submit to and carry out a plan.
3. What sets man apart from the rest of God’s creation? Genesis 1:26-27.
4. What instruction and provision did God give to man? Genesis 1:28-31.
Note: Man was created in the image of God. Since God is the root of righteousness, man was made to be a branch to the vine of righteousness, which is Jesus Christ (John 15:1-8). Through Him only can man be connected to the Heavenly Father and bring forth righteous seed. Man was instructed to be fruitful and multiply and fill the whole earth with God’s glory.
5. How did man fail to follow God’s command? Genesis 3:1-6.
Note: There is much speculation as to why the serpent approached Eve instead of Adam. Perhaps it was because she had received the instructions second hand (Genesis 2:16-17). Or perhaps he realized the influence of a woman can be either for good or evil. In any event, Eve bought the story and persuaded her husband to disobey his Maker.
6. How did their disobedience separate them from the root of righteousness? Genesis 3:7-11.
Note: Then, as now, only sin (which is disobeying God’s Law) can separate us from God and His righteousness.
7. Did they acknowledge their sin and seek forgiveness, or did they make excuses? Genesis 3:12-13.
Note: Their unwillingness to take responsibility and repent of their actions separated them from the vine. Just as a branch that is broken from a tree dies from lack of nourishment; anyone who does not continually abide in Christ is spiritually dead. John 1:1-4, John 1:10, I John 1:1-10, I John 2:1-5.
8. What grave punishment was pronounced on these three creations of God? Genesis 3:14-19, Genesis 3:23-24.
9. What are and always have been the wages of sin? James 1:12-15.
10. Does this sentence for sin apply to all mankind? Why? Romans 5:12-14.
Note: All are born in sin and need a Savior to deliver them from the sentence of death.

To Be Continued…

Other Lessons* in this series:

Abiding in the Vine - God's Purpose for Man: Part 1 of 13
Abiding in the Vine - God's Plan for Righteous Fellowship: Part 2 of 13
Abiding in the Vine - How God Preserved A Righteous Seed: Part 3 of 13
Abiding in the Vine - How God Preserved A Righteous Seed: Part 4 of 13
Abiding in the Vine - How God Preserved A Righteous Seed: Part 5 of 13
Abiding in the Vine - God Prunes the Branches: Part 6 of 13
Abiding in the Vine - The Supreme Test of Faith: Part 7 of 13
Abiding in the Vine - God Chooses A Righteous Seed: Part 8 of 13
Abiding in the Vine - Jacob the Righteous Branch: Part 9 of 13
Abiding in the Vine - The Blessing Continues Through Jacob's Sons: Part 10 of 13
Abiding in the Vine - How God Preserves His People & Fulfills A Promise: Part 11 of 13
Abiding in the Vine - The Exodus Continues As Promised: Part 12 of 13
Abiding in the Vine- A Righteous Nation Is On the Way: Part 13 of 13

*Lessons in a series may not necessarily be in the same category.